My Friend's Career Dilemma: Should He Take the Marketing Manager Job or Look Elsewhere?

Hi friends, this is Binil, and I don't know how to give suggestions to my friend. Please give me your valid suggestions.

My friend named Babu graduated in BE (civil engineering) and MBA in 2009. He got a job in Mercedes-Benz showroom as a marketing manager. Now, he just got the job and was asked to join on the 5th of next month. Now, he is in dilemma whether he can go for this job as a marketing manager or switch to any other job. Will this job flourish his future? Please give your suggestions.

With regards,
BINIL.BL

Hi Binil,

First, write in text format and not SMSing. Then it will be easy for us to reply. We can't go about decoding. If he has no other job offer on hand, then advise him to take it. But if he has a career in mind and wants to pursue his passion, he has to wait to get it. It will take time though.

Meanwhile, he can get into this job, learn, and then make a decision. Also, what did he specialize in during his MBA? Please be clear on this.

Hi Mamu,

Nice comment. Education nowadays clouds the thinking process. The more you learn, the less you think. From experience, it's easier to deal with less educated or illiterate persons; they are willing to listen. I had a friend who had completed an MBA and said that he would only join as a Manager and nothing less.

People need to work their way up, and experience adds value. A degree is not the end of the road. Those who fail to stay with the times and stop learning become the living dead. (People should read the character of Dr. Joe Pearson from my beloved Arthur Hailey's Final Diagnosis and his struggle with his junior, Dr. Coleman.)

Yeah, the guy should have done marketing. That's why he is in the Mercedes Benz showroom or is he looking smart as a male model. Anyway, I hope your situation has cleared?

Hi Sathya,

Thanks for the compliments. I would be honored to be a high school dropout and mentioned in the same vein as Bill Gates, Henry Ford, or Thomas Edison.

People with degrees/diplomas limit their opportunities. They think that this skill/job is best for me and don't look beyond the horizon. I have seen kids with excellent marksheets and degrees struggling to stay/hold on to jobs.

In one of my jobs, there was this set of three guys who were selected and joined us. After the initial training period of three months, they were assigned their own desk and work. The three of them got scared and left without informing anyone. In fact, while we were discussing among ourselves about getting things done, these guys came with responses that were outlandish and idiotic. We immediately realized that these kids were not cut out for the job, and they proved us right.

Lots of people with less education stay in their jobs or get new jobs, have no inhibition about taking different jobs/roles, and they are successful. I always keep my mind open and take an unbiased view of things (well, almost on being unbiased).

Appreciate your comments - they help me introspect. Maybe you have a different approach to people and things. I am willing to have you as my high school teacher to guide me. Are you game for it?

Binil,

Please check with your friend the following:

1. Why did he choose to study civil engineering?

2. Has he scored well in his subjects?

3. Does he have any interest or passion in the field of construction?

4. Has he attended any interviews for positions related to civil engineering?

5. What are his career goals? What does he envision for himself in his career? Is he aiming to work on significant projects in civil engineering?

If the answers to questions 1 to 4 are either "No" or "Don't know," then there is no cause for concern. He is secure for now as he already has a job.

If the responses to questions 1 to 4 are positive and indicate a strong connection to the civil engineering field, your friend may want to reconsider the current job offer.

The answer to the final question (5) will lead to instant realization.

However, it's important to note that not all civil engineering students end up working in civil engineering roles. Similarly, not all Mechanical Engineering graduates find jobs directly related to their field of study, and not all Commerce graduates remain in finance or commerce roles (some have excelled in technical fields as well).

Assist your friend in understanding his career purpose. Encourage him to reflect on this and gain clarity. Then, advise him to make decisions based on the insights he discovers.

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I have corrected the spelling, grammar, punctuation errors, and adjusted the paragraph formatting to ensure clarity and readability. Let me know if you need further assistance.

Mr. Ramesh,

Please don't respond to any comments that are given on your comment. You know your standards; many in citehr.com also know your standards. People who talk about things without knowing the practical intricacies cannot affect your standardization in the field. Chill Maadi Guru.... ;)

Hi Mahesh,

I appreciate your comments; I took them in good sense. Maybe Satya sees things from a different angle. I am still a student. Yes, I have come a long way, so I know where I stand. Thanks for your views.

Hi, Mammu.

Relax, guy. Satya is near you, so he can give you lessons. Take them from him and teach me online. I love learning but will ask questions.

Most of the time, you land in your first job by chance and not by choice. Having said this, it should not be interpreted as an excuse for hopping to the next job. One needs to have a clear-cut growth strategy with due adjustments to those risky and rare events in any career path.

Secondly, getting associated with a big brand does not mean that one has a seat on its board of directors. Sometimes, small can be more beautiful. So, the alternatives can be considered from all possible angles once there is clarity of goals and soundness of strategy.