Why is career planning important?

Prakash Kataria (name changed) after completing his bachelor’s in commerce joined an Accounts firm. Being from a jeweler’s family - his affinity was towards business and with a suitable qualification and a job to go with it, life seemed to go pretty balanced for this balance sheet guy.

But months later he too felt the nine to five syndrome and was desperately seeking a job change. That's when he rediscovered his childhood potential of being a cricketer. And with a dose of Iqbal-the Nagesh Kukunoor movie, he knew that the Indian cricket team was his calling.

But then being the pragmatic person he was, he was not the one to jump into conclusions. He joined a cricket coaching centre after his job timings. And said to himself that if he was really committed he would quit his job and play cricket rather than end up making a spur of the moment choice.

But then the mother of all arrears happened for this balance sheet guy. It was not actually Iqbal played, but the creator - Nagesh Kukunoor.
Now reality dawned upon him. Twice bitten he didn't want to be third time shy. This time he was ready to risk it all and knew it was for sure that - he wanted to be a film maker. Now Kataria is doing his masters in communication at a reputed institute.

Life may not be so kind and forgiving to all of us. And Kataria is not the only one to be blamed for these decisions. But also his teachers and senior guides including boss, well wishers, and personal advisers. Just imagine the time and resources kataria spent in realising his potential. All of us may not be able to have the same leverage. And in most cases it would not be possible to amend the decisions taken. But why this huge nuance of finding a career in the first place? The answer is -lack of career planning.

Firstly Kataria's parents must have taken more responsibility than just getting him educated. But all the parents might not be able to do so, due to lack of education etc. This is where the teachers come in. Teachers along with the syllabus must get the larger picture of a student's life, career, his interests, talent, and then groom them and advice accordingly.

And lastly it’s our life, so we need to take complete responsibility of everything. Kataria could have done these things:

* Probably gone to the career counsellor at his college or even to an outside career counselling centers which are in plenty nowadays.
* He should have taken an aptitude test, known his strengths and weakness.
* And then finally find what his INTEREST lies in.


And of course make sure your career choice is feasible and have other options in case of some unavoidable circumstances - like a financial crisis etc. Also it is possible to have multiple interests for an individual.

Thus the word career planning would be merely an understatement. It’s about finding yourself, your true calling. So what are you doing in that course, job???