The change for the best

Tripping over each other to get admission for a coveted professional course with the hope of earning a handsome pay packet is a common mind-set among career-oriented youngsters.But as it happens, not all are wise at this juncture of their lives to choose appropriately. Many coming under peer pressure or misguided advice take up courses they may have no aptitude for, the result being that many lose interest in between, and often abandon it half-way. Nothing wrong with it ofcourse, and many of these youngsters are those with talent and pluck, and they finally end up pursuing successful alternative careers in fields nowhere connected to their original course. The examples abound. Glixa Pereppadan completed her bachelors and masters in Law fromprestigious Law schools in Bangalore and Hyderabad. She went on to work as an associate professor in a Law college, earning a substantial pay packet. However one year down the line, she resigned, and now works in Kochi as a media person. She says “I opted for a career change since I was looking for more exposure. As a lecturer in a Law college, my interaction was confined to the students of the college. It was in no way related to the outside world. I had a craving to do something meaningful, worthwhile for the society.Media job offers these opportunities, and I would like to converge what I have studied and what I am doing now at a certain point.” Parental pressure is also one of the key reasons why many youngsters choose a course that they are not entirely convinced about.The ‘3 Idiots’ situation is quite apt, in that many of them consider giving up careers for which they have real passion, and opt instead for conventionally lucrative ones.This can prove counter productive of course, because it is simple common sense that one has an enhanced chance of excelling when the field is to one’s liking.Sabu Syriac is another youngster who changed tracks drastically.He studied Mechanical engineering, and then went on to work with a couple of IT firms for a brief time.He then did a crash course in photography from Press Academy and is now working as a successful photographer.Says he, “I was adept at capturing rare images and had a passion for wild life photography.As an Engineer, I am sure I will never exceed a level, but in photography, I have bigger aspirations.” Similar is the case of Sonia Xavior, who works as staff nurse in a hospital in the city. She says, “I did a diploma course in Electronics after my Plus two. My parents wanted me to settle down in marriage quickly, though I have always been the ambitious kind. After completing the course, I worked for some time, but then realised I should have a career change. I did nursing after convincing my parents and am now happy as a careerist.” There are others who decide to pursue their hobbies full time, realising its scope and the personal satisfaction that it gives them. Roselin Josy, from Palarivattom, began her career as a school teacher but continued pursuing jewellery designing as a hobby. After her marriage, she took part in a jewellery making workshop, an experience that made her realise her true calling. Today she is a busy designer of terracota ornaments, and takes many orders.Roselin soon plans to resign from her teaching job and devote all that time for her dream vocation.Adila Gopal, an Economics post graduate who is now a content writer in a multi-national firm says, “At eighteen you don’t really know what you want.You also don’t have the courage and willingness to take a decision.After completing a course and getting a job, one often realises that the field is not entirely to one’s liking. I joined as a marketing professional in a company after my PG. I was not happy with what I was doing, though they paid me well. I realised it’s never too late I had a flair for writing which I developed.Now I am a happy person.” Arun Kumar who studied Avionics Engineering is now a video editor at a major Malayalam channel.He says, “One should always choose a vocation taking into account one’s basic aptitude.I had initial hiccups in the firm in which I started my career. Later I realised that a tedious nine to five job sans any creativity is not my scene.” In summation, there is indeed great truth in the adage - ‘Do what you love and you won’t be working for a single day’[email protected]