Mukhtar Ahmad Qureshi
In the beautiful but challenging area of Kashmir, where young people are full of hope and dreams, it is more important than ever to have career counseling. For many years, only a few career options have been considered important in the region’s schools mainly medicine (NEET), engineering (JEE) and some government jobs. While these are good and important careers, the huge pressure from society to only follow these paths has hidden the many other job opportunities that exist today. Because of this many smart and talented students feel discouraged, lost or completely disconnected from what they enjoy and are good at when they don’t pass these very competitive exams.
This common way of thinking not only hurts students’ confidence but also stops Kashmir from having a wide range of professionals. So, it is not just a good idea to have organized, inclusive, and professional career counseling in middle and high school is necessary to change the future of education and jobs in the region.
The current scenario: A narrow vision
In schools all over Kashmir, students are usually told to do one thing: pass NEET or JEE or be seen as a failure. There is almost no discussion about careers in areas like journalism, law, agriculture, fine arts, tourism, social work, data science, graphic design, paramedics, psychology, sports sciences, and vocational education. This limited view mainly comes from a lack of knowledge, pressure from parents, and no career guidance available in schools.
In most government and private schools, career counseling is just something that happens sometimes, like a motivational speech or short talk without any long term support. Students do not get personal evaluations of what they are good at, what they are not good at, what they like and what they are suited for. Because of this, most career choices are made based on what friends are doing, what society values or wrong ideas.
The psychological impact of unrealistic expectations
The stress of trying to pass very competitive exams like NEET and JEE often causes students to feel stressed, worried and unsure of themselves. Every year, thousands of students study for these exams, but only a few pass. The rest are often seen as ‘failures,’ even though they are just as smart and capable. This wrong idea affects their mental health, sometimes making them feel hopeless and lose their sense of identity.
Also, calling other careers ‘second-rate’ makes people feel worse who might have done well in creative, technical, or vocational fields. One exam does not show everything a person can do, and Kashmir needs a system that shows this.
Over 250 career options and growing
Today’s world has more than 250 career options, in both old and new fields. There are opportunities everywhere, from coding, AI and cybersecurity to cooking, animation, environmental sciences, fashion design, legal studies, and starting your own business. In Kashmir, areas like growing fruits, tourism, journalism, and healthcare (besides being a doctor) have a lot of potential. Also, teaching, military service, veterinary science, business, accounting and public policy are respected and rewarding careers.
Students must know about many different options, such as shorter courses, job related certifications, skill focused programs, and degree choices through online classes, web based schools and programs to improve skills.
Why getting advice about jobs is very important
Making smart choices: Students need real facts about different jobs, how to get them, what they pay, and how they might grow in the future. Job counseling gives them this important info.
Lessening wrong ideas from the group: It changes the idea that being a doctor or engineer is the only way to succeed, helping students find jobs that fit their real skills.
Finding interests and talents early: Tests to measure minds and skills can help students see what they love early on, so they don’t waste years in the wrong job.
Making people more sure and clear: When students find jobs they like, they feel more sure of themselves and do better in school and in their personal lives.
Helping parents too: In Kashmir, families often decide what jobs kids should have. Counseling can help parents learn about new jobs and help their kids choose.
What a good job counseling system in Kashmir needs
Job counseling places in all schools: Well trained people should be there to help students all through the school year.
Job awareness events every year: Having meetings with colleges, local workers, and people who know a lot about different jobs.
Using new tech and online tools: Showing students websites and phone apps where they can see videos, tests and quizzes about jobs.
Mind testing and personal talks: Tests that are made to find skills and interests, followed by meetings where they can talk to someone alone.
Showing students local job examples: Asking people who have done well in different jobs in Kashmir to come talk to students.
Programs to help parents: Meetings to tell parents about new jobs and how to help their kids without pushing them too hard.
Something we all need to do
While schools are very important, changing things also needs help from education leaders, groups that are not part of the government, community leaders and news sources. Groups like SCERT, JKBOSE and DIETs should teach teachers how to give job counseling in their training programs. Nonprofits that work in education should help make local help centers, especially in faraway places. TV, radio, and local papers can tell stories about unusual jobs to get young people excited.
Time to open our minds
The young people of Kashmir should have more than just one way to be happy. Each student has their own special mix of skills, hopes, and talents that can do well in jobs that are not just the usual ones. By putting money into good job counseling, we can help students make smart choices, worry less, and build a future based on what they love and what they can do.
Let’s not just ask every kid if they will be a doctor or engineer. Instead, let’s ask what are you curious about? What makes you feel alive?
Because when advice meets purpose, a generation grows with skills and a sense of where they are going.
(The author is a teacher. He hails from Boniyar, Baramulla and can be reached at [email protected])
