Navigating the career paths of Indias high-flying millennial masses

Career counselling is poised to be one of the futuristic career choices, providing an opportunity to initiate entrepreneurial ventures, and join leading consulting firms to shape careers
Career counsellors also help people who have lost their jobs or are unhappy with their career choices
Career counsellors also help people who have lost their jobs or are unhappy with their career choices

Identifying the right career is a big question everyone faces at least once in their careers. It is one of the most important decisions in a country like India, wherein the current scenario, this could make you a fortune or not.


A few years ago, things were simpler. Career options were limited – it was either this or that. Things are changing now. A recent study conducted by Talentedge and Kantar TNS found that following passion as careers will be the new mass currency for Young India. The youth of the country is becoming experimental and is not risk-averse. Career choices that were unheard of, like spa management and pet grooming, are fast gaining popularity. 

Between 1991 and 2013, the size of the ‘working age’ population increased by 300 million, states a 2016 report by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The same report estimated that by 2050, at least 280 million more people will enter the job market in India. 

Top notch: Aditya Malik has also worked as the Head Migrations and Quality at Bank of America 

Not only is the number of graduates in India increasing each year, the number of career streams is growing too, and subsequently multiplying are the paths to get there. Here comes the need for a career counsellor: the know-it-all, one who can take into consideration the ambitions and passion of the youth and guide them onto a path to help them achieve what they desire. Career options are becoming more specialised, requiring continuous education and up-skilling. A career counsellor, if added to the equation, untangles the strings and straightens the path to success and is part of the journey rather than just being the usher.

The job scene is ever-changing. Changing technologies and best-practices are underlining the need to adapt to new skills and improve existing ones for working. The path they choose can either bump their careers up or just end up being the wrong turn. Career counsellors are thus required to first understand the needs and personalities of professionals seeking help, and then suggest add-on skills to help figure out the right fit. 

The advent of AI is a move towards obsolescence of human workforce in comparison to machines. Re-skilling, cross-skilling and continuous learning are some of the options to stay relevant. 

In an age when people will be making mid-career shifts at will, career counsellors will find themselves in high demand. Predominantly, a driven and low-stress work life with focus on individual clients

Clearly, the need for career counselling is growing. The future is poised to present growth in the economy that is bound to bring in investments aplenty. The career option of being a career counsellor thus becomes very important and in demand especially by around 2030. Being a career counsellor also allows one the benefits of running their own consultancy, meeting people, being in touch with curricula creators and even job role providers without the pressures of imparting a degree nor offering a job. It beats the 9-5 grunt, offers a good revenue stream, networking opportunities and earns respect for the individual. It also provides the satisfaction of nurturing careers and being part of the success of many.

Career counselling is poised to be one of the futuristic career choices, providing an opportunity to initiate entrepreneurial ventures, and join leading consulting firms or educational bodies to shape careers. 

(The author is a successful tech-entrepreneur, CEO and MD of Talentedge — one of the country’s leading new-age, technology-driven interactive education companies. He holds an MBA from the University of Pune in addition to being a qualified Master Black Belt and Six Sigma certified specialist. Apart from his present role at Talentedge, he also serves as the Senior Partner at Lumis Partners. Prior to this, he worked as the Head Migrations and Quality at Bank of America Continuum Solutions and was promoted to the position of SVP, Head HR based on his exemplary work.)

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