As the COVID-19 pandemic makes its way around the globe, hitting almost every country with a new array of unemployment repercussions, India is no stranger to its effects. The onset of the virus has resulted in the unemployment rate to rise as high as 27% over the past seven months since March. With a vast majority of the youth finding themselves without a job in line with their current skills, and people are rapidly recognizing the need to expand their educational qualifications to survive in the post-COVID world.
Why the panic?
According to a recent report by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Labor Organization (ILO), more than 41 lakh Indians especially the youth have lost their employment during the pandemic. A report, titled 'Tackling the COVID-19 youth employment crisis in Asia and the Pacific', also sheds light on construction and farming being the worst-hit sectors, with the age bracket of youth (15-24 years) suffering far more than those above 25 years of age.
This surge in unemployment is not a recent development but an escalation of the already existing trend from before the pandemic. The year 2019 witnessed an average youth unemployment rate of 23.3%, resulting from an unavailability of jobs in the market for specific education qualifications as well as the lack of desirable qualifications and skills possessed by youth.
As per LinkedIn’s ‘Future of Skills’ 2019 report, 60% of Indian employees believe gaining soft skills are more important for career progression, in addition to the technical skills and degree required for a job. With this advancement in skill requirements sought out by all employers, getting equipped with more than one education qualification is necessary to increase the chances of finding employment and fallback options, especially in the pandemic situation.
What can we do?
In a constant rat race to succeed professionally, you will always find people having higher skills and qualifications than you. However, a person having multiple education qualifications will always be superior in the rat race. It is really difficult to even get jobs with just one educational qualification as every company wants an employee who is an all-rounder and will help to grow the company’s reputation. However, a student with multiple degrees will not only easily get a job but will also get a high income. Such employees are always seen as an asset to the company as they can provide much more to the firm with their skills and qualifications.
For a person with only one educational qualification, job satisfaction becomes a myth as they are seen as someone with a limited skill set and a restricted knowledge base. However, multiple educational qualifications will allow the person to work on different projects with varying skills. For instance, a person who knows coding and finance both will get various opportunities to utilize both skills.
Will having just one Education Qualification affect your work life?
To survive in today’s world one degree won’t suffice to fulfill and attain your needs. A person having just one skill is highly unlikely to get a high paying job as the qualifications and skills required aren’t enough. Education level and income are closely correlated. In some fields, however, work experience instead of education indicates leadership and up-to-date skills. The set of skills required to work in an office environment are far more valued than the skills you acquire through your education. One may also find major changes in the skills one possesses when you practically work on the field. This may also make you feel like an outsider and make you question your capabilities. The chances of being exhausted and bored are high if you keep on doing the same job for years and can also affect your mental health as per many studies and researches. Having multiple skills is a quintessential element for survival in today’s world and an easy way out to shift your focus when required.
Solutions to Enhance your Skills
Online Courses
There are thousands of online courses available that provide learning at your ease. It may not provide you the degree but can help you explore and enhance your capabilities. This can be an added benefit to your work and the best part of enrolling for an online course is that you can choose to learn anywhere and anytime.
Distance Learning
Do you want to devote yourself to study but also don’t want to compromise your job? Distance learning is what you need. You can choose the course or degree with the distance learning option and expand your qualifications while you work simultaneously. This can help you in your future job profiles. If you want to impress employers in an entirely new field of practice, your current credentials may not be enough to prove your expertise and knowledge. The second degree in that industry can help jumpstart your new career. Fortunately, certain universities can fast track the student pursuing a second degree, provided if the prerequisites are fulfilled.
Multiple Degree Program
Under this program, a student can get two degrees in the same span as it takes to acquire one degree. This will not only save your time but will also help you in achieving a high level of experience and clarity about your future goals. Today, job aspirants need to be acquainted with multiple skills within a short span, a regular course won’t suffice the expectations of an employee, and hence this course can make a student future-ready.
Internships
Doing an internship along with studies can also help you enhance your skills. Internships provide the students with a learning experience and give them a first-hand opportunity of how to apply their knowledge in the job market. It can also provide clarity if you are a perfect fit for the work or not. Internships are an added benefit and can make it easier to get a job after completion of the degree course. One can show that they have both education and experience which equip them to better perform in the job they want to get.
how well written is this. lovely