Keshav Maheshwari is a graduating Y19 from Civil engineering department. In this piece, he is reflecting on his transformative journey at IITK. The pressure to excel academically and the struggle to stay true to himself had been challenging and have provided some useful advice for juniors.
Disclaimer:- The views presented below are the author’s own and are not in any manner representative of the views of Vox Populi as a body or IIT Kanpur in general. This is an informal account of the author’s experiences at IIT-K.
TL;DR: Everything that has happened to me during these four years at IIT Kanpur has led me somewhere. It is still to be determined where, but I’m sure it is beautiful. I took a leap of faith and did something unconventional, which was thrilling and overwhelming at the same time. Some things turned out well, and some unexpected challenges became blessings in disguise. Many times, I questioned myself. This article summarises the journey.
A brief about myself
Hey, I’m Keshav. I’m a freelance product designer. I design Apps, Websites, etc., mainly for startups. I work on ‘Upwork’, which is a platform for freelancers. I have a ‘top-rated’ badge there. I have been doing this for the last 15 months now.
I didn’t get a job in the on-campus placement drive (2022-23). I failed a department-compulsory course (CE352A) twice. I’m not very good at my core branch. (I regret this, I should have studied.)
I have wanted to do a dual degree in ‘Master of Design’ since my second year, but due to a backlog, I never got the opportunity to do so. The reason for doing a dual degree was simple; I wanted to stay in IITK for one more year, give freelancing proper time, and nurture my skills. My plan to sit for the placements in 1.5 years shifted to three months. I had to sit for placements because my freelancing business, at that moment, was not enough to sustain. I applied for the fields I never liked. I gave a few interviews, and it turned out to be a terrible experience.
I would never have anticipated the graveness of the situation, but I could never have imagined it would reach such an overwhelming magnitude!
After the first phase of placements, I knew there was little to no chance of getting an on-campus placement. But I was glad I gave it a shot, and the experience was truly special. But for backup, I started exploring alternative options.
Gradually, things started to change…
After failing a course twice and not getting a job through campus placements, I felt demoralised. However, I decided to explore freelancing as a viable option.
It was January 2023. Almost everyone around me was placed. I was making new plans. Designing was something that I had been doing for the last few years. I had already done a few internships in the vertical but had yet to try freelancing. Hence, I decided to give it a shot.
I revamped my Upwork profile to fit UI/UX Design Gigs. I didn’t get any offers for days. Thankfully I got a project from LinkedIn. It was easy, and the pay was good. It gave me the boost required. All this hit and trial with the new approach went on till March 2023.
House No. 664, Lane 36 and a Paradigm Change towards Life…
I met Archit (Y17) on March ‘22 through an ex-coordinator of the Design and Animation Club in a random conversation where he mentioned him to me, “This is my friend, and he does freelancing and stuff.”
Now, as a rule of thumb, whenever I come to know someone who can guide or help me, I ask for help!
So following the above rule, I asked Archit if he could meet; it was the best decision I took in my college life. He taught me the business aspect of freelancing. I started because of him. I don’t know what I would be doing otherwise.
Apart from freelancing, he also introduced me to the world of spirituality.
I have been interested in Bhagavad Gita and spirituality since school but never got a chance to practise it or learn about it in depth. Like most of us, I wanted to have a scientific understanding of all this, not a sentimental one, and my parents failed miserably in doing so.
One day I was having a conversation with Archit about what he used to do before he started freelancing; somewhere during the conversation, he told me about Bhaktivedanta Club, House No. 664, where people gather and learn about Bhagavad Gita, and actively apply the valuable lessons in their life. He told me about his experience and how his life changed because of that. I thought about giving it a try.
Visiting this place profoundly impacted me, helping me with my anxiety and providing a sense of certainty amidst a life of uncertainties. I met such lovely and humble people there. Everyone there was always ready to help in challenging situations.
You see, in freelancing and life in general, there is so much uncertainty. You need to have something/someone to count on. And for me, it is Bhagavad Gita. I humbly request to everyone struggling in life to read this book or at least once and go to House No. 664, Lane 36, IIT Kanpur. They have an evening program almost every Saturday. Feel free to ping me in case you have any doubts. I would love to help here.
