Youthful shift

Updated on: Monday, July 04, 2011

Few years ago, there was a huge boom in the information technology (IT) sector and anyone with a high school certificate was joining a computer training institute and taking off for the US shores. The Y2K wave was the next thing that added to the popularity of computer training. Going abroad and being considered successful has been our obsession since the 1970s. However, the recession in the recent past had somewhat defused the enthusiasm. But if the queries one receives on a regular basis are any indication, the youth in India still believes that getting a job abroad is easy. They prefer pursuing such study options that would open the doors of both Indian and foreign job markets.

While the youth, down the years, has not given up on traditional careers like medicine or dentistry, careers related to rehabilitative medical courses such as physiotherapy or occupational therapy are now directly being targeted by students who are pursuing class XII. This, as against a few years ago when such courses were pursued as a consolation prize for not having got into MBBS or BDS. Engineering continues to be a popular choice but obsession with IT or computer science and engineering has given way to a more informed approach . Media as a career is very popular. Becoming a DJ or choreographer are other popular choices.

Wanting to chart out a career in animation, gaming or automobile designing or aeronautical engineering or becoming an astronaut, space scientist , actuary, actor or biotechnologist or joining travel and tourism or retail or aviation are the diverse aspirations prevailing among the youth today . Any new development or aspect in any career, popping up on a computer screen, is enough to get the youth of today searching. Often, the goal is to try and spot something so new that one gets the 'first mover' advantage.

Many college students and fresh entrants in the job market are keen to learn a foreign language to be more employable in the global job market. I must mention that there is a definite decline in the quality of English usage and communication skills. So in this wonderful world of global opportunities that the youth inhabit today, they must always keep in mind that while the space for new and exciting careers continues to open up and traditional avenues get rejuvenated, the basic life skills reading , writing, listening and speaking — attributes that are important, not just in any academic course or career, but in enhancing the quality of one's own life and success — will continue to reign supreme and be the keystone to the fulfilment of their aspirations.

AT A GLANCE

Any new development or aspect in any career, popping up on a computer screen, is enough to get the youth searching. Many college students and fresh entrants in the job market are keen to learn a foreign language to be more employable in the global job market. It may be noted that there is a definite decline in the quality of English usage and communication skills

Times of India

Youthful shift

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