I traveled to Hyderabad along with 2 of my friends after my graduation, it is the first time stepped out from home. During my graduation, I completed a higher grade in English typewriting. The travel intends to pursue advanced computer courses to get a job in an IT Company. I thought of doing a part-time job to earn some money. My father advised me not to worry about earning, focus on my course. But I still wanted to do a part-time job for experience.

I approached a typewriting center in Hyderabad with my typewriting certificate, He offered me a part-time job. I worked there only for 2 hours, not satisfied with the work he assigned to me. I left the place silently.... to find a better job opportunity.

Searching... searching... in local newspapers, those days companies used to post their job openings in local newspapers...

We found an advertisement in Yellow Pages (a local new paper), one company was looking for "Data Entry Operators" to convert documents into digital documents. We attended the interview and I got selected for the job. This is a shift-based job, they divided a day into 3 shifts. I selected morning and evening shifts since my institute timing is afternoon.

My first day at the office (started with the second shift). After my class, joined the office at 6 PM and my shift ended at 2 AM. No pick-up and drop facility. I slept a couple of hours in the dormitory, reached my room at 7 AM. The room was locked since, my friend's class starts at 8 AM... so they left the room before I reached the room. This was a routine for 1st week... We were sharing the same room but did not meet my friends for a week.

But one beautiful incident happened that week, I can't forget this...It was my Birthday. No mobile phone, No telephone, the communication channel is only thru letters... So, No 'Happy Birthday' wishes... I reached the room with eyes full of tears. As usual, the room is locked since my friends left the room early morning to attend their class. I opened the room lock, its surprise. One piece of cake, knife (used to cut vegetables), rum bottle (low budget) and a lovely note "Happy Birthday Dear Venki". That was my day. A ton of Thanks to my dear lovely friends.

Yes... One month passed. Received Rs.1000/- (One Thousand Rupees only) as first-month salary in an envelope. I kept the envelope safely, I gave my first salary envelope to my parents and took their blessings. My father and mother are very proud of me. This is not for the money I earned, it is for the lesson I learned "Earning money is not easy". The same day my father took me to a goldsmith and ordered a gold ring for me with my first salary.

Thank you, my dear Parents :-)