Unemployment - my experience

For the first time in 19 years of my working career I have had this opportunity of being unemployed for four months. While staying unemployed for this long was my personal decision and to meet my personal goals; I figured staying idle was a real challenge. This gave me the time and bandwidth to meet people, network and do things that I am passionate about like travelling and photography.

During this phase, I realized staying unemployed is more of choice and most importantly a “temporary” situation. 

Our youth (experienced as well) are very “uni-focal” they put their heart and soul entirely in looking for employment that they are skilled in or experienced with. I was lucky to interact with some of the folks while travelling and was amazed to see their attitude. For them, the preference is to get employed first and then look for job that they really enjoy doing. I find this attitude very positive and forward looking. They are not really being a burden to the society and instead earning at the same time looking for what they are passionate about.

Most of the countries with population concentrated in the range of 20 years to 30 years see this challenge and this is natural. The education system and the thought process in those societies needs bit of tinkering. These group should be educated on 

1. No job is small, every job gives you learning and that can be used in your coveted career. View Steve Job’s commencement address in one of the universities, 
2. Be passionate about everything you do. It may not be the best work you did in your life. You will be amazed how these small pieces add up to create a great picture

Easier said then done, I know its not easy, all it takes is conditioning and self prep. This conditioning will help in redefining our actual unemployment status - a global problem.

Choice is to remain open to try something new and different then staying idle/unemployed. Its only matter of time this temporary phase shall pass.