Tuesday, April 29

Earn and Learn: In Demand

Not many branches needed such drastic changes after our country got Independence, as did the area of gaining proper education. During the pre-Independence era, when the Britisher’s, introduced their system of education in India, it was a bit divorced from the practicalities of life. So quite a few people, who were concerned about the schemes of learning, came together and formulated a scheme of education. By this they were keen to make learning self dependent for finances and to see that every individual after completing his schooling was in a position to make a living. This method also helped in the all round development of the child. Now after 60 years of Independence, we can be proud of all the things that we have achieved in the field of education. But still there is a long way to go and be competitive in this fast paced field of education, where always some new things pop up day in day out. But today’s educated youth of India have the capabilities as all educationalists say,

“YOUTH WILL RESHAPE THE WORLD”

India can look forward to it’s student class, to solve the grave problems of illiteracy, lethargy of people, unemployment etc. I intend on saying this because, the foundation of every state is the education of its youth. It’s not easy, but for solving them, we can look forward to students and students only to make this beginning. This is just because they are more passionate and capable of working hard. They can, by their dedicated hard work and devotion, inspire people and set an example to arouse people’s enthusiasm.

Now as discussed above, in this race, according to me, the western trends, the lifestyles and the culture there, play a really significant part. And it is not without foundation either. Be it a language or fashion or technology or attitude or lifestyle, the impact western culture has on today’s youth is indeclinable. Even if the power on popular culture is difficult to miss, other western inclination is catching the liking of today’s youth and it is the need to gain financial freedom earlier in life. In the western countries a popular way of teaching young minds for the world that awaits them after education is through internships and temporary jobs alongside their education. It helps prepare students in various ways including the clearing of pre-conceived notions about what a certain job may involve unavoidably, the work pressure involved and hence helps them to see if they are really cut out for the job and if it truly makes them happy. But out here in India we largely omit such “earning while learning “opportunities in the mainstream education. But now it is this trend that is slowly but surely gaining popularity, with more young people entering the job market for part time or summer jobs. Up till now, back here, students finished their studies, even higher studies in some cases under the financial care of there father and mother. The parents not only funded their fellows for their education but also took care of their pocket money to meet their day to day needs. But this concept of earning while learning is gradually changing the thought process amongst the youngsters. For getting greater independence, the search of these youths has taken them to a point where they now take the financial responsibilities at a younger age. They are now looking for favorable conditions to work part time or taking up summer jobs while pursuing their academic likings. Some may be wondering what made this new trend so much favorable. It is really simple, because the youngsters get experience, makes them financially independent and intensifies and heightens their career.

Now a day’s in spite of doing well in the academics, no one can guarantee himself of getting a good job. Many a time’s the applicants are asked about their work experience. In such circumstances if a student has taken up some part time job in some firm, along with his academics, that can be a blessing in disguise for him in the near future. Youngster’s can choose a job that’s related with his field of study or liking. This way by the time he graduates, he has on his hand a CV with work experience. His job stint helps him gain practical knowledge in the field he chooses. However in all this the level of responsibility an individual is thrusted depends on the level of expertise the company is looking for and the degree of experience the student is seeking.

Financial independence is another talking point amongst the youngsters for the ‘earn while learn’ concept. Whether you are a teenager or 20 something, getting yourself a part time job means you will have that much more dough to splurge on the latest in electronic items, traveling, partying with friends, visiting entertainment zones and much more . By this students feel good for not having to depend on their parents for money. They can pay at least something, if not entirely, for their food, their college related stuff etc.

Enhancing ones career is other important feature, tempting individuals, who come under the category of full time professionals. These people who are waiting to pursue higher education are quite keen to embrace the earn while learn strategy. Such people can undertake some Correspondence course without leaving their day job.

Now after having a look at all these features one can certainly feel rosy and enthusiastic enough for embracing this upcoming culture. But even though visible prospects are very colorful and tempting, an individual should not at all forget that

“Life is not a bed of roses. It may spring upon sudden jerks and speed breakers “

Nothing can be taken for granted. And one experiences this in a real sense when a young student sets out in this big bad world to prove himself, which has lot of things to teach him , offer him, certain things which he has to take note of and follow them in practical life. One must carefully look into these offerings which will be helpful to him all his life.

