The Diary of an Engineer

The Diary of an Engineer

Don’t graduate, it’s a trap! I remember my seniors saying this to me when I asked them about their life after completing university studies. At that time, I was surprised to hear them say so and would even wonder what could make a student of engineering happier than earning that ‘Er.’ prefix. Little did I know that life after graduation would be so stressful and make me so desperate seeking for opportunities everywhere and end up disappointed.

The prefix before my name brought with it not only happiness but extended responsibilities too. Responsibilities, which during my Bachelor years, I never saw as a priority. I was always in a hurry to graduate but not quite ready to face the consequences the degree would bring with it.
Adding the green ‘Open to Work’ profile picture on LinkedIn was the first thing I did after getting my transcript from the University. Stalking HRs was my second step for getting a job. I would hunt for every vacancy opening and even if the position would demand years of mandatory experience, I would apply. But all my efforts were in vain. Now, I have realized what the scope of my undergraduate major in Nepal is and how complicated it can be for a fresher to join the industry.

Being from a humble economic background didn’t stop my family from providing me with the finest education across the country. With the degree in my hand, my parent’s investment has paid off somehow leaving them with something to cherish about. It is often said that money is important only when you don’t have any. For someone like me who hadn’t had any time to appreciate the pocket money my dad provided, I got to experience this firsthand. I feel graduation has demanded me to actively support my family’s expenses. This has put me, and I guess all the graduates from the class of 2020, in a state of moral obligation to not ask for support from their parents.

Unlike in the West, where the kids become independent from an early age, there is a general perception among parents in Nepal that post-graduation is the right time for their child to take things on their own. I believe the first step to living an independent life can be tough and is equally necessary for us, but this phase of transition towards professionalism is as important as adolescence for a teenager. Like an arrogant adolescent dealing with hormonal changes, we too can be conceited at times and be susceptible to making not-so-wise decisions under an enormous amount of stress.
We might have seen some exquisitely talented people getting stuck at the most random job for years and achieve a lot less than what they should have. Maybe these individuals might not have been stuck and achieved what they deserved had they only got a little guidance and support from their elders at these phases of life. I believe everyone is smart in their own way and deserves the best. Maybe it’s just that little push after graduation that’s keeping them from the big break. Let’s push them just a little farther. Shall We?

I have no idea how I forgot to upload this article to my blog that I had written back in 2021, February (or some months earlier). It is always a pleasure to look back to the beautiful memories of the past, and the blog is a wonderful way for me to maintain an archive. I think this article (also part of TKP’s print edition on Feb 14, 2021) might be relevant even today to the recent graduates/would be graduates. I appreciate your time in reading this article. Thank you and have a wonderful day!