In the last 10+ years many asked me what I did for a living. I proudly told them I was a trainer. Few understood what that meant and many didn’t.
Here is how a typical conversation occurred. I had one recently which gave me an idea to pen this down.
Imagine I bump into someone from my home town when I visit for a festival or a holiday.
After the initial pleasantries are exchanged, well wishers get into the career part of my life.
-So, what are you doing these days?
-I’m a trainer.
-I thought you were a Software Engineer!
-I kinda am. I’m in the IT industry.
(Anything related to IT/ Software Development/ Computers = Software. You have a tag and an ID card. If you have a cab pick and drop you from work, you’re working in a Call Center)
-What’s IT?
-Software. Software, sir. Software.
-Do you work with computers?
-Every [freakin’] day, yes.
-Where do you work?
-Hi-tech city.
(I tell most people I work in Hi-tech city, irrespective of my location. That is where many non-IT people I know relate ‘Software’ industry to.)
-Which company do you work for?
-XYZ.
(XYZ = whatever organization I’m associated with at the time)
-Not Satyam?
-No.
-I was told that Satyam is a very good company?
-Yes.
-You didn’t get a job in Satyam?
-I didn’t apply. I don’t want to work with Satyam.
-I was told all good Software Engineers work in Satyam?
-Umm, well, uh, …
-You were a clever student all through your schooling/ college, right? You passed ‘first class’ all along!
-Well, yeah.
-Then why didn’t you get a job in Satyam?
-As I said, I didn’t approach Satyam for a job!
-Why not? It’s a good company! How about Infosys, Wipro?
-Didn’t apply!
-Oh okay. Those are good companies, you know. Software companies!
-Well, yes.
-So, what do you do?
-Training.
-You ‘take’ training? Or, ‘give’ training?
-Yes, I provide training. I train employees on certain aspects.
-What training?
-Well, there’s technical training, product training, soft skills and much more.
-Like C and C++?
-Not exactly, but yeah, something close.
-So, when will you become a Team Leader?
-What?
-I was told Team Leaders get more money than others.
-Okay.
-So, are you a Team Leader?
-No. I’m a trainer.
-When will you become a Team Leader?
-I won’t. It’s two different streams!
-So, you’re a normal Software Engineer?
-Trainer!!! I provide training to employees and clients!
-Team Leaders have 8-9 people working for them, you know!
-I know!
-Why didn’t you become a Team Leader?
-Apples and Oranges, sir. Apples and Oranges. Both are different streams!
-Do you have any employees working for you?
-Not really! I do have employees attend my training sessions.
-So, you ARE a Team Leader!
-Well, umm, …
-You’ve been working in Hi-tech city for a long time now, aren’t you?
-Well, yeah.
-I was told Software Engineers get promotion after 2 years and become Team Leaders?
-Well, in some organizations, yeah.
-So, you should be a Team Leader now!
-Well, thank you! 🙂
-Good to see you become a Team Leader man! You were this little when I first saw you, remember?
– 🙂
(Most probably, they are indicating with their hand that I was at their knee level or waist level when they say “this little”)
-But I hope you get a job in Satyam! That’s a big company!
-!@#$%^&*()
-Anyway, am still happy that you’re a Team Leader!
-I’m a Team Leader alright!
Good one vivek. Fun reading it 😀
Am glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Sorry to say this Vivek… please try to adapt objective approach. Fun at the cost of innocence is a sin. Trainers (rather Teachers) must be idealistic. I am a trainer too – so I don’t hesitate to say it.
Am glad you see ‘fun’ in there. 🙂
Good to read Vivek….. The Trainer… sorry… Group Leader 🙁
Thank you! 🙂
The Team Leader !!! 😀
😀
Vivek…enjoyed reading this blog…it was really good!
Thank you! 🙂
So when will you become Team Leader …. ?:)
This March when I discuss my appraisal with my manager, I’ll ask for a promotion. Even if he asks me if I want to be a manager, I’ll tell him I want to be a ‘Team Leader’ 🙂