Between the years 1977 and 1983, when we were students in college and university, most of us studied for its own sake without caring in the least for a career. We enjoyed our study and the environment as available in our university. Of course, most students were of the opinion that there was no study atmosphere over here, and if they went to Delhi, they would get a better study atmosphere for building up a career. There was truth in what they said, as Delhi not only provided better colleges and universities with efficient faculty members but also books, magazines, libraries, and coaching facilities. There was a rush to Delhi, and students, after completing their graduation, went over there so that they could prepare for Indian Civil Services and State Civil Services in case they failed to make it in the former. Their ambition and efforts did not go in vain, as most of them could come out successful in either Indian or State Civil Services Examinations. The percentage of successful students studying in Delhi and coming out successful in Civil Services Examinations was obviously better and higher than that of other places in the country.
Despite most students being desirous of going to Delhi for higher studies, the three main universities of Odisha i.e. Utkal, Sambalpur, and Berhampur still drew students from their respective areas, as everybody could not afford to pursue studies in Delhi. The Delhi University was in great demand, and it was really difficult to get a seat in its various departments and hostels because of high cut-off marks. Even for getting a seat in its Law Department for LLB and LLM, it was very tough, whereas in the local law colleges it was easy to get a seat. Students preferred the Jawaharlal Nehru University for its reputation and availability of hostel seats. Once admitted, they prepared for MA, PhD and at the same time competitive examinations. But entry was tough, as it conducted an entrance test. The local colleges affiliated with the three universities of Odisha also drew students despite the craze for Delhi and other cities and the absence of the so-called study atmosphere. In western Odisha, the Gangadhar Meher College and Sambalpur University attracted students from the whole of western Odisha with their hostels. Local students studied as day scholars, while the students from outside Sambalpur stayed mostly in hostels.
Immediately after passing out from the High School Certificate Examination, certain students became conscious of a career, while most students were casual. They were casual in the sense that they did not think of a career very seriously but preferred to stick to the academic line or face the competition for various jobs. The job market had already become competitive, but meritorious students with a bit of hard work could manage to get jobs. The academic line, the Civil Services, the Banking and Insurance sector, the Railways, etc. were quite popular with the students who preferred government and public sector jobs to the private ones. The three wings of Arts, Science, and Commerce were the choices before the students. Those who wanted to join as doctors and engineers read science, those interested in a banking and company career read commerce, and those following an academic and other competitive careers read Arts. This shows how certain students and their guardians were conscious of a career. Arts was the most popular discipline compared to Commerce and Science during this time.
Though the job market was not as competitive as it is today, yet certain students felt insecure and tried to pursue various courses of study. One student was planning to do MPhil, BEd, LLB, and journalism after completing his MA so that he would not turn out to be the loser and land up somewhere. The present scenario has undergone a sea change with a rise in population and subsequent stiff competition amongst the students. The number of students has increased along with a rise in educational institutions. Jobs have come down, thereby leading to cutthroat competition. In our time, students were happy with joining the Arts stream, and those interested in technical professions preferred Science and Commerce. Today the focus has entirely shifted to technical education, and there has been a mushrooming of medical, engineering, and other technical institutions both in the government and private sector. The Arts stream has taken a back seat. Still then, those sticking to it are facing stiff competition in the academics and competitive examinations.
The craze for Delhi has decreased a little compared to the other cities. However, for the Civil Services aspirants, Delhi, with its reputed universities, libraries, books, journals, and coaching facilities, is still the best place. Today, since the attention of most students has shifted to technical education and jobs, they have diverted their attention to cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Pune, where most private companies are based and offer easy appointment. It is seen that from technical institutions, the candidates are being recruited by the companies through campus selections, and the candidates are also joining immediately after completing their examinations. This also prevents the students from entering the process of selection for government and public sector jobs. The companies are not only offering easy appointment but also better packages along with scope for foreign appointment. Certain students are also in favour of working in international companies so that they can go abroad and earn better packages. This is one type of brain drain. The government is revising pay scales from time to time. Better pay packages, creation of jobs, and a working atmosphere in offices will definitely attract candidates to government jobs.
In our time, most students opted for jobs as advised by their parents or guardians. It was natural, as everybody would like his children to enter the best of service with social status and pay packages. But this often created problems for the students. Somebody wanted to be a doctor, but his parents wanted that he should be an administrative officer. But there has been a slight change in the mentality of parents or guardians at present. They have started allowing their children to follow whatever career they like. One should adopt a profession by choice and not by force, which will make him a professional and not a mere government or public servant. Everybody is not cut out for everything. As somebody has put it, “teachers are born, not made.” By this he means that a teacher is a talent by birth, and the profession of teaching cannot be imposed on him. Just because one does not get any other job, one will become a teacher is based on wrong assumptions. We can take the social media as another example. Making videos for information, education, and entertainment is a creative and intelligent work. If one does not have the creativity and intelligence, one will fail in it.
Choosing a career is really tricky, which should be based on one’s interests and capabilities. In our time, when the competition was less, those students who wanted to be doctors or engineers have become so. Those who wanted to make it in Indian Civil Services have at least turned out to be State Civil Services officers. But today the situation has changed drastically with rise in population. Accordingly, the number of educational institutions has also increased. Many technical institutions have come up offering courses in different disciplines. Though the fee structure is high compared to that of the government sector, students are being able to come out with different diplomas and degrees. Recently one student expressed his desire to become a doctor and showed no interest in any other profession. At long last, he enrolled himself in a private medical college as he failed to make it in government colleges. So determination pays. Our time was different. Some students were sure and determined, while others apprehended uncertainties. Today the time has changed, and the scenario has become more complicated. Still then, choosing a career judiciously and pursuing it with determination and hard work will definitely pay.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Mr. Prafulla Kumar Majhi,
Retired Asst. Director, A. I. R, is an eminent Scholar and freelance writer in English & Odia. His areas of interests are sociocultural, economic, literary, historical and analytical studies and writings.
Email: airprafulla61@gmail.com
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