THE FURNACE SERIES: EPISODE 2

THE FURNACE SERIES: EPISODE 2

Here's an exclusive interview with Ajay. Ajay is a product manager for an investment bank in the UK.

Prettadnectar: Thanks Ajay for granting this interview

AJAY: You're welcome

Prettadnectar: How long have you been in this industry?

AJAY: About 6 years now

Prettadnectar: Interesting, how would you say those 6 years have been?

AJAY: Challenging, a learning process, exciting and fun

Prettadnectar: Could you shed some light on some of the struggles you encountered in those years?

AJAY: Well, there is a steep learning curve within banking technology. I mean banks have to keep up with new tech and we (tech folk) have to learn/adopt it very quickly. I had to study new tech applications and get myself up to speed as I hadn’t had exposure to the new tech before at all.

Another struggle was Covid. My role and team (global, not everybody is based in the UK) had to work in a new manner and not let the pandemic drive out project costs up.

Forging opportunities for myself was also a challenge as in this industry, you are boxed into roles. If you perform your role well, they like to keep you in that role. So moving into new roles and departments was a challenge for me.

Prettadnectar: How did you cope with these struggles, Were there times you felt like quitting?

AJAY: Networking and continuously ensuring my work spoke for me was one method. Networking internally allowed me to line up potential moves and create learning experiences. 

Yep, I definitely felt like quitting at times. It was tough and tested my resolve. I quit something earlier in my career which taught me my biggest lesson - to never quit.

Once you quit, you remove the chance you have of overcoming whatever it is you are facing. To overcome the challenge is a better feeling than quitting. Quitting is never an option for me now.

Prettadnectar: Amazing how you dealt with that, and the lesson you took from it

Top notch.

AJAY: yea

Prettadnectar: What inspires you?

AJAY: My uncle mainly. He is quite successful in the property game and he arrived as an immigrant to the UK back in the 60’s. His story is full of difficult, dark and testing moments but it always inspires and motivates me because, in his own words, ‘I came with nothing’. To see where he is now inspires me. He is the reason I do property on the side of my full time job.

Another is Traveling. Travel is a major inspiration for me because whenever I’m on a business trip, it reminds me, the world is huuuuuge and there is so much to do and see. During hard times we might feel low but if you think about it, the world is big, so there is something for each of us. We just have to find it. 

Prettadnectar: It's a wonderful thing to know it's possible to explore our world And Kudos to your uncle for being an inspiration.Hope he knows he is?

AJAY: He does, I make sure to tell him lol

Prettadnectar: Incredible. Talking about something for each of us and finding it, a lot of people are struggling with this, how would you advise them?

AJAY: Be aware that the route to your destination varies, it may not mirror how somebody else got to where you may want to be. Don’t think you have the route to finding what you want figured out.

Be open to new opportunities and experiences. Don’t think you have it figured out and shut everything else down. There is nothing wrong in trying new things out. 

Always be open to networking with people. Don’t just stick to your friend circle - be open to meeting new people from other locations and industries.

Prettadnectar: Amazing. Anything else you  like to add?

AJAY: Never say never. 

Be open to new things around you.

Embrace change and don’t resist, get comfortable being out of your comfort zone.

Don’t think you have it all figured out because things can change and create a whole heap of knock on effects.

Be confident because this will radiate from yourself. If you’re not confident this will also show and others around you will pick up on it.

Prettadnectar: Thank you so much, it's been great talking to you

AJAY: You're welcome

Prettadnectar: well, you've heard it all, in your struggles, network, do not quit, never say never, hold on to the things that inspire you, be open to new opportunities, these and more are lessons to take away from this.

"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever. That surrender, even the smallest act of giving up, stays with me. So when I feel like quitting, I ask myself, which would I rather live with?" 

Lance Armstrong