By Payal Gupta (blog: http://mixwritings.blogspot.in)
It is an old cliche that experience is a good teacher as compared to books. I agree with it. It can be a question of dilemma whether to prefer books or experience as a good source of knowledge. No doubt books explain us the concepts about any new theory. It introduces us to the new things and enhances our knowledge but in real world, things are different. Our surroundings is an external environment on which we have no control. Working in changing environments gives us experience, an another kind of knowledge which helps us to face real world scenarios. Both books and experience are two channels of knowledge and in my point of view, knowledge gained from real world experience is far more important than pedantic knowledge.
Firstly, I want to quote my own personal experience to prove my perspective. During my MBA training, I took NCFM Financial Markets module. I had no deep prior knowledge about financial markets. I considered NSE booklet a source for gaining knowledge about markets different terminology and the whole process. But when I had undergone three days training in a Max Growth brokerage firm during training period, the real world came in front of me. Persons working there have only practical knowledge with them and they have no concern with what is written in books. My bookish knowledge proved wrong there. For instance, I asked them whether they give 2.5% commission to agents, they replied to me, in reality, it does not exceed 0.5%. There are many other things which I learnt there and they are nowhere in books. Means my certificate do not provide me the skill to work in any brokerage firm unless I have practical exposure to stock