From those who took the road less traveled...

I was asked to write an article for the "Alumni Speaks" column for my college - Madras School of Social Work...

The article is from "Those who took the road less traveled"...

I was asked to write about how, why I chose to take up music after HR and how HR has helped me in what I do today.... I was asked to write 150 words but ended up writing thrice as much! I don't have the heart to discard this version... and I knew my blog would fondly host it for me!


So here it goes...

From the pragmatic standpoint, I’ve always picturized myself in the corporate world steadily growing and transforming businesses and being that real woman of substance. The corporate experience I gathered from the internships at the undergraduate level in the field of HR intrigued me enough to want to delve deeper into the subject and get really wow at it!

Going by that focus, I decided to study HR. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity of studying HR in one of the finest institutions in Chennai today.

At this juncture I would like to make a confession. As much as I saw myself being an HR professional, I wouldn’t deny admitting how I’ve fantasized endlessly and seen mental videos of me singing in studios like those professional singers. Music has been always been a part of me and I have been pursuing my vocal lessons since childhood.

I stumbled upon some small opportunities to sing professionally. Thanks to the HR background that definitely gave me an edge over others from the networking perspective. Bigger opportunities came my way and I started to believe in myself more and eventually it felt like this is what I was meant to do. At the end of the two years of MHRM, I had to take that tough call – Music or HR?

My undaunted drive and passion for music along with an analysis of my log of recordings over the last year gave me renewed enthusiasm and I decided to take that big plunge. I listened to my heart and things did fall in place. I have been into music “full time” now for a year and I can’t be happier!

The two years I have spent at Madras School of Social Work has been extremely enriching. I learnt the art of people management, multi-tasking and most importantly – the art of networking. I work flexi-time in the e-learning space with an organization called NuVeda Learning Pvt Ltd. This priceless opportunity came my way through the interactions I had with them during one of our ‘HR Symphony’ symposiums which NuVeda had sponsored. I have been working with them as a consultant through my college days until now and will complete two years of service with them, shortly.

Music and NuVeda are both extremely integral parts of my life. There’s a wonderful balance of art work and brain work and this works perfectly for me. I believe in miracles. You just have to go with the flow and let them happen to you!