I am a 28-year-old civil servant with an M.Tech (Textile Technology) from IIT, Delhi. In 1999, I joined a leading software company as a software engineer, while preparing for the civil service examination. Upon clearing the exam, I quit the company and joined the Indian Information Service. However, I've become highly disillusioned with government service and see no future in it. I wish to go back to the private sector where I feel my knowledge and skills will be put to better use. I have also done a two-year training in media management at IIM-C, which is what my current job responsibility involves. What should I do?

You could start applying to software companies. Your stint in the civil service may not be fulfiling but at least you are fortunate to be in a relevant department. You should also ask yourself what you find interesting at this point, since you have done a course in media management and have also been a part of the software industry. Your choice should depend on what you enjoy the most. You need to make up your mind quickly as you are already 28 years old and do not have sufficient experience in either of the areas. That could leave you behind your peers in the same industry.

I am 55-year-old and work in the retail division of a prominent foreign bank, which is on the verge of closure. This is the second time my career is coming to an abrupt end. In my earlier job, I was at least fortunate enough to get a VRS package as well as a job with the acquiring firm when the bank sold off its retail division. However, at this stage, both the job market and my age are working against me. I do not intend to retire so early.

Your single-biggest disadvantage at this stage is your age. The job market is still dull as neither the banking sector nor any related financial services is on a hiring spree at the moment. However, you need to keep applying. You could consider contractual employment for a period of one to three years. That should tide you over. And you could look at other services sectors like telecom, where your skills may come handy.

I am a 28-year-old assistant manager at a renowned tea estate. I have a masters degree in food-science and technology from an Australian university. I also possess a degree in plantation management and have seven years experience in the field. I find that my career has come to a standstill. I have been applying for jobs abroad but have had little luck. Do I need to study further? Should I concentrate on building experience around my qualification in food-science and technology or continue to concentrate on tea?

Unfortunately, career growth in plantations is slow. In most cases, people end up retiring in plantations. There is, however, a lifestyle attached to the job and many people enjoy it. If you aspire for more in life, you could ask for a transfer to marketing and build your career. If this is not possible, apply to food companies in the development area. You could even try administration but growth there is limited too. A course in management would open up all kinds of avenues for you.

I am a 35-year-old marketing professional in a manufacturing company. Six months ago, I decided to quit my job and set up a direct marketing company. I had enough contracts in hand then. But the chief executive and director (marketing) of the manufacturing company promised to make me the head of the company's direct marketing division and send me abroad for training and convinced me to stay back. Now, after six months, there are no signs of converting these promises into actions and I am getting increasingly frustrated. I have tried talking to the director, but in vain. My contracts are no longer available.

Considering the situation, you do not have any other option but to continue in the present organisation and try for new contracts all over again. When you feel ready to be able to start your business, you can quit. As you have already learnt your lesson, you will hopefully not trust your superiors if they try to convince you otherwise. At this point, do not to press the issue any further as you don't have any other option. The direct marketing industry is currently not doing well. So, take time to evaluate the feasibility of your business proposition. If you are unhappy with your current company but not in a position to start your business, you could always look for other jobs.

Tarun Sheth, a senior consultant at the Mumbai-based recruitment and training consultancy firm Shilputsi, addresses your career concerns every fortnight. Write to Help,Tarun!!! c/o Business Today, F-26, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001.

Doing A Robert Bruce
Successful careers are about learning from mistakes.

Sunil Lulla, CEO, ValueBridge

Sunil Lulla, CEO, ValueBridge
A former CEO of MTV, he hitched a ride on the dotcom bandwagon by joining Indya.com as its CEO in April 2000. Indya was taken over by Star just 18 months later.

The lessons: Don't believe the hype! Expect the unexpected. I have learnt that you win some and you lose some. One should have the spirit to go on. I do not see any point in my career as being low and high. I view them as experiences. There is always more to learn and do. So what you get out of every experience is dependent on how large a canvas you paint for yourself. I have worked across organisations, across businesses and countries, and my yearning to experiment and learn is only growing. Every two years I try and learn something new-from a little cooking, to playing tennis, to playing the tabla. It forces you to accept that there are some things you cannot do as well as many others can.

Sunit Mehra, Senior Partner, Horton International

Sunit Mehra, Senior Partner, Horton International
Mehra, an engineer with a business degree from Wharton, survived bankruptcy (when his telecom- equipment manufacturing company, Omni Business Machines, went bust in 1996), to set up Horton International's India office.

The lessons: Sound academic qualifications are not enough to be a successful entrepreneur. One needs to have proper financial backing. Another thing that I learnt the hard way was that one's job should be commensurate with one's abilities. Once I joined Horton, I realised I was suited for a networking job. Moreover, one should never take unnecessary risks. Reflecting on my past, I would say that mapping out personal abilities is very critical, and I have learnt to do a reality check on the environment before taking any serious decision. The only thing that kept me going after my business folded up was my faith in my own self. I think that is fundamental to learning, growing, and enjoying each day.

Suhel Seth, CEO, Equus Advertising

Suhel Seth, CEO, Equus Advertising
Seth has seen success very closely, but there have been times when his campaigns have nosedived into oblivion. Seth has endured this and more.

The lessons: Everybody puts in equal labour into all ad campaigns, but some click, while others bomb. These are what I call ''confidence shakers''. The only thing one can do is not let a bombed campaign affect you. In the business of advertising, nobody can predict what will click and what won't. It is a call that consumers make. The Matiz debacle of 1997, made me pause, think, and listen. It forced me to cut-costs. It taught me to take consumer rejection in my stride. All the surveys of the world can't ensure a hit campaign. We can only recover to live another day.

-Mily Chakrabarty