Survey reflects that children are keen to explore unconventional career opportunities
- Aviva unveils the aspirations of young India
- Mentors 23 children as a part of the Aviva Early Starters Initiative
- Reflects on the financial unpreparedness of parents
February 19, 2016/ Mumbai: Aviva Life Insurance concluded its customer connect initiative ‘Aviva Early Starters’ in a grand ceremony with brand ambassador Sachin Tendulkar here today.
The Aviva Early Starters Initiative was launched in July last year with the primary aim of enabling children to live their dream and in the process make parents aware of the need to plan for their child’s future.
The initiative chose 23 children out of 36,000 participants across the country and gave them a chance to live their dream profession & to be mentored by Sachin Tendulkar and other renowned professionals. Personalities like Sachin Tendulkar, Dr. Naresh Trehan, Chef Kunal Kapoor, Fashion Designers Shantanu & Nikhil, RJ Naved, Artist Alka Raghuvanshi and senior Journalist Poonam Singh were a part of the mentorship program and enabled the children to live their dream profession for a day.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Trevor Bull, MD & CEO, Aviva Life Insurance, said, “We know young India has big dreams and Aviva is committed to act as an enabler in helping children secure them. Through the Aviva Early Starters Initiative, our goal was to give some of these children an opportunity to live their dream for one day. Our mentors have given these children an inside view of the world they want to be a part of. I hope the experience has inspired them to move towards their goals with more passion and determination.”
Ms. Anjali Malhotra, Chief Customer, Market & Digital Officer, Aviva India, said, “Our research threw up a very stark fact. Kids in India are dreaming big and wish to pursue various career options, but parents are comparatively underprepared. While saving for their child’s education seems to be a top of mind priority for them, the actual savings process is fairly unplanned. Aviva, through its advisory, propositions, & initiatives like the Early Starters, aims to partner young parents in creating concrete plans, for fulfilling the aspirations of their children.”
Sachin Tendulkar, who was also the master mentor of the initiative, said, “Aviva and I have worked together on various initiatives that have helped identify the aspirations of Young India. I had an early start in my career due to the support of my family. India, today, is buzzing with many bright minds and I am very happy to partner personalities, who are renowned professionals in their respective fields, to enable these kids live their dreams.”
The initiative, which received 36,000 entries from seven cities, revealed several interesting trends. While conventional choices such as doctor and engineer continue to be dominant, the affinity towards these choices has declined somewhat. The most popular career choice continues to be medicine, with 23% children aspiring to become doctors. This figure has, however, declined from 29% in 2013.
There is also a rise in choice for unconventional professions. Not surprisingly, cricket and other sports (19%) continue to remain a favourite choice. Arts is also a popular field, with 14% children opting for it.
Some interesting facts from the report
National:
- Medicine – the most popular profession among the young Indians followed by Engineering and Cricket
- Unconventional careers gaining popularity (58% as against 47% in 2013)
- Inclination to pursue journalism equal among both girls and boys
City wise
- Medicine is the most popular career choice across all cities except Mumbai
- Cricket is the most popular career choice for children in Mumbai
- Pune and New Delhi – city of budding artists
- Children in Pune and Chennai still inclined towards conventional professions
- Kolkata is the city of budding fashion designers
- Bangalore is the city of budding Radio Jockeys and journalists
- Number of aspiring engineers and doctors the highest in Hyderabad
About Aviva India:
- Aviva India is a joint venture between Dabur Invest Corp (DIC) and Aviva International holdings Limited (AIH). Current paid up capital amounts to Rs 2,004.9 crore. DIC holds 74% of the share capital while AIH holds 26% of the share capital
- Aviva India is present in 121 locations across India
- Aviva India’s CSR program ‘Street to School’ focuses on empowering underprivileged children through education.
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