Nothing but a professional degree will do!
Young concern
By Umesh Ghrera

SHWETA SHARMA, who has passed her Class XII exams securing 76 per cent marks, wants to become an IAS officer. But these days she is busy preparing for entrance exams to engineering colleges. Reason: Her parents want her to join a professional course.

Though she is not very keen on an engineering degree, she might join the course for the sake of her parents. "Moreover", she says, "I can always take the IAS exam with an engineering degree. In fact, a majority of the students getting top ranks in the Civil Services exam these days are from professional colleges".

With the board results out, the next main hurdle for the students of the science stream is to ensure a seat in a professional college, while those with an arts background are looking for admission to good colleges. But with the number of seats in the professional colleges limited and the present cut-throat competition for admission, the fate of a majority of students hangs in the balance.

Students who have studied science till the plus two level, generally, take entrance tests to various professional colleges. And more than the student’s own interest and capability for a particular profession, it is the parent’s choice which is at times thrust on him or her.

Students today face challenges, worries and pressures and are exposed to unrealistic expectations which are not congruent with their capabilities and desires. By narrowing down the career options to a few chosen fields, parents leave the teenagers in a position where they can’t make their own choice regarding education.

Another trend which is fast gaining ground with the students who take entrance tests after Class XII is that if they are unable to qualify in the first attempt, they join a coaching institute to have another go at it next year. While those who make it in the next attempt do not mind the lost year, the candidates who don’t qualify at times end up ruining their careers. This trend has even found favour with a majority of the parents. They say that the child should be given at least one year’s time for preparation. Tarinder Bhullar, whose daughter scored 62 per cent in her board exams, feels that it’s important that her daughter grabs a seat in an engineering college. Though she does not force her choice on her daughter, she says that an engineering degree from a good college would ensure a job. "My daughter has already taken some entrance tests and would be appearing in some more. If she is not able to make it this year, we’ll give her another year." Tarinder, whose elder daughter is studying medicine is, however, hopeful that her daughter will qualify in the first attempt.

Parents, generally, are of the view that only a professional degree is worthwhile and if the child can get entry into one at the plus two level, they feel secure about the child’s future.

Balbir Singh, for instance, wants his daughter, who got 70 per cent marks in the board examination, to study medicine. He says that if she is not able to get admission to MBBS course, she can join either B. Pharmacy or BAMS. "Though I would prefer MBBS, I won’t mind her joining any other course as long as it is a professional one." He says that a simple academic qualification doesn’t have much value and would be the last choice for his daughter. " My elder daughter has done M.Sc in Physics and a B.Ed but hasn’t been able to find a job.

"Vibhu, who scored 63 per cent in Class XII, also won’t mind trying for the entrance tests again by dropping a year if he is not able to make it in the first attempt. " It is the quickest way of getting a job," he says adding that he might apply for a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Application if he is unable not to make it in the second attempt. Similarly, Rahul Trehan, who got 70 per cent in the board examination, says that he won’t mind losing a year, provided he gets admission to a reputed professional college. Rahul, who is pinning his hopes on PEC, says that a majority of his friends are taking the entrance tests and would think of other options later.

However, not all students taking a battery of entrance tests are very serious about them. In fact, a large number of them take these exams because of the value attached to these professions. This happens, remarks Pritpal Kaur, Assistant Director, Vocational Education, Chandi-garh, for want of proper information. More than the marks, she says, students need to know about various options and should be aware of their own interests. Student counsellors and helplines may advise them on the options, but it is the parents who have the all-important task of making their children realise their capabilities.

She says that a number of factors go into the choosing of a vocation. Foremost is the peer group pressure followed by the parents’ choice. One’s own choice comes last of all and most of the time doesn’t come into play. " Even those who get between 40 and 50 per cent marks in Class X take science subjects to get into professional colleges after Class XII and often end up as failures," says Pritpal Kaur.

The Principal, Government College of Education, Chandigarh, S. Tangri, while admitting that it is the lack of awareness among the parents and children which narrows down the focus to a few career options, advocates counselling and guidance for both parents and children. She says that even students who get into medicine and engineering don’t find jobs easily. "There are plenty of career options available and if explored in accordance with one’s potential and interest, the chances of rising to the top of that profession are maximum," she adds. Sukhdev Singh, Principal, ITI, Sector 28, Chandigarh, opines that a majority of the students enter into various professions through the process of elimination and by default. "Parents come to me with their children and ask for advice regarding career options. I always recommend an aptitude test of the child," he says.

Nikhil Thakur from Shimla, aspiring to enter a medical college is devoting eight to 10 hours daily to his studies. Though hopeful of making it in the first attempt, after scoring 74 per cent marks in Class XII, he won’t mind giving himself another year if hard work and luck do not favour him this time.

Nikhil’s father, Roop Singh Thakur, is of the view that a child who has a strong inclination for a vocation should be given sufficient time for preparation. "The child who is a borderline case, requires an extra bit of effort. A year’s time is enough for a child to prove his mettle," he says.

Sonia Verma’s interest lies in music. She is fond of singing but is not sure whether she can build a career in music. After having scored 54 per cent in Class XII in the humanities stream, she will apply to various colleges for admission. She plans to study computers simultaneously.

Most of the students who opt for mainstream BA, B.Com and B.Sc apply for many courses in as many colleges as possible in prominent universities. The course to be taken up finally is decided when the lists are displayed on the notice boards. And more than one’s choice of subjects, it is the availability that acts as a deciding factor.