Free Sample essay on Choosing a Career

Being a chartered accountant, Steger Kapur became a famed director, Dr Sylvester became successful as, the hair-stylist, and being a graduate in mass communication, Rinki Khanna ventured into acting in films. With a wide range of course opportunities, the youth today fails to understand his interests, talents and limitations and choose the right career, which would enhance his personality and skill.

In the post-vedic era, the choice of a profession was not difficult because the society was divided into various classes. Every class was assigned a duty and the following generations carried on the duty without any agitation.

The foremost class of the society, the Brahmanas, was engaged in performing the ecclesiastical duties of the temples and the propagation of education among the various classes excluding the Shudras. The Kshatriyas engaged themselves in warfare and weaponry and were the protectors of the nation.

The kings of all the Indian states mostly came from this class. The Vaishyas were the next on the social hierarchy and were engaged in trade and commerce. The Shudras were engaged in manual labour and led a life of servitude to the other three classes. The system went on for generations till the princely states degraded and people had to depend on an alternative source of income, by engaging in agrarian activities.

The joint family system has given way to the nuclear family system in the wake of urbanization and there is exodus of the young to the towns for better alternatives than agrarian. People send their children to schools so that they could grow up to be better individuals, with better employment opportunities than themselves.

But the educational system followed in India still adheres to the one propounded by Lord Macaulay. Intended to produce ‘babus’ or clerks. No attempts have need made by the Government to scrap the obsolete system of education and bring it in line with that of the several developing nations.

The modern youth is in a dilemma as to the selection of a proper career. He ventures into the job market with high hopes and finds that he is yet another addition to the vast saturated market of the jobless. His sheer grit and perseverance succumbs to the rejections he faces at various offices and he becomes frustrated.

The fifteen or more years of his dedication to education is unable to fetch a decent job. All he acquires is theoretical knowledge and he is unable to apply that knowledge in the practical field.

The increasing population has also resulted in the growth of competition among the youth where each tries to fare better than the other. In the age of the survival of the fittest, those acquiring jobs through nepotism or bribery are deemed successful. The youth today is, therefore, a disgruntled lot.

Recently there have been a few attempts to reform the educational system. Many Commissions have been constituted to look into the flaws of the existing system. The Mudaliar Commission, the Kothari Commission and the Radhakrishnan Commission have recommended thorough reforms in the present pattern of educational system by scrapping the examination system.

According to the recommendations the judgement of a student’s performance should be on the basis of periodical tests and his overall performance They also recommended imparting of practical training to the student which would enhance his skill and confidence.

The Kothari Commission had even come up with a proposal of setting up of training centres to teach handicrafts. Students-who find studies grueling or have financial strains, could eke out a living by using the skills. However, much needs to be desired from the faulty system.

The role of the parents and teachers in helping the youth in making the correct choice of a career is immense. The parents should try to understand their children and be by their side to guide them. The parents are usually engaged in making the family financially well-off, and ignore the spiritual wants of togetherness required for the sustenance of the family.

Children look up to their parents for advice had, hence, parents should be aware of their needs and wants. They should actively interact with their children and guide them by quoting examples from their personal experiences or those of their colleagues.

They should know the limitations and potentials of their children and advise them accordingly, with prudence and taking care not to hurt their self-confidence. The teachers should also make the children realize their latent and help them acquire various skills.

They should help them in making their career decisions by providing them with information about various institutions and the activities they could indulge in to achieve success. The schools should also have counselors to guide the children in choosing their respective vocations.

The students should also try to emerge from their shells and become worldly-wise. They could work part-time while in a college to get some perks and experience. They should go through various newspapers, journals and magazine. This would make them aware of the various universities, their courses and their validity in the present scenario.

Tail claims in advertisement are gimmicks, which are resorted to by dubious institutions to lure gullible candidates. The authenticity of all institutions, their courses and prospects should be verified by interacting with their present and ex-students and cross-checked with the institutions. This would enable the prospective candidates in making a decision based on sound information and guidance.

They should also visit the various career fairs held from time to time and interact with the counselors, teachers and students from other schools. They could also seek advice from the various counselors who contribute weekly articles on career guidance.

Career decisions should never be taken due to peer pressure. Every person is an individual and unique. No single profession could be ideal for two different individuals. Hence, career decisions should be made by scrutinizing both the pros and the cons of a proposition to avoid repentance and misery in later years.

A prudent career decision in one’s youth could help one in combating frustration that usually sets in the middle age. A carefully planned career decision could prove beneficial to the youth and to all those who would be associated with him.

His success, in the ventured field, would help him in providing emotional and monetary satisfaction to his family and provide them with a secure future. The choice of the right career would thereby help in the future development of society.