How Hobbies Help: Why Today's Pastime May Become Tomorrow's Career Choice

Soumya (Name has been changed on request) runs a successful karate academy for children in Bangalore, but twelve years ago, her life was on a different track. She was studying to become a chartered accountant, and her passion for karate had taken a backseat. After passing her exams and starting an internship at a prestigious firm, the pressures of work, long hours, and strict deadlines began to affect her health.

Faced with this challenge, she made the bold decision to quit her job and return to her love for karate. She completed her Black Belt certification, trained as an instructor, and pursued a full-time career in self-defence training. Looking back, Soumya reflects that it was one of the toughest yet most fulfilling decisions of her life.

Anuj (Name has been changed on request), 16, joined voice acting classes online over the Covid lockdown, spurred by his mother who wanted him to pursue something creative to deal with the upheaval of online classes and being cut off from his friends. To his surprise, he had a natural gift for modulating his voice and matching his tone to on-screen emotions.

This led to voiceover opportunities that helped him earn enough money to support his first year of college. While studying to become an engineer, Anuj sees voice acting as a viable career, especially with the growing demand for dubbing artists due to the rise of OTT platforms.

Soumya and Anuj represent a growing trend among students and professionals who are exploring hobbies and passions beyond their academic pursuits, with the potential to turn them into careers. This shift has gained momentum as more people seek alternative career paths amid industry layoffs and job insecurity.

To date, more than 136,000 tech workers have been laid off by 422 companies in 2024, indicating significant upheaval in the sector. With economic downturns, over-hiring during the pandemic, and "strategic restructuring" contributing to this trend, many young people are now considering self-employment to avoid the instability of formal job sectors.

Turning a hobby or passion into a profession offers several benefits:

1. Control over Time and Work-Life Balance: Being self-employed allows individuals to set their own schedules and maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.

2. Opportunities for Growth and Scaling: While the initial investment of time and money might be significant-consider costs like property rentals, marketing, and social media promotion-there are opportunities for steady growth and expansion. In cities, there is a large market for a wide range of activities, from traditional hobbies like martial arts, yoga, and music to more unconventional pursuits like pottery, salsa dancing, and movement classes.

3. Finding "Ikigai": This Japanese concept refers to discovering one's life purpose by aligning talents, passions, and profession with contributions to the world. Turning a hobby into a career can help individuals achieve this sense of fulfilment and meaning in life.

However, it's important to remember that pursuing hobbies or alternative career paths should not replace academic goals. A formal education instils essential skills such as discipline, critical thinking, task management, and time management, which provide a strong foundation for navigating life's challenges.

Here are some tips for parents and guardians when considering hobby or vocational classes for their children:

• Identify Interests and Strengths Early: Use psychometric tests during the early teenage years to identify a child's natural abilities. For example, a child who excels in logical thinking and has strong kinaesthetic abilities may pursue a STEM career while engaging in sports like tennis or badminton.

• Choose Structured Programs: Enrol in academies that administer regular tests to ensure the child takes the classes seriously without losing enjoyment. For instance, affiliates of Trinity College in India conduct exams for elocution, vocal, and instrumental music, while many karate dojos conduct regular belt tests.

• Pursue Certifications: After completing academic milestones like high school or college, consider obtaining teaching certifications in the chosen field. These credentials, such as Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) for aspiring dieticians or Associate of Trinity College London (ATCL) for music and drama instructors, add credibility when establishing oneself as a professional.

In conclusion, exploring hobbies and passions can provide valuable opportunities for personal growth and professional fulfilment. Whether it leads to full-time self-employment or simply enhances a person's well-being, turning a hobby into a career offers a way to achieve balance, independence, and purpose in life. By encouraging children to explore their interests alongside formal education, parents can help them develop the skills and confidence needed to navigate the future-where passion and profession can come together seamlessly.

About Author: Shaivya Easwaren, a Bengaluru-based mother of a teenage daughter, is an experienced English tutor with a deep passion for the language. After an 18-year career in IT as a J2EE architect and a product manager, she transitioned to writing and teaching, following her heart to explore new creative paths. Now, she balances her role as a technical writer with her passion for exploring the nuances of the English language. She takes great joy in working with children of various age groups, guiding them through creative writing, grammar, comprehension, vocabulary development, and speed reading, helping them build confidence and mastery in these essential skills.