On 8 August, Rimy Manjooran, an alumna of Pallikoodam, gave an insightful two-hour talk on navigating careers to students in grades 9 to 12. The session covered a range of topics, emphasizing the importance of aligning career choices with personal interests, national progress, and financial security.
Rimy began by discussing the current state of India’s economy. She pointed out that while 10% of Indians are currently below the poverty line, this is a significant improvement from the past when 65% of the population lived in poverty. She engaged the students by asking about per capita income, to which I. Daniella, responded, explaining that it refers to the national income divided by the number of people in the country. A fellow student, Rehan from grade 12, added that India is the fastest-growing economy. Rimy agreed and elaborated on the concept of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), comparing India’s annual growth with that of other prominent countries like the United States, Japan, and Germany. She concluded this segment by stressing the importance of choosing a career that contributes to the country’s progress, warning that without such contributions, India’s development could stagnate.
She then highlighted the key factors to consider when choosing a career: passion, personal enjoyment, national benefit, and financial reward. This concept aligns with the Japanese philosophy of finding purpose and fulfillment in one’s work. Rimy introduced the idea of sunrise and sunset economies, explaining that a sunrise economy is one that is growing, while a sunset economy is one that is in decline. For example, a sunrise economy might involve emerging industries, while a sunset economy could include more traditional sectors with limited growth potential.
Rimy also addressed the value of taking a gap year, emphasizing that it should be used productively rather than spent idly at home. She encouraged us to stay informed about the macro environment by keeping up with current events and engaging in intellectual discussions with others. Academic excellence, she noted, remains a reliable path to securing reasonable success. She suggested that students could gain valuable experience by interning at their parents’ workplaces, not necessarily to excel in every aspect but to gain a deeper understanding of their chosen field.
As the talk continued, Rimy emphasized the importance of having a clear idea of what we want to pursue by the 12th grade, including the course of study and the college we wish to attend. However, she also reassured us that it’s okay to change our career paths in the future if our interests evolve.
What made the talk particularly engaging was its interactive nature. Rimy asked questions throughout, ensuring that different students had the opportunity to participate. She concluded by stressing that there is no single “perfect” career and that it’s crucial for each of us to make informed, efficient choices when it comes to our future.
