Why Socializing Young Adults to Pursue Government Careers is a Misdirected Effort

In the Indian context, a significant portion of my clientele, comprised predominantly of young adults, visit me for career guidance. A consistent frequency in my interactions involves government job aspirants, often referred to as sarkari naukar. It's astonishing to often hear from both the wannabe civil servants and their parents that pursuing government jobs is intrinsically the best option available. Why are these young adults wasting their peak youthful years on something they are not genuinely interested in?

The Root Causes Societal Influence

The primary reasons cited by these young individuals and even their parents revolve around societal indoctrination, peer pressure, and social media propaganda. From an early age, our society has been infusing the notion that a government job is the pinnacle of success and stability. This belief is perpetuated through social media platforms, where numerous pages pressure candidates to consider government services as a career beacon. Even high-profile civil servants often attempt to portray themselves as local heroes, bolstering this perception, but in reality, they are public servants who serve us and not the other way around.

The Role of Social Norms in Career Choices

Another critical concern is the social construction of acceptable career paths. Many individuals, including young couples, seek my guidance not solely out of genuine interest in government service but because they wish to clear the notoriously difficult UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exams. Often, their parental supervening objective is to ensure a suitable marital alliance, rather than a genuine desire to serve their country. This situation raises significant questions and highlights a potential issue in how society steers career choices.

Reflections on Individual Aspirations and Reality

The path to clearing the UPSC exam is daunting, fraught with numerous challenges. Despite years of dedicated preparation, many candidates—mainly hailing from organizations like ORN or Karol Bagh—end up missing the cut-off by considerable margins. How, then, can one claim that a casual preparation, devoid of discipline and genuine passion, stands a chance? It is crucial for the youth of India to critically assess their pursuits and ponder the reasons behind their choices.

Conclusion

While we cannot alter the deeply engrained beliefs of our elders, it remains our collective responsibility to scrutinize the direction in which we are steering our young adult population. It is essential to introspect and question whether the pursuit of government jobs, driven primarily by societal expectations and familial commitments, is the most empowering path for our youth. By fostering a balanced and critical mindset, we can encourage more meaningful and genuine career aspirations, paving the way for a more fulfilling and harmonious society.