I come across these articles on unemployment very often in Nepalese media. And even more I see so many in my family and friends circle graduating with Master's Degrees. But even bigger news in Nepal is unemployment. While most Nepalese blame the government of Nepal on this, I think it's actually not the government at all. Correct me if I am wrong.
Before I even begin my opinion let me tell you, I was a high school dropout. I completed my high school only because my girlfriend thought it would make me more mature and gaining a Bachelor's degree was so common in the cities back then (2005-2008). But in my 3 years college I probably went less than 3 weeks (mostly from musical activities). So, I think I can call myself, College dropout. And I think my story will much explain about the unemployment of Nepal. LOL
I was first introduced to computers back in school in 1996 with DOS based computer games. 1998, Typing Tutor software well known as "TT" came in my life. And by 1999, I was paying Rs.10 per minute to taste internet in the first ever cybercafe in our town. I was already thinking, this is going to change the way do we everything in future. And I was dreaming to make a career in computing. But then their was that common Nepalese society.
2000, I passed my 10th grade and wanted to go to India to study Computing. My neighbors were warning my parents that computers might mess up my academics since they used to see me go to cybercafes so much. So, the worst happened, I was told "NO" to computer studies in India. My parents made me join high school (+2) with Business and Management as my majors and I had no choice. I really enjoyed those years but with friends and not with books. Anything beside computers were out of my interest. So, I failed and dropped out.
I think one big problem with Nepalese students is most of them have no clue about what they want to be in future. And a small percentage who do; have parents who either have different opinion or are very much influenced by the society.
"uh.. your son will mesh up his studies because of computers" (20 years back)
"Do you think you can make a good career studying film making? (10 years back)
"what? farmer? you born in city want to be a farmer?" (5 years back)
"what?... is dance even a subject or a career?" (even now)
Yes, while a portion of Nepalese students do know that they want to do and be in life, people around them plays a big role influencing their parents, ultimately making these students study something they are not interested in. Unless this changes, forget out the newer generation doing something out of the box like the western countries, expect more unemployment in future.
And then there's a bigger portion of students who have no clue why they are studying what they are studying. This is one major cause of unemployment. People do not do their homework about that they are studying.
While in the western world (from what I have found), people have goals on what they want to be, do their research on opportunities in that field, and then join high school, college accordingly. In Nepal, once students are done with their 10th grade, their plan is to either study, management, science, hotel management, without any research on the opportunities or skills to stand out in that field, with many only joining cuz their friends are.
Not just in Nepal, it's the same case with Nepalese students abroad. They have no clue why they graduated with a Master degree in a field where there's no job opportunities. But they only come to the realization when they couldn't find any job in that field and get stuck in low-paying cashier, server jobs.
So, something I would suggest to these students is, before you join high school or college, seriously think what you want to be first. How long will that take? Will that career opportunity still be there when you complete your studies? What skills will you need to stand out in that career? Is that something you really would LOVE to study? Is it a career would LOVE to be in?
Doing your research and answering question like these even before you join high school can help students gain skill in career they love to be in. So, instead of planning to what majors to take in high school, think about what you want to be in future and study what's needed to reach that goal.
Lastly, as I have mentioned above; I am both a high school dropout and a college drop out. So, take this article accordingly.
Namaste