What exactly is the Rat Race? How do we even identify it?

 Hi,

I have multiple times mentioned the existence of a ubiquitous rat race. No matter whether you are a student or even a professional trying to climb up the corporate ladder, there will be a race, or as others would term it, professional incentives, which you will be chasing. Firstly, I wish to make it clear, that the rat race in itself is not the problem we should be dealing with. If a person who is smart enough to understand the pragmatism behind being an ideal-student, then the rat race can actually benefit that person. It will provide you the most clear-cut path for an aspirational student to follow. It will tell you exactly what you need to do to achieve success, which can easily be pre-determined and defined. Why? Because countless people have walked through that path, and time and again proved that the race works. If you are not looking for a creative outcome and want a certain type of security in your future, then the race works. The reason why I find a problem with the idea of the rat race is that, there are atleast a few, I remain hopeful, people who would not thrive or even be able to sustain themselves if they were to become a part of the rat race. This is precisely something which is a problem, as it is ruining the creativity and the potential which students hold. Students who are meant to be creative and optimistic about their own field are left hanging dry, because to their own surprise, they did not fare well in the race. 

Talking about my own field, once a law student enters the college, in his first week he is informed about the idea of Day-Z, the day when all top tier firms of the country come to our college and recruit students. That's it. The next 5 years, it is only about securing the job with the highest package at the ideal location. Once they deepen it and learn about the preparations that are required for Day-Z, all that matters to them is CV building. Making themselves the ideal corporate candidate. Everyone just forgets the ideas which will not 'improve their candidature'. No one wants to do something out of pure enjoyment or experience. It simply remains a game of whose CV is better and in general well-round, basically, as corporate oriented as it could be. Not to offend someone, but I look at it as being the best-selling item the day recruiters come looking for the next set of typewriters. 

But now what other option is there? Should one not look for a widely accepted path that gives me financial security (which is the most important for majority of the students for very reasonable reasons)? Or should one loose the track of the expectations they have just to be creative? 

Short answer is, that there is no straight answer to this. Leaving the rat race and aiming to do something of your own is not about being reckless or adventurous. The first step to leaving the rat race would be to identify what to do if not be a part of that race? If I do not prepare for Day-Z and get a job, then what would I even do with my life? Answering this question is very critical. Because otherwise you always will remain an aspirational dreamer. 

Do you wish to break the trend and start your own thing? As a lawyer, would you want to choose a much less lucrative career option? As a doctor, would you want to start your own thing, which would mean leaving behind your medical practice and putting your time into some other initiative? As an engineer, choosing to write your own song instead of getting a secure job? 

The possible combinations are endless, and unique to every person. Career switches are more common than ever. Leaving behind your college degree, to doing something you wish to pursue is much more accepted. But at the same time you should be concerned about managing your finances. Because nothing is more important than gaining financial stability and ultimately financial independence. I wish to also talk about the importance of financial education for a student in upcoming blogs. 

Conclusion?

After having read many ambitious words, I really doubt that a single reader would be convinced to leave the race to "experiment with their potential". Honestly, I do not even wish for one to leave behind that race until and unless they understand what they need to do to be able to stabilise their future if not for that race. Hence, there are multiple lessons one should learn before they take this daring step, which I would be talking in detail about.

If content like this interests you but you still have questions, feel free to leave those questions in the comment box below!!

See you :)