youth Archives

Learning, Unlearning and Relearning for Gen Z

Our natural tendency is to learn new things and adapt to unique circumstances as human beings. It is what helps us evolve and grow as human beings. Just as we constantly keep learning things, we must also note the importance of unlearning things. Letting go of old customs and habits while adapting to new ones is essential for your growth.

As they say, change is the only constant. We must reflect upon ourselves and try to improve upon our flaws. For example, let’s take a look at the current pandemic. We learned to make use of virtual platforms to communicate with each other. To stay relevant in any industry, you have to learn new skills toremain relevant. As rightly said by Henry Ford, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”

Different people have different approaches to learning new things. Similarly, I think we all should take our own time and figure out what’s best for us and how we should go about it when learning something new.

Unlearning

Unlearning means letting go of old habits and mentalities. This happens as we mature. Usually, when we stop learning, we feel like there is some stagnation. But let us look at it differently. We can think of it as reflecting upon our actions and thoughts and bettering ourselves.

This is especially important for letting go of certain toxic behaviors that society has normalized. This process takes time and is necessary to bring about a change in people’s mindsets. In unlearning, we break down our thoughts and ask ourselves specific questions:

Why have I done this so far?

Does this align with my moral principles?

Is this what I truly aspire to be as a human being?

Is what I am doing helpful to the people around me? How does it affect them?

Asking oneself these questions will help one truly reflect upon their actions and realize which of them had a bad influence on others. For example, unlearning may mean getting rid of bad habits. For example, you are not eating healthy, not working out, smoking, and etc.

Unlearning should be seen as a way to pause and introspect. Unlearning may also mean leaving people who are a toxic influence on your life, who bring you and others down. After all, you are the average of the five people you surround yourself with. The whole process of unlearning is slow and comes gradually.

Relearning

Relearning means embracing the changes that come your way and accepting them. It means learning a new method or getting a fresh perspective, which one can only achieve outside their comfort zone.

For example, it may mean adapting to the virtual scenario as the pandemic struck us in our situation. A part of relearning is to get creative and find out new and better approaches to things you may or may not have done before. Relearning may also mean changing society’s beliefs and progressing towards more unbiased opinions.

For example, it could mean their way of looking at the LGBTQ community, their approach to helping eradicate racism, or maybe even changing the education system. Today’s youth are rebellious and will no longer tolerate any form of injustice. We are more proactive and want to take better control of the situation than before. Relearning may also mean catching up on your old hobbies, which you were too lazy to continue at one point in time. Maybe, it might be the right time for you to pick up that dusty old guitar lying in your room for a long time. Or, it could also mean learning to interact physically with people after bearing a pandemic for what seems to be the most extended period of our lives.

We want to portray that learning, unlearning, and relearning go hand in hand. These are all very important for our growth and shape us to be better individuals. One cannot do without the absence of even one of these factors. There is a quote by Deepak Chopra that says, “The past is history, the future is a mystery, and this moment is a gift. That is why this moment is called the present”. Similarly, we must learn to embrace our present and inculcate within ourselves the habits of learning, unlearning, and relearning in our day-to-day lives. This will lead to our holistic development and enable us to live life to its fullest.

How to Confront Problems and Take Bold Decisions

During the course of life, it wouldn’t be surprising to find yourself in the middle of situations you consider too hard to deal with. We consider not to confront problems and escape facing them.

These circumstances can be sudden and unpredicted or probably something you were aware of since the beginning.

Be it family, studies or job, friends, other commitments or responsibilities, we’re bound to be put in a loop of expectations. And this, at times, becomes even more pressurising.

Here is when the relevance of taking the right decisions comes in, an art we all are trying to master.

It can be for an opportunity you’ve come across and need direction for, or a difficulty or complication you’re trying to find a solution for. Anyway, know that you’re not alone.

We’ve all been there, and as difficult as it may seem, it’s just a matter of understanding and prioritizing. Always think beyond giving up.

Understand yourself, the context, the consequences. Once you have that clear, it’s easier to make a decision. Maybe it won’t be the best one, but that’s the beauty of making mistakes: you learn from them!

This is a space to help you.

Let’s step into how to confront a bothering problem, one thing at a time:

1. Know your situation well

Having complete knowledge about what’s bothering you should be a priority to improve understanding and reduce the complexity of the situation.

It can be done by asking self-reflection questions and introspecting in the right manner.

You may also try sitting down to journal or do a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis.

