Am I Eligible for On-Campus Placements Despite My Educational and Career Gaps? Seeking Honest Advice

Hi seniors, fine good morning to all. I'm here to ask you an important question. Please take the time to read and try to understand.

(It's a lengthy letter, please read when you are free! I don't want to waste your production time.)

Background and Educational Journey

Seniors, I finished my UG in engineering in 2011. (It was supposed to be completed in 2010.) The thing is, I actually joined the B.E. course in 2006, but during my 6th-semester examination (May 19th, 2009), I met a terrible accident before the examination date. Both my legs (femur + foot) were broken, and I was unable to attend the 6th-semester exams.

During my 7th and 8th semesters (final year), I didn't attend most of the classes (nearly 80% of lectures). My college management allowed me to write the examination by adjusting the attendance (I provided a valid medical certificate). I wrote a few exams, but for others, I was unable to write due to my illness (I know I shouldn't give reasons, but I was seriously physically and mentally ill).

I took an extra 2 semesters to fulfill my degree by clearing 10 papers, meaning I should have completed in April 2010, but I finished in April 2011 with a first-class degree (thankfully with 75%). I have my provisional and degree certificates stating "passing year: April 2011 with 1st class." When the results came, I felt happy and went home to share the news. On that same day, my father was diagnosed with chronic kidney disorder (kidney failure). I stayed with my father during his kidney transplantation operation. With God's grace, my father underwent the operation, and now he is feeling healthier every day.

Professional Experience and Challenges

From April 2011 to December 2011, I stayed with my dad for the reasons mentioned above. I attended interviews, provided my doctor's certificate for the accident I had, and explained my educational gap. On January 2, 2012, I got placed in a multinational telecom giant company. New responsibilities, new life started. I was in a 6-month internship period. My seniors told me that "internship is like a honeymoon period; try to enjoy it. After that, work will be demanding." My friends and professors were surprised and happy about my placement with the telecom giant. I was working, learning, and enjoying. Those six months were truly a learning period for me, just like all my days since my schooling. On June 28, 2012 (still in the internship period), I was thinking about the responsibilities I would have from July 1, 2012, handling separate clients with a package of 4.5 lacs. I was excited and planning to buy gifts for my family, friends, and little friends in the orphanage. The whole day, I was half-dreaming about what I would do starting from the next week (from July 1, 2012).

My local manager came to me and said, "Actually, we are planning to put your batch on hold, and we suggest you (all my batch friends) to search for jobs outside as soon as possible. July 13th will be your last day in this company." He said this and wished me a happy and bright future. I thought it was part of my dream, but later, I confirmed from my seniors that it was true. I felt struck. I asked for the reason, but my manager didn't reply. My seniors tried hard to argue with the team manager in the USA for me, but it was of no use. I tried for an internal transfer within the company, but it didn't work. I also tried with other telecom companies that suited my job role. I found a vacancy in a Bangalore-based telecom company and went through all rounds until the final HR round. They were happy with me and ready to hire me, but the package offered was 3.5 lacs. I accepted it and waited for their call. They didn't respond for a few days. In the end, I called the company, and they informed me that the team I was supposed to work with had been removed. I asked why, but the answer was silence with wishes for a happy future. On July 13th, I left the company with a 7-month internship letter.

Later, I tried with some small companies, and all of them asked, "Why did you leave the giant company you were working with?" I argued with the HR, explaining the truth. Thankfully, I got placed in a small company with a monthly salary of 9k. I worked there for a few months until I realized that pursuing my PG would bring me back to my previous state with the telecom giant. So, in July 2013, I started my PG in telecom engineering at a private university. Everything is going well here, and I am maintaining an 8.7 CGPA. Now, it's placement time at my university.

Eligibility for On-Campus Placements

My question is, am I eligible to sit for on-campus placements despite having a long educational gap?

1) I completed my UG in April 2011 (supposed to be 2010).
2) Worked in a company for 7 months from January 2012 to July 2012.
3) Started working again from February 2013 to June 2013.
4) Started my PG career from July 2013 to the present.

I enquired with my university placement cell officer, and he said, "It depends on the company." So, I am here to ask you: am I eligible to sit in the placement at my university via on-campus?

