Is it easy to give up a well paying job and indulge your
altruistic side? Not really,Priya
Fonseca documents
some experiences
Aravind
Balagi Prasad, who studied at Purdue University and worked as a Design and
Development Engineer with Lutron Electronics, quit his job, headed to India and
is now a Teach For India Fellow teaching at a school in Chennai; a full time
commitment for the next two years. He explains, “I worked for a lighting
control company in Pennsylvania for three years before heading back and joining
Teach For India. I’ve always wanted to work in the social or developing sector
and wanted to work for a cause I believed in. I was doing this in the States as
well. I wanted to work with the right organisation that would provide me a
better understanding of the problems.”
Many may
have the desire to help society or the environment but don’t know how to go
about it or cannot pursue the dream due to constraints like time,
responsibilities and previous commitments. Actually coming to a decision about
making a life altering change is a daunting process as Alessandro, from
Switzerland and currently working with UTMT, explains, “Sometimes I did doubt
my decision and the logistics in planning a trip like this are enormous from
pay, travel details, funds, culture and language to rent and many other
factors.” For Richa Goel, who was a senior analyst with Deloitte and now a
Teach For India Fellow, the decision did not come overnight, “I had to think long
and hard before I finally decided and that was the hard part. My family was
very supportive especially my mother. My Dad is a hardcore corporate but once I
discussed things through with him he too has been extremely supportive. Of
course there are some people like more conservative relatives who are surprised
by my choice but by and large people have been supportive and have even
expressed a desire to help out in any way they can.”
The
internet and word of mouth networks are the primary sources of information on
different kinds of avenues available for volunteer work or part time
commitments in the social sector. Most volunteers realise during their
sabbatical that they need to continue working in the field either full time or
in a related capacity when their commitments are completed. As Aravind
explains, “After I finish here with my 2 year commitment, I will definitely
work with a philanthropic organisation and I will be involved in the education
sector in India. I know I will always keep track of development and education.
It’s not something you can forget once you are involved with it. Teach For
India is a movement of leaders working towards promoting education for all and
the passion becomes stronger when we leave. We’ve seen the impact an organisation
can make and the awareness they can create. Am sure all of us fellows after we
finish with TFI will try to make an impact in the education sector and take
steps to eliminate education inequality.” For Richa the option of going back
into the corporate world is certainly on the cards but in a unique capacity as
she says, “I am open to going back to the corporate sector but it will probably
be as a consultant in the social sector. So it may be a well paying job but in
the social sector for example with a company that works in tandem with the
government to formulate policies. It’s in between private and social sectors.”
Money is
not the only priority in the lives of many; rather the desire to handle new
challenges and use their skills and experience in non traditional avenues that
aid society while also providing immense satisfaction is the draw. Richa says,
“I am extremely happy with my decision. There are similarities and differences
with these sectors. Everyone wants to be recognised and that drives motivation
whether in a classroom or with employees. The corporate world is more organised
and professional while the schools are not so organised and offer scope for
improvement and challenges. There is a huge responsibility as a teacher; much
more than I’ve felt at my HR job.” For Aravind, “The experience has been
amazing, challenging, eye opening and humbling to see the reality of the
situation. TFI is such a committed group of inspired, creative and determined
people that on a daily basis go out to try and solve a problem.”
Posted by admin (The Times Of India) on Jan 17, 2013
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