Choosing Career Paths (Science For Knowledge Society Series)

About the book

While the author has a great confidence about the future of India, his worries about the future of young persons in the transitional phase of India has been brought out in this book - not just as worries but with tips to enable each girl and boy and the parent to shape their future. It is written in a direct person to person style - as if he is sitting near each girl or boy and talking to them.

"Don't worry about the overall problem of developed India or developing India. I am aware of the terrible problems of competitive exams, general feeling of helplessness around you, the corruption, discrimination etc... Don't get lost in worries. How can you shape? I give real life suggestions and options..."

He has broadly categorised Indian youth as:

  • Upper Layer
  • Middle Layer
  • Lower Layer

And given elaborate suggestions for empowering themselves directly - not depending on others. He discusses stark realities and gives realistic options. There are also a number of ideas dealing with work place after studies. These are especially useful as they have practical insights for many youth who are employed or in search of new employment.

For the middle layer, which has a large number of 'ordinary' girls and boys, the authors' suggestions are practical. As also for the huge bottom layer.

The book has a chapter on Forces of Change gives an excellent glimpse of new developments in the modern world. This chapter is important for the whole book. World is moving fast due to science, technology, economics and business. Each individual has to understand it and adapt him or her to ensure that he / she can contribute to the economic and social demands - which are now global, multicultural and very competitive.

The book is a must for all parents to shape the future of their children. It gives even details how to keep options at 10+2 and future courses to how to prepare for job interviews to how excel in your job.

For the middle and lower layers the author addresses the NGO's, Philanthropists to carry the message and gives many examples as to how they can survive and go up. Also a chapter on general value systems which will sustain life. Also special word for those from North-East, under privileged etc.

The author would welcome various authors and others to translate parts and full of the book to reach out the message to 500 million youth and their parents.

 

Reviews

"...The preface gives the overview of the book and the interconnections between chapters... the author unfolds his approach and philosophy for actions. The focus in on actions... Many of the suggestions given are refreshingly new in approach. The book devotes considerable part in addressing how to create employment for all people even while introducing highly efficient agricultural and industrial processes has devoted four chapters to crucial facets of the processes of research, technology, Industry & business. He has raised several issues which are worth considering and acted upon though one may not agree with each of them. Highly recommended to all those interested in India and want to act by themselves.."

- Prof.V.S.Ramamurthy, Secretary, Dept.of Science & Technology GoI.

 

- In a recent article titled "Need for a Pathway to an Assured Career" by Prof I R Kumar, Chairman, Society for the Advancement of Library and Information Science (SALIS) New Delhi - NCR Chapter, New Delhi appeared in University News 44 (49), December 4-10-2006, p. 8,9,10,15 there is a reference to the book as under

"Y S Rajan, an eminent thinker and one of the early pioneers of the Indian space programme and also a close associate of the Hon'ble President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, published a book titled Choosing Career Paths as part of the Science for Knowledge Society Series which focuses on the practical options of productive employment for millions of youth in our country. The emerging knowledge society provides a number of new opportunities for those who prepare themselves with right kinds of knowledge and skills.

In this book, the author has tried to categorize the opportunities available to youth as Upper, Middle and Lower layers for a career path. There is continuity between layers, there is also a porous and changing boundary. The word layer is used here with that connotation. Upper is not top. It is higher than the other two or three.

The book provides many practical tips, in the Indian context, for such a preparation. The emphasis, with many real life examples, is to create new options and not merely chase the old beaten paths or much hyped narrow paths. It is a unique study of its own kind directed towards the aspiring youth, their parents and counsellors who are interested in the career paths of tomorrow. For a detailed study on the topic, one should study this treatise. Our policy makers and the aspiring youth will be benefited from the study of author's contributions."