Sunday, March 20 2005 17:10 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Even as BPOs and calls centres mushroom in Bangalore, there still remains a lurking apprehension among the today's generation about taking it up as a viable career option.

Without a doubt, the attractive pay packet offered by call centres/BPOs is a clinching factor responsible for drawing more people towards this profession so much so that in contemporary times, even people from various other fields are venturing into the industry, which's hardly surprising given the career growth the call centres/BPOs provide for.

However, one is not sure whether call centres/BPOs are being accepted as a serious career option by the present generation as crux issues like its durability and job security often set public tongues wagging and strike a discordant note with many.

"I've been working in a call centre for the past one year. I'm earning good money no doubt but still don't know what lies ahead of me. Earning money is okay but will the industry flourish in the long run?" asks Mukta, a customer care executive working for ICICI One Source call centre.

Samsum, a process executive working for Progeon reckons the industry will grow from strength to strength.

"Look, when the call centres first came up in India, people were saying all sort of things. Things like it won't last and that it would bite the dust. On the contrary, more and more call centres/BPOs have sprung up indicative of the fact that the call centres/BPOs are on a sound footing which bodes well for the future."

Hemantha, a customer care executive working for Accenture rubbishes the much talked- about durability factor of the call centres/BPOs.

"It's a hogwash. I don't fathom why people have such kind of insecurities. I'm an optimist and would like to look at things from a positive angle."

Working at nights is a big impediment for some. " I'm not at all bothered about the survival of the industry. I don't lose sleep over it. As far as I see it-working in night shifts is a problem as in the long run it could have health hazards," says Sujit a customer care executive working with Convergys .

Sushma, a senior manager for a leading Bangalore-based Call centre feels that the fear among the today's generation about its survival is misplaced.

" The call centre/BPOs boom is here to stay. Take my word. The future is rosy and there's absolutely no need to feel insecure."