Career @ work

 A Few Realities We Need to See Before We Judge

I’ve spent over three decades in and around the IT services industry in different regions, seen it in its glory days, its stumble, and it reinventing itself. Over the years, also heard countless complaints — from employees, from clients, from the public.

But here’s the thing: before we keep blaming “them,” it’s worth stepping into their shoes for a moment.

The truth is, the primary mission of an IT services company is simple: grow shareholder wealth. That’s what they’re built for. Employee happiness matters — but it’s not the yardstick they’re measured by.

Now imagine being the CEO. You’ve got maybe two or three years in that chair, and every day is a race. The clock is ticking. Your board expects profit, your investors expect growth, and your own career after this depends on the bold, risky moves you make now. And you’re doing all this while staring down global and local rivals, each ready to undercut you. It’s not a blue ocean; it’s a battlefield.

Margins are razor-thin. The dream is 18% operating profit, but in reality, it often slips under 15%. And only 30–50% of revenue comes from ongoing contracts. The rest — along with the 5% growth targets — has to be hunted down afresh every single year. If you’re already a $10–30 billion company, that’s a mountain to climb, every January, without fail.

They are struggling to sustain growth, but now Union is actively trying to ensure enough headwind is provided, as they have done for many of the other industries.

Inside the organization, the structure is a pyramid — a broad base of freshers, fewer mid-level hands, and a tight layer of leaders. The average offshore rate a client pays is around $40K per year per resource. About half of that goes straight into salaries, which rise each year, while clients keep pushing for rate cuts because “productivity has improved.”

And the other half? It gets eaten up by the real costs of running the business: offices, IT systems, HR, sales, account management, compliance, training, travel, marketing, taxes, recruitment, and — yes — paying for the bench.

Productivity isn’t what the clock says. In a nine-hour day, actual measured output is often closer to 5.5 or 6 hours. Attrition runs around 20%, sometimes higher. Every departure costs more than money — it costs relationships, delivery stability, and trust. And the days of keeping a big bench “just in case” are mostly gone. If the skills aren’t in hot demand, a bench is a luxury few can afford.

Freshers start their journey with training in technical skills, soft skills, and customer interview readiness. If they don’t clear the assessments, they can’t be billed. Tough decisions follow. And the campus hire rate? It used to be 40% for aspiring IT grads. Now, it’s far lower.

Starting salaries hover around ₹3.5 lakh in big firms, often less in smaller ones. Startups might pay more, but it comes with sleepless nights about job stability. “Super dream” jobs of ₹10–25 lakh exist, but only for those with top grades, niche skills, and the stamina for longer hours and heavier stress.

Doing the same work year after year? That’s a slow road to stagnation. The market is too competitive. Upskill or risk being replaced by someone younger, cheaper, and hungrier.

It’s also worth remembering — IT salaries aren’t high because the work is uniquely more complex than other engineering fields. They’re high because clients overseas pay in stronger currencies.

Computer engineering is not the toughest engineering stream compared to electrical, electronics, and chemical.

Salary parity between people in IT and others is vast; it is not because you have any very special skills or work is much more challenging or stressful than others, but it is only because the billing and revenue mainly come from overseas customers.

Higher pay demands come from higher billing, which happens when a niche or higher outcome is ensured. This will demand longer working hours and higher stress, so choose your role with a clear understanding of your objectives – work-life balance with routine jobs or a demanding career with higher pay.

That leader making ₹1 or ₹2 crore+ today, also started small — maybe less than a lakh. They worked, learned, stumbled, and grew. The IT industry gave them — and millions like them — exposure, skills, travel, and a standard of living that was unimaginable in the 1990s.

Yes, the pressures are real. Yes, the trade-offs are painful. But this industry has transformed lives, lifted families, and rewritten futures.

So, count your blessings. Keep your eyes open to the realities. And remember — IT may not be perfect, but for many of us, it’s been the ladder we climbed, and the view from the top is still worth the journey.

Two Speed Breakers in life, you should ask, “Are we on the Right Path?”

Life’s a bit like a road trip—you’re cruising along, singing to your favorite playlist when suddenly, bump!—you hit 40. A few miles later, thump!—there’s 50. 

These aren’t just birthdays; they’re speed breakers that make you slow down and check if you’re still headed to the right destination. 

40: The Mid-Career Mirror 

Hitting 40 is like reaching the interval of a Bollywood movie. You’ve had some blockbuster moments, a few flop decisions, and maybe a dramatic walkout or two. But now, as the lights come up, you’re staring at yourself in the mirror, asking, “Is this career still my story?”

You’re not “young and hungry” anymore, but you’re also not ready to coast into “senior citizen” territory. You’re at a crossroads, and the questions hit harder than your last appraisal:

• Is this job my forever vibe, or am I just stuck in traffic?

• "Why is that 26-year-old already my manager?"

• "Should I be learning AI or growing aloe vera?"

If your current path feels like it’s leading to a dead-end job or a Monday morning dread-fest, it’s time to recalibrate. This isn’t a midlife crisis—it’s your gut saying, “Boss, let’s try a new route.” Maybe it’s time to:

• Pick up a new skill (Python’s hot, but so is knowing how to make a killer biryani).

