 I didn’t get the privilege to choose my career as per my interest because there was no one to guide me to help me choose the subject I was interested in. During my high school, I was a good student and so my parents, teachers and friends suggested me to pursue science. But my interest was in cooking. I enjoy cooking. Though my interest was in hotel sector, I chose science for the sake of my family and teachers but later, I realised that it was a bad decision. If I got the opportunity to switch to other sector, I would definitely go for hotel management because Nepal is a beautiful and adventurous country where there is a tremendous opportunity in this field. And of course it is the field of my interest. Hence, listen to your heart and just go after your dream. Like Steve Jobs had said, “Don’t let the noise of others’ opinion drown out your own inner voice.”

— Bikram Dhimal

 If I get a chance to change my career, I would select tourism business. Because I am a nature lover and I like adventure. Currently I am studying BBS IInd Year but I don’t plan on getting a job in banks or financial institutions as I like to keep in touch with nature than working in financial organisations. Most of the organisations want to give low salary for more tasks and they also use us as machines. So, I want to start my own business which supports tourism.

— Nirajan Shrestha, Nayabazar

 Confucius had said, “Choose a job you love; then you won’t have to work a single day.” It’s very unfortunate that many of us have been compelled to do a job that is not of our interest due to obvious reasons.  I’m in my early 20s, so, I’ve yet to make my career. However, I often anticipate viable alternatives to my current profession that I am pursuing and have an immense desire to be a successful writer.

Writing gives immense joy and pleasure to my life. And I believe I will never let myself down by choosing this career. I can’t deceive myself by getting involved in fields other than writing. I have a vivid vision of my future and I think that I can build up a positive lifestyle with a dazzling display of my hidden talent. I think that such visions of mine may be path-altering in the course of reaching my overwhelming ambition to become a famous writer.

— Sanjog Karki,Tansen-6, Basantapur, Palpa

 If we were to get whatever we wish for, this world would be a heaven. Every dream that we see every night does not turn into reality. Career is also a dream. I too have a dream. I am an IT student — technical line, what every single Nepali people think is a dream career. When I reminisce the time when I chose IT as my career, I had little regret over my decision. I have no idea how I chose that career but I ran to it. And if I were to change my career, I think I would want to be a football manager who can really work in the premier league. Being a fan of football, I would want to be a manager of an English football club.

— Immortal Phoenix (Prameshwar Thapa), Lalitpur

 At the moment, I’m engaged in my own family business — running three buses and am involved with accounting and book-keeping. Recently I finished my task of accounting and book-keeping of all the three buses for last year. Of the three buses, one is not doing good business. Still I won’t leave my business for the fact that I know it’s the way I earn my income. I have not thought about shifting to any other task because I know that won’t be the right thing for me to do. Every individual in this world should give interest to the task which s/he is doing at the moment. Only then will s/he be able to attain the deserving success. Hence, it’s a question of effort, focus and sincerity to the task which we do for the success we crave to obtain.

— Pratik Shrestha, Buddhanagar, Baneshwor

 I am still struggling to make my career and the struggle is real. But if I were given a chance to switch, I would not do that. Instead, I would work smarter than before and not be lazy as I was before for the career I am pursuing. As they say, the heart wants what it wants; I want to pursue the career of my own choice despite the many difficulties.

— Sunita Shakya, Lalitpur

 As the student completes mastering the subject of his/her choice in western societies, s/he will be guided to opportunities from universities or through other channels. But things are different in the context of Nepal where students cannot vision what s/he could do after completing his/her college or university. So, they choose any job that may or may not belong to his/her field of interest. On the other hand, there are very less types of jobs available in Nepal which may or may not exactly fit the subject of the student. The required skills and knowledge for different jobs are different, so changing jobs is not easy. But one should build required skills for any type of job. For instance, a teacher has to speak most of the time therefore mass communication is a very necessary skill whereas patience and concentration is very essential to engineers and doctors. So, in my opinion one should be enrolled in that job which s/he can continue forever rather than undulating over jobs titles. I am in favour of continuing the same job forever.

— Anonymous

 As a student, I know how overwhelmingly our aspirations and dreams can drive our lives. A strong passion to achieve one’s dream is the very ignition that makes life challenging as well as meaningful. Where we are right now might not be where we want to be, but one should not be defeated. After all, life is merely a programme based on trial and error.

