Arching to the Top
By Sumita Batra

The theme for this issue of Indian Life & Style is careers and education, and I felt it apt to discuss the fact that I have always been a proponent of Robert Frost, who believed in "...the road less traveled." When my mom chose to go down the path of opening a beauty salon, it was not exactly a path her family approved of, nor respected. In fact, the overall attitude of the South Asian community towards this career is still to date not exactly positive.
As a speech communications major, I can attest to the confidence the right education can instill in a person. Yet it still surprises me at the pressure South Asian youth face to enter the professional field rather than a career they are passionate about. While on the surface it is easy to seek financial security as a doctor or a lawyer, I have seen too many people collapse into midlife crises due to job dissatisfaction or the late realization that what they are doing just is not what they were born to do. Too often, the pressure is on the "right" type of education rather than asking oneself: "What makes me happy?" I know I make it sound simple, yet when are the simple things easy?
Being a mother of three has forced me to take a hard look at myself as a parent. While I want the best for my children, I also know there is a fine balance between protection and dictatorship. It would be quite easy to tell my 12-year-old what to study, what to like and even (if am lucky) what to wear; however, I need her to learn to make her own choices. It is how my mother raised me. That is my mantra, and the main reason for my success. As a child, I had a huge interest in speech, and music. Instead of restraining me, I was given free reign to express myself. Through those unique interactions did I form a passion for creative arts, and then of course on to the art of threading and the art of Mehndi.
They say success is how you define it. I would go one step further, and say that education is what you want to learn. Forget the rules; they are made to be broken! Each day, someone in my company learns that you do not grow by blindly following but leading in some manner. One who cannot lead will never learn to question and thus never learn.
For some, diplomas are a reflection of self-worth, but I have always been impressed with those who wish to be the best at what they do. The key reason my company created an academy was to foster skills in people with integrity, ethics and, most important, of all passion. It is easy to look down and say, "Oh, they just are good with thread and arch eyebrows." I usually smile at those skeptics, and remind them I was one of those "threaders." I arched my way to the top; you need to believe you can to.
Next time you are asked for your opinion on what career path someone should choose, remember to ask them what they shine at most and help them go towards that path, rather than what they think will make them shine.
I hope to keep affecting your thought in some manner with this little column. Until next time... keep reading!
Regards,
Sumita

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