• Switch jobs or even industries (who says you can’t go from IT to organic farming?).

• Ditch bad habits (like scrolling Insta at 2 AM) for better ones (like a 6 AM walk—yes, really).

Think of 40 as your career’s “edit button.” You’ve got enough experience to know what you’re good at and enough time to pivot toward what you love. So, grab a chai, ignore the gray hair, and ask: Where do I want to be at 50? If the answer’s not “exactly here,” start steering.

50: The Retirement Reality Check (a.k.a. “My Backyard Isn’t Paying My Bills”)

By 50, the road trip’s getting serious. You’re no longer just chasing promotions; you’re eyeballing the horizon—retirement. Back in our Parents’ Day, retirement was simple: you stopped working, grew some coconut, tapioca, vegetable, or paddy in the backyard, and hoped your kids would cover the rest for you and your spouse. Fast-forward to today, and that plan’s about as reliable as a 2G connection.

Life expectancy’s up (yay, modern medicine!), but so are costs. That backyard garden? It’s eating your savings faster than you can say “labor charges.” Your kids? They’re either in another city chasing their dreams or texting you for help with their EMI payments. And pensions? Unless you’re a government employee, that’s a fairy tale.

At 50, life drops a truth bomb: You’ve got 8–10 working years left, but maybe 25–30 years to live. That’s a whole season of life without a paycheck unless you plan now. Here’s the math:

• Working years left: 8–10 (if your boss doesn’t “restructure” you out).

• Retirement years: 25–30 (assuming you dodge the doctor’s bills).

• Savings needed: Enough to cover groceries, Netflix, political/religious mandated contributions, social events, and that occasional trip.

So, what’s the move? Start thinking passive income—mutual funds, fixed deposits, or maybe a side hustle (YouTube channel on “How to Grow Tomatoes Without Losing Your Shirt”?). 

Your dad’s generation retired to rest; you’re retiring to Excel sheets and budgeting apps.

The Modern Truth 

We’re the sandwich generation, caught between our parents’ “save in a piggy bank” wisdom and our kids’ “crypto is the future” optimism. Meanwhile, we’re just trying to stay relevant at work while Googling “Is 50 too late to start yoga?” Spoiler: it’s not.

The 40s and 50s are your wake-up calls to reflect, recalibrate, and maybe laugh at how you thought “adulting” would be easier. At 40, check if your career’s still your jam. At 50, make sure your wallet’s ready for the long haul. Because this road doesn’t end at 60 anymore—it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

So, hit pause at these speed breakers. Ask yourself: Am I on the right path? Then, with a grin and a plan, keep driving. 

A wise man I met on a journey once shared, "If your finances are secure, 70% of your worries in old age vanish."

Career Choices in India: The Tightrope Walk Between Passion, Pay, and Pragmatism

In India, a career is not merely a personal pursuit—it's a family decision, a financial strategy, and often, a social expectation. For many, selecting a profession is less about following a dream and more about managing economic risk in a highly stratified job market.

The Stark Reality of Unequal Pay

India’s career landscape is riddled with disparities. A fresh graduate in software engineering may earn between ₹5–10 lakh annually, while a teacher, nurse, or artist might earn a fraction—₹1–4 lakh. These aren’t just differences in numbers; they represent divergent life trajectories. In a country with soaring urban living costs, minimal social security, and limited institutional support for creative or vocational professions, financial safety becomes paramount.

It’s not uncommon for parents—often having made personal sacrifices—to guide their children toward conventionally "secure" fields such as engineering, medicine, or civil services. In doing so, they may unintentionally suppress the child’s artistic, literary, or unconventional aspirations. But in a socio-economic environment where job security is directly linked to survival, the pressure to prioritize practicality is deeply understandable.

A Global Comparison: Is Passion More Affordable Abroad?

In developed countries like the United States or the United Kingdom, the gap between professions is narrower, and the support systems more robust. Teachers, social workers, or musicians may not be wealthy, but they can often lead reasonably comfortable lives, earning between $50,000 and $80,000 annually. Health insurance, unemployment benefits, and retirement systems further cushion the risks of lower-income professions. In contrast, in India, such safety nets are limited or inaccessible for many.

A Strategic Middle Path: Stability First, Passion Later

Faced with these constraints, many Indians adopt a pragmatic two-phase strategy: build financial stability first, then pivot to passion. This aligns with the philosophy behind the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement. The approach is clear—work in high-paying roles during your 20s and early 30s, aggressively save and invest, then gradually transition to a vocation that offers purpose rather than profit—avoiding burnout from a soul-crushing job or financial stress from an underpaid passion.

A software engineer, for instance, might dedicate 10–15 years to the tech industry, accumulating wealth and securing a financial cushion. In their late 30s or 40s, they could explore careers in teaching, writing, public policy, or social entrepreneurship—fields that may not promise wealth but provide deeper personal satisfaction.

Ultimately, balancing passion with practicality is not a compromise—it’s a skill. One that can empower individuals to navigate life’s realities without abandoning their dreams.