"To be, or not to be"- IAS or IIM

Everybody at some point or the other comes to this stage where he needs to decide whether to go for IIMs or to be an IAS. I am not talking about those lucky guys who always knew from their school days that they have to appear for civil services in coming future. This post is for the people who are little confused or in dilemma to choose IAS or IIMs as its not a wise decision to prepare for both and then landing at nowhere.
I also faced this dilemma 1 year back so I know how important it is to clear your mind and then moving on aiming at the bird's eye toward your chosen path. I hope this post will help people who have just planned or planning to prepare for civil services exam but little doubtful of their choice of IAS over MBA.
It all started when I was working as a software engineer in a big MNC like everybody else in Hyderabad. Somehow i was not satisfied with what i was doing, I always had this feeling something somewhere was missing. Being a graduate from IITK the obvious choice was to prepare for IIM but then after completing two years of MBA things would remain the same- the same rate race throughout, thats how the idea of IAS came to my mind and I started collecting more information about IAS. And once you are bitten by civil services bug then there is no going back :)
So let me share my rational analysis on IAS Vs IIM, actually I wrote this article few months back in some IAS community on Orkut as a reply to a query. That reply was appreciated by many so I thought to publish the same article as my first blog and this way it can help many more IAS aspirants.

IAS Vs IIM:

1. Money: An IIM guy earns lot of money to make his life comfortable, but an IAS officer already gets all the facilities so he doesnt need that much of money. ie: an IAS can go abroad for higher studies (paid by government), many foreign trips etc.. Anyways happiness and satisfaction is more important than money.

2. Metro life: IAS officers are invited to attend VIP parties and big functions both in and outside the country, an IIM guy doesnt get this much of attention.
Its true that they get remote working places in the beginning of the career but i think thats the best part of an IAS officer they get a chance to work every where ranging from remotest area to the most happening place of the country. It just depends on how you look at it. Anyways multiplexes,pubs, discos can only give u temporary happiness.

3. Political Pressure: That's a part of life and inescapable. Even an IIM guy has a lot of pressure from his boss, client, market force, economy, competitors etc. Political pressure is everywhere directly or indirectly.

4. Independent thinking and innovation: Many senior IAS officers get a post of CEO, head of departments, board members, advisers etc. of public/ public-private companies.

5. An IAS has a power to change peoples life just by doing his duty. He can help many people (even unknowingly) and can spread happiness and contribute a lot in building up a great nation. But an IIM guy can help only his family and friends.

6. Diversity: An IIM guy does same type of work all his life and is surrounded by people of same type/intellect . But an IAS officer gets different posts, new challenges, and have to work with people of every type ranging from highly intellectuals to the illiterate politicians.


Friends, I must say that I am not against IIM guys :) I have many friends who are IIM grads, they r doing really good and are very happy and satisfied with their life. So its a personal choice whether to go for IAS or IIM depending on what u want frm life.

Anyways for me all the above things are just secondary, an IAS tag with my name will be enough to keep me going... :)