AT about the time she was in the tenth grade, 24-year-old Nimisha Bowry was aware of her creative abilities. After five years of college spent in studying economics and literature, she felt she was cut out for something else.

Opting out, she enrolled herself in a three-year programme in Advertising and Graphic Design. Today, she earns much more than her 'Graduate' counterparts

Varying 'degrees' of success
Gone are the days when only people equipped with fancy degrees in medicine, business, finance made it big. Fortunately, talent and creativity are recognised and appreciated just as much as academic qualifications. So, if you have a flair for writing, turn to journalism, or if you are good at sketching, train and transform yourself into an illustrator.

This is the era of the specialist, no one wants a 'generalist'. Think about it – in India, nine out of 11 students go for university education, while in USA, only one out of 11 do so! It would be a good idea if we got rid of our 'label' thinking, where a university education is acceptable, but skill-based training is (almost apologetically) called 'vocational training'.

Non-grads count too

Let's take a look at a few career options that require only what I like to call Professional Technical Education:

Gems and jewellery

So are you still apprehensive about doing a course in jewellery fabrication, repairing, gem identification, setting and forging etc, with the Indian jewellery industry growing?

With economic liberalisation and jewellery exports touching new highs, the gap between the babu and the designer has to narrow. Also, a course like this prepares you for other related venues like retail, manufacturing and jewellery marketing .

Looks matter

Theatrical, cinematic and professional makeup has become a technical skill. Beauty and skin therapy has branched out as an ancillary arm of medicine. Courses in these fields abound, and so do money and glamour.


Fashion

This is an area that needs dedication, hard work ability and creativity and not a graduation degree. While all students of fashion cannot be a leading designer hundred others are required to translate the design into reality. The industry needs people whose expertise is quality control, pattern making, illustrations, and merchandisers.

Importantly

Non-graduates, bear in mind these facts:

• Professional Technical courses do not have any stipulated age or academic requirement.
• Working individuals can take up part-time/ weekend courses.
• Skill-based training, combined with relevant experience will give you an edge over graduates!

So if you think you have missed the bus by not graduating, wake up to the sea of opportunities, and take your pick.

Renu Kapoor
Director
Indian Institute of Jewellery

HERE ARE SOME CAREER OPTIONS

Photograph: AP/Thibault Camus

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