Years ago, when I was in school, I was often asked by elders in the family about what I wanted to become. I remember that my answer was always, unhesitatingly, 'astronomer'(much to their surprise). Then, on one occasion, at a family function , my cousin's husband, who had a 'good career' going, told me in no uncertain terms that astronomy wouldn't do as a career.

Twenty years hence, I've missed my astronomy bus, and, working in the social development sector, I still ask these questions. To begin with, thanks to my exposure in the field of education, I constantly ask - what should the purpose of education be? Gandhi had said, "By education ,I mean an all round drawing out of the best in child and man - body, mind and spirit." That does sound vague and distant doesn't it, if one goes by what one sees today in the name of education?

Let me not get stuck with definitions at this stage, and instead move on to a more complex question - the relationships between our potential as human beings, the education system, the work we do in our lives, and our ability to be happy. What are the mechanisms available for each of us to realize our innate potential through work that pays, and makes us happy?

In my own case, these links are not straightforward. I graduated as an engineer, worked in the 'corporate' sector, then became a schoolteacher, then entered the social development arena, and presently 'advise' a funding agency regarding its investments in education. That's longwinded, isn't it?

I'm not sure if my potential is being fully used, but I do feel strongly that this is one of the things I would like to be doing. The mechanisms in society were not enabling, and one has had to work one's way around them. Then there were those who tirelessly pointed out that I had 'got it all wrong', but this didn't deter me from carrying on.

What the education system says about career choice

Our education system creates round pegs that have to fit in square holes - there are postgraduates who ride motorcycles and deliver pizzas at your door step; mad caps like me; business executives who earn six figure salaries every month and still cannot be happy.

It takes all kinds of persons to make this world, to produce all kinds of goods and services. We give something (our understanding, skills.), and take something back. I'm not sure if that maximizes our potential. I also wonder if the business of happiness is connected to these things, or is, as they say, "in the mind" and related to a sense of fulfillment (not just not just in a material sense).