Art
Massive shift in career aspirations as 8 out of 10 professionals eye

Massive shift in career aspirations as 8 out of 10 professionals eye new career paths this appraisal season, reports apna.co
- 54% of professionals prioritise career advancement opportunities, and 44% prefer better organisational culture as key factors for staying in their current roles
- With 62% expressing a desire for L&D initiatives, professionals underscore the crucial need for continuous skill enhancement to remain competitive in the evolving job market
National, April 05, 2024: As the appraisal season approaches, insights from the survey by apna.co, India’s leading jobs and professional networking platform, sheds light on the shifting dynamics of career aspirations among professionals. In contrast to the observed trend, a staggering 82% of respondents expressed their intention to switch jobs this appraisal season, signifying a significant churn in the job market. Research from Deloitte India and Randstad India confirms this trend, revealing that employees embracing additional roles reap better rewards like enhanced increments, double promotions, etc.
Key Motivators
While salary remains a crucial consideration, professionals are increasingly recognizing the value of other aspects within their current organisations. According to the survey, 54% of respondents identified career advancement opportunities as important, followed closely by 44% who emphasised the significance of organisational work culture. Additionally, 37% cited a sense of achievement or independence, while 21% expressed interest in international assignments or work-related travel.
Hindrance to Quality Work-Life
Despite the high intention to switch jobs, nearly 78% of professionals felt adequately supported by their colleagues and managers. However, challenges persist, with the survey revealing aspects of the work situation that are least satisfying or fulfilling. These include unclear communication and lack of direction as cited by 34% of the respondents, favouritism or bias in decision-making for 29%, and lack of recognition or appreciation for contributions by 29% of professionals.
Nirmit Parikh, Founder & CEO of apna.co, commented, “The report reveals the evolving aspirations and priorities of professionals in today’s dynamic job market. A significant proportion of professionals are actively seeking new career opportunities this appraisal season, driven by factors such as career advancement opportunities, work culture, and the desire for skill development. We remain committed to our mission of helping individuals and organisations succeed in the dynamic 21st-century job market.”
Professionals Focused on Professional Growth
In terms of professional growth, respondents expressed a strong preference for leadership roles and responsibilities (54%), access to advanced training programs or certifications (40%), and mentorship from industry experts or senior leaders (36%). The survey also revealed a notable contrast in respondents’ preferences. While 62% expressed a desire for Learning & Development/Skill development initiatives, indicating a strong emphasis on professional growth, only 44% highlighted the importance of mental health support initiatives. This discrepancy suggests a prioritisation of career advancement and skill development over international opportunities, with a growing recognition of the need for individual growth and mental well-being support in today’s workplace.
While networking opportunities were deemed essential by 46% of respondents for career advancement and building professional connections, a significant 30% emphasised the importance of autonomy and control over their tasks, valuing empowerment and independence. While 41% stressed the need for transparency in workplace communication, highlighting the desire for clear and open dialogue within the organisation, another 38% expressed a growing demand for remote work options, signalling the rising importance of flexible work arrangements in today’s professional environment.
apna.co recently conducted a comprehensive survey involving over 10,000 professionals to delve into the evolving dynamics of the job market. This initiative, conducted in March 2024, aimed to explore the motivations, challenges, and expectations of the professionals in the workforce. Utilising a quantitative approach, apna.co’s analysis provides a deeper understanding of professionals’ aspirations and challenges, underscoring the evolving landscape of the job market.
apna.co is dedicated to addressing the skill gap and empowering young professionals to succeed in the ever-changing job market.
About apna.co
Founded in 2019, apna.co is India’s largest jobs and professional networking platform dedicated to helping India’s rising workforce unlock unique professional networking and skilling opportunities. apna is on a mission to enable livelihoods for billions in India. With more than 50 million users in 825+ cities and counting and more than 600,000 employers that trust the platform, India has a new destination to discover relevant opportunities, enabling jobs in over 200 categories across sectors.
Art
From Social Stigma to Olympic Glory: Dreamers Chronicles Sakshi Malik’s Fight to Redefine Wrestling for Girls

Dreamers-The Storytelling Series, helmed by celebrated storyteller Sudhanshu Rai, returns with a powerful third episode that chronicles the extraordinary journey of India’s wrestling icon, Sakshi Malik, a story of belief, defiance, setbacks, and historic triumph.
In this deeply moving episode, Sudhanshu Rai brings to life Sakshi Malik’s early childhood, highlighting how her grandparents were the first to recognize her exceptional talent. Long before medals and podiums, it was their unwavering faith that nurtured a fearless young girl who dared to step onto the wrestling mat, often against boys, and stunned onlookers with her strength and skill at a time when many believed wrestling was “not a sport for women.”
The episode vividly captures the social barriers Sakshi confronted as she challenged entrenched stereotypes and proved, bout after bout, that wrestling belonged to women as much as men. Her journey didn’t just redefine perceptions, it paved the way for countless young girls who dreamed of a career in wrestling but hesitated under the weight of societal expectations. Sakshi Malik became a symbol of possibility, courage, and change.
The narrative then turns to her historic achievement as the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Olympic medal, a moment that reshaped Indian sports history and inspired a generation. Yet, Dreamers does not shy away from the harder chapters. Rai sensitively explores Sakshi’s period of struggle, when losses, even to her juniors, tested her resolve and threatened to dim her fighting spirit.
What follows is a stirring account of resilience and comeback. Rising from adversity, Sakshi Malik reclaimed her place at the top with a gold medal victory at the Commonwealth Games 2022, reaffirming her legacy not just as a champion, but as a relentless fighter who refused to give up.
Speaking about the episode, Sudhanshu Rai said, “Sakshi Malik’s story is not just about medals, it’s about mindset. It’s about family belief, social change, failure, and the courage to rise again. Dreamers exists to tell such stories that remind us why dreams matter.”
The new episode of Dreamers: The Storytelling Series stands as a tribute to every young girl who dares to dream beyond limitations, and to a champion who showed them the way.
Art
Oorjaa Introduces the Goldenrod Floor Lamp — A Luminous Ode to Nature

