Gifted with versatility and vision, she is a comprehensive personality! With an inner drive to share and communicate with people, Usha Albuquerque’s career spans from teaching, anchoring news on television, scripting documentaries, film-making, working on social issues, hosting talk shows and quizzes, penning books and for the past two decades rising as a remarkable career counsellor and educational consultant.
Speaking to TGLife, this gold medalist from Madras University recalls that the radius of her work kept expanding as she focused on communicating and sharing her humanitarian views with others. One career led into another, more interesting one and the amazing journey brought her to this point where she could touch thousands of budding lives and shape their future into a positive mould.
“Looking back, it’s a very fulfilling journey for me. I did not consciously shift from one career to another, but my entire body of work revolves around the best utilization of communication skills and the technological changes that came along,” shares Albuquerque, a teacher initially. When she opted to be a television news anchor, she did not want to remain a face behind it, but wanted to be a voice too.
“A voice that many could listen to - I thought I could do justice to my job by communicating my views to a larger audience. And make a difference in their lives. I had the privilege of good education and communication skills, I could make the optimum use of these assets. I started making films and documentaries. Social issues were the center of my focus. Media is a strong medium to communicate with thousands of people at the same time. And here I am - the product of journalism,” she exclaims.
After her interactions with people, Albuquerque found that most youth needed guidance in making the right choice in career. And that right time begins from school. Parents should not force their choice of careers on their kids. Children must be given free hand to explore, come to terms with self, and decide what it is that makes them happy. Teachers can help in the process of find out what the child is inclined towards the most.
“Let the child decide. Give him/her time. Liking may not always match with aptitude and caliber. If a child likes music or painting, let him/her explore if he/she really has the talent to develop this interest further and take it to the next level to culminate into a career. If not, the child can explore the second best option. When parents support children to pursue their interests, they blossom by utilizing their optimum potential. So give them a chance,” suggests Albuquerque.
But it is found that most children today are not able to decide what they want in life. They are confused. The expectations of parents, teachers or peers are different and sometimes clashing with their own perception of life. They cannot handle these pressures. There are chances that they make wrong choice. Then what? “It is here that the child needs intervention and guidance of a career counsellor. Since today’s education system does not offer space for spiritual understanding and growth, GenNext is less aware of values and principles that the previous generation held high. What is ethical, moral remains the same, but the message does not seep through the society in a rightful manner. I penned down books on careers and vocations so that children and youth get an appropriate direction. So that they can make the right choice and don’t repent later,” maintains Albuquerque.
Albuquerque points out that today’s youth have many avenues and options in career, than the previous generation. “Never before was this possible. Youth are talented. They have more freedom of choice, and tremendous potential of reaching the skies. My only concern is, they must embrace a realistic attitude towards their goals and their capabilities. There should be sync between the two and an acceptance of their own limitations. They must have an awareness of the world around them and know what in them is required to change or develop. If one option fails, the next should be ready for exploration, without having any bitter taste in the mouth.”
Albuquerque compels people to get thinking. She observes that there is too much exposure to information. Youth are more informed today. But the commercial aspect is given more importance than humanitarian values, which is what bothers her. She deliberates, “The norms and definitions of morality have not altered. It is only that the material world is gaining more weight. And that’s where today’s youth need a balanced orientation. We must keep one thing in mind - that there is no perfect choice. What is perfect for one person may not be the same for the other. So we must find out what we value in life and what gives us joy. Just follow our heart and do exactly that.”
(Usha Albuquerque will deliver a talk on ‘Looking Back’ at Museum of Goa, Pilern on January 27 at 6 pm which will be followed by a Q & A session)
