Rhea and Rakesh were classmates in their college. While Rhea pursued Electronics and Communication Engineering, Rakesh chose to study Commerce. Rhea, 22, decides to intern in an IT company and half-way through changes her mind. She discovers her interest in tourism and how passionate she is about history, culture and travel. She decides to enroll for a certificate course in Tourism and Travel industry.
Rakesh takes up a job in a small firm after completing a short training program in Fintech. Since he needs to earn to support his family, he decides to explore further what he loves most – stock markets and investments.
Apparently, Rhea was under her parents’ pressure to pursue Engineering and found it difficult to develop an interest in the subjects.
Rhea’s struggle reflects a common story in India where parental expectations shape career choices more than individual interest, talent and passion.
The desire to see their children secure a safe, stable and well-paying job is a dream for every parent in India. Parents want to see their children happily settled in their lives after their education.
Education is perceived as a gateway to socially respectable and financially rewarding career. Even if their own careers have been through a roller coaster, parents would still aspire for a smooth vertical climb for their children.
Isn’t this harming the students’ future in a world that’s rapidly changing and becoming more and more uncertain when it comes to careers?
Parents need to move beyond sole reliance on academic performance and traditional degrees as the primary indicators of future success. The emphasis should shift towards practical skills and real-world application, which are increasingly vital in the modern economy.
The parental mindset challenge
How do we change the mindset of the parents when they’re so involved in the careers of their children?
For example, parental preference for government jobs – a response to pervasive economic insecurity definitely needs to change! Of their preference for jobs in big brands in the private sector. This deeply ingrained reliance on government employment for stability presents a considerable challenge when encouraging a shift in career aspirations.
The disruption: AI, automation and the future of work
The world of work is changing faster than ever. The stable career paths of yesterday are being reshaped by technology, and the very idea of ‘job security’ is vanishing. To prepare our children, we must first recognize the magnitude of this shift.
According to WEF’s Future of Jobs Survey, between 2025 and 2030, 22% of existing jobs will undergo transformation due to structural labour-market shifts. This includes the creation of 170 million new jobs but also the displacement of 92 million jobs, resulting in a net gain of 78 million jobs. This preference for stability is challenged by technological disruptions that make no job permanently ‘safe’.
Let’s look at another side of the story. How do parents react when they get to know about layoffs in various companies, do they get into a conversation with their kids?
It is crucial for parents to understand that AI and automation are actively displacing jobs, particularly those characterized by routine, repetitive, and rule-based tasks. At the same time new jobs are coming up!
Concrete examples of roles facing significant impact include data entry operators, basic customer support representatives, manufacturing line workers, telemarketers, and bookkeepers.
Why should parents know about dynamic job markets?
It’s imperative for parents to know how the world of work is undergoing unprecedented transformation due to AI and automation.
Instead of fearing layoffs, parents can play a vital role in helping children prepare for new opportunities created by technology.
- Traditional notions of job security, and stability are continuously challenged by technology disruptions
- Rapid pace of change needs proactive approach to career guidance, embracing forward looking perspective
- Anticipate change, future trends and develop essential skills to thrive in emerging job market
Also read: Beyond the Job Market: Ensuring Industry Participation in School Education
Future skills and emerging careers
Parents decision mostly focuses on external validation, often overlooking the child’s intrinsic interests and talent. And the actual demands of the job market – this doesn’t even fall under the purview of the parents.
Hence, career choice influenced by not individual but societal and familial pressures. This is where the focus must shift:
- Core focus should be on employability, resilience, continuous adaptability
- Valued careers today are mostly – AI/ML Engineer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst, Entrepreneur, Gig Worker, Human-AI Teaming Manager (emerging, dynamic fields)
- Key skills – Continuous learning, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, digital literacy, adaptability, problem-solving, interdisciplinary knowledge
- Parental role – Guiding exploration, facilitating development, empowering autonomy
- Risk perception – Calculated risk-taking, learning from failure
At the same time, parents must acknowledge the evolving priorities of employees in India. Increasingly, employees are aiming to prioritize family time and mental well-being over solely career advancement. This may go against the established perception of earning potential and financial aspects in favour of a well-balanced work life.
What parents can do to turn this thought in to action?
Parents need not choose careers for their children; instead, they can empower them with values, resilience, and confidence to navigate uncertainty. In today’s world, the best gift parents can give is not a “safe job,” but the freedom and support to explore, fail, learn, and grow. Helping children thrive in this changing world means redefining success; not as stability, but as adaptability, learning, and well-being.
References:
- WEF’s Future of Jobs Survey
