EdGe - Your Grooming Partner

EdBlogs

A tale of two Students

Dear students,
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill
Taking right decisions at the right time is the key for success. Sometimes we suffer because of our bad decisions.   Life is unpredictable, and it can take us through a rollercoaster of events. In this tale of two students from IIT Kanpur in the early 2000s, we see how different decisions can lead to vastly different outcomes.


The first student was a topper in his class and got selected by Google. However, he chose to go to Purdue University for his MS instead of accepting the job offer. The second student, on the other hand, was a 5-pointer, one of the last rankers, and got into Google because it was his only overseas option. In 2004, Google had a blockbuster IPO, and the second student rose to a much more senior position in the company while the first one got hugely disappointed.

After completing his MS, the first student decided to do an MBA, but the second student kept rising up the ranks in Google. In 2008, the first student got a placement from Morgan Stanley, but due to the recession, his job was shelved before he could even start working. Meanwhile, the second student kept climbing the ladder in Google.


This tale is a reminder that life is full of possibilities, both good and bad. Success does not always depend on one factor, but rather a culmination of several factors. Sometimes, taking the right decision at the right time can make all the difference. The first student's decision to go to Purdue University instead of accepting the job offer from Google may have seemed like the right decision at the time. However, when Google went public and became one of the most successful companies in the world, he may have regretted his decision.

On the other hand, the second student's decision to join Google, despite being a last-ranker in his class, turned out to be a wise decision. He rose through the ranks and became a senior executive in the company, which would have been impossible if he had not taken that chance. Life is full of twists and turns, and it's not always possible to predict the outcome of our decisions. However, it's essential to take decisions with humility and keep an open mind. We never know where life will take us, but we can always make the most of what we have and make the best of the opportunities that come our way.

In conclusion, this tale of two students from IIT Kanpur is a reminder that success is not always about being the best or making the most significant decision. Instead, it's a culmination of several factors, including taking the right decision at the right time and keeping an open mind. Life is full of possibilities, and we should always be prepared to embrace them with humility.
As Charles R. Swindoll rightly says “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it."
 
Remember “Our decisions shape our destiny”.

Wishing you all abundant success and  unlimited happiness.


Venkatesh Panyam

Note:Opinions expressed by authors are their own.

Pics Source:Stockvault




You may also like

  • EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
    Published 7d+

SRM University-AP: A Comprehensive Overview

SRM University-AP, also known as SRM University, Amaravati, is a private research-intensive institution located in Neerukonda, Mangalagiri Mandal, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Established in

  • EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
    Published 7d+

NEET: 2025 Physics Chapter wise Distribution

🔍 Overall Standard of NEET 2025 Physics Difficulty Level: Moderate to Difficult compared to previous years Mix of Questions: ~30–40% were easy/direct NCERT-based ~40–50%

  • EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
    Published 7d+

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning: A Comprehensive Overview

The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL), established in 1981 in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, was founded under the guidance of Sathya Sai Baba. The institution integrates academic excellence

  • VENKATESH PANYAM
    Published 7d+

Let Them Pop: Why Students Need Their Own Time to Excel

Dear Teachers and Parents,As parents and teachers, we often expect all students to excel at the same rate, assuming that if they are all exposed to the same environment and resources, they should all

  • Dr. Ravi Saripalle
    Published 7d+

Are you cutting the Tennis Balls?

A Can Can Store 2 Tennis Balls! Cut them to Half, 4 Balls Can Fit into the Same Can! Are Our Competitive Exams Promoting this Ideology?!! Read this Interesting Perspective!!Dear Friends and StudentsOne

  • Dr. Ravi Saripalle
    Published 7d+

Need for

What is proved just before 30 seconds of our heartbeat stops! Did we compile our memory book for the last reflash? Need for Happy Hour in Institutions. Read this interesting perspective.Dear Friends

  • EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
    Published 7d+

Ultimate Guide to B.Tech Courses in Andhra Pradesh

⚙ Core Engineering Branches CSE – Computer Science and Engineering Focuses on programming, algorithms, computer systems, and software development. ➤ Opportunities: Software engineer,

  • EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
    Published 7d+

Law Entrance Exams

Nowadays the students choosing LAW as a career has increased a lot. In order to get an admission they need to write a lot of admission tests . To help such students , a list of popular Law entrance exams

  • Dr. Ravi Saripalle
    Published 7d+

Nurture or Nature?

Nurture or Nature? How to make more verbal participation of Girl students in a classroom (UG Engineering)? Role of Women Faculty, Special Women Sections & Women Colleges! Read this Interesting perspective!Dear

  • Dr. Satish Raj Kuchipudi
    Published 7d+

Is Master's Degree Worth It? Factors to Consider Before Pursuing Further Education

The question "Is  master's degree worth it?" is legitimate and justified given that technology makes higher education more accessible and that there are many different fields of study.

  • Dr. Ravi Saripalle
    Published 7d+

Doctor, Be a Design Thinker!!

👆Read this Ad. When I predicted this 2 Years Back, Many questioned the integrity of AI! Mediocre Doctor Jobs are at Risk! The Future is here!!Dear FriendsI was questioned when I presented

  • EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
    Published 7d+

All About SASTRA

SASTRA University: A Premier Destination for Quality EducationSASTRA Deemed University, officially known as Shanmugha Arts, Science, Technology & Research Academy, is a top-tier institution located