If I were in a sector that was out of my personal interest, then no doubt, I would not hesitate to take the opportunity and switch to a work of my own interest. But the truth is, life rarely offers this kind of deal to us. Life isn’t cruel, but this is the way it works; a way peculiar to itself. It is us who have to gather courage despite the circumstances. It is us who have to exert ourselves hard enough so that we can jump on the train once it arrives, and, reach our destination.

— Shreemad Pradhan, Bangemudha, Kathmandu

 After my high school, like many other students I was in dilemma in terms of my career. So, my parents decided to enrol me in BBA. I am satisfied with their decision and that it was the right decision. But still, if I were to get a chance to change my career as per my choice, I would switch it to fashion designing and event management. This is the field that lets one experience happiness and satisfaction when people appreciate one’s choice and make them theirs. To experience the proud feeling when people enjoy any show or competition that is organised by someone else. I want to become the single person who is responsible for the smiles of many.

— Ananya Mishra, Balkhu

 I believe that talent is nothing without an opportunity. If given a chance to change my career, I would definitely switch to some other sector because in life we have to grab the opportunity. Opportunity knocks the door once in a while so we should move on with inner drive to explore ourselves in whatever challenges life passes on us. Also we should plan and set our career on time so that our future will be safe and secured financially. We can lead a happy life achieving the dream we desired for in life.

— Tejaswi Pahari, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur

 Everyone cannot be able to seek their career as per their choice due to several hurdles. If I were given a chance to change my career, I would pick journalism. There is a shortage of real journalists these days in Nepal. In the name of economic blockade, some of the traders have been promoting the black market of LPG. Last week I was out of gas cylinder and could not cook food. I paid approximately Rs 2,000 to refill the gas cylinder. Journalism is the eyes of our society. Such sorts of problems can be raised by journalists. I think journalism is one of the selfless services to humankind. Journalists are the supporting hands for all round development of the country. Unheard and dominated voices are raised by journalism. So, journalism is on my list whether I am successful or not.

— Abhishek Kunwar, Pokhara

 Our life doesn’t always turn out like we imagine. It throws us a curve ball anytime, like it did to me. Everybody plans for their future. I too had a plan but I could not pursue my dream career which is my dream. I was very angry at first, and later became sad and depressed making me hopeless. But I got enough time to pull my act together and make minor changes to my plan for the future. And right now I couldn’t be any happier. I have learnt to embrace myself in a new light of my new career. As a child I always wanted to be and do something different and unique that can have huge impact on people’s life. My current career does just the thing. It helps me to change people’s life beautifully and in a healthy way. I can think of all ‘what ifs’ but the truth is that I love who I am now, how I am and how I can manage to bring change in people’s life.

— Kalpana Limbu, Samakhusi, Kathmandu

 Every individual is born with a dream and spend their life chasing it. The fortunate ones live their dream, while some don’t. Like every individual I also had a dream of working in a social organisation where I can serve people and work with different natives. But unfortunately after graduation I was drawn towards the fascinating career — the banking sector.

Now if I look back, I wish I could have joined the career of my choice rather than be a part of the banking culture. Though I am in a good position and performing well enough, but given a chance, I would certainly like to switch to the career that I was interested in, in the first place. Monetary rewards and social recognition are not only the mantras of success but satisfaction and inner peace are as well. Hence, doing what you aim shall motivate you to perform your job well and good, rather than sticking with what everyone are doing. So listen to your heart and follow what you want to do.

— Suvekchhya Rimal

 Fashion world would it be if I were given a chance to switch my job. I love experimenting with colours, patterns and styles. Fashion designing was my first career option but everyone is not able to pursue the career of his/her choice. I like to sketch myself and design trends. I can spend hours choosing right clothes and matching accessories. Every girl might possibly do that but the difference is to create the difference with the same thing. I stylise myself, chop off new clothes and modify them just to bring in some changes. I believe I can create trends, and have an eye for colour and texture. My eyes dance with colours, my heart pounds with new swirl in fashion trends. Hands energise with fabrics and my soul summits a different level of peace. And with all these I am way more comfortable, way more enthusiastic and way more satisfied.

— Anonymous

 I wouldn’t give a second thought if I have a chance to switch to my career of choice. I may or may not be successful at what I chose but I would always have satisfaction. Success only tastes sweet when there is satisfaction involved. However, satisfaction doesn’t require success to be endorsed. It lies in failure as well, if I can let go of the frustrations. So why do I have to bother to stick to the career that I don’t have my heart on?

