They say the grass is green on the other side. They also say, the grass is green where you water it. Well, the grass in my garden had been green all these years, except I realised, I was not manuring it enough to let the greenness last for a long time. 

I've had my share of terrible career mistakes, and I know where exactly I was mistaken, and what things I regret from my job choices.

Having a bunch of college students I have taught over the last two years, I feel like letting the youngsters know what mistakes to avoid in the start of your career for a secure future. Just take whatever tips suit your path and ignore the rest. But take this list seriously, I warn you. 

Landing an internship in big companies is way easier than getting a full-time job there. You may have a fellow student, a professor, a cousin or someone you met on a dating site who works/interns at a big company. Through their reference, get in the company because it matters where you begin your career. 

Who in their right mind rejects an offer to continue the internship at VOGUE India? I do. 

One of the biggest regrets of my life is prioritising my post graduation exams over my career. At that time, considering I was a topper and excelled at what I did, picking exams over an internship seemed like the right thing to do. I always hoped that when I turn 35, I would try for Vogue again. Somehow that fire still burns within me and I still have almost six years to turn that dream into reality. 

But yes, if you have the option to continue your internship or convert that into a full-time job, I request you go ahead. If you're getting this offer so seamlessly, I don't think you should prioritise your studies over career. 

I scream on the top of my voice that I've done my masters in journalism and that I've been a college topper, but does that get me into the company I want to go for? Absolutely not. Sure your grades are important in the beginning, but more important than that is where you've worked and how steady you've been. 

So next time when you want to prioritise getting higher grades over a job, keep this in mind. 

According to my observation, employees who have stayed at a company for more than two years in general are more impressive than those who hop job every year. So I suggest staying back before you jump, because as comfortable as it sounds, in the long run, companies will reject you for being unstable. You may come off as an unreliable resource. 

An additional tip would be to not believe in increments. Because if you go with the mindset that your salary would increase after a year, and if it doesn't, you'll feel undervalued. You may think of quitting.

The startup culture is cool no doubt, but they're also unreliable, and lack the amount of security needed for a stable career. It may be that the funds are over, so the employer pays your salary a little late. Or you don't get an increment because there are less number of clients. Or the company is declared bankrupt and is laying off employees. Or they cannot keep you anymore because they are now looking at a junior resource at your level. 

So I suggest avoiding startups or doing a thorough research before accepting the offer. 

It's exciting when a company offers you your dream package, but how sustainable is it in the long run? Does the company pay on time? How is the culture? What is the payment cycle? Are there any unsaid payment cuts or working weekends which you were not aware of? How is your manager, what is it like working there, and so on. 

If you're of two minds whether you should pursue an MBA degree, I would say, go for it. Not only you get a great package in the beginning of your career, you also are open to many job roles where an MBA degree is a requisite. It may cost a lot or you may not be keen on giving entrance exams, but trust me, if you want to pursue it, you should, keeping everything secondary. 

Imagine you wanting to pursue a degree abroad but you cancel it because your girlfriend/boyfriend threatens to leave you or begs you to not go, or isn't much supportive. Firstly, you shouldn't be in a relationship that doesn't see your personal growth. And if at all you do, remember your priority should always be your career/education. Because these partners come and go; what remains is the career choices you make at a young age. 

Many colleges offer placement drives from reputed companies. It's a huge plus because you can begin your career at a big company immediately as you graduate. And as much boring as it sounds, trust me, you can never say no to a big company over a little enjoyment. 

Professors are the sweetest because they will go out of the way to get you a thing you want. Whether that's internships, jobs, or any other contact you need. How do you think I could win an interview at Vogue? One of my professors suggested my name for the same. How do you think I teach a batch of students every year? My HOD invited me to be a visiting faculty. I was invited multiple times by my college for being a chief guest or being a host for an event.

Maintaining a good rapport with professors is definitely a plus in the long run.

That pretty much sums all the things I've observed in the last ten years of building a career. 

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