Self-driven Learning Matters In Getting Jobs

Due to a perceived lack of opportunities and limited development in Nepal, the majority of young Nepalis are currently contemplating their careers and future prospects abroad. This trend could result in substantial long-term losses for both the government and the society as a whole. It is time for the government and youth-related stakeholders to remain committed to addressing the concerns and aspirations of young people, ensuring their well-being, education, employment opportunities, and overall development. The government has allotted Rs. 1.25 billion for the current Fiscal Year 2023-2024 to assist and grow startup companies by fostering an ecosystem that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship. Through a variety of initiatives and policies, the government is dedicated to fostering an environment that enables youth to flourish and make positive contributions to society. 

The government has announced its intention to declare this year as the "Year of Youth Entrepreneurship Promotion." It has vowed to facilitate easy access to capital for both entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses. To realise this vision, a robust partnership between the private sector, academia, and the government is essential. Governments, educators, and other stakeholders must recognise the value of career paths and remained committed to providing the necessary resources and support for those who choose to start their own enterprises as well as those who prefer to pursue careers within established organisations. This approach ensures that young people can make rational decisions that correspond with their skills, passions, and aspirations, thereby contributing to their personal development and the nation's economic growth.

The search for a meaningful career has undergone a significant evolution in a time of rapid change. In a competitive job market, the conventional methods of job searching are no longer effective. Recent studies show a direct link between self-directed learning and effective job-seeking behaviour. In the modern job market, a strong link has been identified between participating in self-directed learning activities and the techniques used to get employment. A variety of self-directed learning approaches, from online courses to skill development programmes, provide a way to increase employability and improve job-search strategies. Individuals gain specialised knowledge and skills through self-directed learning, making them more marketable for jobs. Additionally, self-directed learning emphasises a dedication to both professional and personal development, which is highly valued by employers.

Adaptibility

Within self-directed learning, one must get insights into the role that self-monitoring plays in comprehending job-seeking behaviour. We get a greater understanding of the motivations guiding our approach to job-seeking by carefully analysing our behaviours, thoughts, and emotions. Adaptability emerges as a guiding principle in a world where employment changes are commonplace. This understanding not only reveals the methods people use to get over obstacles at work, but it also deepens our knowledge of the forces that motivate our behaviours. The ramifications touch upon broader social relationships and organisational dynamics in addition to individual job hunts.

It is impossible to emphasise specific goals without pursuing any dream. One must ensure that his or her personality traits match the job. The significance of goal-setting in cultivating ambition and determining successful career paths is evident. People gain insights into powerful strategies by incorporating goal-setting procedures into their job-seeking behaviours. The findings highlight how important it is to teach goal-setting skills to job seekers, empowering them to improve and hone their strategies for navigating the challenging job market. This calculated strategy not only improves job seekers' prospects but also gives them the power to alter their career paths.

Motivation and emotional control are the two key components of successful job searching. Motivation is significant for promoting academic engagement and successful job searching. The emphasis is on the fact that emotional control and motivation are inextricably intertwined, and this symbiotic relationship is what makes achievement possible. The ability to manage difficulties and disappointments along scholastic and professional pathways depends on the cooperation of persistent motivation and emotional restraint. This understanding helps individuals, particularly young job seekers, understand the value of self-directed learning and job searches.

There is a need for a paradigm shift in the roles of government, educators, and other stakeholders. Opportunities for transformation are to be offered to youth in education and work. Educational institutions can encourage learner autonomy, nurturing traits that are highly valued in the contemporary job market. In this endeavour, workshops and training sessions aimed at enhancing self-directed learning strategies become essential. Such programmes have the potential to greatly improve people's overall skills and employment chances by giving them the resources to actively participate in skill acquisition.

Job-search tactics

From a self-learner's point of view, understanding the interaction between self-directed learning and job-seeking behaviour provides us with a compass pointing us in the direction of the future of job-seeking mastery, not just solutions for here and now. The digital age has opened up previously unheard-of options for people to access flexible and pertinent learning experiences, allowing them to develop skills that strengthen employability and improve job-search tactics. In this regard, adopting a perpetual learning attitude is essential to understand the necessity of relevant factors in a constantly changing employment market. Seamless integration of self-directed learning with proactive job-seeking behaviour offers a road map for success in the contemporary workplace. Aspiring job seekers can plot their road to success using the tools of self-monitoring, flexibility, motivation, emotional control, and goal-setting. It offers a road map for navigating the complexities of contemporary job-seeking and excelling at it.

(The author is an Assistant Professor of Faculty of Management at Nepal Commerce Campus, Tribhuvan University.)