A tale of two 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
VENKATESH PANYAM
View Details
Like
3 Comments
Repost
You may also like
Sandip University
Published 7d+
Which MBA is best for placement?
There is no single "best" MBA program for placement, as different programs can offer strong placement outcomes for different industries and career paths. However, each stream of MBA studies can
The Art of Teaching
Published 7d+
"Involve Me and I Learn" – The Heart of Effective Teaching
Benjamin Franklin’s timeless wisdom, "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn," serves as a guiding star for educators. In the ever-evolving world of education,
K. Hanumantha Rao
Published 7d+
Importance of Comment
All of read articles or material as part of our curriculum.We agree with some ideas and may not agree with some ideas expressed by the author or writer.With the advent of social media, we are exposed to
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
What is Your Job Motivation Score?
What is Your Job Motivation Score? -28 to -55 Quit; -27 to 0 Wait; 0 to 27 Strive; 28 to 55 Sustain;Dear Friends and StudentsA couple of days back one of my friends sent me the concept of the Employee
The Art of Teaching
Published 7d+
Guiding Teenagers: Empowering Growth, Not Solving Problems
Teenagers often seem like puzzles—their behaviors, emotions, and choices can be perplexing to those who care for them. As parents, educators, or mentors, we may feel compelled to “fix”
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
What are the Future Job Opportunities for ECE/EEE/Mech/Civil/Chem Students?
What are the Future Job Opportunities for ECE/EEE/Mech/Civil/Chem Students? Yesterday I was sharing a video message (https://youtu.be/PAFuE-S3YL0 ) to all Engineering students on how they
EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
Published 7d+
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham - Amaravati Campus: In-depth Overview
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham's Amaravati campus, established in 2022, is a rapidly growing academic institution located in Kuragallu Village, Mangalagiri Mandal, Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh. This
Dileep Kumar Gangavaram
Published 7d+
VLSI Technology and Careers
In our regular day-to-day life Electronics are part of life, be it a mobile phones, laptops, smart TVs, and so on. The heart of this electronic component is semi-conductor chips(computer chips). The
A. Rashmi Bhavani
Published 7d+
Know My campus: ANITS
The BeginingAnil Neerukonda Institute of Technology and Sciences (ANITS) is situated in Bheemunipatnam of Andhra Pradesh state (Province) in India. The institute was established in the Academic Year
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
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
Your New Co-Researcher- Boon or Bane?
Your New Co-Researcher- Boon or Bane? Productivity Enabler or Creative Loss? -Message to Researchers, Faculty, and Students!Dear Researcher, Faculty and Student FriendsThree Years back, a few students
Related Blogs
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
The Art of Teaching
Published 7d+
Happy Teachers, Happy Students: Building Schools That Thrive
The saying, "Happy teachers make happy students," isn’t just a feel-good mantra—it’s a profound truth that underscores the foundation of a thriving educational
Dr. Ravi Saripalle
Published 7d+
What are the Future Job Opportunities for ECE/EEE/Mech/Civil/Chem Students?
What are the Future Job Opportunities for ECE/EEE/Mech/Civil/Chem Students? Yesterday I was sharing a video message (https://youtu.be/PAFuE-S3YL0 ) to all Engineering students on how they
ELCSLAB @ Lendi
Published 7d+
"Raghuvaran B.Tech: A Tale of Determination"
Introduction:"Raghuvaran B. Tech," a Telugu film released in 2014 and directed by Velraj, is a heartwarming story that speaks to the determination and dreams of everyday people. In this review,
The Art of Teaching
Published 7d+
Lessons in Perspective: A Tale for Teachers
As teachers, we often find ourselves anticipating specific answers from our students. But what happens when their responses diverge from our expectations? This story of a young boy and his math teacher
EdGe: Your Academic Co-pilot
Published 7d+
Civil Engineering: A Guide for Aspiring Students
What is Civil Engineering?Civil engineering is a core field of engineering that deals with the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of the built environment. This includes infrastructure