Lessons from My First Job: Discipline, Teamwork, and Learning

The last time I read a book was during my bachelor’s degree. Once I started my first job, reading took a back seat because of the hectic work schedule. My trainers often reminded me never to stop reading journals, especially in a world where technology changes so rapidly. I realized how true this was when I appeared for my first interview—only to be told by the technical panel that most of what I had studied in college was already obsolete.

Like everyone else, I was deeply attached to my first job, even though it didn’t give me everything I had expected. In fact, the first job of one’s career does not usually provide the financial stability one hopes for.

My first professional journey began with Maruti. What stood out most about that workplace was the team—and especially the general manager, who carried himself like an army colonel. He was a strict disciplinarian who never broke the rules himself and expected the same from his staff. He was kind and supportive toward newcomers and female colleagues, but tough and demanding with others.

Every morning at 9:30 sharp, he would be at the gate, inspecting uniforms, checking whether shirts were ironed properly, ties were neat, and faces were clean-shaven. Even a day-old beard could invite a stern reminder. His mood in the morning often set the tone for the rest of the day. Once inside, he observed everything from his panel, keeping an eye on who was attentive and who was slacking. If he caught someone being lazy, distracted, or reading a newspaper, a scolding was guaranteed. Even forgetting to greet him in the morning could earn you a sharp remark.

Yet, by the evening, his lighter and friendlier side would emerge, balancing the discipline with a sense of warmth. It was an environment where you learned not just about work, but also about discipline, respect, and the importance of presenting yourself well.

Then there were the departmental heads—managerial fellows who were typically strict but technically sound. They commanded respect through their knowledge and discipline. My colleagues, too, were highly dedicated; each one seemed to give their hundred percent, fueled by a genuine love for their work.

I still vividly remember how my journey with Maruti began. 

Maruti, at that time, was on a massive hiring drive. The company had to employ nearly a thousand people from across the country, bringing together talent from diverse regions, backgrounds, and disciplines. This created a vibrant environment where everyone carried different perspectives but shared the same energy and enthusiasm of being part of something big. For fresh graduates like us, it was both exciting and motivating to work in such a dynamic setting, surrounded by peers who were equally eager to learn, grow, and contribute.

After three stages of the selection process—written test, group discussion, and interview—I received my job offer on our old landline phone. That call marked the beginning of an important chapter in my life.

During the interview, I even had the opportunity to meet the Managing Director. He struck me as a cordial, refined, and thoughtful personality. Unlike the intimidating image one often associates with top executives, he came across as calm, composed, and approachable. He asked a few technical questions himself, which made me suspect that he had an engineering background. Later, I came to know that he also possessed strong entrepreneurial skills, which explained his remarkable balance of vision and humility. Despite his stature, he remained cool, kind, and quietly confident—a leader who inspired without raising his voice.

What fascinated me most was the personality of my immediate team leader. He was a refined and kind individual who led more by example than by authority. 

From Jammu and Kashmir, only three of us were selected, which made the achievement feel even more special. Soon after receiving the offer, we were instructed to leave for Gurugram immediately, where our training would begin at the Tivoli Garden Resort. The thought of moving out of our home state, joining a national-level workforce, and stepping into a completely new professional environment filled us with both excitement and nervous anticipation. It was the first real step into corporate life, and everything ahead felt like a new adventure waiting to unfold.

During our training, we were taught soft skills, life skills, and technical skills by highly experienced trainers. The overall experience was remarkable, especially as the sessions were conducted in a five-star hotel, which left us with a very positive impression of the company. A highlight of the program was when the Managing Director, Mr. Jagdish Khatter, a former IAS officer, personally interacted with us and shared his thoughts. For freshers like us, it felt like a dream come true. His calm demeanor and the valuable tips he offered on building a career and striving for professional success left a lasting impact on all of us.

This training was followed by two more sessions at Chandigarh and Ludhiana, both conducted in reputed hotels. Once again, the training proved to be highly informative, led by knowledgeable and experienced trainers. Alongside the learning, we also had the opportunity to explore these cities, which added to the overall experience and made the journey even more memorable.

In our team, I never once heard anyone say, “This is not my work.” Instead, there was a natural spirit of collaboration—everyone was eager to share responsibilities and support one another. That atmosphere of trust gave me the confidence to take on more responsibility myself.

I clearly remember one such occasion when I, along with my friend Rashid and our General Manager, Mr. Khan, went to meet a client. To our surprise, the client turned out to be a highly influential figure—he arrived in a helicopter and stepped out onto a private helipad. Despite the dramatic entrance, he greeted us directly, engaged in a brief but meaningful conversation, and assured us that he would get back to us later regarding the business deal. That moment left a strong impression on me—not only because of the client’s stature, but also because it showed me how trust and teamwork within our own group had prepared us to face such high-profile situations with confidence.

I worked with this company for the first two years of my career, and the overall experience was truly rewarding. This was followed by an interview with Toyota, where I was asked a wide range of technical questions. Fortunately, I was able to answer them confidently. The interview panel was led by Er. Sameer, the Head of North India, who was highly knowledgeable and technically sound.

From my experiences with both Maruti and Toyota interviews, I realized that the process was completely transparent and free from bias, favoritism, or politics. After selection, I was once again given the opportunity to visit Gurugram, where we were trained at the Toyota plant. There, we learned to work with the Toyota Dealership Management System (TDMS), a software central to their operations, along with several technical skills. This training significantly enhanced my technical expertise. I continued working with Toyota for one year.

Later, I appeared for an interview at Mahindra & Mahindra, which I successfully qualified. This led me to the Mahindra Institute of Learning and Excellence (MILE) in Lucknow, where I underwent further training. I worked with Mahindra for another year, and what stood out in this company was their strong emphasis on continuous learning. Every three months, trainers from MILE would visit our workplace to conduct in-house training sessions, ensuring that employees consistently upgraded their skills.

I eventually left the company to pursue higher studies at NIT Srinagar, where I decided to enroll in an M.Tech program in Mechanical System Design.