Oorjaa, celebrated for its commitment to conscious design and sustainable artistry, unveils its latest sculptural lighting piece — the Goldenrod Floor Lamp. True to the brand’s ethos of fusing craftsmanship, materiality, and emotion, this piece illuminates spaces with a soft, organic glow that captures the essence of mindful living.


Inspired by the delicate form of the goldenrod gall seed pod, the Goldenrod Floor Lamp extends gracefully from floor to ceiling, embodying fluidity and natural rhythm. Each curve of its form evokes the quiet elegance of nature’s patterns, while the warm amber light it radiates creates an enveloping sense of calm — perfect for winter evenings. Crafted entirely from crushed banana plant fibre paper, its texture mirrors the raw beauty of the natural world. Resting on a reclaimed wooden base, the lamp celebrates imperfections — the creases, veins, and grain — that tell a story of origin and earth. The sculptural silhouette, glowing from within, becomes both an art form and a source of gentle warmth, inviting a connection between nature and the human spirit.
The Goldenrod Floor Lamp transcends the idea of conventional lighting. Its grounding presence and poetic design make it an ideal addition to both residential and hospitality spaces. In homes, it finds harmony in living rooms, reading corners, or bedrooms, infusing each space with meditative warmth. Within boutique hotels, wellness retreats, or art-centric lobbies, it transforms atmospheres into sanctuaries of light and texture. Wherever it stands, the lamp adds a touch of organic sophistication — a sculptural statement that softly commands attention while nurturing stillness and reflection.
With the Goldenrod Floor Lamp, Oorjaa once again redefines illumination — not merely as light, but as a living expression of nature, craft, and quiet luxury.
About Oorjaa
Oorjaa is a Bangalore-based lighting design studio that reimagines the role of light through the lens of sustainability, craftsmanship, and material innovation. Oorjaa as a brand, emerged from a papermaking and lighting design studio that Jenny Pinto started in 1998. Today, the studio has grown into a collective of over 60 artisans and designers who explore the artistic and architectural possibilities of materials like banana fiber, lokta paper, upcycled cork, quarry dust, water hyacinth, and lantana—an invasive species reimagined as a creative resource.
Every Oorjaa creation tells a story of conscious design. Whether it’s a sculptural lamp for a private residence or a large-scale installation for public spaces like Bengaluru International Airport’s Terminal 2, the brand’s work blends tactile beauty with technical ingenuity. At its core, Oorjaa is about crafting with care for the future, giving form to light while honoring the cycles of the earth.
Availability:
Bangalore
128, 1st Main Rd, Paramahansa Yogananda Rd, Stage 2, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008 (our flagship store)
25, Lavelle Road, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Hyderabad
885, Rd No. 45, Masthan Nagar, CBI Colony, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500033
Chennai
Amethyst, 28, Whites Rd, Royapettah, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600014
Art
Cultural Festival & Face of Runway 2025 – A Grand Celebration of Talent and Tradition

The Cultural Festival & Face of Runway (CFFR) was successfully held on 18th October 2025 at the Lajpat Bhawan Auditorium, marking yet another vibrant celebration of art, culture, and fashion.

The event was graced by distinguished personalities, including Chief Guest Munish Tamang, VIP Guests Amit R. Agarwal, Junaid Husain Khan, and Mohan Karki, Celebrity Guest Dr. Sunil Parashar, and Special Guest Rajni Subba.



Organized by Jitika Devi, the festival beautifully combined cultural performances with a glamorous runway show, showcasing diverse talent from across the region.

Speaking about the event, Jitika Devi shared,
“I wanted to give a perfect Deepavali gift to various talents — so that, like traditional Deepavali lamps, they glitter and illuminate the world of arts and culture. To this effect, I launched this Cultural Festival and Face of Runway, which is now celebrating its 2nd edition.”


Jitika, who launched her clothing brand Jitikd in 2022, announced that from 2025 onwards, she plans to organize CFFR every year. This year’s edition, themed around Dashain Tihar, holds special significance as it promotes rich cultural heritage while offering a perfect platform for aspiring young artists and models to shine.

Adding to the glamour of the evening, Glamour Mantra partnered as the official media partner, capturing the essence of the event and amplifying its reach to a wider audience.
The Cultural Festival & Face of Runway 2025 truly lived up to its promise — blending culture, creativity, and celebration under one roof.
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