Privileges and success

 I had been to a different city on a training program to impart to second year college students. The morning sessions were attended by students who were from relatively underprivileged backgrounds while the afternoon sessions had students from the self financing batch. 

In the first batch, they were largely eager. Their ambitions were limited just as their exposure. When most students saw their future as a bank clerk/officer, govt steno/typist, village officer- of course there is absolutely nothing wrong in these- it was fascinating to understand that they did not know beyond. When I spoke of more opportunities, I could sense their excitement and a bit of diffidence. Would they get such opportunities, can they dream.. It was also interesting to note that more than one wanted to enter politics; about a quarter wanted govt jobs at the moderate administration level while two or three wanted to be entrepreneurs. 

The afternoon batch spoke of stock trade/ cryptocurrency; talked of Mukesh Ambani, Bezos and Musk. Some wanted to complete CA/CMA, some for Civil services while rest wanted to be entrepreneurs/ expand family business. 

Their exposure was clearly more due to their socio-economic status. 

It reminded me of what I had read in the Outliers- One of the most complex and subtle thematic elements of Gladwell’s argument concerns the idea of privilege, and the crucial role that cultural heritage plays in determining success.