Career counselling in Assam has long been stuck in a loop—study hard, secure a job, live happily ever after. Ask any student, and they’ll tell you how they’ve been guilt-tripped, manipulated, and force-fed the idea that the only respectable career is becoming a bureaucrat or a public servant. It’s as if the state’s entire future rests on how many people can crack a government exam.
ALSO READ: Opinion | Advantage Assam 2.0: Shift In Priorities
The problem starts early. When a student appears for their Class 10 board exams, they’re told, “Just study hard now, and life will be easy later.” Then comes Class 12—“This is the real deal. Just ace these exams, and you’ll be set.” Then graduation, then higher education, then “One last push, crack that UPSC or APSC, and you’ll have a secure future.” Spoiler alert: the cycle never ends.
Meanwhile, career counsellors—who are supposed to guide students towards careers that align with their skills and interests—mostly serve two purposes. Commission-driven admissions, where they’ll push students into expensive colleges, making them believe a fat fee means guaranteed success or the public service dream where if not college commissions, it’s the “Sarkari naukri is the only way” pitch. Never mind that lakhs of people apply for these jobs and only a fraction make it.
But what about the students who don’t want to be part of this rat race? What about the ones who dream of starting their own businesses, opening cafés, launching tech startups, or becoming content creators? Where’s their guidance?
If you tell someone you want to start your own business, chances are you’ll get a mix of these responses - “Business toh risky hai”, “What if it fails? Who will marry you?” (Yes, because somehow, career choices and marriage are linked), “Government job best hai. Full security!”
But here’s the thing - while entrepreneurship is challenging, it’s also rewarding. Imagine being your own boss. Imagine building something from scratch. Imagine breaking the cycle and creating opportunities, not just for yourself but for others.
Let’s be honest—being an entrepreneur in India is tough. In Assam? Even tougher. But here’s the thing: it’s not impossible. The taboo around entrepreneurship is fading. People are slowly realising that being your own boss isn’t just a dream; it’s a viable career path.
Government schemes are making it easier for small businesses to thrive. The market is becoming more open to homegrown brands, digital ventures, and unique business ideas. And let’s not forget—entrepreneurs don’t just create jobs for themselves; they create jobs for others too.
Entrepreneurship requires hustle, passion, and a give-it-your-all attitude. But it also comes with a freedom that no 9-to-5 job can offer. Imagine being in control of your own career, making decisions that shape your future, and working on something you truly love. Sounds exciting, right?
Of course, not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. Some genuinely want stable jobs, and that’s completely fine. The problem is that students aren’t even given the option to consider anything outside the traditional path. Career counselling should be about exploring all possibilities, not just ticking the usual boxes.
So, what’s the solution? We need career counsellors who actually listen to students. We need schools and colleges to introduce courses on business, freelancing, and digital entrepreneurship. We need more mentorship programs where successful entrepreneurs can guide aspiring ones. And most importantly, we need to stop treating job security as the only measure of success.
It’s time to shift the narrative. Not every student wants to be a bureaucrat. Not every dream fits into a government exam. Assam has incredible potential, but it needs a new generation of thinkers, risk-takers, and innovators.
The real question is—will we let our students dream beyond the desk job? Or will we keep feeding them the same old script?
(The author is the Commissioner of Police, Guwahati and STF Chief, Assam. All views and opinions expressed in the article are the author's own)
