The search still continues for that post MBA corner office
career. But in the mean time I decided to take the path less traveled. While
most of my classmates have taken up fantastic careers in consulting, finance,
marketing or become entrepreneurs; I decided to take up a career that throws me
out in the Canadian wilderness in weather conditions that cross -30C in the
white of winter and where bears, wolves and other wildlife roam freely around my
office space.
A work environment where graduating high school is a big
accomplishment, a place where cursing is a part of normal conversation. Where the dress code is raggedy torn jeans and
unkempt hair. This from the guy who used
to have to wear a suit and a pound of gel to work. Definitely chose a life less
ordinary.
What do I do you ask? I control the financial budgets for projects, the work is
tedious paper work and absolutely boring! It just so happens that I do this for
Oil and Gas exploration and construction projects. Thus, the remote work
locations. You could say that my job is to “lay pipe” and you wouldn’t be stretching
the truth.
Why did I do it? Not sure. I will agree that I was getting frustrated with the corporate
culture. But then why do an MBA? I guess the easiest answer is that I wanted to
experience something different, take on a bit of adventure; spice up my life, if
you will, as if living in India wasn’t spicy enough! BUT at the same time keep
the option of returning to the corporate jungle alive. After all, my job is to
control money, that too multi million dollars’ worth of it. These projects are
not cheap; every number here is followed by 5 or 6 zeros.
What else has happened this past year? My social life, well that’s
nonexistent. I don’t think I have made a new friend in the past year. And the
party scene is, for lack of a better word … boring. I think I can count in one
hand the number of times I have been out enjoying the night life over the last
year. Its just not the same anymore and I am glad to say that the party animal
is dead. My drink if choice now is water.
Don’t think I have cooked a meal since I quit the restaurant
13 months ago. Long hours and being constantly on the road have definitely impacted
my eating habits. Its usually takeout for dinner and a unhealthy snack for
lunch. And this poor eating definitely shows
on the waistline. Particularly, since the gym and I have become strangers now. Ofcourse,
all this has resulted in my athletic prowess taking a beating, people who were
no competition before are now running circles around me. But I am hoping that
will change soon especially since i just bought a punching bag.
