Looking forward-2018: Usha Albaquerque predicts the reign of Commerce and Humanities

It’s getting increasingly difficult to predict what kids will want to study because of the dramatic changes globally and nationally. Huge changes have taken place in the last three to four years, mostly in the area of digital technologies, which have affected jobs and the learnings these jobs require. It’s overturning all our traditional thinking on what are safe careers, and safe courses. Young people had already been changing but now I can see even parents beginning to understand that you don’t start with a base in engineering before deciding what else to do. Now, they are open to looking at alternatives.

In computers, it will no longer be just Computer Engineering; there are so many digital technologies within that — from the Internet of Things, to Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Cloud Computing — that youngsters want to get into. There are a lot of online courses in this area, and I can see it expanding in the years to come.

The other area that I can see a lot of interest is in the start-ups. I see a shift in many more going towards commerce — B.Com, BBA, BA in Economics, and specialisations within that, such as BBA in investment banking, international business, financial services, acturial science or insurance. Many of these courses are presently available.

There is also a new thinking in Humanities. The new universities offering liberal arts programmes have resonated in a big way. This is because people realise that they need to broaden their thinking and the way of learning things. Psychology, Economics, Political Science are the top choices. Another area is Design. It has taken off in a big way because people realise that there are related jobs available. Parents are realising that designers are everywhere — from the Internet to the world of fashion.Young people today want greater independence and creativity, and to do different things everyday,
which is offered in the field.

Medicine is one of the areas that very few are venturing into. Students these days don’t want to put in the time and effort. It’s a long haul, and it’s too competitive. Many more will go in for  Law, even though that’s equally rigorous. Not many will want to get into disciplines like paramedical and diagnostics, not even those who haven’t fared great academically.

Teaching is another career which seems to have died out. It’s sad —  a societal thing that needs to change. Parents too, are willing for their children to dabble in modelling or fashion, because it’s big money and big lights. There are many who will want to get into the performing arts —  music, dance, etc. Institutes like Whistling Woods have come up with several of these courses. Journalism, too, is popular, especially if one can get on the box, or immediately get their name on print. This generation does not want rigour, just quick fixes.

The other big trend  for 2018 is ‘study abroad’. Just about everybody, especially everybody good, wants to go out. Around 120,00 Indians are going out every year, a recent study observed, and those who go want to stay back. The US was the top choice, but that will change now that the country doesn’t allow them to stay on. Canada, Australia (which has come up again), Germany, Denmark, Sweden, may be the next popular education destinations.

Usha Albaquerque, a familiar face as the news anchor of the English bulletin on Doordarshan, is an eminent career counsellor, who has produced a television series and written books on the subject.