Understand that you hold all the answers within, you just need to seek them.

2. Be bold enough to try

Gaining a clarity on your problem can settle in most of the issue since you know the topic.

Every individual has their own way of thinking, which can make them have a unique perspective on things that matter to them. Despite the generalisation of the situation, they know that their instincts are calling out for something to act upon.

It’s here when most people fall out, by not taking a challenge and remaining too cosy in the comfort zone.

Trust your instincts and take the bold move. You never know how strong you may become, when you may inspire someone or build a movement.

3. Consider the consequence of not acting

The best manner to approach a difficulty is to use your skills to deal with it.

During the time of introspection, you already came across what works best for you. Now use your willpower and imagination to keep up with the motivation and manage stress.

Having strength is not an option, it’s a necessity to confront problems.

Not acting upon a problem can make you stay stuck in it till the consequences hit hard from the back. This can only worsen the situation and make it even harder to work upon.

So don’t stall it! Taking a decision to do something about it can guide you to resolve it.

Now, let’s understand some strategies to take big decisions for these problems:

“You’re never going to be 100% ready and it’s never going to be just the right time, but that’s the point. It means that every moment is also the right moment. If you want it, you just have to do it.

– Unknown”

4. Explore -Exploit trade-off

While making a settlement, we’re usually left with a number of options to choose from.

Be it deciding to pursue higher studies, go in for a job, or something as basic as choosing which topic to study first for the upcoming exam.

It’s advisable that you explore the opportunity, given that it’s new and you have a long duration of time to go for it. And you must exploit the information, given that it’s something you already have an idea about, or know that exists. Then you’re bound with a short time to take the decision.

Also known as the explore-exploit trade-off strategy, it helps to execute the analytical side of the brain and take calculative resolutions.

5. The idea of minimalism to confront problems

We hold on to a lot of materialistic possessions, be it tangible or mental, thinking that someday they might be of some good use to us. So we store these items in the drawers, cupboard, wardrobe or hold these memories in places, objects, fragrances and don’t wish to let them go.

The idea of minimalism is to give your life a positive revamp, decluttering things that are of no more worth to you.

Speaking of the mind, it helps in situations when we hold ourselves back, or probably when we carry baggage in our hearts.

The approach is to dispose-off anything that hasn’t served your purpose in the recent six months, for might never be relevant in future as well. Removing the least used items makes space for the important things, which become easily accessible to you.

Speaking of the mind, it helps you do what makes the most sense in the least amount of time, and confront problems.

6. Being fearless to make mistakes

“And now go, make interesting mistakes, make amazing mistakes, make glorious and fantastic mistakes.”- Neil Gaiman

Sometimes, putting in fewer efforts for a critical decision, can help you release stress, relax more and take a calm, more self-aware and practical move.

Taking risks and chances at times can take you to another journey of adventure and might bring out the hidden parts of you, you never thought existed.

It’s alright to eliminate options that are not a priority, so the ones which are getting more attention and focus.

Being fearless to make mistakes can help you gain mental stability and courage to become brave and bold, even when life hits hard.

Becoming an everyday leader is not hard, but it’s always a conscious option.

While you choose to stand tall amidst a storm or take a move nobody expects you to, you become a better version of who you really are.

Know that you’re bold enough to confront problems and take the right decisions!

Did this article help you? Have you ever taken any of these points into consideration when you had to make a decision?

Share with us in the comments!

If you liked this text, you may also enjoy reading: This story will change your perception about problems

Written by

Vanyashree Chaudhary is a light-hearted Journalism student from Delhi. She’s crazy about her love for graphic designing, Oreo shakes and Daft Punk. Find her the happiest while she’s travelling!

5 Out of the Box Career Options for You

Gone are the days when Engineering, Medical, Law, and Administration were the main career ways one picked after completing school.

As we approach the new decade, we can look back at the past and see how far we have come.

Thinking out of the box is really the mantra of today!

Odd, remarkable and unusual career decisions are staying for a long term.

Offbeat careers are getting to be popular step by step. A majority share of youthful people is deciding on these fascinating, challenging and new options, as a zeal to prove themselves.

If sitting in an office workspace from 9 to 5 isn’t what you’re looking at, then presumably the following career alternatives may interest you.

The following are the 5 careers which are amusing to seek. If passion and power along with hard work is placed in can likewise bring success:

1. Environmentalist

The world environment is going much worse day by day, as we use our natural resources indiscriminately and fail to manage our waste.

