From Hobbies to Personal Brand: Why Profile Building is the Real Game-Changer for Youngsters

 

The Parenting Illusion

Every Indian parent has said at least once: “Bas padhai achhi karo, baaki sab ho jayega.” For decades, this formula worked. Study hard, get good marks, crack an entrance exam, secure a degree, and land a job.

But today, this formula is breaking down. Our children are growing up in a different India. They have access to better schools, smartphones, global exposure, and complete freedom of choice—yet, 47% of Indian graduates remain unemployable (India Skills Report 2024).

How is this possible? If Gen X and Millennials gave their kids comfort, freedom, and opportunity, why is Gen Z still struggling?

The answer lies in a missing piece: Profile Building.

Random Activities vs. Focused Profiles

Between 14 and 22, most children engage in several activities: guitar classes, cricket coaching, volunteering at festivals, maybe robotics or coding camps. These are wonderful experiences, but often short-lived. By the time college ends, students have no coherent story of who they are and what they stand for.

On the other hand, employers and even entrepreneurship ecosystems are asking a new question: “Show me what you have built.”

Degrees prove knowledge. Profiles prove value.

The Personal Brand Revolution

In today’s world, every child is not just a student; they are a potential brand.

• A 15-year-old who loves art can showcase her journey on Instagram, create digital designs for small businesses, and build a portfolio by 20.
• A 17-year-old interested in sports can start coaching juniors, volunteer with local clubs, and run a YouTube channel explaining fitness tips.
• A 19-year-old passionate about social impact can intern with NGOs, launch small fundraisers, and write about solutions for local community issues.

These children aren’t just “doing hobbies.” They’re converting passions into personal brands.

Why Just Exams Won’t Work

Let’s face it—lakhs of students prepare for JEE, NEET, UPSC, CAT every year. But the majority don’t make it. And worse, many prepare for exams they don’t even care about—just because of family fear, peer pressure, or “safe career” mindsets.

The result? Years of energy wasted, self-confidence lost, and zero progress in building employability.

Even those who clear exams often realize too late that scoring marks doesn’t equal standing out in the workplace.

The Employability Gap

Some real statistics to reflect upon:

• 47% of Indian graduates are unemployable (India Skills Report 2024).
• Only 36% of Indian engineering graduates are considered job-ready (Aspiring Minds, 2023).
• Over 60% of employers say freshers lack practical problem-solving and communication skills.

This is not a failure of talent. It’s a failure of preparation.

Profile Building = Employability + Entrepreneurship

Profile building is about creating a consistent, visible, skill-backed journey that demonstrates:

1. Passion with Focus – Instead of dropping hobbies, sustain them.
2. Practical Exposure – Internships, volunteering, hackathons, real projects.
3. Proof of Work – Blogs, portfolios, videos, certificates, case studies.
4. Soft Skills – Communication, collaboration, leadership through activities.

For example:

• A 20-year-old commerce student with a blog on “finance for teenagers,” an internship at a CA office, and a volunteering stint for a financial literacy NGO will always stand out more than someone who only has a B.Com degree.
• An engineering student who creates prototypes, participates in national hackathons, and documents their journey on LinkedIn already has the base to become an entrepreneur.

Profile building is the bridge between theory and practice.

Parents: The Real Enablers

As parents, it’s natural to want “security” for our children. But today, security doesn’t come from degrees alone—it comes from skills, experiences, and visibility.

The biggest mistake parents make is pushing children into years of unwanted exam prep, out of fear of competition. In reality, these years could be invested in building authentic profiles that make children future-ready—whether for jobs or entrepreneurship.

A Call to Action

So here’s the real challenge:

• Don’t just ask your child, “Kitne marks aaye?”
• Ask them, “What did you build this year that makes you unique?”

Guide them towards activities that align with career possibilities, not just random hobbies. Encourage consistency, exposure, and documentation.

By 22, your child should not only have a degree but also a portfolio that speaks louder than marksheets.

Because in the new India, careers are not chosen—they are built.

✨ As parents, the greatest gift we can give our children is not pressure or protection, but the power to build their own authentic profile and brand. That’s the real legacy we can leave behind.

Cheers 

Avinash Deshmukh 

Career development Coach