Let us delve in to more.
Olden Days:
I wanted to share some observations regarding career choices and the job market in India, particularly focusing on the period between the 1960s and 1970s, and how things have evolved since then.
During the 1960s and 1980s, the concept of a "career" as we understand it today was largely absent. Instead, the term "job" was predominantly used, reflecting a more immediate and practical need for employment. The freedom to choose one's profession was quite limited, with individuals often migrating from villages to cities and towns primarily to pursue further education and improve their economic circumstances. Several fundamental factors heavily influenced job selection during this era. Family influence played a significant role, as the professions of family members and the overall financial situation of the family often dictated available paths. Educational background was another crucial determinant, with the level of education attained and the specific field of study directly impacting the range of job opportunities. Furthermore, societal and cultural norms, including traditional gender roles and the perceived power and status associated with government jobs, significantly influenced individuals' aspirations. It's noteworthy that women, in particular, had very few choices beyond certain traditional, often low-income jobs. In fact, many marriages were solemnized due to men securing positions in government.
A critical aspect that was notably missing during this time was the alignment of personal interests and individual skills with the jobs people held. Many individuals secured employment through recommendations from influential people, or based on the advice of elders like teachers and other respected community members, rather than through a genuine match of their capabilities and passions.
As the years progressed:
The landscape of job opportunities underwent a significant transformation. We began to see a "herd mentality" emerge, where people tended to follow the career paths of others. The introduction of new educational courses, the advent of multiple industries, and the significant growth of jobs in government and banking sectors profoundly impacted how people chose their studies and subsequent employment. The dynamism of these new courses and their perceived scope for improved job prospects became a primary determinant in an individual's career trajectory. This shift has led to a remarkable evolution in the career ecosystem, moving from traditionally elite subjects like English Literature and Commerce to Civil and Mechanical engineering, and more recently, to Computer Engineering and Information Technology. This evolution highlights a much greater emphasis on individual potential and the diverse avenues available for professional growth today.
I believe understanding these historical shifts provides valuable context for current discussions on career development.
Contemporary pattern of choosing career:
I wanted to share some thoughts on the contemporary patterns of career choice and their implications.
Currently, several factors influence career decisions:
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Lack of Clarity: Many individuals are unsure of what they truly want to pursue. For instance, a common path sees engineering graduates opting for an MBA, often a combo of Finance, HR, and Marketing. However, many end up in sales or marketing roles that they aren't interested in.
It's surprising how number of students and parents still misunderstand the distinctions between a course, a job, and a career. With a vast and expanding job market and numerous courses available, people often unwisely prioritize the course and then the job. The correct approach is to define one's career path ‘before’ choosing a course or a job. When asked, "What is a career?" my answer is, "A career is not a course or a job; it means leading a meaningful life until our end." A career is holistic and truly defines our lives.
Consequences of choosing a wrong career:
Misunderstanding this fundamental concept of "career" frequently leads to dissatisfaction and a defeatist attitude, manifesting in several ways:
Poor Performance in Academics and Work: A deficit of motivational drive can result in poor academic performance and later, dissatisfaction in the workplace. Some students even drop out and switch courses.
Relationship and Social Distance: In our country, parents who invest in their children's education become dismayed when these choices lead to wasted time and money. This can strain relationships with family and friends and lead to social withdrawal. I have counseled many young couples whose marital issues stemmed from the consequences of pursuing the wrong career.
Impact on Self-Esteem:
It's clear that making wrong career choices can significantly reduce an individual's self-confidence in their skills and knowledge, which in turn negatively affects their self-esteem. Even if some students pass exams due to compulsion, they often feel exasperated in their work. Continued dissatisfaction and frustration can drive individuals to seclusion, substance addiction, and, in extreme cases, suicidal tendencies. This can also contribute to various mental health disorders.
What does a Career mean?
It is a surprise even today; many students and parents hardly understand the dissimilarities among course, job and career. Since the job market is widened and plethora of courses is anvil, people tend to focus the course and then the job which is not wise. Choosing Career should precede the course and the Job, which is the right way of choosing one’s career path. People ask me what is Career? My answer is ‘Career is not a course or job; Career means ‘Leading a meaningful Life till our end’. Career, is holistic and define our life.
How to choose a right career:
When considering career paths for our children, we often focus on their interests, whether it's music, sports, or fields like computer or marine engineering. However, it's important to remember that interest alone isn't sufficient for choosing the right career. For example, while someone might be interested in becoming a lawyer, they may not succeed without their aptitude like strong communication skills, language proficiency, presence of mind, and attention to detail.
Other crucial factors include a person's personality type (introvert, extrovert, or ambivert) and, most importantly, their internal motivators. Many of us are unaware of these dormant motivators, which are the backbone of a fulfilling career. Do they wish to work with society or machines? Are they driven by a desire to help people or to make money? Understanding these deeper drives is vital.
Therefore, a scientific approach to career selection involves integrating various factors: interest, internal motivators, aptitude, and personality. As Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences suggests, we are all uniquely wired with multiple aptitudes, some more dominant than others.
By assessing and connecting all these factors, we can help individuals choose a career that leads to a meaningful life.
For more information on how to choose a career log on to www.bodhi.co.in
About the Author
Dr. N. Raj Mohan is a Director and Behavioural Scientist with deep expertise in human behavior and leadership development. He is passionate about helping individuals and organizations unlock their potential through practical strategies grounded in behavioral science.