r2i forum

Folks,

Wanted to get youropinion in this situation.

My nephew has graduated his B.Tech last week. He has two job offers. One from Indian Navy as a entry-level Officer (Sub-Lieutenant) and the other from TCS as a Software Engineer. Indian Navy is short-service commission with a minimum service requirement of 7 years and a maximum service of 14 years with a strong possibility of getting permanent commission. Short-Service Commission does NOT have pension benefits but has excellent exit-benefits such as admissions into IIMs.

We are in a dilemma on which one to choose. We have NRIs, R2Iers and senior level military officers in our family and all of us got strong opinions. Nephew himself is in a dual-mind because all parties are bombarding (brain-washing) with their own views.

TCS is lucrative because it opens doors for IT careers, phoren-trips and possibly get the NRI status and eventually back to the R2I forum. In essence, this is his passport to move from a pure, undiluted middle-class life to a well-above-middle-class life but comes with the life-long uncertainity of career.

Indian Navy is lucrative because of the stability in life, excellent perks (60 days paid leave every year), phenomenal life style, prestige and status in the society etc. This in essence is the quintessential central government job that may not make you rich (or even comparable to NRIs in the financial status) but will let you enjoy life to the fullest.

Academically, he is above average but not class topper or anything like that. However, he was one of the only two people from his college to get offer from Indian Navy.

A little family background: Both parents work as teachers and they have no assets except for their ancestral home. He is the eldest of three brothers. Education is their ONLY way to reach financial stability/growth.

So, given this background, IF you were in his shoes, knowing what you know now, which one would you select? Thoughts appreciated. Can anyone help me to create a poll with just three options (a) Indian Navy (b) TCS and (c) Don't know

Thanks all.

Well, the answer is with himself.. Try asking him what is more important for him. If he wants to become rich and lead a posh life, probably the best bet is TCS even though that is not guaranteed for rest for his life.. For time being, he should be able to earn good..

If he wants stable life with no posh requirements, then NAVY is his best bet... He can always look at his parents as an example of stable life...

Since he finished his B.Tech, he probably knows what he wants in life...

Lol...i opened this thread, thinking it was a discussion about the ABC show by the same name as the title of your thread....heeeheee...
As regards, to the issue at hand, people are gonna have different points of view, depending upon what they feel is better, and i reckon a majority of the people on this forum, might be partial to the tcs option, simply coz, many here might have chosen similar paths for themselves, and it's kinda tough to make the arguement, it was good for me, but this guy should do different.
It all depends on what the guy wants in life, yes he gets more money in TCS relatively, but the navy post makes up in other aspects, what it lacks in the monetary aspect. So it's really speaking an individual decision, on whether money is most important or not....

vizagdesi;290986

A little family background: Both parents work as teachers and they have no assets except for their ancestral home. He is the eldest of three brothers. Education is their ONLY way to reach financial stability/growth.

To me, the most important points are right here. They have no major assets to speak of and he is the eldest in the family. This middle class family is in dire need to make as much money as they can. He is also the eldest, so he has the most & immediate responsibility to take the family to higher levels. Go for TCS and the riches. Leave Navy for the youngest when the family is financially secure.

This is not a difficult choice to make. As an eldest son in the family, with parents with no assets and two younger brothers, life has decided it for him. He should go ahead and join TCS. Indian Navy and armed forces in general are great for people with no such potential financial issues. Believe me once the initial charm gets over it comes down to money and what a son can give back to family. If family has everything than the son can give them a prestige of having one son as an officer serving the country ( If you remember a lot of maharajas used to send their wards to Army). But if they dont have much assets and have two younger sons than he should get into a job which has earning potential that can save his family from the vagaries of life and fortune.

I am talking from personal experience here.

1. Most people can project a 10 to 20 year future work path for IT professionals starting now in India, because many of us have the benefit of watching this profession evolve.
2. At the same time, very few people here have much knowledge about the career of a navy officer, and their day to day work.
3. The decision should be based on the nature of the work, and not so much on the money, and benefits since both paths may provide well above average benefits compared to the average educated Indian.
4. If he has the inclination to grow, and exhibits people skills at an young age, he might progress well in many roles in IT. If not, he will have to take pride by being a solid technical producer.
5. Honestly, the field of IT globally is evolving enough to provide a lot of development opportunities for the developer-at-heart in areas such as mobile computing, cloud based computing, and the continued growth in web based development. Unfortunately, most people treading the corporate IT consulting path (I am not that different) end up going for security there by eventually loosing their edge, and passion for doing independent good quality work. I say that the first 5 years are important. They will help build skills, thinking patterns, and hopefully be able to find good role models. I am even more in favor of finding a solid (even a product oriented startup, not the body shopping types) software outfit. But that is besides the issue.

For me, it is a toss up. I say that you have to evaluate his core personality, and identify the job that will allow him to do well, and provide opportunities for him to become much better as a person, and also build some social capital. If he can get in to an IIM later, that will open up more doors for him later. A mediocre journeyman IT professional is bound to get frustrated at many points in life, but will be able to care for his family due to the global opportunities.

The pain of this dual identity from prolonged living outside of India, and then trying to do a return to India is not to be underestimated. All the best.

Have fun.

vizagdesi;290986

However, he was one of the only two people from his college to get offer from Indian Navy.

In my opinion answer is here. Only 2 out of whole batch. Anybody can go to TCS with degree like what he got but how many into Navy at that position?

honsum;291013In my opinion answer is here. Only 2 out of whole batch. Anybody can go to TCS with degree like what he got but how many into Navy at that position?

I think this is an excellent point...anyone can get into tcs...even this young man can get into tcs a few years later, if he so chooses...but the reverse is not easily possible...

If I were him, I will opt for Navy without doubt.
Few months ago I went for a rappelling expedition with one of the navy divisions and I truly impressed by the calibre of those folks, Amazing personalities, excellent communications, teamwork. GOI takes care of these folks very well, Cars to haul them too and fro, paid accomodations, paid outings. Its a no brainer to go into Navy, Anyone with/without degree can go into IT, but not many into Navy. Once his short commission is over in Navy, he can probably also join merchant navy or can do some testing course and still go into IT. The perks from GOI are also available to the retireed Navy professionals.

as some one with a bit of familiarity with the forces, I would suggest go for a non-TCS IT job anyday of the week...