— Bijayjmagar

 I wouldn’t switch my choice of career just because I couldn’t pursue it. “I couldn’t pursue it” — this line is for the ones who give up and I’m definitely not one of them. I am someone who will try until I achieve it. And when I’ll be successful at it, I will feel way better. One should not just give up that easily in his/her choice of career and don’t let the outer factors stop inner you from pursuing the career of your choice. And If I had no option besides switching my career, I still wouldn’t switch it. Instead I’ll take both careers together and later choose the career of my choice.

— Jyoti Shrestha

 Life is a journey of ups and downs. All people cannot be the person they dream of. As a child I had a dream to become an aeronautical engineer. But I ended up becoming a teacher. Sometimes I think of myself in the place of aeronautical engineers and remember the tough tasks that they do. The joy of a teacher to teach others is incredible. Many people feel that teaching is a terrible occupation. But teaching helps us to feel young due to the influence of students. Gradually it makes you feel well-known to the present generation. So even though I am given a chance to change my career I wouldn’t. Life is where you need to adjust yourself with time and be happy. Nowadays I feel that, if I had become an aeronautical engineer I would have earned a lot of money but money is not everything. Because in life you need to do that makes you happy and teaching makes me happy.

— Anupam Gautam

 Right from my childhood, I am extremely passionate about writing. So naturally I would have felt maximum delight had I succeeded in making writing or journalism as a career. But unfortunately I could not transform my wish into reality. Now if an opportunity arises to change my career; my heart will grab the opportunity within a second, but my head will refrain me from doing so.

At least my present job ensures bread for me along with some other benefits which might not be mammoth in proportion, but at least satisfactory. Now if I change my career, what is the guarantee that I will necessarily succeed in it? After all, capability and success are not always directly proportional to each other. Moreover the sense of security embedded in my present job might be absent in the newer version. So how can a married person of mid-40s, with a comparatively young family, afford to take such financial risk in this juncture? So I will stick to my present job and try to compensate my failure of making journalism a career by writing as mere a hobby. Let’s reserve it for my next birth!

— Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata, India

 If I would get a chance to change my career, I will surely love to change it. I can’t do the things which are forcefully given me to do. Due to some problem I was unable to choose my career. Pursing career that we are not interested, we are not able to give our 100 per cent to it and be happy with the work. Neither we can perform well nor can we become satisfied. There are hundreds of people in this world who are not happy with their career when they are forced to it by their parents, and copy others. And they are unhappy and unsuccessful. People can be successful if they choose their career as per their choice.

— Anonymous

 Once I made up my mind to do something, it will be really difficult for me to try my hand in something else because I have come a long way. Since experience has already paved the way to meet the aim, I must not try my luck in other faculty as I will be considered inexperienced. I will have to trail even if I toil day and night. However, if I am to start a new profession, it will definitely be of a cook. Although I have very little time to learn cooking, sometimes I manage time. But trying different field all over is a million dollar question. Considering my age, I would rather stick to what I have been doing rather than trying something new. So, it will be better for me to take cooking as a hobby in order to avoid monotonous life. It is the best hobby I can choose to remain healthy. I can take this even after I have stopped working. Besides it will save my money for a rainy day.

— Pratibha Bhandari

 If I am given a chance to change my career when I am dissatisfied with what I am doing, I will definitely switch it to some other sector of my choice because my individuality is important for me. I must follow my intuition to get real happiness. As my life choices must be mine. I can not reach the desired destination until I walk on the paths paved by others. I must pave my own paths and must determine my own ways of life. Therefore, without wasting my time thinking whether my choice will be fruitful or counterproductive I will focus on my personal interest. It may not guarantee a financial success, but it will certainly provide me peace. If I engage myself in a career imposed by others or suggested by others I will not be able to explore myself and love my work. Thus, I will switch to the career of my interest in order to live the life the way I like it to be lived.

— Anonymous

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

One crisis follows another and the acute water shortage that we are facing has all of us sweating. There is no water in the pipes, a long queue at the

water tankers with the wait for a delivery going more than 14 days, no rain as such to talk about. In such a dry state, how are you managing your daily ration of water? What are the smart water choices that you are making?

­Send your replies in not more than 200 words by Friday, May 27 by 2:00 pm to Features, The Himalayan Times,e-mail: features@thehimalayantimes.com