Though traditionally labeled lazy, irresponsible or carefree, most youngsters are now seen taking up jobs early on in life, be it to support their families, their own education, to earn pocket money, or just to keep themselves busy.[break]
Juggling study, work, friends and family, these youngsters have adopted a way of life that keeps them on their toes. The capital is now teeming with such young individuals.
Dipika Limbu, 22, is one of the many young employees at the QFX cinemas at Civil Mall. A student at Kantipur College of Hotel Management, Dipika has been working at QFX for five months now, her first job. Work, she says, has most importantly taught her the value of money.
Having stayed away from home since she passed her S.L.C from her school in Morang, her parents usually took care of her expenses. Back then, she says she didn’t really give much of a thought whenever she spent. “Now that I work myself, I know how much work you have to put in to earn even a little amount. Even though I work in a mall surrounded by lot of great stuffs to buy, I now think twice before I spend and rather save.”
She adds that even though parents may not force their children to work, they do want their children to be independent. She still remembers the look of pride in her mother’s eyes when she handed a part of her first salary to her.
“Two thousand wasn’t a big sum, but it made her so happy and it was one of my happiest moments too,” she shares and smiles.
Dipika now strongly believes that young people should work, at least part-time, as it helps to interact with people and make better use of their time.
Hemraj Gurung, 17, who also works at Civil Mall’s Bubble Tea counter, agrees with Dipika.
“Didi is right. Work has helped a shy person like me to face people and now I can talk to customers confidently.”
Hemraj, who says he started working to help his family’s economic condition, feels happy that he is working.
“Before (I started working), my life was limited only to school and home but now I feel independent and confident enough to explore different places,” he says. Moreover, he’s mostly happy that he doesn’t have to burden his parents for his needs.
Regarding the work hours affecting their study, they say that if you manage time, it’s not much of a problem. Rather working part-time makes those hours productive that you would’ve spent sleeping or lazing anyway, they say.
Hemraj’s father, Patiram Gurung, says he feels good about his son working. “I feel he’s learning good things at work and he’s also good at his studies. As long as his studies aren’t affected, I think he’ll do well,” he says over the phone.
A local businessman, he is however, a bit concerned that Hemraj might not be able to enjoy life as youngsters want to, but is more positive that working early has and will do him good in the future as well.
Another youngster is Shankar KC, 17, who works as a waiter/floater at Saturday Café in Bouddha. He says that work keeps you away from detrimental habits that youngsters are prone to. Studying in 12th grade and usually securing a position within the top ten at Jaya Multiple College, Shankar says most of his friends from school are also working.
When asked why he started working this early, Shankar says it’s mostly because of the poor economic condition. “With just my dad earning, it’s quite hard to run the house. So he was searching for a job for me, but a brother here fixed me this job and it’s been quite good.”
Working for seven to eight hours daily and sometimes even 12 hours on Saturdays, Shankar says he earns a satisfactory amount. However, he doesn’t use his salary himself but gives it to his mother so that she can manage his pocket money, school bills and his savings.
However, he occasionally loves to go out with his friends and roam the city. He says it was wonderful to treat his friends with his first salary. Though Shankar hasn’t thought of what he wants to do later in life, he says he wants to earn enough to be able to tour around the country.
For others, like Mamata Adhikari, 21, a job is mostly to remain active and occupied.
After she finished her +2 exams, she was waiting for the results and had a lot of free time. So she thought of utilizing it and applied for a job at the front desk at the Nursing Entrance Preparation Academy of Putali Sadak.
Now, having worked here for two years, she says, “The timing has been flexible even for my Bachelors’ college, so I’ve continued to work. Work keeps me occupied in a good way.”
With her school notes on one side of her desk and the office file on the other, she does seem to have managed work and study quite well. A phone rings; a client enters and she smoothly handles them both with an ever ready professional smile.
“It’s hard sometimes when clients try to put you down, especially because you’re a girl. But with helpful colleagues, I’ve been able to make it through,” she says and adds, “With my experience here; I would one day want to set up my own consultancy.”
With most youngsters leaving for abroad studies or jobs elsewhere, Mamata says it’s natural for people to want to follow the trends. Even she’s interested to experience studying and working abroad, but she also believes that there are a lot of opportunities in Nepal itself if you work hard.
Rabindra BK, 18, is also one youngster who exemplifies a hard working youth. Starting his day at 5:30 in the morning, he heads off to his college. As soon as that’s over around 9:30, he goes straight to Showarma Inn, a food stall in China Town Shopping Complex at Bag Durbar where he works as a cook and a waiter.
He packs it up there around 6:30 pm and heads out for his computer classes at Putali Sadak. At around 8:30 pm, he finally reaches his aunt’s house at Chabahil, where he is currently staying. After a quick dinner and revising his lessons, he usually calls it a day around 11.
Currently a 12th grade student of Computer Science, Rabindra says he learnt the basics of computer back in his village of Shailungeshwor in Dolakha. An active student, he says he wrote news for Kalinchowk FM and Radio Shailung even when he was in the ninth grade.
He shares that after coming to Kathmandu, his first job was as security staff in at Maha Bouddha. Before working at Showarma, Rabindra also worked at the parking in the same complex and has also taught basic computer courses to other students. Rabindra, who loves to keep himself busy, wishes to be an expert on computers and also pursue journalism at some point in his future.
Though he doesn’t currently earn much, he says he sees good earning opportunities here. He believes that by the time he’s done with his +2, he can be self-dependent and also contribute to his family’s earnings.
At only 18, Rabindra seems to speak with the wisdom and confidence of older people. “If you work hard and keep straight as you follow your dream, you don’t need to go abroad or anywhere. You can earn much money here itself, and at the same time contribute to the development of the nation.”
Sushil Manandhar, Duty Manager at QFX Cinemas, shares that it’s good for any company to have youngsters as they are quick to learn and utilize their skills. “For young students who are limited to studying theory, it’s a challenge for them to deal and interact with real clients. So they work really hard to prove themselves, and a company can only benefit from it,” he says.
Though the legal age of employment in Nepal is not explicitly stated, in the public and private sector, a certificate of citizenship, which can only be obtained after reaching 16 years of age, is taken as a requirement for employment. However, Manandhar says that as per the company policy of QFX, they only hire people who’ve passed their +2 as they believe that youngsters by that level have gained basic knowledge of work, work ethics and work policies.
Education Sociologist and a Professor at Kathmandu University, Mahesh Nath Parajuli says that besides a few cases where youngsters are forced to work against their will, the trend of young people starting work early has mostly positive effects not just immediately but in the long run as well.
“They develop a sense of responsibility sooner and the feedbacks and interactions at work help them to react to real life situations which in turn help their education as well,” Parajuli says.
Regarding education, he says, those who really are serious in their study will not let part-time jobs hamper it in any way. He concludes that when more youngsters of a society start working instead of wandering around, it can only be a positive and productive change for the society.
As a lot of other Nepali youngsters as Dipika, Hem, Shankar, Mamata, and Rabindra are stepping up to work, they’re taking more responsibility from an early age. However, as they move away from working part-time to full-fledged job market, it’s still a challenge for them with the unemployment rate estimated at 46%.
For now, though, they continue making their own efforts to become responsible youth and citizens along with pursuing their own personal dreams. While the road to complete self-sustenance for many such youngsters is still long, it is nonetheless a start.
Related story
The charm of co-working spaces
_20191222200001.jpg)
-1200x560-1779450784.webp)
