Preparing students for career success: A holistic approach

Dr Meyingangla

Counselor, Immanuel College Dimapur 

 

Career readiness and competencies are what allow employers to communicate their needs and enable educators to understand how well students are prepared to meet these needs. More than good grades and high test scores, students who develop and demonstrate career readiness competencies are better positioned for success in the workplace. The employers looked at competency dimensions such as, leadership, professional, functional, and core technological skills. Helping students prepare for successful career involves holistic approach, parents, teacher, counselor and Institution. The institute should be driven by academic and non-academic activities for holistic preparation of students. 

 

Training the Teachers

It is important that the teachers are effective as they are the ones who deal directly with our students. We expect our students to grow into responsible adults who shall be able to think critically, analyze objectively, solving problem with emotional stability. Therefore, Institution should make it a mandatory to provide teachers enhancement training at this highly technological age. To be a good and effective teacher, one has to be aware of latest trends in the field of education. Every institution strives to empower their learners with different skills to produce global leaders. Institution aim to unify the world as one family, in order to produce successful, responsible, and creative citizens who in turn will strive for excellence and the progress of society.  


Many Institutions give much emphasis on teachers’ training, because teachers’-training is an integral part of the teaching-learning process. For the College it is the backbone of the dynamic approach to education that must follow. It includes, career growth opportunities, self-sustainable and continuous programme for Professional Development of teachers. Institution encourages teachers to attend different seminars to introspect, imagine and do the research by analyzing and creating knowledge, organized by different Government agencies and Higher education. The focus is not only to give a strong academic foundation to the students but also the skill set required and to be effective in any faced of their future life.  The students must be compelled to think, to observe, to question and do research. These are the skills that teachers need to be equipped and to be updated. 

 

Integration of Technology

Apart from the digitalized classrooms the teaching methods such as, interactive in the classroom, thinking out of box, pair- share and event processing, brainstorming and relevance in real life, contribute to the multifaceted competencies of future professional. These days students are digital natives, technology has become an integral part of teaching. In many schools teachers impart lessons using iPad. Students from Grade 7 and above are mandatory to bring, laptop to their class. However, integration of technology should be done judiciously; teacher should remain the primary facilitator. 

 

Parents Involvement

Every student has unlimited potential. But there are contributing factors that can affect whether they eventually live up to that potential, because the role of parents in a child’s life has far-reaching impact. Parental involvement is extremely important for a student to do well in the College. Some parents may think that it is the teachers’ role to teach, not theirs. Students do not stop learning after the college hours, they are always attuned to learning, at home, with friends, and through other influences. Nevertheless, parents should not pressurize their children to study all the time. Parents should treat them with care and give them life lessons of dedication, hard work, sympathy, and team work. They should work towards exploring the hidden talents, visualizing their future goals and nurture them. 


Many students dropped their studies half way because their parents forced them to select stream like Science, against their interest. Simple rules for parents and teachers; “Be involved, but not in control; Advise but do not decide; support, but do not dominate.”  Parents need to ask teacher of the College about the performance of their children, their weakness and improvement in the studies. Student may be facing some predicaments and may not concentrate in the study in such case, parents should fully aware and need to know about their problems and consult to their teachers. 


Parents and teachers can play an important role in molding a student’s career. Working hand-in-hand, can be an important catalyst in career development of students.  It is vital to create good communication among the three parties; parents, teachers and students to help them prepare for career success.

  
Teacher’s Role: Helping students prepare for career success

Responsible teachers guide their students properly right from the initial stage. To enhance students’ skills and boost their confidence, teachers can conduct regular educational tours, and interactive sessions with industry experts. Teachers can prepare them to face the stiff challenges of the competitive world and can give them idea about various occupations and their importance. Teachers should focus regularly on general knowledge and current affairs not as a subject, but as an additional component. This will generate among the students and will develop a habit of learning about daily happenings. Moreover, they can also conduct career counseling sessions for students from classes’ nine to twelve and for UG courses. Students may be confused about career options and may also be afraid to take the decision. At such a time teachers can guide them to the right career path.


      
Strategies and Preparation

Board exam is one of the most crucial phases when students go through the extreme psychological pressure of seeking admission in top universities as well as meeting the parents and school expectation. In a competitive scenario to appear board exams as terrified field, as if their lives will end if they do not achieve desired goals. At this juncture, parents and teachers should help students perceive board exams as a challenge rather than frightening. Parents should keep realistic expectations from their children and should avoid doing comparisons with other children as every child is different. Students should be engaged in regular study and revisions. They should prepare a timetable and follow it consistently. 


Students learn multiple skills in college. Some are related to their career; others may seem less useful. They should expand their skills and knowledge. Companies look for team members with the ability to work in diverse settings. Look for courses that compliment your major. 


Most students are more up-to-date with technology than seasoned professionals, giving them the upper hand. These same students however, show a lack of knowledge of industry trends. Visit your college library and read professional journals each month. It will provide an in-depth look at the changing landscape inside your career and will help better prepare for what is to come. Internships are the lifeblood of college experience. Nothing beats a hands-on education; put more energy into local, small business internships. These businesses need the help and often offer more real-world education than those large company versions. 

 

Creating Opportunities

Create your own opportunities, should not assume that an international development degree is a must to enter the field. Recruiter will always be more interested in relevant on-ground experience. However, do not limit yourself to internships or traditional jobs to acquire the experience you will need to join the workforce. In this digital age, anyone can start a successful venture with a technology. The key is to practicing leadership, managing your time, connecting with new people, and sharpen a set of skills.  


If you are looking for high paying job, be assured you will get that, but look beyond, you can create wonders. If you create something new and launch a start –up, it can really take off. You should go out into the world, search for problems that can be solved, study solutions created by different countries and most importantly, have a vision before joining a course. Establish yourself in the core and you will be in great demand. Put an extra effort to learn how the industry is evolving. You need to go out of the box, connect with professionals, and get an idea of the work. You will succeed in your career.