Ramblngs of an accidental engineer

Let me take you back to 1977. The place is Bangalore. I was standing in line to select the college and the branch of engineering I was to pursue as a profession for the rest of my life. Little did I know the import of this decision until almost 10 years later when I found myself at cross-roads in my career.

The tote board was updated with the seats available and one could see how one's future was playing out in real time. I went into this not knowing exactly what I wanted to pursue. I was thinking I would choose Electronics as my field of engineering. The tote board came up empty for me. Now here I was closing in on the desk where my future would be decided. I was 18 years old, there was no internet those days to give me sweeping view of my options, I had to make a quick decision - Ugh!

I spoke to the fellow in front of me and and asked him what would be a good choice. He said - Mechanical Engineering at BMS. Now I had heard of BMS but never really knew where it was located in Bangalore. Mechanical Engineering sounded interesting - I would learn about cars, machines, mathematics.

I walked up to the desk and said - Mechanical Engineering, BMS. The man in charge with the book asked around and came back with - Done! Wow! Just like that I chose a career track without knowing where the college was nor what it meant to pursue the major.

Thus began my accidental journey into engineering. The shocks started coming in like small earthquakes and all I could do was flinch, grin and bear it.

Grin and bear it I did but I was fortunate that my career took me more towards computers rendering my choice redundant. I could very well have chosen Civil Engineering and been in the same spot as I am today.

Career choices are very important from the get go. Word of advise to the youngsters - introspect and figure what you would like to be doing 10 years hence before you choose your line of work.