Pradeep Singh’s movement from the Indian Administrative Service to an NGO and thereafter to a corporate demands more than just professional skills. A willingness to take up challenges and immense self-confidence are prerequisites. All changes have been quite synergistic and he must have drawn from his experience for the new assignment at hand.
At CARE, an experience in handling large projects and the advantage of networking would have benefited him. However, he got an ideal opportunity in the form of the offer from IL&FS, to synergise public and private efforts in developing infrastructure in India. Interestingly, all of Singh’s career moves were in search of personal fulfilment.
It is one of the most important aspects that should be considered while changing jobs. Before accepting a job offer, one should judiciously look at balancing interests and experience.The change should be able to use more than 60-70% of skills learnt while allowing personal and professional growth.
India is on a high-growth path and more and more companies are trying to attract people with relevant skills despite them not being from the industry concerned. This is true for all emerging and fast growing sectors like retail, infrastructure, hospitality, airlines, etc. A civil services career gives one an exposure to administration, policy framework, diplomatic relations, strategy and project management.
A profile similar to Singh’s can be absorbed in senior positions in any corporate where his experience will be very useful in planning, strategising or in an advisory role.
By Sharmeen Khalid, VP(HR), Naukri.com
