Say No to Clichéd Jobs and Try the Offbeat!

The Employment Scene in India

Growing up in India, a kid is either tipped to be an engineer or a doctor. According to the first ever global report commissioned by the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, 80% of Indians in the age group of 16-17 years want to take up engineering as a profession, while the figure stands at only 20% in the UK and 30% in the US. The software industry alone recruits 300,000 people every year and more than 50,000 doctors are produced every year in the country.

But how many of them are actually good at what they do? According to the National Employability Report, only 18.33% engineering graduates are employable and only 18.09% actually get a job. There was dialogue in web series, TVF Pitchers, “Is desh ke graduates apni 9-5 jobs se bore hone lagte hain toh bahar nikalne ke liye keval 3 raste dikhte hain: MBA, IAS and Start-up.” That seems just about right, right?

Does it Work?

Unfortunately, No! According to Quartz India, millions of white collar workers in India are vulnerable to exploitation, which also includes corporate managers. Since there are no labour legislations, a lot depends on the relationship with the boss.

Even though MBAs and investment bankers are the highest paid workers in the country, the workload and stress is too high, often leaving them unhappy. According to a study, 72% men in the country are unhappy because of lack of opportunities and the huge workload. These people don't quit their jobs because of the high paycheck.

So, it all comes down to passion or paycheck. And you are the one who has to make the decision.

What are the Other Career Options?

There are many other offbeat career options available, through which you can make a handsome amount of money. Yes, the pay won't be equal to that of an MBA in a large multinational, but if you are good at what you do, the rewards are there for the reaping. Who knows, you might even make more than a simple white collar job. However, be prepared to put in hours of hard work, make sacrifices and take risks. You can also invest a part of your income in a savings plan to keep something away just in case things don’t turn out quite like you hoped. Remember, success won't come without taking risks.

Here are a few options you could explore:

• Photography: DSLR is the new guitar these days, almost every college going kid wants one. What they often forget is, photography is one of the biggest arts in the world. It requires both technical expertise and creative vision. These days, photographers can earn a good amount very easily. There is money in it, from fashion to wedding photography.

• Product Design: From footwear to smartphones every single good in the market requires good designing these days. It has led to an increase in demand for good product designers in the market. Many institutes also offer courses in graphic and animation, textile, furniture, etc. This is a highly recommended option for creative people.

• Event Management: If you believe that you have good leadership and communication skills, then this is the field for you. The scope in event management has increased immensely in the last few years. There are different fields to choose from too, such as parties and weddings, corporate events and even sports.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• Don't chase money, chase your passion. If you are good at what you do, money will follow.

• Put in your best. When you have made a choice to go offbeat, do your best to make the decision work for you. The problem with these professions is that either you are an idol or a failure, there is no middle path.

• Be prepared for bad times. Since the risks are higher, it is better to invest some money in a savings plan, property or some other asset, before giving your chosen career your all. Savings plans will give you guaranteed returns, reducing the risk, according to experts.

So, chase your dreams because they do come true!