So, is it destiny or you?

My mom told me today for the 64783726th time not to worry and that whatever happens happens for good. Not to mention, I agreed with her on phone.

But then, is it really so?

When something happens one way and your life takes one direction, you start moving in that direction. And if you are inherently inclined to work hard, you turn that whatever way to your advantage and earn a reputation. You become an achiever in your area. And then people look at you and tell you "See! Had you got the other thing at that time in the past, you would not be this. You would not have achieved all this."

There appears a clear causation fallacy in such observations. If you had got that thing you wanted in the past, you would simply have taken a different direction, worked equally well and achieved similar results.

Wouldn't you have?

The coveted shortlist..

I wouldn't say such are the days you live for but yes, such are the high points of your life. In fact these define the subsequent part of your life and career.

I just collected my letter of invite for an interview with the most coveted consulting firm on any campus. The shortlist came the day before in the morning. I can't disclose the numbers but very few people have been shortlisted, based on overall profile. This includes your academic record, your extracurricular achievements, your professional performance in the past, and your personal drive. And because the panel looks at your life holistically, many things you did in the past when you didn't even know what kind of undergraduate education you would take make the difference. And I never differentiate myself on my academics anyway.

When I look back and think how I felt when I was struggling to make my life barely normal, I am fascinated. I never thought this day will come in my life. I never thought I would be so close to working with CEOs in my career, that I would one day have a chance at a career of advising the people I watched on TV.

Core terms payoffs

7 months in ISB flew by. For sure, now I realize what they mean when they say one year at ISB changes you, your perspective, and your life forever.

For one, sodomy of the core terms paid off today. I got the second ISB scholarship, this time for being in the the Dean's Merit List for core terms...phew! The first one was the ISB Admission Scholarship. Now I can afford to take the acads a little easy.

International placement season started some 15 days ago.

Resume is almost finalized now. It was difficult, took me some 30-40 iterations, just like the admission essays but has come up really well. All thanks to four McKinsey alums, and Sanjeev in particular. All of them gave valuable inputs and Sanjeev went out of his way in calling me himself and reviewing my resume for me. One alum from Citi group also gave a good piece of advice. Then my classmate Aloke gave me one full hour just 2 days before exams to review my resume. Of course I reciprocated.

McKinsey application deadline is tomorrow. I'll apply sometime today.

So much happening. And I have a feeling that I am forgetting something else too. What's it that I switched my laptop on for. Ohh crap! it's the end term exam tomorrow!

Movie for the evening..

Just watched '21'. The end was fantastic. Just look at the confidence of Ben sitting before the interviewer. Amazing if you can do it in real life!

Term break coming to an end..

Have watched..

No Man's Land

City of God

Life is Beautiful

Wall Street

in the last 24 hours and am going to get another one before the library closes..

brought Rashomon on a friend's suggestion but couldn't stand the black and white reel for more than half hour. Returned.

Watched Disturbia for a thriller to end the term break.

And now the pre reads for tomorrow's class. May be I'd read some Spanish notes too. It's been long.

Creating the thought leaders...

I want to share something with you which completely blew me away. The passion behind this system is overwhelming and I am fortunate to be a part of one such system, if not the exact same.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid992329247?bctid=769654260

We have such similar things here. This makes me see my own system in a very different way - how much it has to offer and how much more I need to make out of it. Term 4 is on in four days...way to go Sodium.

A stepping stone to a career in finance or financial consulting..

The news is just in..

Results came out. The company had given only one project here and 19 teams bid for it. Two were shortlisted, the other one of a very close friend. Both were interviewed and then high drama ensued. Results for all other companies were announced on the stipulated date but this one was withheld on part of some ongoing discussions on the client side. Then the two teams were called again for another meeting but the meeting was cancelled at the last minute. The results followed soon after.

We have got the project from one of the most coveted I-Banks. It was also the hottest project of this year here. Wishes have been pouring in since then. Have to agree, this is the biggest name associated with me so far.

And it all started with one phone call.

Watch out this space for more...for now, I have to meet my study group for tomorrow's case discussion..