'I support my daughter's decision to take one year break last year after completing her graduation. Now she has joined a fashion designing course. I am happy with her decision. Pursuing a course just for the sake of it holds no meaning. Better to take your own time in deciding career moves in life,' said Anita Nair, a physician and the mother of an 18-year-old girl.

According to experts working in the field of career opportunities, the variety of avenues creates confusion.

'Today's youth are a confused lot. Many opportunities are available, so at times they get distracted,' said Prakash, who heads International Placewell Consultants Pvt Ltd.

However, experts also believe that the prevailing cutthroat competition in every sphere leads to apprehension among the new generation.

'Firstly, choosing traditional careers like engineering and medicine is passe. A lot of students now want to explore new avenues, but then also the competition is tough and only the best get selected in the top colleges,' said counsellor Manoj Padikkal of Janus Career Solutions Pvt Ltd.

Sumit Hedge, 21, is another such youngster. 'I am planning to take a break from my studies. I finished my engineering degree recently. Initially I was planning to complete my M.Tech immediately after graduation,' he said.

'But now I am confused and would prefer to sit and relax for sometime and also gain some work experience, before going for further studies.'

(Maitreyee Boruah can be contacted at m.boruah@ians.in)