Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: aptitude

Showing posts with label aptitude. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Humor in Uniform : Do you want to be a “fauji” – or – do you want to appear to be a “fauji”...?

Do You Want to Join the Defence Services...?

NB:
1. The generic term “MILITARY” includes all the three Armed Forces – Army, Navy and Air Force
2. The generic word “Fauj” refers to all arms of the Military (Army, Navy, Air Force) and the term “Fauji” or “Soldier” refers to all military personnel in uniform of the Army, Navy and Air Force (Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen)]

CAREER ADVICE – LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP
Story of a Boy who wanted to “Appear to be a Naval Officer”
A Spoof
By
VIKRAM KARVE

PROLOGUE

There is a difference between being a “fauji” and to appear to be a “fauji”.

I am sure the same holds true for civilian professions as well.

Here is the story of one such officer who wanted to “appear to be a Naval Officer” – rather than – “be a true Naval Officer”

STORY OF A BOY WHO WANTED TO “APPEAR TO BE A NAVAL OFFICER”

Long back – around 30 years ago – a young boy – accompanied by his parents came to see me at my home in Pune where I was spending my annual leave.

The boy – 15 years old – was studying in the 11^th Standard (Class).

He wanted to join the Navy.

His parents – who lived nearby – were from a business background.

I talked to the boy.

I talked to his parents.

Then – from what I had learnt the hard way from my own experience – I advised the boy not to join the Navy.

His parents were angry with me – and they said: “Why are you saying so? Is our son not fit to join the Navy? Our son is very good – look at his personality, his physical fitness, his intelligence, his smartness. Don’t you feel that our son has the aptitude to be selected for the Navy?”

“Of course – he has the APTITUDE...” I commented, “but – does he have the right ATTITUDE...?”

At first – the boy and his parents seemed confused at what I had said.

Then – the parents looked at me angrily – and it seemed that they were getting upset.

Before the parents could react – I said:

“Well – I feel that your son does not have the appropriate attitude for the Navy...”

I saw that the furious parents now felt that I was demeaning their son.

They were in no mood to listen to any further explanations – so I kept quiet.

Their ego was hurt.

I could see that now the boy was even more determined than ever to join the Navy just to prove me wrong – as if it were a prestige issue.

The boy cleared the UPSC Exam.

Then – he sailed through the SSB.

Of course – in the Services Selection Boards (SSBs) – they assess “aptitude” – but I wonder if they evaluate “attitude”.

In due course – the smart young boy joined the academy as a cadet for basic training.

I lost track of the boy as I was busy with my own Navy career.

10 YEARS LATER

Ten years later – the same boy – looking smart in his spotless white uniform of a Navy Lieutenant – was sitting in my office in Mumbai.

He had come to ask me a favour.

He desperately wanted to get out of the Navy.

And – he was wondering – if I could help him out to get out of the Navy

“But why do you want to quit the Navy...?” I asked him with surprise, “You are just beginning your career in the Navy – and you have such a bright future ahead.”

“I just don’t like it over here – I just can’t tolerate my life being controlled all the time – the bloody rules, regulations – and all the bullshit – I can’t stand it anymore,” he complained bitterly.

“So – you don’t like the regimentation – the Navy way of life...?” I asked.

“Yes. I remember what you said 10 years ago when we had come over to your place in Pune. You said that I did not have the right attitude for the Navy. You were right. I should have listened to you...” he said, quite contrite.

Of course – then he went on to list many reasons why he wanted to quit – family pressures (his father was not keeping well and wanted him to look after their family business) – a matrimonial alliance (the girl did not want to marry a defence officer) – and so many other reasons.

But – the crux of the issue was the Attitudinal Mismatch problem.

I frankly told him that it would be very difficult for him to leave the Navy since he was a permanent commission cadet entry officer.

I advised him that now that he had joined the Navy – it was best for him to continue serving in the Navy – as he had a bright career ahead.

But – I saw that the young Lieutenant sitting in front of me was in no mood to listen to my platitudinous advice.

He had not listened to my advice when I told him not to join the Navy.

Now – again – he did not listen to me when I told him to continue serving in the navy.

I politely told him that I could not help him out in this matter – and that it was best he continue in the Navy at least till he completed 20 years pensionable service.

But – the young Lieutenant was adamant on quitting the navy.

He kept submitting his resignation again and again – giving different pretexts each time – and – he made his own life miserable – and – he made everyone else’s life miserable too.

Later – I learnt that his perseverance to quit the Navy had paid off.

