Life Beyond the Cap and Gown: Embracing Uncertainty in the New World
Hello reader! Remember me?
It’s been a while since my last post for Fletcher. Let’s just say, life after graduation has been… wild. But hey, the good news is, I’m back after a three-year hiatus, and I’m no longer sleep-deprived!
A big thank you to the 200+ of you who’ve reached out to me with career questions over the past few years. I truly appreciate your thoughtful questions as you navigated decisions about Fletcher education, careers in the US or Europe, and more. Our conversations motivated me to get back to writing sooner than later. And this time, I write as a Fletcher alumnus!
The past three years have been a whirlwind of change. Since my last update, I’ve worked with the Tufts Investment Office, published my thesis, and landed a gig in the US. Due to some visa ‘fun’, I returned from the US and decided to take a rather unconventional path for someone from India – a 10-month sabbatical before relocating to Amsterdam. But first, let’s talk about America.
Unforgettable Experiences Across the US
The US showered me with incredible experiences! Thanks to Sam, I had the rare opportunity to hold The Boss Baby balloon during the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in NYC. Picture this: normally chaotic streets transformed into a giant block party, with thousands of people waving at you. Then there was hiking in Sedona, exploring the Grand Canyon, celebrating X’mas in Upstate NY, and a breathtaking sunset boat ride in South Carolina.
The adventures continued – biking on the coastline of Chincoteague Island, getting my groove on in the birthplace of Jazz in New Orleans with fellow BlueMarkers, and reuniting with the Fletcher buddies at the infamous Dip Ball party in Boston. Hanging out with Bridget (F’21) in Wisconsin exposed me to a new perspective on American communities. And I’ve gotta say, those Midwestern Culver’s burgers were way better than the cheese curds!
D.C. became my American home away from Indian home. Hosting friends, celebrating epic five-peat volleyball championships, and attending American weddings were just some of the amazing memories I made. Whether it was exploring the city’s nooks and crannies, indulging in brunches and dinners, or enjoying fireworks from rooftops, every experience enriched my time there.
I even Googled “coldest place in the US in December” and ended up in Alaska, witnessing the breathtaking Northern Lights in negative-a-million degrees weather (-52°C to be precise). Worth it. To top it all off, I checked off a bucket list item and co-piloted a small plane over D.C. – a perfect way to say goodbye to a city that stole a piece of my heart (and probably a few brain cells from all late-night adventures).
With a heart full of incredible memories, I set my compass on Amsterdam. While the “why” was crystal clear, the “how” remained a bit of a mystery. But first, I booked a flight to India.
The Sabbatical Nobody Asked For (But Everyone Should Take)
Okay, so maybe I only planned for a 2-month career break in India. But hey, when adventure calls, you gotta answer, right? Scuba diving, canyon swing, jumping, whitewater rafting, paragliding – I tried it all. The highlight, though? Conquering the challenging 16-day trek to Everest Base Camp via the gorgeous Gokyo Lakes. Let me tell you, hiking in those mountains is no joke (but the views were totally worth the altitude sickness).
Don’t get me wrong, the break wasn’t all about crazy adventures and adrenaline rushes. I spent quality time with loved ones (which was awesome!), ate a ridiculous number of mangoes (seriously, the only reason I would willingly spend a summer in Delhi), and backpacked through India, Indonesia, and Nepal. Along the way, I made many new friends, became a certified Yoga Teacher (namaste!) and even got my solo paragliding license (because apparently, I’ve a death wish). There were soul-searching trips to the tranquil Himalayas and a visit to Kashmir, a place that truly deserves its “paradise” nickname.
Amsterdam: New City, New Job, New Chapter!
After 10 months of chilling (and the last bit of sunshine) in Asia, the job hunt began. In November, I landed a new gig at Phenix Capital, an impact investing consulting firm in Amsterdam. Bonus points: I even had the privilege to moderate a panel discussion at their prestigious annual event.
