‘The best career is not the one that looks good on paper, but the one that feels right in the heart’
In many households across the country, the dream of having a doctor in the family is still alive and well. However, for many students, this dream is not their own. Parental pressure to pursue a career in medicine—often seen as a symbol of success, stability, and prestige—is forcing countless young minds down a path they did not choose.
While parents often have the best intentions, wanting security and respect for their children, this pressure can have damaging consequences. For generations, medicine has been regarded as one of the most prestigious and secure career paths. Many parents dream of seeing their children become doctors, not just for the financial stability and social status but also as a symbol of familial pride. However, beneath the surface of this well-intentioned aspiration lies a darker reality: the immense pressure on children to fulfil their parents’ dreams, often at the cost of their own happiness, mental health, and personal ambitions.
Students who are compelled to take up medical studies against their will may struggle with academic performance, emotional distress, and long-term career dissatisfaction. This kind of mismatch between personal interest and academic direction can lead to anxiety, depression, and a loss of confidence. Moreover, it deprives society of talent in other vital fields like the arts, humanities, and social sciences, where creativity, empathy, and innovation also thrive.
Experts suggest that career decisions should be made based on aptitude, interest, and passion, not just societal expectations. Schools can play a role by offering career counselling sessions, and parents should be encouraged to support open dialogue rather than impose rigid expectations. Every child is unique, with distinct talents and dreams. A medical degree may bring status, but a fulfilled and passionate life brings something far more valuable: happiness and purpose. This is not an isolated case. Many students across schools and colleges admit they are in medical tracks because of external pressure, not personal choice.
The root often lies in parents’ desire for prestige, stability, or the continuation of a family legacy in medicine. However, this well-meaning pressure can backfire. Students pushed into fields they don’t connect with may struggle with academic performance, lose motivation, and face long-term dissatisfaction. Mental health issues like anxiety, burnout, and depression are increasingly common in such scenarios.
In today’s world, success is no longer defined by a handful of professions. Creativity, innovation, and happiness thrive when individuals follow their own path. It’s time we stop treating children as vessels for unrealised dreams and start supporting them as individuals with their own hopes, talents, and futures. While parents’ dreams often come from love, forcing a child into medicine can turn into their worst nightmare. True success lies in happiness and fulfilment, not just prestige. By fostering open communication and respecting individual choices, families can ensure that their children thrive, not just survive-in their chosen paths.
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JANUARY 20232Sher-e-KashmirUniversity of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of KashmirShalimar Srinagar – 190025 (Controller of Examinations)Result DeclarationThe Result ofUniversity Recruitment Test (URT-4th phase,2022)conducted on 27th November,2022for the posts of Assistant Librarian, Medical Assistant, Security Officer, Dispatch Rider and X-Ray Technicianheld at main Campus SKUAST-K, Shalimar will be available on Univer-sity website https://www.skuastkashmir.ac.in from 4thJanuary,2023. Candidates can download their result accordingly.In case of tie, the tie break rule notified vide letter no: AU/Adm(GAD)/Advt-NT/2022/12908-11 dated:10/10/2022 has been followed.(Prof. (Dr.) K.N.
Showkat Ahmad Lone
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