With college admission season in full swing, career advice columns in newspapers and counselors unanimously advise students to pursue a course in which their interest lies rather than being influenced by the choices their peers make or by the popularity the course enjoys.
On the face of it, it seems to be an indubitable advice. But unfortunately life is not so simple.
Firstly, a greater number of students do not have a field of interest in mind. For the few who do, the choice is mostly influenced by how much it pays -financially or otherwise- to be in that profession rather than out of natural inclination toward it. There may be some exceptions but this is the general tendency. For most students, the notion of a ‘dream calling’ does not exist, irrespective of what they show in movies.
Moreover, the emphasis on theoretical learning in our schools rarely exposes students to what a career actually encompasses. They are often disillusioned upon discovering that higher studies in a particular subject is anything but what they had made it out to be; there is no feeling of déjà vu to find solace in.
Second, as long as certain professions are regarded more respectable than others and there is substantial difference in pay packages (which is indeed the case and quite understandably so), a student cannot be expected to make a choice of career solely on the basis of interest in a particular field. Ultimately, the actual choice to one is reduced to the few well-paying careers held in high esteem by people at large. More often than not, one has to ‘cultivate’ interest in the field already entered into rather than choosing a field of interest. Career switches usually raise eyebrows and are seen as a sign of indecisiveness.
Third, there are so many fields one may like to pursue as a career but that are best considered mere hobbies in general opinion - photography, painting, music - examples abound.
Pure interest often takes a back seat in the face of other factors like money, prestige and job security.
very well said! its so true that we (including me) often base our decisions on factors other than what interests me. Well, money talks at the end of the day. That explains why IIT grads with science backgrounds end up in IIMs to do MBA in finance. What a waste of seats! the learning quotient has indeed decreased over the years. I think its moved on from the curriculum to the hands on work experience.
ReplyDeleteAlso, research and knowledge development based on curiosity and love for the subject has definitely slowed down, or it has become the vestige of a privileged few who are taken seriously or have enough resources to dedicated time and effort.
me*us
ReplyDeletevery well said! its so true that we (including me) often base our decisions on factors other than where our interests lie. Well, money talks at the end of the day. That explains why IIT grads with science backgrounds end up in IIMs to do MBA in finance. What a waste of seats! the learning quotient has indeed decreased over the years. I think its moved on from the curriculum to the hands on work experience.
ReplyDeleteAlso, research and knowledge development based on curiosity and love for the subject has definitely slowed down, or it has become the vestige of a privileged few who are taken seriously or have enough resources to dedicated time and effort.