"Dear children, please do your due diligence (degree) before you pursue your passion as a profession" - Parents

Think back to the first day you started work after graduating from University. Was it a job that you were passionate and fired up about? Something your degree prepared you for to enter the workforce. And is your current job you are in, in the same domain?

Follow your Passion is such a common catchphrase today. And yet, what we see amongst our Millennials and Gen Z is a growing frustration of not being able to do the same. This problem is very specific in this part of the world - Asia - thanks to our collectivistic culture.

On 17th March 2019, I was at a Panel Discussion for Ethiroli, a TV program broadcast on Vasantham channel in Singapore.

On our Panel (from left), we had Kannan Chettiar; an HR Technopreneur, Magesh; a HeadHunter, Ramesh; a Millennial Entrepreneur in the Food Industry, Anu; a recent graduate from NUS and myself to share insights.

The topic was on Industry Revolution 4.0 and whether our youths are prepared for the changes happening in the market. Kannan Chettiar shared the 9 different components that comprise Industry 4.0.

See picture below.

Most of these technologies have already crept into the industries today and are part and parcel of daily operations.

The question that arises is if our youths (graduating students) are aware of these new changes that are permeating the workforce and are they prepared for it. This article, based on the panel discussion, captures a snapshot of the reality on the ground.

Here are some questions that were raised.

Is a Degree still relevant today?

In a VUCA world where things are changing at an intense pace, it is easy for one to question the relevance of the Degree. In fact, many would feel that what you learn in University today has little or no relevance to what is being practised at the workplace.

Educational Institutions are struggling to update the curriculum. It is no easy feat to align curriculum with industry changes at the rate that Technology is evolving.

Sadly, this has either not happened yet, or it is not happening fast enough.

Students and employees seem to live in two different realms.

Students are all about projects and results whereas it's all about practical implementation at the workplace for employees.

Not all degrees prepare them for the working landscape.

"So why is obtaining a Degree still in fashion then? When it comes to career choices, who is making the decision? Youths or Parents or Peer Pressure?"

When we were asked this question, 4 out of the 5 of us unanimously answered, "Parents".

Parents of Millennials - Baby Boomers and early Gen Xers - graduated at a time when technology was becoming accessible to the common man i.e. Personal Computers. It was a much simpler world back then where what they learnt was what they implemented in the workforce.

And that served them well - it gave them the right opportunities to the right jobs that allowed them to afford the lifestyle they have built for their children (younger generation) today. The life of 'luxury' enjoyed by the youths was earned through quality education and hard work.

Many from that cohort have experienced the power of education. The opportunities provided to the University graduate differed from those who didn't have a Degree.

1. Degree first, Passion later?

So it is no wonder that Parents place a great deal of importance on obtaining the degree. In many cases, before Millennials/Gen Z figure out which passions can be monetized to profits, Parents exhort their children to take up a Degree even if it may be something they have ZERO interest in.

The reason for that? Security.

It is hard for parents to fathom the possibility of securing a good lifestyle without a degree to your name. It is the formula that worked for them, and it is what they believe in. So you can relate to their resistance when they hear their children say,

"I want to pursue a career in burlesque dancing"

or

"I want to be a professional rapper"

or

"I want to be a YouTuber or Social Media Influencer"

Some of these careers may have existed for a while but the question that remains on Parents' minds are

"Is that even a proper job?"

"How well can it feed you?"

"Can you guarantee it will give you the security you need?"

Professions like being a YouTuber may seem even more of a risk to them. They do not fully understand, for instance, how producing funny videos can sponsor a livelihood. Not until they see the money coming in anyway.

Which is exactly why they are wary about their children converting certain passions into professions. In their minds, some professions cannot provide the same quality of lifestyle than the proven professions i.e. Doctor, Lawyer, Accountant, etc

So the counter-proposal to following your passion is a compromise -

"Why don't you pursue your degree first and then pursue your passion after that? That way at least you have something to "fall back on'".

This is a very common compromise in many households today.

2. Social Stigma - "What will people say?!"

And so far I have been talking about the parents that are more flexible. Parents on the stricter end of the spectrum don't even entertain the idea of being an Entrepreneur or a Freelance professional. Just do a degree in any of these fields, preferably a Doctor, Lawyer, Accountant or Engineer, to be specific. Such degrees bring good Rewards and Reputation.

Parents have such a strong influence over their children. That pressurises most youths choosing a Degree for the sake of Security and Social Standing. This leads to peer pressure for the young generation when they see their peers doing what's safe over what's popular. It takes a lot of courage to stand up to your loved ones to pursue your passions. Especially when they don't see things the same way as you do.

In a predominantly Asian Culture, the collective decision carries more weight than the individualistic one. Financial stability and reputation continue to be valued more over 'passion'.

Imagine the expressions of the uncles and aunties when you share your plans to be a professional YouTuber during Chinese New Year gatherings.

It proves the social stigma of new and unknown professions.

3. Student Debt

While it may not be a common occurrence in Asia, many Millennials and Gen Z youths are deep down in debt due to their College Education. According to CNBC, over 44 million Americans have student loans, with the average debt hovering around $33,000.

The culture varies in Asia. Asian parents pay for the University education for their children. So instead of financial debt, the youths feel a lot more in(debted) to their parents. But what makes them feel worse is when they feel indebted for a professional degree in a topic they aren't even remotely interested in.

Which leads me to the next point on Quarter Life Crisis.

4. Quarter Life Crisis

It is no wonder youths today go through #QuarterLifeCrisis.

"A quarter-life crisis is a crisis involving anxiety over the direction and quality of one's life" which is most commonly experienced in a period ranging from a person's twenties up to their mid-thirties (although it can begin as early as 18)."

One of the key points that keep surfacing while talking to Millennials and Gen Z is their fear of letting their parents down. That keeps them up at night and causes them to ruminate about the life decisions they need to take.

They get torn between what they want in life and what their parents want for them. Lack of Clarity in such instances can cause them to feel depressed.

In a way, all their life they've been told to tick all the boxes

[ ??] Do well in School

[??] Got into University and complete your Degree

[??] Find a good job in a good company

And yet something is missing. Our Youths are not happy.

Which begets the question: "What makes you happy?"

First World Problems

Some might say the youths lack resilience. But the issues they face are not too different from adults who go through a Mid Life Crisis. In essence, they suffer burnout and breakdown.

Are youths truly incapable of taking things in their stride? Or are parents being paranoid? Perhaps if parents consider the alternatives, and work with their children with a solutions -based approach, we can achieve better outcomes for our youth.

These are first world problems. Problems at a higher, subtler level based on Maslow's Hierarchy. The challenges faced are new, both for the youths as well as for the parents. The needs have changed with the times. All we have to do is keep an open mind and be willing to adapt.

It is not about deficiency needs. It is about growth needs.

Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to this conundrum. If you merely observe the people in your social circle, you will see a spectrum. On one extreme end is the individual who has followed the traditional path and on the other extreme is someone who has pursued the modern track. The conscious choice you make has to reflect your values and outlook on life.

At the end of the day, the question each individual has to ask themselves is "Are you happy?" on a daily basis.

If the answer is no for a continuous period of time, then it is time to hit pause and review what you want from life. Match that with the responsibilities you have. If your passions cannot pay the bills immediately, start something on the side. Hustle. The key is to start.

That might be the price to pay to avoid turning into a Corporate Zombie.

Note:

1. The full panel discussion on Ethiroli will be aired on 28th March at 9 pm on Vasantham Channel.
2. ?To check out more of my articles on other topics, visit my blog at www.vivekiyyani.com