Our total environmental conditions are deteriorating in everyday life. Yet, we do not concern ourselves to save us from different types of natural calamities and avoid the extinction of several types of animal species groups.

It’s true that only human are responsible for polluting environment, but if we have a little bit of concern then it will make us a positive thinker to save our environment.

Environmentalists are those who work for the protection, preservation, and conservation of the environment.

They deal with the conservation of land and water resources and protection of the environment from pollution and industrial wastes.

Globally the demand for environmentalists is estimated to be around 11 percent by 2020. As the need for the solutions related to environmental issues is increasing, the demand for environmentalists is increasing too.

2. Creative Photographer

Are you one of those people who’s famous for snapping pictures at parties? Or who enjoys capturing various shades of life through a lens?

If you want to earn a living using your creative side, but need more information, than this may be the best option for you.

A career in photography offers the following options:

– Photojournalism
– Fashion and advertising photography
– Nature and wildlife photography
– Event photography
– Still photography
– Travel photography

If you have a passion for photography, there’s no reason why you can’t make it your profession — be wise and practical and go for it!

3. Travel Writer

Wanna get paid for traveling? Travel blogging is a dream job for most of the people.

You get paid to travel and live at adventurous sites like Alaska, Sahara Desert, Ecuador, Brazil, Ghana and Zimbabwe etc and share stories.

Every day is different and exciting!

You’ll never get bored of this job. But, it’s not easy!

In all honesty, travel blogging comes with its challenges. Becoming a full-time travel blogger requires TREMENDOUS hard work and commitment. Besides putting in long hours, you need to keep at it for a long time that could be years too before you see any kind of return.

But is it worth it? Hell yeah!

4. Social Media Manager

Are you among the Social friendly people who are being taunted by their parents for being active throughout on Social Media?

Do you have a passion for operating Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and finding innovative ways to connect with people?

Then this is your type of job!

Being a Social Media manager goes beyond just posting updates to your company’s social media profiles. It also includes engaging with your audience and looking for new opportunities to increase reach and visibility.

Great communication skills are also a must since you will have to do a lot of interaction every day.

Evaluating, examining and adding to activities on sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Google additionally, Pinterest and Instagram is a day by day undertaking for the manager.

5. Data Analyst

Every business collects data, whether it’s sales figures, market research, logistics, or transportation costs, but not everyone can actually understand what these numbers mean, correct?

A data analysts translate numbers into plain English. It’s a challenging and very much needed profession nowadays.

If you have a knack for picking apart collected data, drawing up actionable insights, and putting together pieces of the big data puzzle, check out the growth path of a data analyst.

You have to extract meaning from and interpret data – which requires methods from statistics and machine learning.

Do You Have What It Takes to think out of the box?

Jobs for creative people abound. Whether you’re agile with a camera or can write like Shakespeare, there’s a career field where you can excel. These are just 5 careers but there are thousands more and I wish I could put them all in this blog.

With new startups coming every day and the marketplace becoming more competitive by the day, the advancement of a person (and the company) rests on the ability to think and act creatively.

Apart from being creative, we should always be positive and learn from our failures. Even successful people that we admire have failed several times. But, they always learned 🙂

Do you know any other odd and amazing career? Tell us about it!! We’d love to know it 🙂

We at AIESEC have many projects with startups around the world which brings out the creativity in you.?

If you’re interested and feel that you can contribute, check more about the program here.

If you like this post you may also like: “Great things never came from a comfort zone”

Written by

Anisha Bhawanani is graduated in Marketing and Finance and loves writing. She is a happy go lucky girl with a head full of dreams, very passionate about traveling and exploring different cultures. One day she wants to win a man booker prize.

Things we wish the school would have taught us

Until now, most of us might have realized that we’ve been utilizing less and less of what we learned in school . There are number of aptitudes that are essential to progress which were never at any point offered in school!

The History, English, Biology and Material Science? Besides giving us a general understanding of the world and influencing us to sound intellectual at parties, most of us can’t consider anything in there that we truly use on everyday basis. Today we live in a world that is full of tension, anxiety and stress. Most of the people are unhappy because of some or the other things. Our happiness has become dependent. But to be honest,

Our happiness is our choice.

