With the turn of the century, the new waves of unemployment over the Indian subcontinent has led fresh graduates to look for alternatives to traditional occupations such as doctors, engineers, lawyers etc in order to kick start their careers. Children are pushed by their parents to choose science or commerce stream after 10th because they are considered as “most sorted” and would land their children in high paid jobs.
As these students grow up, they realise not all can become a heart surgeon or a mechanical engineer. The Internet is filled with articles suggesting which career path to choose after 12th or graduation. Students are confused as to what kind of job would be
relevant and meaningful for them, or what kind of environment they can thrive in. At this point, what the best teachers and parents can do for such children is to not stereotype a particular profession.
Being a part of this industry means you can become –
- Youth worker
- Social service specialist
- Childcare worker
- Case manager
- Counselor
- Marriage and family therapist
- Animal care worker
- Mental health counselor
- Early childhood educator etc.
The list is never ending. A career in community services can be very challenging and requires someone who is determined to help people through all circumstances. You need to be empathetic and extremely careful with your behavior and body language while dealing with someone in need. You will have to showcase utmost professionalism, patience and flexibility to get the best results. This stream of work offers the growth of self and of the other individual making it a two way street for both. It will help you to work on your social skills and expand your network and maybe someday you can open your own organisation and become an instrumental being of your own community. As it is rightly said, “Be someone’s sunshine when their skies are grey”, you can offer to become someone’s knight in shining armor.
