Ramesh K Raina
Present society is passing through a revolutionary phase of paradigm shifts and is witnessing a phenomenal growth in knowledge and research in every sphere of cultural life. Research in every discipline of knowledge has expanded exponentially. With this ever growing research , the applied fields have also multiplied. This phenomenal growth in applied fields have given birth to innumerable number of new occupations which were unknown hitherto. Applied research is growing at such a fast speed that nature of occupations has also changed with time. Under these circumstances, present occupational pattern has been at the mercy of fast growing knowledge and research.
Advancement in the field of research has brought a radical change in the occupational patterns. In the present scenario, research has unravelled the enigma in every branch of knowledge. The process of falsifying the old theories with new theories is taking place at a much faster rate than before. As such paradigm shift in both scientific and social research is also taking place at a faster rate. This has had a profound influence on the nature of occupations. Now the professionals whether in law or high skills have to keep themselves abreast with the latest information in order to survive in the profession.
In this fast changing scenario, there has been paradigm shift from traditional occupational pattern to modern occupational pattern.
Traditional occupational pattern had a unidimensional connotation attached to it. If a person was a degree holder in a specialised field, he had to remain restricted to it. The draw back with this pattern of occupation was that the innate tendencies bestowed by nature on a person were not getting desired vent and were not honed. It can be understood by an instance in which a person persuing an engineering course in a specialised field had in addition a natural disposition for music, painting or acting. But the person was destined to become an engineer and his multidimensional qualities were not getting desired and deserved expression.
Traditional occupations were not market oriented as the economic fabric of the society was controlled by the state. It was a non market situation in which process of commoditification was restricted. There was restricted trade and mobility of flow of money was limited. This had a profound influence on the number of occupations as the applied fields were also limited. Flow of information was also very poor due to lack of advancement in the field of information and communication technology. Advertising agencies were not effective. Under these circumstances talent in any field was not getting desired encouragement and the important human resource was going to utter waste.
Modern occupations have multidimensional connotation attached to them. A degree holder in the modern occupational culture in a specific field is not restricted to it but can have access to different occupational fields. An engineering graduate can go to management field in a multinational company. He has the option to choose his own technical field.
A few decades back, few disciplines were considered to be prestigious while other disciplines were not given that much of credence. Technical fields like medicine and enginering were the only key disciplines. Today this notion is perceived to be outdated and regressive. Today’s society has become a knowledge society and knowledge in every discipline is considered prestigious. In today’s enlightened culture every discipline has got its own status and identity. This is because knowledge in every discipline has swelled up due to applied research in that branch of knowledge and its utility for human welfare. In today’s society academic field is competing at par with technical field in the market of occupations. Academic degrees are in great demand in legal field, journalism, accounting and so many fields.
The process of commodification has penetrated in every field and this has given birth to plethora of new occupations. In the modern occupational pattern matrimonial profession, fashion designing, interior designing et al have become the most sought after occupations. These fields before some decades were remote concepts. In todays occupational culture which has become market oriented not only number of occupations have multiplied but these have become lucrative as well. Teaching which was a mission in the traditional set up has become a corporate enterprise.
Due to growth in research, new specialised fields have emerged and hence the new occupations. In the traditional set up a person specialised in a particular branch say “opthomology’ was connotated as eye specialist. But now the same specialised field has sub specialised fields. So we have specialists in cornea, eye lens, retina etc. Same is the case with other fields also.
However, most of traditional occupations have received a set back due to emergence of new technological innovations. However, this is a short lived phenomenon and can be overcome in course of time in this modern technical culture.
In this on going scenario responsibility has grown on all the stakeholders like teachers, parents, students et al. There is a need to introduce job oriented subjects in educational institutions right from secondary school level. At the same time academic disciplines should not be relegated to back seat but scholarly altitude should be inculcated and encouraged. A right balance between the two has to be struck.
Parents and teachers should adopt a laissez faire approach towards students. Students should be left free to choose their fields which are compatible with their interests and innate tendencies. Parents and teachers should act as facilitators and not counsellors. It is time to wrap it up on a positive note that the future of our country is secure as young and talented minds are coming up. India is growing young and is leading to economic growth, progress and prosperity.
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