Sunday 12 April, 2009

The myth of relationship between Degree - Career - Money - Happiness and root cause of the issue with our educational system.

If you ask most of the people why are they studying (in India ), you will get a prompt reply that 'To get a decent job'. If you again ask them why does one want a job, the answer would be 'to earn money'. If you still persistent, why does one need money - you will get the final answer 'need money so that I can have a happy life'.

Yes, getting a 'employable' degree will increase your chance to get a job. But, that's not all. You need right knowledge to build a career. A job might increase your chance to make money to a decent level - only to a middle class decent level. Not above. Then the billion dollar question - even if you earn money , will you get happiness in your life? No guarantee - because, money has very little leverage in happiness :) - Most of us realize that fact only when we have enough money to spend on stuff which we thought would bring us happiness( good house, LCD TV, car etc..). I met most unhappy people who has degree, job and money. They are very unhappy that they don't know what to do next! At least for those lesser fortunate folks - they still have a hope that if they get money their unhappiness would be over. The first category( lucky ones with money) - that hope is also not there !!!

Or in other words - A good degree will no way get you a decent job ( it will increase your chance - but how much is a big question.). A decent job will no way get you rich ( in fact, a decent job might highly likely result in you always remain in middle and you will see yourself end up compromising on lot of things). And attaining all these three - degree, job, money - have no connection to reach happiness in life.

By respecting the scope of this topic - If you let your children study something which they enjoy studying you will get all of the above. But, then the order of steps will be bit different.

By studying something which you love to know(study) - you will enjoy the time you spent on learning it. If you enjoy doing something, you will be happy. The chances are very high that the subject you are passionate about will make you an expert in that subject. So, study something so that you are enjoy learning it. Then, you get a degree in it. Build a career over it( own / salaried) and the money will follow, which you can use to get more physical happiness.

So, Please study for pure happiness of its knowledge. It does not matter the subject. Everything else will follow. Do not study for a job.




Getting a

Is it good to study Computer Science now?

I am being asked by this question by students or parents of students for last couple of months.. They want an opinion - is it good to study IT now. They hear that its recession everywhere, IT companies are not recruiting etc...

Short answer - YES. If opting for computer science or a career in IT was good in couple of years back, its still good in coming years also.
reason : Some one needs an MCA or BTech in getting a job in tier-1 software companies. For a student who completes +2 now, it will take next 4 - 6 years to get a BTech or MCA. The current crisis should be settled by then. Will the hiring spree (spell java - get a job), be on same line after this crisis in IT? Not sure. During 1998 - 2000 and 2005-07 there was a huge demand for s/w engineers in India. demand was high and supply was less for programmers(good or bad). But, during next demand spurge (expected in 2012-2014) for IT professional in India, the scene going to be bit different because of the following factors
- there will be a sizable pool of professionals by then.
- s/w professionals are ageing. more experienced people will be available in market with much less cost.
- Salaries are going to be stabilised for roles (not for number of years of experience, as currently practiced) in IT - A much awaited correction.
- still demand rules the market ;)

What ever it is, IT professional are still going to enjoy the salary advantage against other professionals or fields in India - because of the fact that its an export oriented business.

Long answer : It does not matter. The times have changed. Do not study just for a job. Jobs are plenty now-a-days. Even if you studied BA -Malayalam (considered to be the least job oriented course), you will get plenty of offers from all these media /communication houses ( TV channels, radios, news papers etc), if you are REALLY GOOD IN THE SUBJECT.

My advice - One can excel in a area of subject which he enjoys doing. If you enjoy studying History, Economics or Computer science. Please go ahead and get a graduation in respective fields. Do not worry about the job future. Read more about the subject out side the syllabus. Be a master in the subject. and enjoy speaking about the subject... be passionate about it. You will get a career and money.