The need to address early career anxiety among students

The Hindu

3 days ago

In the lecture halls and corridors of India's higher education institutions, a silent crisis is brewing. Career anxiety — once a concern of final-year students — is now beginning as early as the first semester. The pressure to perform, plan, and arrive has become a defining feature of campus life.
Unhealthy cycle
It is no longer enough to be curious or committed. Students are expected to be industry-ready before they have had the chance to explore who they are. Prestigious internships, personal branding, LinkedIn-worthy achievements, and a fear of falling behind are driving many into an unhealthy cycle of self-comparison, burnout, and emotional distress.
A 2024 report from the World Health Organization (WHO) on youth mental health highlights that anxiety disorders are now among the top three causes of illness in the 15 to 29 age group globally. In India, this manifests starkly among college students who report increasing rates of stress-induced insomnia, panic attacks, and depressive symptoms.
This reflects a deeper problem. In the pursuit of producing future-ready graduates, we may be robbing them of the foundation needed for long-term success: clarity, curiosity, and mental resilience. The years of higher education were once a period for exploration of subjects, of interests, and of the self. Now, they are rapidly becoming a race track with no room to pause, reflect, or even stumble.
The culprit is a convergence of forces. Social media is a stage where curated wins are mistaken for everyday reality. A friend's internship at a multinational company, another's entrepreneurial side hustle, or a peer's academic medal — all broadcast in real-time — can distort a student's self-worth and amplify insecurities. Without context or support, every scroll becomes a comparison, and each chips away at confidence.
In many cases, societal expectations and peer dynamics inadvertently promote the idea that success is defined solely by outcomes such as job placements or salary packages. While professional achievements are important, they shouldn't overshadow personal growth, resilience, and clarity that young adults develop during their academic journey. When we overlook the individuality of ambition, we risk reducing a multifaceted life phase into a one-size-fits-all definition of success.
Way forward
So, where do we go from here? First, we must urgently reimagine what support looks like on campus. Career counselling must be integrated with emotional wellness services not as an afterthought, but as a core component. Students should be encouraged to talk about not just what they want to do, but why they feel anxious about it. According to WHO's 2024 Advocacy Strategy for Mental Health, early intervention in the form of school and university-based mental health programmes is among the most cost-effective ways to improve lifelong wellbeing outcomes.
Second, rest and reflection must be reframed not as luxuries but as vital tools for sustainable success. The relentless hustle culture that has permeated student life needs a counter-narrative that teaches young adults to value pause, process, and play as much as productivity.
Third, universities should invest in safe peer-led spaces where students can share experiences, normalise setbacks, and build collective resilience. Community is often the first line of defence against anxiety. Structured mentorship, open-dialogue groups, and peer listening circles can prevent emotional struggles from escalating into crises.
Fourth, we must help students critically engage with digital platforms. Workshops that build media literacy showing students how online success stories are often highlight reels, not the full picture can create more grounded perspectives. This helps protect mental health while still allowing digital spaces to be used constructively.
Finally, families must evolve in their approach too. Parental expectations, though well-intentioned, can become pressure points when not accompanied by empathy. Conversations at home should go beyond marks and placements, and move toward purpose, interests, and values. Career paths today are non-linear, and success is increasingly defined by adaptability and emotional intelligence traits best nurtured in environments of understanding, not fear.
India is home to one of the youngest populations in the world. Our demographic dividend can only be fully realised if our youth are not just professionally capable, but mentally strong and emotionally prepared for the realities of modern life. The cost of ignoring early career anxiety is not just individual; it is national.
Do we want a future generation shaped by anxiety before they can dream freely, or one that has the tools to define success on their own terms?
The writer is Founder and Chairperson of Aditya Birla Education Trust and Mpower.