Yes! Joyfulness is a perspective and your perspective is your responsibility. Our Joy isn’t dependent on some other person, our connections improves our lives however they don’t make us happy. WE DO. By happiness, let’s come to a very affirmative word known as

Positivity,

Our positive attitude is a guide to our positive life, it brings us millions of positive opportunities. Hardships are just to make us strong and to make us realize the value of small admirable things but if we don’t challenge those hardships with a positive attitude, that’s when we actually start failing. But failure doesn’t stand for not getting good grades, because schools never thought about

Prioritising learning over grades.

A large portion of us generally felt that grades were inconceivably important. While this is valid, grades aren’t the main thing you need to land a position or get through life. Now, on the grounds that they aren’t everything doesn’t impliy that you should avoid each one of those irritating classes and still be alright. They aren’t an impression of capacity or knowledge yet, they are an impression of hard work!
Prioritising learning over evaluations is vital to progress. Learning also implies on learning skills of Adaptation, because today,

Adaptation is necessary for survival.

We learned that animals adapt according to climatic changes but same goes for human. In a world full of Global Warming, Ozone Depletion, Pollution, we need to adapt. We all know we need to work on it for sustainability but we need to adapt as well. We need to adapt with the new innovations in technology to survive in a corporate world. It’s difficult to survive without Networking and Upgraded technology. Imagine a person still using floppy disk?
And the most important thing,

Be yourself.

The world we live in, tries to transform us into something we are most certainly not. There are number of gauges about the way we should talk, carry on and look. Express, and have confidence in your own self. Try not to go out and search for a successful personality and copy it. Being certain is the way to life. Try not to be hesitant to be you!
You might not be like as many individuals around you, with your own style and identity, and be okay with it. If you are okay with it, the world will be too.

But, as it is said, better late than never. So what if we tell you that there’s still a classroom where we can learn the most important chapters of our life book, a classroom beyond the 4 walls, a classroom full of students who don’t compete but join hands together to make a change for better future.
LET’S BE A GLOBAL LEADER, LET’S BE A GLOBAL VOLUNTEER.

AIESEC Participates at UN ECOSOC Forum on Youth

This generation of young people – the largest the world has ever seen – has a historic opportunity to end poverty, combat climate change, create jobs and fight injustice, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a Youth Forum at UN Headquarters in New York this morning as he called on the participants to get involved in shaping a future sustainable development agenda.

Today, there are 1.8 billion young people, representing one quarter of the world’s population. Many struggle to find work, and are often hit hardest in conflict. The Secretary-General says that it is time now to see this huge cohort as a force of change that harbours the ingenuity and creativity to help solve the world’s most daunting challenges.

The event started with a keynote address urging an uptick in investment for children around the world, children’s activist and 2007 International Children’s Peace Prize Winner, Thandiwe Chama, called on delegates to be “on the right side of history” and place “our rights, the rights of children and youth, at the heart of the SDG agenda.”

“There’s no doubt that young people are facing multiple challenges to meet their potential but they are not giving up,” emphasized Youth Envoy Mr. Alhendawi.

“Everywhere I go, I see how the youth want to be connected to the United Nations; they will not miss any opportunity to volunteer and to advocate. They will participate at the Model UN just to simulate what’s happening in the rooms with delegates. Today we are not simulating. This is the United Nations in action.”

As the UN representative on all things relating to young people, Mr. Alhendawi said that a “sense of ownership” is critical to the success of the future sustainable development agenda. The 1.8 billion young people worldwide are ready to “carry their share” of the post-2015 development.

AIESEC representatives Karolina Piotrowska and Tala Mansi are present at the forum to voice our opinions in the role of Youth in light of the upcoming launch of the UN SDG’s.

AIESEC Karolina Piotrowska — Karolina Piotrowska representing the International Coordination Meeting of Youth Organisations

AIESEC United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum — Tala Mansi from AIESEC speaking about Youth at the forum

Tala Mansi spoke on the panel voicing “the importance of youth development, bridging the gap between employment and education, and creating individual commitment and awareness of SDG’s from the bottom up.”

The engagement of young people is key to ensuring the successes of the SDG’s as young people will be the ones implementing these large global initiatives. AIESEC has engaged tens of thousands of young people in voicing up their opinions via the YouthSpeak survey where it captures their opinions on the challenges they face in reaching their fullest potential.

We further encourage young people to take ownership of the issues they care about and not sit still waiting for change to come. As we firmly believe that the world needs new leaders and our generation are the ones who need to step up, have courage and stand up for what matters to us.

The world needs your leadership and it’s your time to step up and take responsibility. When was the last time you spoke up about issues that mattered to you?

You can learn more about the ECOSOC Youth forum here.