I apologize for elaborating the details. I can summarize the content in three lines, but I feel the need to explain my situation in detail. You might know that the heart of every company belongs to the HR department, and my first company's HR understood my past and gave me the green signal to work with the giant company. Now, please kindly clarify my questions above. I have stated the truth.

Seniors, please clarify for me. Will this year gap affect my entry into the IT corporate world? I expect a truthful and open discussion, whether positive or negative. Please guide.

Thank you so much for taking the time to consider.

Regards,
JB

Your placement officer rightly mentioned that eligibility for placements varies from company to company. Some companies may not consider candidates with gaps in their employment or education. However, most companies do not have an issue hiring such candidates, provided they can justify the gap. After reading your story, I believe you can explain it well to them.

In my professional career, I have interviewed and selected many candidates with gaps in their education or employment, as long as they provided a valid explanation. These circumstances can happen to anyone, but with the right approach, they can be overcome. Trust me, these experiences will benefit your future professional career. You will likely be more dedicated to your job and understand its importance. Stay motivated and maintain a positive approach towards life. With excellent command over your domain, you will surely secure a decent job.

All the best!

I am sorry for your predicament and the difficulties you have undergone. There is definitely an urge within you that propels you to greater heights. Don't lose heart. You have encountered lots of bumps and hurdles in your life. You can explain your situation to the panel in a frank manner. I am sure they will consider you.

Pon, Chennai

I empathize with you on your narration of the things you have gone through so far. I'll share my thoughts from two angles:

Emotional

On the emotional front, begin by developing self-belief, and for God's sake, build your self-esteem. Cultivate the feeling that you are a unique creation of the Almighty, born with many "gifts" still to be unwrapped inside you. Release yourself from whatever fear is gripping you internally or externally. That said, you have to learn to deal with issues that confront you personally, including those of your family. We are outsiders who can give any amount of input from outside, whereas what you are going through only you will know better. Stop with the self-criticism and surround yourself with people who encourage your genius zone over your excellence or comfort zone.

Don’t get too caught up in comparison. It’s often very easy to compare ourselves when our lives are on public display. Yet we judge the package by the wrapping paper. You may think you want someone else’s life, but you don’t. Remember that everyone's inner turmoil is different in all aspects, including the way they handle it. The ones who succeed are probably the ones who did not react but responded to the challenges posed on them. When you succeed, which you will at some time, make a conscious effort to celebrate little victories, appreciate what you have, and keep moving forward.

Remember, comparison is a vicious trap because there’s always somebody ahead and always somebody behind. Don’t look too far forward, and don’t look too far back. Don’t make a big deal out of small things. The sun shines, rain falls, milk spills, babies are born, life happens. If you get worked up about small things, you’ll have a heart attack over the big things.

Failure or misgivings are not that big of a deal. You won’t die or go to jail. Keep cool; life will throw you curveballs. You’ll end up feeling broken. Broken does not mean beyond repair. Learn from your failures and misgivings. They always give you a learning. Look for the lesson; there usually is one.

Teach yourself something new every single day, and share it with someone who you think deserves or appreciates it. Shun the "To Do" list; instead, maintain a "To Be" list.

Practical

Now being practical: It's not how long you took to complete your degree. How much did you learn? How much did you grasp? How much have you been able to retain? What are you specialized in, or at least what is it that you are strong in (subject-wise)? How much of your learning can you translate to application? Did you engage yourself in worthwhile projects, be it while doing the degree or during your internship? What did you learn, and what was your contribution?

Being technically strong and degrees apart, please be informed that people who get hired, though basically for their degree, are also evaluated on other softer aspects like attitude, character, learning abilities, smartness, communication abilities (written/oral), hard work, values - integrity, honesty, sincerity, etc. These are very important aspects that employers, who are serious about their human assets, consider in their long-term investment plan, especially on the resources front.

Having said this, let me also tell you strongly, please erase this word "package" from your mind. While money is essential, it isn’t the only thing. Look at what you get to learn before you see what you get to earn. You'll get advisers all over the world; however, start believing that everybody has greatness within them! Sometimes you just have to dig deep and mine for it. Easier said than done.

I wish to end by:

1. Please acknowledge those who have invested their time to share their thinking with you, and that too unselfishly.

2. Please let the others know six months or a year later, as to where you were and where you are. Who knows, your story might just inspire some of those who are in a similar or worse "loop."

Regards