Do students really have a choice?

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.

Constructive criticism, anyone?

From an early age, we are taught-“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”.

Every other day, we come across instances of people getting unduly offended by criticism and others, who are not a party to it, echoing the sentiment.

What is so offensive about one professional critiquing the work or performance of the other? Why is it so often taken as a disapproval of the person himself?

People want to hear good things about their work rather than honest opinions, even if that would help them evolve. More often than not, criticisms of works are taken as personal attacks. Interestingly, such remarks are denounced not only by those toward whom they are directed but also by others.

If a lesser known artist criticises an established one, it is labeled as a sign of envy. If a novice does the same, he is lambasted along the lines of ‘what-does-he-know-about-it’. Likewise, an artist of equal stature is expected to be more complaisant and accepting of the work of his contemporaries. Thus, the general verdict is that open criticism is believed to be harsh, no matter where it is coming from.

When actor Abhishek Bachchan wrote on his Twitter page, "We don't deserve a talent like Mr. Amitabh Bachchan! Don't think we can make movies to fit his talent!”, he was criticised for showering lame praises on his own family. His response- “It’s my twitter page, so I have the freedom to write whatever I want and praise whoever I want. Don't like it? Don't read it!"

What a preposterous justification for not taking kindly to criticism!

With such tendencies, we are heading toward a culture of ostensible displays of mutual admiration, instead of one that is continually evolving as a result of genuine feedback.