Sakshi Thakker, 27, had been working as a web-content developer for over four years but she had always dreamt of being a scriptwriter. The pandemic-induced lockdown was just the push she needed. “I thought if I do not do it now, I might not get a chance again,” she says. She has now started to write scripts for OTT platforms. She believes her work as a content writer has only honed her writing skills, making it somewhat easier for her to fit into a genre that requires creativity and a different writing technique.

Another 27-year-old, a man working in a Calcutta tax firm, started looking for an additional source of income when his company laid off a few of its employees after the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Along with his friends, he opened an e-commerce website and is working hard to make a mark in the new venture.

According to Greek philosopher Heraclitus, change is the only constant. The young generation seems to have taken this adage seriously; neither the pandemic nor its repercussions have dampened their spirits. Instead, they are arming themselves to overcome all the challenges the future is likely to throw at them.

While it is debatable whether the novel coronavirus pandemic is solely responsible for the economic downturn, the fact remains that jobs are going to be difficult to come by and the battle for survival will become bleaker. High school and college students are right to be anxious, especially at a time when the world has entirely changed.

Educators suggest that students need to figure out their potential first and proceed accordingly. “Students need to be flexible and keep upgrading themselves. They should realise that nobody can come up with a concrete plan because the future is unpredictable, more so because of the pandemic. One needs to be resilient and have a broader perspective of things,” says Devi Kar, director, Modern High School for Girls in Calcutta.

In this new normal, technology has taken over every sphere of our lives with virtual platforms becoming a viable alternative to everything that requires a physical touch. Therefore, it may seem that those studying science and technology have the upper hand — as appears to be the case with medical practitioners, with virology (the study of viruses and virus-like agents) having great potential.

“Virology, immunology, genetics and epidemiology are very good areas of study and have been gaining popularity over the years. The advent of Sars, Mers, H1N1 and now Covid-19 has added greater interest in research in these areas. It is attracting increased funding, leading to more scholarships,” says Shekhar Niyogi, education and career consultant based in Calcutta.

Dishari Chakraborty, a student of Class XII, had initially wanted to become a doctor but started dreaming about studying biotechnology and getting a job in the corporate sector. The pandemic forced her to rethink. “After witnessing job cuts in every sector, I have stopped fantasising about biotechnology. I’ll go for MBBS because the pandemic has increased prospects for doctors and will ensure a secure future,” she says.

But students of arts and commerce haven’t got the short end of the stick. “They have always had several career options, starting with economics, sociology, fine arts, animation, linguistics, archaeology, finance, accounting, actuarial science, forensic accounting, various fields of management and law,” adds Niyogi.

Who would have predicted the world would experience this pandemic? Every industry has been hit. But that won’t stop people from following dreams,” says Loveleen Saigal, principal of Birla High School, Calcutta. “Students can live their dreams by upgrading and equipping themselves with new technology.”

“The pandemic has not shattered my dreams. I wanted to study accounts honours and I am doing so. I am simultaneously upgrading my knowledge of new technologies,” says Raka Mitra, a first-year student of Goenka College of Commerce and Business Administration, Calcutta.
“If students improve their computer skills, they can be in sync with the changing times,” says Bratati Bhattacharyya, secretary-general, Shikshayatan Foundation and Shikshayatan School, Calcutta.

“New avenues should always be explored by youngsters as it helps them prepare for less crowded professions, making it easier to study and find employment. The pandemic cannot motivate or demotivate youngsters as far as choosing a career is concerned. Parents, teachers and counsellors should help youngsters keep things in proper perspective and not allow any prejudices to influence life decisions,” says Niyogi.

“Career decisions should be based on facts and accurate information and not on the current pandemic, which will go away in due course of time. Such transient factors should not influence long-lasting decision-making,” he adds.

But the pandemic has slowed down the career paths of some and forced others to take a different one altogether. “There definitely is anxiety regarding careers but I also believe that young people are much more confident. The only thing is that those wanting to go abroad or to a different city [for studies] might have to put their plans on hold for a while,” says Meena Kak, director, Lakshmipat Singhania Academy, Calcutta.

“I wanted to study psychology from Delhi University but could not. My family does not want me to go to a different city at a time when the virus is still going strong,” says Anwesha Nasreen, a first-year geology honours student of Presidency University, Calcutta, who scored 97.2 per cent in Class XII and wants to go into research, albeit not in the subject that was her first priority.

One can still do what one wants, just by upgrading skills. That would be true even if the world hadn’t been hit by a pandemic. But the coronavirus has certainly motivated many to look at the world in a new light.