Fashionable courses

What is the similarity between education and fashion? Yes, you read it right. Education and fashion are not antagonistic terms, but have a lot in common. Trends keep changing in fashion from season to season, and so do they in education as well. A particular trend catches the fancy of people and becomes a hot favourite of the masses. Similarly, some courses too, become popular and rule the roost for a particular period of time.

Earlier, 'whats in' and 'whats out,' were the terms applied specifically to fashion trends. But today, the norm very much applies to various courses available. Unfortunately, just like people who blindly ape a fashion trend, regardless of whether it suits them or not, students take up a course, just because it is branded as 'popular.'

The biggest factor influencing the popularity of courses is essentially the job market. A prime example of this fact is the BA (Hons) Hindi course. A few years ago, there were simply no aspirants for this course in Delhi University, but now, thanks to the media boom, this course is gaining acceptance.

Another popular course whose cut-offs are soaring every year is the BCom (Hons). Shruti Mathur, commerce lecturer, Sri Venkateswara College, says: "Today's generation is upwardly mobile. They want to get high salary jobs as soon as possible. Therefore, a large number of students are opting for BCom (Hons) as it makes their entry into an MBA easier."

An MBA is, undoubtedly, a craze among students today. Atleast four out of every 10 students think of pursuing an MBA. IIM students can earn as much as Rs 1 crore per annum. Therefore, MBA is considered a ticket to a dream career and life.

According to Neha Garg, a BA (Hons) student at Sri Venkateswara College and a CAT aspirant, "the popularity quotient of a course is determined by the glamour and money it can provide. It is precisely for these reasons that a large number of students are opting for an MBA degree, which is now considered equivalent to gaining riches."

But does that mean we should first find out which course is topping the popularity charts, when it comes to deciding our career? Should we not choose the course of our choice if it is not 'popular' and 'lucrative'? Absolutely not!

The problem with this notion of 'popular' courses is that both students and parents internalise this notion. They begin to categorise courses as 'popular' and 'unpopular.' Aptitude, merit, individual interests are all left behind and a course is chosen only on the basis of its popularity. At times, even parents put pressure on children to take up a popular course, disregarding their children's area of interest.

Another problem with this 'popular' terminology is, that students may fall prey to a herd mentality and choose a 'popular course,' simply because it is selected by hordes of other students. Such students stifle their creativity, ignore their likes and dislikes and fail to exercise their own choice. They become part of the herd, rather than stand out as individuals.

Therefore, the notion of popular courses can be highly misleading. The parameters of determining the popularity of courses need to be reconsidered. While the criteria of high returns that a course can provide in future is significant, but enhancement of knowledge and creative satisfaction is equally important, when it comes to choosing a career.

Garg added that it was best to pursue what one is best at, rather than choosing a course only on the basis of its popularity and then regretting that decision throughout one's professional life.