He had finally managed to get out of the Navy after a struggle of nearly 3 years – relentlessly pushing his papers – pulling strings – using connections – begging and pleading his case.

13 years of his productive life were wasted – both to him and to the Navy – and finally – he left the Navy with a feeling of bitterness.

MORAL OF THE STORY

During my long Navy career I have seen many such cases of officers who realised that they were misfits in the Navy – and – sadly – they wasted many frustrated years of their lives in misery trying to get out of the Navy.

I am sure you will find similar examples in other professions as well – but – in the civilian world – it is easy to quit your job – and change over to something else.

That is why – before you take up a career – especially a military career – make sure you have the right attitude suitable for that career – LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP.

EPILOGUE

“MILITARY” CAREER IN A NUTSHELL

Many youngsters keep asking me about life and career prospects in the Armed Forces (Defence Services) – Army, Navy and Air Force.

So – here are the salient aspects of a Military Career in a Nutshell.

12 UNIQUE ATTRIBUTES OF A MILITARY CAREER IN THE DEFENCE FORCES
Tips from a Military Veteran
By
VIKRAM KARVE

(The generic term “MILITARY” includes all the three Armed Forces – Army, Navy and Air Force)

A career in the Defence Services or Armed Forces like the Army, Navy and Air Force is different from most other civilian careers.

The unique attributes of a military career entail a distinctive “way of life” that makes a career in the Armed Forces totally different as compared to a career in the civilian world.

Many young persons join the defence services without fully understanding the unique aspects of a Military career and then they feel out of place, mismatched, frustrated and regretful.

During my long Naval career I have seen so many officers who realised that they were misfits in the navy and wasted many frustrated years of their lives in misery trying to get out of the navy.

Please do not let that happen to you.

Do join the Army, Navy and Air Force – but do so with due diligence – with your eyes open and with full awareness.

It may prove foolhardy to join on a sudden impulse or in a wave of jingoism.

You must be realistic about choosing your career – whether in the Defence Services or elsewhere – because your career is probably the most important part of your life.

If you have the right attitude and compatible mindset – then a Military career is very satisfying and fulfilling.

But if your attitude in not in sync with the military way of life – then you may get frustrated and your life may become miserable.

That is why – before you join the defence services – make sure you have the right attitude suitable for a career in the armed forces.

“MILITARY” LIFE IN A NUTSHELL

To put “Military” Life in a nutshell – here is a list of 12 Unique Attributes that characterize a Military Career in the Armed Forces (Army Navy or Air Force):

1. HOLISTIC ORIENTATION

2. LIFETIME EMPLOYMENT

3. REGIMENTATION

4. TOUGH DANGEROUS CHALLENGING WORK

5. MODERATE COMPENSATION PACKAGE

6. MODEST CAREER PROSPECTS

7. NON-SPECIALISED CAREER PATH

8. CONFORMIST ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE

9. RIGID RANK BASED HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE

10. INFLEXIBLE HR POLICIES

11. UNSTABLE NOMADIC FAMILY LIFE

12. EARLY RETIREMENT AGE

If you planning to join the Armed Forces you must ask yourself whether you have the right attitude and compatible mindset to match all these 12 military attributes.

I am sure you understand each of the 12 points mentioned above which are self-explanatory – but – nevertheless – I shall try and elaborate on each point later in my blog.

In fact – I have already written articles/stories based on most of the above 12 attributes.

Also – it is always a good idea to talk to young officers of your age group to get a first-hand view of life in the respective Defence Service – as serving officers will be more updated and current in this matter.

Remember the Story of the Boy who wanted to “Appear to be a Naval Officer” – and – ask yourself:

Do you want to be a “fauji” – or – do you want to appear to be a “fauji”...?

All the Best.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. These tips are based on my own experience and represent my personal views which may not be universal in nature and may not apply to you. You must make your own career decisions with due diligence.

2. This story narrated in the blog post is a fictional spoof, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

3. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Friday, December 1, 2017

Career Guidance – How to Select Your Career – A Values Based Approach

CAREER GUIDANCE TIPS

Around 25 years ago, in the 1990’s, I had written a number of articles on career guidance in magazines/journals and given lectures to students on values based career selection, and subsequently posted these on my blog.

This blog post is a revised, amalgamated and updated version of my CAREER GUIDANCE article first posted by me Vikram Karve in my blog at 3/31/2008 03:22:00 PM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2008/03/sense-of-values-your-values-and-your.html and my Career Guidance Lecture ppt on HOW TO SELECT A CAREER - A VALUES BASED APPROACH by me Vikram Karve and first postedby me Vikram Karve at 2/23/2009 08:14:00 PM in my blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2009/02/how-to-select-your-career-value-based.html

Now – I am updating my career guidance article to make it suitable for reading on the digital screen.