Some “gyaan” for my juniors:
1. Avoid excessive planning: While having a basic plan is helpful, remember that life is unpredictable, and unexpected events may occur. Embrace the unknown and remain open to new possibilities.
2. Explore your interests: Engage with individuals you admire and pursue activities you’ve always desired to try. Life is a voyage of self-discovery; you never know what might resonate and bring you happiness and fulfilment.
3. Embrace spirituality: Incorporating a spiritual aspect into your life can bestow grace and provide strength during challenging moments. Consider exploring the Bhagavad Gita, a book of wisdom, or attend the Saturday Evening Program at House No. 664.
4. Life isn’t as daunting as it appears: Remember that life is not as tough as it may seem. Give your best within your capabilities and have faith that things will fall into place.
5. Prioritise experiences over money: Instead of prioritising money, focus on gaining valuable experiences, particularly during this phase of your life. Concentrate on learning and personal growth, and success will naturally follow.
Skills you can work on, even if you don’t know what you want to do in life:
A significant number of individuals may find themselves unsure of their life’s purpose, but it is a journey of exploration. When something resonates with you, it’s crucial to be ready and fully committed to giving it your all. To prepare for such opportunities, you can develop the following skills:
1. Enhance your communication skills: Recognize that two individuals can convey the same message differently, resulting in distinct impacts. Developing practical communication abilities can positively influence your interactions and relationships.
2. Cultivate resilience: Whether experiencing success or facing failure, understand that both are temporary. Embracing resilience enables you to navigate through challenging situations without compromising the essence of your journey.
3. Continual learning: Many individuals tend to halt their personal growth once they achieve a milestone. I strongly advise against this mindset. Commit to never-ending learning, even if it’s just reading two pages of a book every day. You can start with this thought-provoking book, “Millionaire’s Fastlane.”
4. Master efficient management: Cultivating good organisational skills is vital for personal and professional advancement. Observe those individuals who effortlessly handle their responsibilities; their abilities are the result of practice. With time and effort, you, too, can acquire such proficiency.
5. The art of setting realistic goals: Establishing practical and achievable goals swiftly propels us towards our desired outcomes. It fosters motivation, focus, and self-belief. Realistic goals pave the way for life-changing opportunities.
Here are some Bhagavad Gita verses that have helped me a lot:
सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योः समो भूत्वा समत्वं योग उच्यते ॥ ४८ ॥
saṅgaṁ tyaktvā dhanañ-jaya
siddhy-asiddhyoḥ samo bhūtvā
samatvaṁ yoga ucyate
Perform your duty equipoised, O Arjuna, abandoning all attachment to success or failure. Such equanimity is called yoga.
असक्तो ह्याचरन्कर्म परमाप्नोति पूरूषः ॥ १९ ॥
tasmād asaktaḥ satataṁ
kāryaṁ karma samācara
asakto hy ācaran karma
param āpnoti pūruṣaḥ
Therefore, without being attached to the fruits of activities, one should act as a matter of duty, for by working without attachment one attains the Supreme
There are a total of 700 beautiful verses in Bhagavad Gita. May the verses shared above give you a glimpse into the boundless wellspring of knowledge, like a sparkling treasure awaiting discovery!
End Note:
My life is full of amazing coincidences, to the point where they no longer feel like mere chance occurrences. It’s as if someone skillfully wove a captivating story. Despite facing occasional hardships, I firmly believe that brighter and more fulfilling chapters are waiting for me in the future.
I want to leave you a piece of exclusive news as a token of appreciation for reading until the end. By the mercy of Krishna, I recently got a job offer in the field I love. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about business and entrepreneurship. My freelance business is doing well, and I have a decent job offer. Now when I look back, everything makes perfect sense.
If you find this article meaningful and discover any ways in which it brings you solace or assistance, please do not hesitate to share your thoughts with me. (Instagram – @thejoblessiitian).
Written by – Keshav Maheshwari
Edited by – Mayur Agrawal, Gauravi Chandak
Designed by – Mrunmay, Manasvi Jain
