From Map Making to Tech Writing!

Like any other desperate job seeker I was eagerly waiting for the right opportunity to act as a catalyst to my career. Attended many interviews, my first interview was with Nipuna BPO and I got through. I received my first offer letter. I didn't take up the offer as it was a night job. In July’07, my best friend referred me at Google. I had to go through three rounds of interview. The first round was the written test. I cleared it and was called for the next one. I was waiting at the reception, I see a person coming and greeting me and then escorting me to a room for the next round of interview. He was extremely friendly and it didn’t seem like a formal interview. He was my mentor, guide and well wisher all through my career at Google. I was lucky to have got a chance to work with him. I was pushed to the next round. I cleared the next round too. I was informed that I was a Googler. :)
For the first few months, I was very casual about the job and was not serious-minded. As I was just out of college, I didn’t take work seriously. My day at office begun with chatting with every Tom,Dick and Harry who came online. I always thought that this was not the right job for me. Initially I was a digitizer i.e. to create map content on the product Map Maker. Then I realized that everyone around me has gone much ahead in the rat race and I was lagging behind. This self realization made me feel guilty and I began working really hard or rather over working. My hard work was appreciated and I was promoted to the next level - 'Moderator'.
Generally, I get bored of things very fast. I live by the saying ‘Variety is the spice of life’. After few months, I really needed a change and an exciting project the Google Earth Bug Scraping project came my way. This project was a revolutionary project for me. This project gave me recognition and exposed many of my leadership qualities which I wasn't aware myself. I excelled proved to be a humdinger in the team and I was then made the Team Lead. I burnt the candle at both ends. I kept trying to prove my mettle but in vain. Ironically, every other person in charge appreciated my work but I failed in winning my boss's confidence. I realized I was going nowhere and it was high time I start looking out for other options.
One night I sat and thought what are the options available for me. I analyzed all night and realized my biggest asset I have is good communication skills. Why don't I utilize that as coding or development or for that matter testing was not my cup of tea? I decided to go ahead and undergo the Technical writing course as I was always interested in documentation. I ensured that I grabbed every opportunity at work which was related to documentation. Then met a friend after around five long years and asked him if he could help me as this was related to his field. He was an angel in disguise. He then referred me at Cognizant and I was selected for the job.
Currently, I am a full time Technical Writer. :)