If you want to see my power-point presentation on the topic YOUR VALUES AND YOUR CAREER – the link is given below (it will open in a new window).

Dear Reader – I suggest that you please read my article first – before seeing the power-point presentation – as this will help you understand the presentation better. I have given the URL links below the article too – for your convenience.

YOUR VALUES AND YOUR CAREER

Power Point Presentation by VIKRAM KARVE

URL:

https://www.slideshare.net/vikramkarve/vikram-karve-career-guidance-lecture

HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT CAREER

(A VALUES BASED APPROACH)

Career Guidance Tips

VIKRAM KARVE

ARE YOU GOOD AT SOMETHING YOU DON’T LIKE...?

One of the greatest misfortunes in life is to be good at something you don’t like.

You may be proficient in mathematics – but you may hate mathematics.

You may be competent HR or PR Manager possessing excellent communication skills and busy interacting with people every minute of the day – but in your heart you may actually love a life of solitude and contemplation.

In order to be able to select the right career – you will have to reflect, analyse, and discover your inner self.

This will enable you to be able to clearly distinguish between:

1. what you are “good” at doing (proficiency, competence, talent etc)

and

2. what you “enjoy” doing (interests, values, passion etc)

What you love to do – that is your true metier – and that is what you actually want to do in your life.

When I was in school – in the 1960’s – there was no concept of career counselling or vocational guidance.

All boys were herded into the Science Stream (unless you were very poor at mathematics).

All girls were considered suitable for Humanities (unless the girl put her foot down and insisted on studying science).

Then – as a boy – if you were in the science stream– and you did well in your studies – the options were Engineering or Medicine – and most of us – we continued being good at something we did not like.

The girls mostly studied arts – while they waited to get married.

And much later in life – we discovered what we truly liked – and then – if we had time and resources – we pursued what we really wanted to do (our true métier) as hobbies.

Fortunately – nowadays things are different.

Young persons have plenty of choice and opportunity to choose what they want to do.

If you are on the verge of choosing your career, the first thing to do is to develop a concept of the person you would like to be – introspect and try to discover your “life orientation”

LIFE ORIENTATION

If your want to enjoy your work take care to ensure that your choice of career is in alignment with your LIFE ORIENTATION.

Your “Life Orientation” comprises three factors:

1. SKILLS

2. INTERESTS

3. VALUES

If you choose a career that enables you achieve success facilitating optimal utilization of your best skills – doing the kinds of work that relate to your favourite interests – and in consonance with your core values – you will derive total work-life balance and job satisfaction.

In order to find out your orientation in life – you have to know yourself.

Go to some quiet place, sit down comfortably, close your eyes – and reflect on the aspects below to discover your skills, interests and values.

SKILLS

As a first step to determining your Orientation in Life focus on the various “skills” you might have.

Introspect and list your SOFT SKILLS and HARD SKILLS.

Soft Skills – pertain to the intuitive, creative and emotional right side of the brain.

Hard Skills – emanate from the analytic and logical left side of the brain.

Are you a Soft Skills person – or a Hard Skills person – or a hybrid blend of both...?

Which types of skills predominate...?

Think of your best skills.

Prioritize your skills – hard and soft – and make a list of all your skills in order of precedence.

INTERESTS

Now list all your “interests” and put them in order of your preference – just as you did with skills.

How do you discover your interests...?

Assume that you have enough leisure and plenty of time – and lots of resources.

What would you do...?

How you like to spend your leisure gives a clue to your interests.

Will the career you choose enable you to satisfy your interests at the workplace...?

Or – will you have enough leisure and resources to pursue them on your own in your spare time...?

VALUES

Now – focus on discovering your “values”.

Values are core beliefs which guide and motivate attitudes and behaviour.

When you value something you want it (or want it to happen).

Values are relatively permanent desires.

Values are our subjective reactions to the world around us.

Values are answers to the “why” question.

You keep on asking yourself the “why” question until you reach a point where you no longer want something for the sake of something else.

At this point – you have arrived at a value.

Let’s take an example.

I was once teaching a Post Graduate Professional Programme at a premier university, a centre of excellence.

I asked a student:

“Why are you doing this academic course?”

“To gain qualifications...” he answered.

“Why do you want to gain qualifications?”

