India is the second most populated country on this planet with 1.3526 billion human beings. This ever-increasing population and the prevailing competition consequently place the child in a great dilemma.
In the present context, we need to understand that our children’s future should not be driven by luck or by chance; plausibly, it should be self-assured by their own choice with appropriate guidance and required conviction.
Right age for career planning:
As per statistics, 13-17 years (8th standard to 12th standard) is the right time for career counselling since the learners try to ‘fit in’ in all their known domains of available ‘Career Platforms’.
Role of Parents in Career Planning:
The role of parents in their children’s educational life should be productive and encouraging instead of measuring their success in terms of riches.
Moreover, parents must abstain from infusing their sought-after dreams into their children’s mind at a very young age. It is quite ironical that even without knowing the ability and aptitude of the child; they expect him to accomplish what they think is right for him.
Researches divulge that when students feel braced and cherished by their parents, they feel more self-reliant in their own aptitude to build their careers. As parents, we need to give our children freedom and time to discover their skills instead of commanding them irreverently to join the rat race.
Every child is unique and selecting a financially rewarding career for them is quite difficult; but career counselling can help them spot the right career at the right age.
Besides, the competent counsellors must be consulted while conducting the right aptitude test to understand the actual interests and aptitude of the children in the pursuit of choosing right kind of professional career for them.
Role of Teachers/ Career Counsellors
The teachers and career counsellors have a pivotal role to play in shaping up the career of their students. Only a teacher or career counsellor is reasonably familiar with their aspirations since the students spend most of their prolific time at school. Teachers, being the keen observers of students’ interests can naturally anticipate the scope of their future.
As a result, it becomes the vital responsibility of the teachers or career counsellors to look after and preserve the interests of students so that they live a healthy, joyous and sound life in future. Regular class surveys and counselling by the teachers/counsellors can help the students to stay on track and achieve the desired results during their schooling.
As a matter of fact, Career-guidance requires regular interventions to assess the students’ progress.
Role of Students:
For students, taking a right decision on their ‘CAREER’ is the most important phase in their life. The first and foremost step for a student is to explore career options as per his/her field of interests. A student must carry out useful researches; once he/she is settled in one or more fields of interest.
In addition, students must talk to their seniors or alumni who are operational in the similar field of interest so as to gather constructive knowledge about their experiences concerning both pros and cons. It’s wise to think about the general plan for moving ahead in the right direction; once a student is settled with all his/her doubts.
Finally, the students must establish a tentative timeline to accomplish all the requisite parameters for the admission process to the desired colleges / universities / institutions.
A right decision at the right time can create wonders for a child’s future.
Wishing Students’ Fraternity a Bright and Happy Future!!!
Dr. Sarita Tripathi
The Mann School
