The concept ‘locus of control’ is very useful and valuable for the youth, particularly recent graduates or those who are waiting to pass out during the pandemic. Knowing and understanding the terms will enhance their efforts to succeed in their careers.
The term ‘locus of control’ was first used by American psychologist Julian B Rotter in the 1960s to throw light on how the behaviour and attitude of a person affect the outcome of their life. It can be easily understood as the path one will choose when things around them are changing. There are two possibilities – one is to approach it through the areas that they have control in and the other is to succumb to the influence of forces outside their control. It is more of an attitude and the attribution of the same to the environment that one faces in life, which eventually has a telling effect on their success in the long term.
The lockdown period for every youngster, who is set to begin their professional life, must have impacted their attitudes at various levels. This, in turn, may have allowed them to look at life from a different perspective, which again would not be the same for many individuals. The locus of control can also be defined as the degree to which an individual perceives and understands that outcomes are a result of their very own behaviour or of external forces.
As a human resource mentor, I would like to state that I could witness a considerable amount of strain and stress among the youth in the present times with regard to career opportunities. This assumes significance since they are faced with multifarious opinions that are already floating around their social circles regarding job loss and reduction in employment opportunities for freshers.
I would like to emphatically reiterate to all young minds who are confused and anxious, to stay calm in these troubled times. Of course, they will have to really pump themselves up and be positive so that they can get over this period with ease.
internal factor
It is a state in which you have a firm belief that you have absolute control of your life
Self-belief
You see the future of your life in your own hands with considerable self-belief
external factor
You attribute that whatever happens to your life is a result of luck or fate