“To succeed in my career.”

“Why do you want to succeed in your career?”

“To reach the top.”

“Why do you want to reach the top?”

“To get power.”

“Why do want do you want power?”

“To control people...” he answered.

“Why do you want to control people?”

“I want to control people.”

“Why?”

“I like to control people.”

“Why?”

“Just for the sake of it – I like controlling people...” he said – and repeated “why” questions elicited similar responses related to “control”

“Control for the sake of control” – that’s when you discover your value.

I realized that “control” was one of his cardinal values – and maybe – he was a future megalomaniac in the making...!!!

The same line of “why” questioning of persons undergoing higher education may reveal each person’s cardinal values – like knowledge, money, status, standard of living, quality of life, ambition,achievement, growth, reputation, excellence, fame etc

Your personal list of values may include values like honesty, integrity, loyalty, prestige, happiness, friendship, family life, achievement, independence, education, power, money, independence, freedom and so on.

Now – prioritize your values in order of importance – to discover your CORE VALUES – your most important cardinal values.

Remember – there cannot be any “partial” values.

For example – you cannot be 50% honest (half-honest) – either you are honest – or you are not honest...!!!

Your “Values” are possibly the most important thing to consider when you are choosing a career, an occupation or workplace.

And yes – there should be harmony between your personal values and organisational values/corporate culture

Conflict in values is difficult to resolve.

That is because – you can “compromise” your values – but you cannot “change” your values.

If you do not take your values into account when selecting your career – there is a good chance you will dislike your work – and therefore – you will not enjoy your work.

SELECTING A CAREER

Introspect over your skills, interests and values.

If you have conscientiously created and prioritized your lists – you have learned something about yourself – and ascertained your orientation in life.

Whilst considering and selecting a career – you must thoroughly evaluate as to what degree the “career-attributes” are compatible with your “orientation in life”.

Yes – compatibility between your “job attributes” and your “orientation in life” is a must for a happy career.

Let us see some examples:

CASE 1

Suppose your priority SKILLS include hard skills like mathematical and analytical ability – and soft skills like leadership and communication skills.

Your INTERESTS include travel, adventure, photography and good food.

And suppose – your most important VALUES are family life, prestige and achievement.

Now – let us consider various career options.

Consider a career as a Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy.

Your SKILLS and INTERESTS seem to be ideally suited – but there is mismatch – a conflict between the demands of the career in the Merchant Navy and your most cherished CORE VALUE – “Family Life”

Perhaps – if your most important values were money, independence and prestige, the overall harmony and compatibility of your values, skills and interests with the career-attributes would have made Merchant Navy an ideal career option for you.

CASE 2

Now – let us say that you discover that your three most predominant values are money, independence and prestige.

Will a Military Career as an Army Officer suit you?

Well – you will certainly enjoy much Prestige as an Army Officer.

But – as far as Money is concerned – the pay package in the Army is quite modest.

Regimentation is the basic attribute of military life.

Since an Army Officer has to live a disciplined and regimented life – you may not be able to enjoy the same amount of Freedom that you will get in the civilian world.

VALUES versus CAREER

In practical life – you may not be always able to avoid VALUE versus CAREER conflict in all cases.

But – being aware of this fact will help you come to terms with realities and mitigate the conflict – and also contemplate a career-shift in consonance with your value orientation – whenever feasible.

Your VALUES are the most important and critical aspect of your career orientation – because Values are permanent in nature and difficult to change.

If you want to enhance certain SKILLS – you can work on it and acquire those skills.

Similarly – you can change your INTERESTS – or develop new interests – by devoting time and resources to those interests you would like to create, acquire or strengthen.

SKILLS can be learned – INTERESTS can be developed – but VALUES are intrinsic

It is very difficult to change your core values.

You may compromise your values – but you cannot change your values

CAREER GUIDANCE

Before you choose your career – introspect and ascertain the compatibility, congruence and harmony between the career and your orientation in life (comprising your skills, interests and values).

Do not make a hasty decision – or you may find yourself on the wrong road – and then – it may be too late to turn back.

Devoid of intrinsic motivation to pursue a career which is not in harmony with your orientation in life – but caught up in the need to gain parental affection, materialistic rewards, extrinsic recognition, peer pressure and societal acceptance – young people often enter careers that may not offer them true inner happiness and fulfillment that evolves from harmonious work-life balance.

Thus – though they may appear outwardly successful – inwardly – they lament over the reality of inner dissonance owing to work-life imbalance.

