Career Aspirations Among Youth in Manipur: Studying the Barriers to Aspiration in a Conflict Region

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the career aspirations of the youth in Manipur, and data were collected through focus group discussions from 18 participants. The analysis of the data using thematic analysis was done to identify themes to develop an understanding of what careers these youth aspire for and the barriers to their aspirations. Four major themes identified were aspirations, barriers, support from family, and impact of the insurgency. The participants were found to have high career aspirations, clarity with regard to what they want to achieve in life, and desire to have careers that let them work for the betterment of their community. Limited job opportunities in Manipur and underdevelopment of private sector were attributed as major barriers. Participants from lower socioeconomic status reported facing greater challenge. Emotional as well as monetary support from family facilitated high career aspirations and perseverance in achieving them.

Skilling the Indian youth: a State-level analysis

“…Our finding of the apathy in the Jharkhand youth to migrate to a different State for employment reasons contrasts to what Ningthoujam et al (2021) have reported in their research on the youth of another State of India, namely, Manipur. The participants in their research had shown clarity and awareness about the world of work.…”

“…We agree with Ningthoujam et al (2021) that monetary and/or emotional support from family can lead to high career aspirations among the youth. Special sessions can be organized for prospective female trainees and their families.…”

“…However, the distance between their workplace and home and the experiences of living in a costly city made them averse to working in other States. Ningthoujam et al (2021) have reported in their research on the youth of another State of India, namely, Manipur. The participants in their research had shown clarity and awareness about the world of work.…”

The Relationship Between Parental Attachment and Career Aspirations in Indian Female Undergraduate Students

“…In India, studies on career aspirations have focussed on specific training environments (e.g., dentistry trainees, medical school students) and women at work, with interest in workplace discrimination and the effects of the glass ceiling (e.g., Datta & Agarwal, 2017; Srinivasan et al, 2013). Career aspirations have also been examined in specific populations such as Manipuri youth (Ningthoujam et al, 2019) and adolescents living in rural areas of West Bengal (Beaman et al, 2012). In an attempt to fill a gap in the literature in examining internal and psychological forces influence on career aspirations, Kang and Kaur (2020) studied occupational self-efficacy, proactive personality, work role salience, and gender role attitude as predictors of career aspirations in a sample of women working in banks and the insurance sector.…”