This too shall pass

It was a beautiful sunny day in Atlanta. My roommates and I were all dressed smartly in suits, looking forward to the annual career fair. A career fair is perhaps the most important day for students looking for full-time employment. Universities invite companies to campus, to meet students and encourage networking. The interaction typically can translate into an interview call.

Just before leaving the house, my roomie turned on the TV to check on the weather. Much to our shock, we saw an airplane pierce into the world trade centre. As we sat back on our couch, we realized, this was catastrophic and it only got worse. Not surprisingly the career fair event got cancelled. In a matter of weeks, the airline industry almost collapsed, the economy terribly weakened, organisations went on a hiring freeze and some employment offers were revoked.

The next couple of months, the campus had a gloomy feel. My friends and I were devastated. The dream job we all aspired for seemed like a mirage. Every conversation with my friends on campus, we were lamenting about our luck and why this should happen to our batch.

It’s almost a couple of decades now and when I look back at that phase, it only brings a smile onto my face since it made me a stronger and tougher individual. Although the career fair got cancelled, my friends and I eventually managed to find jobs and settle in our careers. The reason am sharing this anecdote is because, in some of my interactions with students graduating this year or those that have just started their careers, I hear of a lot of negativity and anxiety because of what’s happening around. Understandably some sections of people waiting to start their careers or those that have just got their big breaks might feel more impacted than others. My advice...please stay positive. Things will find a way to turn around and with some tenacity, you will get what you are aspiring for.

Remember...I (and so many others) graduated the year of “Sep 11” and we found a way to navigate through the challenging times.

Best wishes!