EDUCATIONAL AND CAREER PLANNING

– Lugina Miranda

Ashwini, a 25 year old, was very depressed and confused. Ashwini was a bright student and scored above 90% in 12th std. Her proud parents wanted her to pursue her studies in medicine. Both Ashwini and her parents’ joy were boundless when she got a seat in one of the reputed medical colleges. However, this joy did not last long as Ashwini started performing badly in studies. Now she realized that this is not her cup of tea. She said, “Whenever I’m in the hospital I feel depressed. When I have to visit pediatric ward I feel irritated, if I see blood my head starts spinning. When I think of writing a prescription, I feel confused. My lifetime regret is that I should not have joined medical college. Now I want to discontinue.”

Nithin, a young man in his mid twenties, was happy while initially working as a software engineer in a multinational company. He was drawing good salary. However, as the days passed, he became restless. He has no social life. Nithin says, “I am a people-person, I want to talk to them, help them. I want people around me. I feel frustrated while I am spending most of the time in front of the machine. These days I am loosing temper on every small thing. I think I made a mistake by selecting a wrong career.”

Vikram, 20 years old, was an average student while studying in school. His parents wanted him to take up science stream in college. Even though he was aware of his weakness in mathematics and science, he abided by his parents decision. Since he was fond of automobiles, he joined diploma in automobile engineering after his second PUC. There he found mathematics very difficult and consequently he discontinued. He joined BBM as per the decision of his family members. Again, here he could not follow economics and management subjects and discontinued studies. Now he is roaming around with a label ‘good for nothing’ that is given by family and relatives. He has lost confidence in himself and his self-esteem is extremely low.

Many students from 10th & 12th std. (PUC) are seeking guidance in selecting stream and career. 10th std. students are confused about selecting their stream. Most of them have wrong understanding about streams of commerce and arts. Many students complain that their parents or relatives have forced them to go for the stream of science. General thinking is that there is no future or career if they do not get an engineering or medical seat.

Students from school express their desire to become pilot, airhostess, scientist, journalist, fashion designer or architect, etc., and of course, many of them want to be doctors or engineers. Unfortunately, most of the students are not aware of the various career options.

Career is an occupation or profession especially one that requires special training. This occupation is tagged along as one’s vocation. Career plays an important role in one’s life. For many, work itself establishes personal identity, to meet social need, to get satisfaction through accomplishments and to find a purpose and meaning in life. Choice of the right stream and career can give a person a meaningful, comfortable and interesting life.

Educational and career planning for the students should start at the secondary school level when they are at the threshold of choosing a stream of study, which ultimately leads them to the career they want to pursue in their life. Today many career preferences are available. Students should be aware of these career choices and the subject combinations that will lead them to these career opportunities.

In addition to this, there is an essential requirement to measure progressive improvement in the parameters like intellectual abilities, aptitude and interest of a student leading to a Holistic Development; that is student’s physical, mental, and emotional growth. Every school attempts to provide the students with academic, co-curricular and extra- curricular inputs. Growth can best be monitored if ‘measured’. Assessment is one such technique to measure the student’s current skill level and plan his true potential.

‘Student assessment’ is an attempt to give the student a chance to have an in-depth objective analysis of his/her aptitudes, abilities, interests, and personality orientation to enable him/her choose the best and preferred stream. Based on these assessments, parents and teachers can help the student in making appropriate decisions with regard to his/her future career rather than just drifting into a job. These assessments also help school/teachers to identify students who need special attention, training and motivation.

Assessment is based on carefully selected and scientifically proven series of ‘Psychometric Tests’. To assess the student’s aptitude, mental ability, interest, personality, general knowledge and adjustment tests are carried out by career counselors, school psychologists and even by teachers who have experience in conducting such tests. Where such facilities are not available, even a casual conversation with the counselor and the student about his/her likes, his ambitions, his academic achievements of previous years and available means will more or less indicate the interest and aptitudes of the student.

The skill of the children must be evaluated at an earlier age so that the institutions, the teachers and parents can facilitate the children to develop their skills.

Student assessment should start from 8th std. onwards. On an average, child’s interests, aptitudes, natural talents start surfacing and encompassing their personalities at the age of 12 years. The child is prepared to absorb newer sets of knowledge and build up on his/her natural skill if guided properly. Then student will have adequate time to sharpen skills and simultaneously pay attention to the weaker areas well in time for an appropriate career selection. At this time, adequate information and knowledge about various career options should be made available.

Assessing 10th std. will help selecting the stream for further education and career planning and 12th std. or PUC in planning their future career and selection of professional courses/studies.

Brief description about the psychometric test:

  1. Aptitude Test refers to the ability to learn a particular kind of skill required in a specific situation. It also helps to assess, how well one can perform/succeed in specific field.
  2. Mental Ability Test measures capacity for learning and problem solving and ability to utilize what has been learnt. It assesses the capacity of an individual to act purposefully, think rationally and deal effectively.
  3. Interest Inventory Test is the generalized behavior tendency of an individual to be attracted to a certain class of activities. Interest determines both success and satisfaction in that activity. Interest inventory is the list of such preferences for a variety of activities.
  4. Personality Test is an individual’s characteristic way of thinking, feeling or behaving which in turn affects one’s performances in almost all the walks of life.
  5. General Knowledge Test is awareness about general happenings in and around the world in various fields. Basic knowledge of a few things is very much essential in the competitive field.
  6. Adjustment Test refers – one can perform in any field only if one is happy and mentally satisfied, which depends on the level of adjustment with his social environment. Adjustment is the relationship that exists between an individual and his social environment in the satisfaction of one’s needs.

“Give students enough guidance to enable them to make the decisions you want them to make. Don’t tell them what to do, but encourage them to do what is best”.

–Jimmy Johnson

Tips for students:

  • Cultivate the habit of reading books – Fiction, Non-fiction, General Knowledge, Biographies, Autobiographies, and Magazines etc. Reading newspaper daily is very essential.
  • Watch education al CD’s, TV programs like Discovery channel, National Geographic, Animal Planet, History Channel, quiz and News.
  • Try to play as many outdoor and indoor games. Read sports magazine and watch sports to increase awareness on various sports. Discuss the finer points of the game with friends and parents.
  • Try to make friends with people from different background. Be approachable and open. Express your thoughts clearly. Be open to other’s ideas. Listen what others say. Read books like self-grooming and maintain relationship with others.
  • Try to attempt some competitive exams (aptitude). You could get these tests on the internet or in bookstores.
  • Attend workshops/training on boosting self-esteem, self-confidence, public speaking, developing personality, leadership quality, communication skills & decision-making skills.etc.
  • Go through various career options. While selecting career of your choice makes sure your interest, ability and personality will mach to the career you have selected.