IS TODAY'S “PRACTICAL” GENERATION IRRESOLUTE ABOUT ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION'S?

By: Smriti Sharma

The definition of success differs from person to person and field to field. One could take economic success as a touchstone to label a person successful in life, ignoring his or her other failures like health, divorce, inefficiency, etc.. Others may look at a capacity for overcoming challenges, irrespective of what someone earns and the nature of their private life. What are the characteristics of a successful student? While the definition of “successful student” has changed over the years, today's youth need to know a great deal more than reading, writing, and arithmetic in order to succeed. 

              Ironically, Today’s practical generation touts academic qualification futile and not obligatory to be successful in life. According to key business leaders in the US, students who are to succeed in 21st century America must be able to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information; proficient in science, mathematics, computer/technical skills, foreign languages, as well as history, geography, and global awareness; ethical individuals who are committed to their families, communities, and colleagues. Educators' conceptions of the successful student seem to parallel those of the key business leaders queried. Successful students, they maintain, have learned to effectively balance the social and academic aspects of school, expect to succeed, and may be described as socially proficient, goal oriented, and intrinsically motivated.

                 “Whether one is proposing marriage, applying for a job or looking for a new business partner, the first thing people ask is “what do you do?” they judge you by your academic qualifications, No bio-data resume or curriculum vitae is acceptable without the inclusion of educational qualifications. I would say it is an unannounced rule of both the corporate world and the social world that man’s acquisition of academic qualifications is a giant leap towards opportunities in every walk of life. An academic qualification as a whole gives people a rounded experience of life, with opportunities to meet people from a wide range of backgrounds an to consider the importance in life of values and culture. These are necessary things required to label a person successful in all aspects of life. It uplifts our morals and ethics by exposing us to the great thinkers of the past. 

                                    The current generation might harp about a few people like Bill Gates and others who have made it, in spite of their drop-out background and lack of academic qualifications, but this cannot be generalized as even Bill Gates could not have prospered without the skills of the IT professionals and engineers. Success isn’t just a matter of building a huge firm from scratch and making billions of dollars,  by that definition, only a tiny number of people in the world could be considered successful. Success is actually about making the most of your talents and abilities, and that requires dedication and study in academic institutions that will stretch students intellectually.

                      Unfortunately, the materialistic world has changed the concept of success. It has become a rat-race where every student chases grades and therefore the entire perception of success and prosperity has changed. Rather than studying to reach our full potential, we do it because we think it’s necessary for a successful career and some are even uncertain about this.

                Academic qualifications may not be enough on their own to ensure success, but they indicate their possessor has got what it takes. Academic grades are not everything but they are important because in order to gain good exam grades or degree at college, students have to work hard, master demanding skills and learn a great deal of specialist knowledge. All these qualities are valuable attributes for success in any field of endeavor, which is why employers value academic qualifications. More broadly, widespread further education makes us a civilized nation. It makes us aware about our rights and liberties and helps entrench a liberal democracy with active citizens and lively media. Wake up! There is a long way to go…