Skills hold the key to success
By: Imran Reshi
Unemployment in Kashmir and the rest of the country is a pressing issue. There are huge number of job seekers holding higher degrees of education in their hands or dossiers.
Some people hold the government responsible for not providing the adequate quantity of jobs to the unemployed youth, some holding their educational institutions responsible for not giving them sufficient know-how about the future challenges in terms of availability of jobs associated with that particular stream. Some people hold luck and fate responsible for the miseries they are facing so for as the question of source of livelihood is concerned.
Whereas these things have created huge chaos and disappointment among the job seekers, the successors who are yet engaged in their studies are also in confusion and dilemma about the selection of source of livelihood in future. Because, there seems no inkling and scope, for any regular and satisfactory source of livelihood, after the completion of their degrees-whether academic or professional.
The number of educated youth is increasing overwhelmingly day by day. It is not even possible for the government to accommodate each and every one in government departments. There is not even that level of industrialization in Kashmir so that the youth can move towards private sector for seeking jobs.
The people who have completed their studies and are seeking jobs or preparing for getting government jobs are somehow managing and surviving by doing one or the other thing instead of a regular job that gives them relief to some extent. The question is of the youth who are yet engaged in studies with a myriad of hopes and expectations from their concerned subjects and streams. What is there for them in future in terms of source of living?
As far as our education system is concerned, we are made to follow the rules and regulations blindly without us being informed about the scope of that subject/s in future. We are just asked to remember the facts and figures and maintain some notebooks for the whole year.
And at last we’re given the marks sheet in our hand to proceed to the next level. As to other degrees or diplomas a piece of paper titled so and so degree is given to the bonafide student for his satisfactory performance throughout this course or degree and that is it. That student has not any knowledge or idea regarding what to do with this certificate confirming his/her degree or diploma afterwards.
Here one thing is clear that although knowledge is of crucial importance in today’s world more than ever before, but mere knowledge of facts and figures does not confirm the possibility of source of living in future for any person unless he or she has gained the technical knowhow on something.
The only thing this time, that assures the source of living for any person is having well learned skill or technical qualifications. If a person had gained any kind of skill that can fulfil the needs of other people and make their life easier, that is the what creates livelihood opportunities for that person in future.
The most important thing in gaining any kind of skill is that one does not need much qualification or degrees to learn it. Even any matriculate or 10+2 qualified person can do wonders if he/she reflects dedication towards that skill or vocation.
A skilled person has the potential to face the financial challenges in life and help his family as well. A well skilled person can not only help his family or friends in financial needs but can also help them by teaching them that skill and make them independent in their lives. Above all the skilled person can create livelihood opportunities for many other persons who work under him and can help them in becoming self-sufficient in future.
Having a skill not only guarantees the financial freedom for a person but is also highly helpful for securing the self-respect which in turn builds a separate reputation for a person in the society.
On the other hand, no matter the magnitude of income one is getting from a job whether government or private, there is always lack of self-respect and independence. Being an independent self-employed person with low income is far better than being an employee in any sector (public or private), with high income grade.
A self-employed person enjoys the privilege of doing anything at any time, no need to seek any other senior’s or superior’s permission. Whereas, an employee has always to follow the directions and instructions of his boss or other superiors. He is bound to join and leave the office as per the time schedule laid down by the firm or corporation he works for. He has to seek permission of the boss or superior, for every activity, whether personal or job related.
Being a self-employed person is the source of mental peace and prosperity in life because of the freedom one enjoys in this. Whereas a job lacks all these perks, because one cannot act on his own as an employee as there is no such freedom.
Being everywhere in chains, an employee cannot find adequate time to maintain his/her relations of any nature be it family relations, personal relations or social relations. Whereas on the other hand, a self-employed person being master of his own wish and will, he can easily manage time to attend any family functions and ceremonies, can spend quality time with friends and also attend other social gatherings anywhere and anytime.
As a matter of fact, his relationships grows wider and stronger which in turn can help his business flourish in leaps and bounds in addition to getting much love, respect and attention from all his associates from family members, relatives and friends.
At length, It is my suggestion to all the job seekers especially the youth yet engaged in studies, to learn some skill or technical ability side by side, and don’t put all the hopes and expectations on private job not even a government job.
Otherwise there is a probability that these expectations will lead you to severe disappointment and repentance as the current job seekers or even private employees have experienced or even going through such circumstances.