Let your inner conscience be your guide – and resist temptation and undue pressures from elders and peers.

Choosing a career which you love – and doing a job you enjoy – a career which is not in conflict with your values – a career that lets you realize your full individuality and creative potential – this will enable you to achieve a sense of fulfillment.

Of course – you can interact with career counselors, you can talk to your parents, elders, peers and take their advice – but it is you yourself who must discover your own life orientation (skills, interests and values) – and while doing so – remember to distinguish between the “hard” aspects and the “soft” facets of career attributes.

Read some good books on career guidance.

My favorite is a book called What Color Is Your Parachute by Richard N. Bolles

It is updated and published every year.

It is a fascinating read and will help you discover your true métier.

And why not take a few career tests?

You can either visit a career guidance counsellor or psychologist who will administer relevant tests to you.

Or – you can try the online tests.

My favorite one is The Princeton Review Career Quiz which is available online.

It is a simple, fast, interesting and effective forced choice test which presents you with interesting career options.

I gave the test many years ago – and the results say that my interest color is Blue – which means I am a creative, humanistic, thoughtful, quiet type – and my usual style is Yellow – which means I tend to be orderly, cautious, loyal, systematic, methodical, solitary and organized – and I will thrive in a research-oriented, predictable, established, orderly environment.

As per the test results – my career choices include Writer, Librarian, Philosopher, Teacher, Professor, Researcher, College or School Administrator, Human Resources Manager, Guidance Counsellor – and yes – I am supposed to be an ideal Career Counsellor.

Am I one of these...?

Well – I did do a few of the above jobs in my long career – like Teaching, Research, Human Resource (HR) Management etc – and right now – after retirement – I am a Writer – which – as per the test – is the most suitable career for me.

I wish you all the best in selecting your career.

WHAT YOU ARE GOOD AT DOING versus WHAT YOU ENJOY DOING

After you have narrowed down the list of suitable careers in consonance with your life orientation – in the ultimate analysis – you have to distinguish between – what you are GOOD at doing – and – what you ENJOY doing.

Have fun, introspect and learn more about your own self.

Take your time, think, discuss, read, experiment, reflect – and discover your true métier in harmony with your interests and values and inner self.

Choose your career wisely.

Remember:

One of the greatest misfortunes in life is to be good at something you do not like.

So while selecting your career – you must reflect, explore, analyse – and you must be able to clearly distinguish between:

what you are “good” at doing (proficiency, competence, talent etc)

as opposed to

what you “enjoy” doing (interests, values, passion etc) – what you love to do and what you want to do in life.

If both match – and you are good at doing what you enjoy doing – you are indeed very lucky.

But – if you are not so lucky – then - while selecting your career:

you must always try and give more weightage to what you “enjoy” doing over what you are “good” at doing.

A career can be very satisfying if you have made the right choice.

Like the famous adage that goes:

If you choose a job you love – then you will not have to “work” even a single day in your life

On the other hand – a wrong decision can leave you regretting and wishing that you had trodden a different path.

Dear Reader:

All the Best in discovering your true métier

I wish you a fulfilling career that suits your orientation life.

May you always have a job you love.

VIKRAM KARVE

Disclaimer:

1. These career guidance tips are based on my personal experience. These tips do not constitute professional career guidance and are not a substitute for professional career counselling. Please do your own due diligence while selecting your career.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

More than 25 years ago, in the 1990s, I had written a number of articles on career guidance and given lectures to students on values based career selection, and subsequently posted these on my blog. This blog post is a revised and updated version of my article first posted by me Vikram Karve in my blog at 3/31/2008 03:22:00 PM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2008/03/sense-of-values-your-values-and-your.html and my Career Guidance Lecture ppt on HOW TO SELECT A CAREER - A VALUES BASED APPROACH by me Vikram Karve and first postedby me Vikram Karve at 2/23/2009 08:14:00 PM in my blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2009/02/how-to-select-your-career-value-based.html

Updated Article URLs: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/08/career-guidance-how-to-select-right-job.html and https://www.quora.com/profile/Vikram-Karve/Writing-by-VIKRAM-KARVE/Career-Guidance and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/08/career-guidance-tips.html and https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-select-right-job-vikram-karve/ etc

Updated Slide-Show URL: https://www.slideshare.net/vikramkarve/vikram-karve-career-guidance-lecture

Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Humor in Uniform : Do you want to be a “fauji” – or – do you want to appear to be a “fauji”...?

Friday, December 1, 2017

Career Guidance – How to Select Your Career – A Values Based Approach

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