My Corporate Impressions : From Desk Neighbours to Lifelong Allies

Last weekend, I took a stroll down memory lane, reminiscing about a decade past. It was incredibly refreshing to revisit those times. I'm sure every corporate employee can relate to this post, whether your journey spans a single year or over 20.

Corporate life is often compared to a roller coaster, but in my case, it felt more like a merry-go-round. I’ve changed companies more times than a tech gadget changes versions, each spin bringing new colleagues, new challenges, and new memories. Some colleagues become mere footnotes in your professional diary, while others become the main characters in the story of your life. Here’s my journey through the corporate maze, with a few laughs, some tears, and friendships that turned into lifelong bonds.

The Fresh Start....

I began my career as a wide-eyed graduate at my first job. Fresh out of college, I thought I knew everything about the corporate world because, hey, I’d watched The Office. My first company was like a small pond where everyone knew everyone. My initial days were filled with the usual rookie blunders – sending emails to the wrong recipients, mixing up deadlines, and of course, the dreaded coffee spill on the boss’s new suit.

But amidst the chaos, I had some great colleagues. Our bond grew over shared lunch breaks, mutual dislike for the office’s ancient coffee machine and many interesting gossips over a virtual calls or on the lunch table.

The Great Leap...

After a year, the itch to try something new led me to my second job. The transition was like moving from a cozy small town to a bustling city. The office was a maze of cubicles, and remembering everyone's names felt like trying to memorize the phone book. I loved this place, even though it was for a short time but felt like I was here for very long time. Unfortunately the time had different plans for me.

The Storm and the Calm....

Every career has its ups and downs, and my subsequent jobs truly felt like a roller coaster ride. I spent 3.5 years at a place brimming with learning opportunities, playing pivotal roles in managing the function. It was one of the best places I've worked during my corporate journey, where I met some incredibly talented colleagues who became lifelong friends. However, I eventually decided to venture out on my own, facing numerous challenges along with the chaos and excitement that come with such a decision.

This marked the beginning of my Corporate 2.0 journey at a mid-sized company with buddies from my very first job. Long hours, high pressure, and tight deadlines were the norm, but I had some great times there. From late-night work sessions to dreaming about the future, our team found time to discuss everything under the sun. Our friendship extended beyond office walls. We celebrated birthdays, supported each other through tough times, and became a family away from home.

The Unexpected Turn...

Just when I thought I had seen it all, my latest job brought an unexpected twist. I was in a new city, a new environment, I met some new people, worked together. from the excitement of new projects to the disappointment of missed opportunities. We laughed, we argued, we supported each other. Our friendship was a reminder that in the corporate world, where everything changes so quickly, some connections remain constant.

Looking back, my corporate journey has been a series of meetings, deadlines, and countless cups of coffee. But more than that, it has been a journey of friendships. The people I met along the way, the ones who became more than colleagues, have made this ride memorable. They turned mundane workdays into memorable moments and helped me navigate the ups and downs of corporate life.

In the end, it’s not the projects we remember, but the people who were there with us. So here’s to Meghana Kalburgi Anupama Keskar Divya Ramesh Bhavika Jaichandani Abhishek Ranjan Praveen Zore Dolly Jangid Suvarna (Jadhav) Khabya JAPJEE SHAHPURI @Saurabh Jain Aditya Kanabar Aditi Gaitonde Vihanga Joshi Banita Sharma Vijay Kukreja HARMEET SINGH Snehal Chavan Ankush Dharamthok Anisha Mahajan Payal Kanojiya and the list is too big to add all of them, as I was lucky to have some really great buddies around – my corporate companions turned lifelong friends. Thank you for making this merry-go-round ride a journey worth taking.

Note: I have not tagged my wonderful colleagues from the Business teams, the leaders I've worked with, and the incredible ground staff who have always been there for me whenever I needed them.

Please consider my apology for missing on my favourites if any to tag :(