Back in 2017, a report published by Dell Technologies made a declaration that would shock many - 85% of the jobs that will exist in 2030 haven't even been invented yet.
Come 2024, and this statement doesn't feel strange anymore. With Gen AI making strides in creation that continue to astound people, workers are beginning to lose their jobs to AI, and the need to stay relevant in an ever-changing industry plagues many of us.
What does this reality look like for those of us who haven't even entered the workforce yet? What of the career paths they must choose from, the skills they need to develop and the choices they deliberately leave behind?
Suddenly, all those 'dad jokes' on WhatsApp about children joining IIT coaching from kindergarten feel right on the nose.
We went straight to the source on this one - our teen community was incessantly needled till they answered the following question for us:
If I could choose a career/degree without worrying about money, employability, "what will people say", etc., what would I pick?
Here are the answers they gave us, and what stood out to us in them:
If my passions were all I needed
The arts featured heavily in these responses, with students sharing careers and professions that are conventionally associated with lesser money, but deeper thought and creativity.
As 11th grader Anoushka shares, "I would get a degree in philosophy and literature and work on just simply thinking and creating art, trying to understand the world and the people around me little by little, step by step. I think that’s essentially what we, as humans, are made for. We have a conscience for a reason, and to understand our existence and be curious about the answers to the evergreen questions of the universe is our purpose."
12th grader Jhankaar shares, "Being a writer - I would love to write poetry and work on it full time; I would also love to try my hand at writing fiction."
Greeshma, a 10th grader would probably "choose to become a theatre artist. I really love acting and drama but society and my parents do not really consider it a 'solid' 'reputable' career option."
9th grader Manya brings to her dream career her desire to do good in the world.
"If I could choose a career without worrying about anything, then I would become a journalist. I love telling stories that matter and uncovering truths. Traveling to new places, meeting different people, and learning about various cultures excites me. I want to give a voice to the voiceless and shine a light on important issues. Journalism would allow me to make a real difference in the world."
12th grader Meenakshi resonates,
"I would pick to be a social worker or a sportsperson because both activities equally give me a sense of who I am, something I like to do and feel happy - a crazy rush of satisfaction and sense of accomplishment is felt. Both careers give me a sense of understanding and belonging. They make me feel alive and less stressed out about what will happen next."
It's not all about the money
Parnika, an incoming college student took this thought a step further, voicing her own issues with the stereotypical need for "the one right career",
"I'd love to be a lot of things at once, actually. I don't agree with the "forever" concept of success. I don't want to spend my life doing the same thing for 40 years. I want to be a psychologist, a baker, a florist, run a café. And do it seasonally. I don't want to make a lot of money. Just enough to live comfortably and not worry about it constantly. I want to be at peace and lead a slow, purposeful life."
If society would just get off my back
Of course, money wasn't the only pressure that students were feeling. A big one was societal pressures, or the phrase heard time and time again - "Log Kya Kahenge"
9th grader Prithvi wants the best of both worlds.
"I would pick the career path of a part-time model and an artist. It is very easy to dream about these careers but there is a lot of competition and struggle at the same time. Attempting for these careers is scary because of the way people have categorized them. “Artists aren't well paid” I have heard this many times and it makes me rethink my interest because who doesn't want a secure future?
Modeling on the other hand I think is very skill based. It is again very competitive. These careers are hard to achieve, but it would be slightly easier if society also supports people who have an interest in it."
If I only needed to keep my curiosity alive
Some of our teens focussed on careers and dreams that helped them stay curious.
Take 11th grader Pradnya, for example, who wants to be an archaelogist.
"I would aspire to pick archaeology. Archaeology would encourage my curiosity to elevate with every thrilling artifact found. It would keep my future interesting, exciting and content for every other day."
Bhargavi, a 12th grader talks of what keeps her alive as she shares,
"I would like to be a content creator who records her life. I would record myself everywhere I go; I would document myself and share it with the world. I would travel, paint, and do whatever I wanted, and that would be my life."
Societal pressures don't get me down, I'm sticking to my path!
Of course, there were some among the many who have picked the path they desire, societal pressures aside. Here's what they had to say.
12th grader Ambika talks of her dream career - being an economist.
"I believe that the problems to most of the socio-economic issues and global issues is there in the discipline of economics. I would love to be an economist because I love to analysis statistical data, evaluate issues that matter to students and globe and find solutions to all problems through the use of economic concepts and theories and implement them in daily life. I believe that being an economist can help me contribute towards policymaking, formulation of policies and make world an economically and socially better place to live."
9th grader Aasmaa shares similar aspirations and desires through her dream career.
"I'd choose the same career that I aspire to take on in real life, I'd want to be a civil servant (IAS officer). I have always looked at the position of a civil servant as that of an ambitious individual who has the strength to impact people at the grassroots level, where I'd have the ability to drive the change I'd want, and won't have to implore the government to do the same."
While we expected to be surprised through this exercise, it was saddening to see that so many of our teens were plunging into career paths that didn't align with their interests or passions. It made us think of what needs to change in this process of finding a career, and how much needs to change societally for students to feel safe, supported and secure, no matter the career they choose. It's our hope that more and more students are able to choose what they truly want to do and pursue, and that they have an ecosystem of support to motivate them to succeed, no matter the odds!
Written by Team Via News Didi
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