It is a paradox that when the time comes to choose a career, the youth is most confused. Teenage is a very difficult phase in life when the youth needs to take the first most important decision in life- “What does he or she want to do for the rest of his or her life”? (The next important decision is when to get married and to whom). The Rule of 20:40 says that you spend 20 years in studying for doing a job for next 40 years. Therefore, this is the most important decision you are required to take at a time when you are clueless, confused and also unsure of what you want to be in life. And with advice coming from all sides from Parents, Siblings, Uncles, Aunties, Parents, acquaintances and Google Aunty the confusion is galore. Imagine being a square cube in a round hole for 40 years hating each day. Therefore, it is you yourself who knows YOU the best and next best who know you can be your parents and siblings who can possibly guide you.

Do the words “Job, Work and Career” all mean the same thing? Many of us perceive them to be one and same. However, it is not so. There are many factors which separates these words. Some of the major differences between the words Job and a Career are: -

• A job is something you do simply to earn money; a career is a series of connected employment opportunities.
• A job has minimal impact on your future work life, while a career provides experience and learning to fuel your future.
• A job offers few networking opportunities, but a career is loaded with them.
• When you work at a job, you should do the minimum without annoying the boss. When you're in a career, you should go the extra mile, doing tasks beyond your minimum job description.

A career in the Indian Armed Forces is one great option for the youth who are outgoing by nature and have a love for adventure vis a vis sitting at a desk from 9am to 5 pm every day 24/7, 365 days for next 40 years. Joining the Indian Armed Forces is considered a matter of great pride and honour because the uniformed force is looked at as saviours and defenders of our nation. It is because of these soldiers that the country is safe and its citizens are able to sleep peacefully at night knowing that our borders are secure. A career in the Indian Armed Forces is one of the very few noble professions today.

The Armed Forces comprise three arms or services, i.e. the Army, Navy and the Air Force. Apart from defending the borders from external threats, the Armed Forces are also involved for humanitarian missions like UN Peacekeeping Force and Disaster Managementin the event of earthquakes, floods or avalanches, the Army, Navy and Air Force and are always the first responders to reach the disaster-prone areas for search and rescue missions and the last to leave.

The Indian Military Academy's Chetwood Hall bears an inscription, which reads:

"The safety, honour and welfare of your country comes first, always and every time. The honour, welfare and comfort of the men you command, come next.

Your own ease, comfort and safety comes last, always and every time."

This so aptly and truly epitomizes what a solider stand for and what he should be. Selfless service for the nation and its people is a soldier's brief, which he is trained to follow. Apart from that, the military also offers a great opportunity for growth and a good life. Today, even women are welcome in the Armed Forces in almost all streams and also have an option for permanent commission. There are many gains for taking up a career in the Armed Forces such as :-

• Early start in life. Post training at the Academy you are a commissioned Officer by the age of 20 or 21 and are already stable in life while your other friends are still studying and have yet to find stability.
• Training at various Academies is free vis a vis the cost prohibitive cost for doing MBBS, a Pilot or an Architect.
• Soldiering makes you imbibe leadership qualities and also helps you recognise the importance of team work.
• The Armed Forces offer you an opportunity for lateral education which enables you to work and get educated.
• A career in the armed forces gives you an opportunity to travel and see Indian and the world.
• The pay and Perks are reasonably attractive. You start with a very good pay package when compared with other jobs/ careers at that age.

We must be very passionate about what we wish to do for the rest of our life. Confucius said “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Therefore, try to find out what you like doing best and then get someone to pay you for doing it.

Jai Hind