Personality development of the individual is one such major asset when he enters the job market. Earning while learning certainly boosts your level of confidence and helps in achieving a balanced and graceful personality and with this one can face any test or interview with smartness and élan. The experience can definitely help one to score a point over your counterparts who have not faced any such situation. The virtue of earn while learn also teaches a youngster how to make right decisions at the right time. It will also help you to be hard working and a sincere person and these are certain sought for qualities. This concept also teaches an individual how to utilize the time spent with an organization to explore ideas and test his practicability and who knows he might just land himself a permanent job after completing his education. Whether or not a youngster enjoys being part of a firm at a young age, one gets to see at least how a real firm is run. This can probably help youngsters in reshaping the career options after seeing his job practicability in a way as what you aim for may not always be what you like. For example while wanting to do a technical course as a career one opts to earn by looking after plants in his backyard or in the garden in front of his house, it may dawn on you that plants or trees are your first love. You may realize that you are a born naturalist and can never be happy in technical gadgets. Then why stifle a budding horticulturist or a botanist?? Who knows you may decide to take a sudden career shift that can satisfy you all your lifetime!!!! Also while, one’s on a job, he has to face the world while he works because you are always treated as an adult and there are no concessions once the money factor enters any situation. By this way one gets to know people, their personalities and how to handle different categories of people. One comes to understand the world and makes ones thinking rational and practical. He thus learns about the work culture of an organization when he enters the job market as a full time professional. Learning to communicate well with your colleagues, your bosses, your customers will also go a long way in preparation for your future job. One can develop public relation skills more than any thing else. But whatever the reason and duration of your part time job make sure you learn as much as you can while you are there. With this regard, a well known thinker has aptly said,

“ Don’t think that you know everything, but ever be learning more and let that learning touch most on the practical concerns of your life “
Also during your stint as a part timer keep in mind that the basic rules at any job are the same. Example: When it comes to attitude for work, etiquettes and attire follow the same principles and rules as you would for a permanent job. And in all this focus on the money aspect only if your family in not in a position to help you financially with your education. If money is not a factor consider your job as an unpaid internship for learning some valuable lessons about yourself and your interests. Thus these monetary matters teach a youngster that earning money is no cakewalk and this realization increases ones endurance capacity and helps to control temper tantrums. It helps him in making him realize the stark difference in time spent in earning money and spending money. As Charles Dickens puts it in his epic David Copperfield that “Annual Income 20 pounds and Annual expenditure 21 pounds the result is MISERY. But Annual Income 20 pounds and Annual expenditure 19 pounds the result is HAPPINESS”.
This worldly knowledge at an early stage will help one to attain the qualities of effective budgeting or money planning. If youngster at least has a sense of realization about these things, it will not be an exaggeration if it is said that by this our personal family bonds shall surely be warmer. Last but not the least earn while learn should not remain a bookish phrase but should be adopted as a national culture as a score of hard working young generation will lead India to a leading position.

But what ever nice the prospects may be, just like a coin has two sides, certain class of people have been able to show some loopholes in this revolutionary feature of earn while learn. The main reason for their dissatisfaction to such a system is because of its effect on, both the physical and mental state of the students. According to the parents and the members of the teaching class, although students might claim that working helps them gain experience and earn money, the effect of juggling studies and work can be clearly seen in their academic grades. They also opine that although a few manage with par time jobs being regular at classes and getting fairly good grades, for others the distractions of work are obviously too much. Some parents also feel that, even if their wards are earning some money by taking up some job, there’s really no need for them to do so. They think that they are giving enough money to their children. However these people are mostly from the upper middle class income group. Thus the reasons vary from person to person. The views of teachers suggest that students who work late into night might exhibit fatigue and lack of concentration and awareness in the classroom. Also some studies show that college students, who work, may suffer from stress and nutritional deficiencies. Such cases are generally seen in call centre jobs where there is a culture of recruiting mostly non graduates by paying them considerable pay packages. But in spite of all these things, it is very rare that work interferes to the extent of inducing some students to drop out off college.

Thus after going through these issues on a very detailed note, though one finds a few drawback’s in it, overall it certainly projects some really nice things. With a planed manner, it can make individuals live a better life. Seeing the positive side and hoping to eliminate some of the disadvantages, a number concerned authorities have shown keen interest to promote the earn while learn concept. The growing trend, has even led to some Universities follow this culture. And now that quite a few jobs are at hand for the students, even the teaching class has a certain amount of satisfaction. Of course it solely depends on the liking of the students to choose a certain job. Now a day’s event management, business promotion, assistant technicians, industrial survey jobs are quite in demand. Some may even try their hand at small level entrepreneurship opportunities like running a cafeteria, cyber café, food stalls etc. Some weekend jobs like the ones in retail trade help students work, with out missing their classes. Thus in a broader sense the earn while learn concept is an encouraging thing for the youth of free India, to cherish and stand tall with pride.

Remember:

God has not promised
Skies always blue
Flower- strewn pathways
All our life through
God has not promised
Sun without rain
Joy without sorrow
Peace without pain
But God has promised
Strength for the day
Rest for the labour
And light for the way


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