German mathematician Karl Gauss had once commented: “I have had my results for a long time, but I do not yet know how I am to arrive at them.” Shreeram Gomatam seems to have worked this out eventually, and I am glad to see that it has paid off. What appears to be an adventurous nine job-shifts and a study break, it is actually less risky than what it seems at first read.
When you look at how Gomatam’s career has evolved, you would notice that the entire span has been in just two industry verticals, hotels and ITeS (he has now entered the third — financial services), and all of it in the services industry with a re-skilling break thrown in. He has used his basic skill sets to his advantage at each workplace.
When I look around at many interesting careers, I have noticed that if a professional stays focused he gains a level of stability which may not have been envisaged at the beginning of his career. This is something that Gomatam has managed to do. It is the approach one adopts to cruise the career path that defines the level of success.
Even if you are on the right path, you cannot afford to just sit there, lest you get run over. Managing one’s career often is like riding a bicycle—you have to keep pedalling if you wish to move ahead. Stay focused on the road ahead, have the dexterity to circumvent the obstacles, brake when you need to, make a stop to rest awhile, refuel where necessary, and never lose sight of your destination.
N S Rajan, Partner, Human Capital, E&Y
