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Vashi2Panvel.Com: Navi Mumbai: May 30: Remember what you replied to this mundane question each time an old uncle, aunt or a teacher quizzed you- ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ ‘Doctor’, ‘Engineer’, ‘Teacher’… any ordinary kid would reply. This was the stipulation say about a decade back but as the times change the students of today are becoming more innovative and geared up to face challenges by opting for an unconventional career. The youngsters today are more focused in selecting their career.

The present situation shows that with the increase in the number of innovative courses, the students get more alternatives to opt for. Nowadays, there is a growing rift between the parents and their wards on the issue of career selection. Parents want their child to follow the usual pattern in their professional choice. They want their wards to have a secured future. On the other hand the youngster wants to try out the professions of his interests. Most of the kids today have to decide on their career by making a compromising decision according to their parents.

“I want to be psychologist when I grow up, but I am opting for Biology because my parents want me to be a Doctor.” Says Anwesha Dutta, who came out with flying colours by getting 96% in her X Std. results this year.

There are certain areas about which most of the parents today are biased and have a surly outlook. The fields like Animation, Visual Graphics, Voice Dubbing, photography etc. have a lot of scope in today’s world but due to vagueness in its presence and lack of tenability make parents to force their wards to stay away from these professions.

“There are certain professions which rise on account of some boom but you can’t say that the situation will remain the same five years down the line,” says Mr.Manoj Shukla, whose child is about to enter Std.XI. The child on the other hand has to submit himself to the pressure from parents and peer group, who are following the conventional trend.

There are many students who are inclined towards Music and Sports but are not encouraged due to uncertainty linked with it. “ I am very much inclined towards music and attend regular classes for guitar and vocals, but when it comes for taking music as a career my parents are strictly against it,” says Nikhilesh Pal, a XII Std student of science stream. The limited growth opportunities in these fields have led parents to impose their decisions on their wards. “I have no problems if he takes up music as a career or leisure later but right now I would want him to focus on his engineering entrance examination,” says K.K.Pal, father of Nikhilesh.

“The student here faces a situation of dilemma and undergoes a nerve-racking situation.” Says Dr. Jay Shankar who is a psychologist and career counselor. “In this situation the parents should support their ward and have an open discussion regarding the options available for consideration. They should also listen to their views and outlook towards their career.” He adds.

This is a never-ending debate on who is right and who is wrong…but the scenario today demands both parents and wards to sit and discuss their future openly without any vacillation. At the end it’s their future, which matters…

Smriti Mishra