The Changing Job Market In Kashmir: Breaking The Cult Mentality

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer)
Representational Photo

By Fawzan Thakur

For decades, Kashmiris have held onto the belief that passing the 10th standard was a defining academic milestone, a gateway to success and stability. Even as late as 2012, families and relatives would gather to congratulate students with a heartfelt“Mubarak!”-as if this achievement alone would secure their future. This mindset, shaped by past realities, continues to persist even as the job market has undergone a complete transformation.

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In the 1980s and 1990s, passing the 10th standard or earning a basic college degree was often enough to land a government job. At that time, there were fewer graduates, and opportunities were relatively abundant. However, as access to education expanded, so did the number of job seekers-while the number of available jobs stagnated.

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Today, even highly educated individuals, including PhD holders, struggle with unemployment. This is not just a crisis in Kashmir but a global phenomenon. Government jobs, once considered the ultimate aspiration, have become extremely scarce, with thousands of applicants competing for just a handful of positions. Meanwhile, professional degrees in engineering, medicine, and other fields no longer guarantee employment, as industries evolve faster than ever before.

Despite clear signs of change, many Kashmiri families still hold onto outdated career expectations. Parents continue pushing their children toward conventional career paths-engineering, medicine, or government jobs-without realizing that these fields no longer provide the security they once did.

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Even with rising unemployment among engineering and medical graduates, coaching centers remain packed with students chasing the same traditional paths, unaware that the job market has already shifted. The harsh reality is that thousands have earned degrees, yet many remain jobless and directionless. This disconnect between expectations and reality creates a cycle of frustration, where young people invest years into careers that may never materialize.

Further complicating the situation is the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. AI is replacing jobs at an unprecedented rate, making many traditional professions obsolete. White-collar jobs, once considered secure, are now at risk of being taken over by technology.

This raises a critical question: What's next? If AI continues to reshape industries, what will the next generation of job seekers do? What is the backup plan for those who find their skills outdated overnight? Instead of waiting for solutions from an unpredictable job market, Kashmir's youth must proactively explore alternative career paths.

Perhaps the answer lies in revisiting the industries that have sustained humanity for centuries-traditional businesses, agriculture, construction, and other hands-on trades. Unlike digital jobs, these sectors are far less vulnerable to automation. By modernizing and adapting them to current market demands, they can provide stable and lucrative career options such as Farming and Agriculture, Reviving Traditional Businesses, Construction and Skilled Trades or Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment.

As the job market becomes increasingly competitive, a well-crafted resume is more important than ever. A strong resume not only highlights skills and experience but also aligns with modern industry requirements. Over the period of time various online and offline platforms have been created for prospective applicants to shape their curriculum vitae that would align to the evolving and competitive job market around the world. As of today, the applicants are taking help and rightly so, from various such platforms such as [Resume], [canva ] and [CV Resume Nest] ( ).

Prospective job seekers in Kashmir can build professional resumes that stand out with the help of above platforms. The same would increase their chances of securing employment in today's dynamic job landscape.

• The author is a Masters graduate from Birmingham City University with a specialization in Business Management

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