In India, there has long been a tradition of valuing conventional careers such as medicine, engineering, CA, IAS and Teaching. While these professions continue to be popular, the country has also witnessed a surge of new age careers that offer decent earnings and job satisfaction. However, many students still tend to ignore these new age careers, and instead drop out of formal education. In this blog, we will explore the reasons behind this trend and discuss the available options for students who find it hard to continue their studies.
Based on my interaction with these students, one of the primary reasons why students tend to opt for conventional careers is the societal pressure to pursue certain professions. Parents, relatives, and peers often exert significant influence on a student’s choice of career. This pressure is particularly pronounced in lower-income families, where education is seen as a means of securing stable employment. Hence, students tend to gravitate towards such conventional career choices.
Another reason why students tend to ignore new age careers is a lack of awareness about their existence and potential. Many students are unaware of the range of careers available to them, particularly in fields such as digital marketing, data science, Hospital Administration, tourism and new age technologies have made even agriculture a lucrative field. This lack of awareness can lead them to make uninformed decisions about their future. During our Career guidance sessions we have noticed an enthusiasm to learn more about careers like Digital Marketing, Advertising, Paramedical courses, Pharmacy etc.
In addition to societal expectations and a lack of awareness, many students drop out of formal education due to financial constraints or other personal issues. However, vocational training or diploma courses offer a practical and viable alternative to traditional degree programs. In fact, many students are familiar with ITI diplomas and consider them after completing their 10th grade, but they are generally not aware of which specialization to choose and why. Also, they are not aware of the apprenticeship programs offered by companies such as Toyota, Bosch and Tata Motors. These programs provide hands-on training and can lead to employment opportunities within the companies’ centers.
Even for students who are struggling to continue their studies, there are several options available in the form of vocational training or diploma courses. These courses are designed to provide students with practical skills and hands-on training that can help them secure stable employment in a variety of fields, including fashion designing, photography, Electronics, Mechatronics, hospitality and many such fields.
In conclusion, by providing career guidance and counseling services to students, we can help them make informed decisions and choose a career path that aligns with their interests and abilities. This, in turn, can lead to better career prospects, increased job satisfaction, and a better quality of life. It is imperative to promote and encourage students to explore and pursue new age careers to contribute to the growth and development of the country’s economy.
