What will your future be?

In today’s competitive and challenging world, it is imperative that one finds success in whatever he or she does. Fortunately today’s society is receptive to all types of career choices and the definition of success rests with you, unlike a few years back.

A decade back, choosing a vocation was pretty straightforward, mostly because there were limited options. However, for many Indians, globalisation opened up avenues and opportunities that were new and unheard of.

As you read this, you might be at a crossroad whether to choose or make a vocation for yourself. Here, I would like to outline three main routes for you to mull over.

Path 1: Traditional and time-tested corporate jobs

I don’t have to elaborate on roles that you are likely to see in the corporate world.

There are multiple streams like sales, marketing, HR, finance, operations and many more.

Our educational system has been tuned to mould engineers, accountants, science and arts graduates, and management graduates for these functions.

The majority of candidates I come across have chalked out their career paths in these traditional roles. The corporate world is very demanding and requires a lot of ammunition to stay competitive and relevant.

So, it is important for you to be equipped with qualifications and certifications.

It is natural for some of you to be confused about the direction to take and the function to specialise in; these are no reasons to panic. To overcome this and to see success, it is best to be well prepared in your stream.

Many candidates chose this segment as it offers relative safety when compared to other segments.

However, one should not settle for anything because of peer pressure.

Path 2: Futuristic roles

If you are a person who dreams to shape the world around you, you take a multi-disciplinary approach to solve everyday problems and want to usher in fresh thinking, you might be a futurist!

In the nineties, professional blogging was considered a futuristic job. But today people are making a fortune out of the phenomenon.

An integral characteristic required for such a profession is confidence and the ability to take risks. Mind you, the risks you take should be informed and well thought-out.

Being a futurist may not be instantly gratifying, monetarily speaking.

But if you persevere and give it your best effort, you have the potential to make it big. So, go ahead and trust your intuition.

Path 3: Creating your own path

Creating your own path is being an entrepreneur. It involves taking calculated risks, foreseeing opportunities and previously untapped areas.

The journey of entrepreneurship is one of excitement as well as tremendous responsibility. You will be responsible forto creating the business plan, setting the tone of your company, and executing the activities ranging between strategy and operations.

Also, you will not only be responsible for your future but for those who are in your company, working with you. The task may seem daunting, but the path of being your own boss is fulfilling and experiential. The venture may succeed immediately or take time to evolve, but it emgemders an incredible sense of pride.

The side effect of starting your own venture is that many big organisations look for entrepreneurs as they bring in fresh energy, ideas and a ‘can do’ attitude.

And there is a higher chance of scaling up the corporate echelon quickly as you dared to take a path different from ‘me-too’ candidates. Isn’t this a good side effect to have?

Whether you pick a corporate career, a futuristic role, or decide to create your own path, a common mantra is hard work and self-belief, and success will find a way to reach you.

Good luck on your future endeavours!

(The author is CEO and MD of Randstad India, a leading HR services company.)

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