Skills spell success

While engineering and medical courses have become a natural choice for students with 60 per cent and above marks, those with lesser marks need not lose heart.

Of late, parental pressure - of imposing their ambition on children - has become detrimental in crafting a secure future for students. "Parents should realize that becoming an engineer or a doctor need not be the sole goal of life.  There are very many alternatives available for achievement," says retired director of Pre-University Education Department, L Nagarjamurthy.

According to a survey conducted by a private agency, the colleges in India churn out 6.50 lakh engineers a year. Another 20 lakh graduates come out from degree colleges.

However, more than two lakh engineering graduates do not possess the job skills. It has been estimated that the developed countries would face lack of about four crore skilled manpower by 2020. A developing economy needs skilled and professional workers. Skills partake degrees and diplomas when it comes to success at workplace.

"It is not wise to select courses under influence or pressure from parents, relatives and friends. Success comes if one can match his expectation with ability. A student's confidence grows manifold if he selects a course of his choice and interest.  Selecting a course under duress puts pressure on students and they tend to lose interest in studies," psychiatrist Dr M S Thimmappa says.

Some courses usually are not given much attention to , but can get better employment opportunities are listed here.

 Para medical

Employment opportunities are aplenty in government and private sectors for candidates with para medical and nursing courses. Those with a pass in SSLC can join diploma courses while PU-passed students can seek admission to BSc nursing. The large presence of nurses from neigbouring Kerala speaks itself for the manpower shortage in the sector. Two- and three-year diplomas are available in para-medical courses. Diploma in medical lab technology, X-ray technology, dialysis, medical rec­o­rds, operation theatre, he­alth inspector etc provides ample job opportunities.

Textiles

Textiles provide the highest employment opportunity after agriculture with more than 50 million people working here. Admission can be sought to diploma in textiles after SSLC and PUC. Diploma/degree in fashion technology is also in high demand. National Institutes of Fashion Technology in Bangalore, Pune and Ahmedabad offer various courses.

veterinary, agri

Diplomas and degrees are offered in agriculture, horticulture, dairy technology, animal husbandry, forestry and fishery.  The government has been unable to fill 2,000 vacancies in veterinary services for want of candidates.

Media

Jobs could be secured in journalism - electronic and print media with a diploma/PG in journalism. Majority of the universities offer the course. One can choose public relations as a career option with these qualifications. Translators are in high demand. Karnataka Translation Academy has launched diploma courses in translation. Some universities too offer the course. Translators are in great demand in tourism sector.