Ehmed Sameer
In a candid conversation with a colleague, both of us adrift on the restless tides of careerism, a mutual sense of unease surfaced—haunted by regrets over ambition overwhelming our past and a future clouded by relentless professional expectations. In this anxious forward push, the richness and grace of the present too often go unnoticed. We don economic blinkers, confusing motion for meaning, and as a consequence, social interactions fade into forgotten rituals overtaken by the demands of deadlines. Invitations are declined, family bonds loosen, and our absence becomes routine. We withdraw into self-imposed solitude, cloaked in the supposed virtue of “hard work,” blind to the relationships and modest joys quietly slipping away.
The All-Encompassing Logic of Careerism
Careerism, at first glance, is alluring. It offers promises of recognition, power, and prestige. For many, it fuels ambition and points the way toward personal greatness. However, at its core, careerism places professional success at the heart of existence, systematically placing work above ethical values, family connections, friendships, and even moments of leisure. Our identities grow entangled with job titles and achievements. Homes become office annexes, relationships transform into appointments, and leisure triggers a sense of guilt. Even in the company of others, our minds are ensnared by an endless web of deadlines and metrics.
This absorption with work is propelled largely by the logic of capitalism—a system that glorifies profit, efficiency, and relentless competition. Individuals are pressured to view themselves as perpetual projects needing upgrades: more skills, more certificates, more accolades. Social media compounds this pressure, confronting us with curated versions of others’ achievements and sparking insecurity. Our sense of deprivation stems less from actual need than from perpetual comparison—someone else always appears more successful, more affluent, or more industrious.
The Erosion of Non-Material Values
Such a mindset erodes the very values that underpin a compassionate society: kindness, presence, ethics, and community. Even acts of love and care acquire a price tag. Family visits offer no career gain, so we keep our distance. Relationships devolve into networking opportunities; people are ranked not for their intrinsic worth but for their utility. The “living résumé” emerges—individuals defined by skills, stripped of genuine emotion. The proliferation of old-age homes illustrates this shift: caring for elders becomes less a moral imperative and more an economic calculation. The environment too is commodified; forests become “resources,” rivers “utilities,” and the climate is seen not as an existential threat, but as a mere cost to be managed. Even nature is demanded to perform for us.
Redefining Success in Education
Educational institutions must confront the urgent challenge of redefining success. It is imperative to cultivate not merely the pursuit of grades and placements, but the capacity for empathy, ethics, and emotional intelligence. Life is not simply a ladder to climb; it is a landscape to experience. Success should be seen not as a number, but as a profound sense of connectedness—to others, to nature, and to oneself. Educational frameworks must broaden their scope, making space for critical and creative thinking, and respecting divergent paths and ambitions should be the norm, not the exception.
This is especially urgent in Kashmir, where careerism manifests as a strong fixation on government jobs—a singular benchmark that narrows young people’s imagination and stifles aspiration. Yet the world is wide with possibilities for those willing to think and act differently. As Einstein observed, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing it is stupid.” A singular benchmark robs students of discovering their unique talents.
Careerism may bring fleeting recognition, but it risks costing us our relationships, our values, and even our planet. It is time to reclaim the sacredness of life from the tyranny of numbers and ranks. A humane society measures worth not in designations or salaries, but in contribution, creativity, and compassion.
(Note:Ehmed Sameer holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and is known for his insightful commentary on contemporary social and career issues. He can be reached at ahmedsameer2135@gmail.com)