So far, living in Amsterdam is pretty darn awesome. The weather isn’t exactly sunshine and rainbows; it can be a bit bipolar (sunshine one minute, rain the next). But that’s all part of the Dutch experience, right?
A huge shoutout to Duffy (F’21) for being my Amsterdam guardian angel – those first few months wouldn’t have been the same without her help navigating the city’s quirks. I’ve also met some fantastic Dutch locals who’ve gone above and beyond, helping me explore their countryside and culture, even translating menus and supermarket labels.
Anyone who’s visited Amsterdam knows cycling here requires a certain finesse – so far, I’ve managed to stay canal-free (fingers crossed!). Luckily, exploring museums, cafes (not coffeeshops :p), music festivals, techno clubs (because who doesn’t love dancing the night away?), parks, the surrounding countryside and hosting friends keeps me plenty busy.
King’s Day, when the entire country turns orange, was a sight to behold. Next year, I might plan a getaway to avoid the legendary crowds! Probably, that’s just another excuse to explore more of Europe!
Speaking of exploration, the last few months have been epic. From chilling in Budapest’s thermal baths to reuniting with my Fletcher friends in Greece, I’ve been soaking it all in. I even hiked Mount Etna, an active volcano in Italy and had an incredible time exploring Sicily Island.
Oh, and did I mention I’m so fascinated by the fact that Amsterdam sits below sea level? To see the engineering marvel that keeps this city afloat, I ventured north to see the Afsluitdijk. Seriously impressive stuff. I’m hoping to travel to the Baltics and some other Schengen countries.
Thriving After Graduation: The 4 Ss of Growth
Before I sign off, I wanted to share four skills I’ve reflected on during my sabbatical that I think are essential for navigating the professional world. Let’s call them the 4Ss: self-awareness, storytelling, socializing and networking, and skills and knowledge upgrading.
I believe strong self-awareness is the most underrated yet crucial skill for professional development. Since my time at Fletcher, I’ve actively reflected on my career goals and motivations. My self-awareness allows me to make informed career choices and pursue relevant growth opportunities.
This focus on self-awareness naturally led me to the next critical skill: storytelling. From job searches and networking to conveying ideas, seeking mentorships, or presenting, the art of storytelling is valuable. In today’s information-saturated world, storytelling allows you to become a compelling communicator, and create a lasting impact on listeners.
Mastering storytelling strengthens your ability to socialize and network. As professional networks mature, connections often transition into social bonds. For those new to networking, socializing with familiar faces provides a low-pressure environment to practice storytelling and communication skills, ultimately building confidence. This skill has helped me in my career advancement and deepening my connections within the “Fletcher Mafia” and beyond.
The fourth S is constantly leveling up your skills and knowledge. Self-awareness plays a crucial role here. By reflecting on your strengths, weaknesses, and goals, you can identify areas where you need to learn and grow. The good news is that the digital age offers numerous opportunities for ongoing learning, from online courses and workshops to publications and podcasts, allowing you to stay ahead of the curve.
A huge thank you to some LinkedIn influencers who have significantly impacted my learning journey these past few months. Their insights on storytelling (Liz Fosslien and Nathan Baugh), navigating the job search (Jessica Hernandez), mastering LinkedIn etiquette (Jasmin Alić), career coaching (Adam Broda and Austin Belcak) (Career coach), and leadership (Eric Partaker) have been invaluable.
Dancing Through European Summer
One of the many perks that drew me to Amsterdam? The famous work-life balance! With all the long summer days ahead, I decided to take on a new challenge: learn salsa and bachata! Let’s see how those moves come along in a few weeks. For now, I’m off to soak up the sunny weather in my favorite Vondelpark and chat about life (and cricket) with my colleague from the U.K. Afterall, its Ind vs Eng today.
There’s a lot happening in our world right now. Take care of yourself, and if you can, take care of someone else as well.
I’m always excited to make new connections. Ping me on LinkedIn to connect. Until next time, cheers!