9 out of 10 people make a rush in their career choices by randomly selecting courses and institutes. They are unaware of a multitude of options and opportunities existing around them. They lack clarity in what is of interest to them and what they are good at. Others choose a field for the sake of validation from parents and society.

When people do not enjoy their work, success is far from reality; poor performance is the outcome. It pushes one towards stress and anxiety. It even turns individuals suicidal.

Given the gravity of youth development, Be Human Foundation has identified Career Counselling for Students as one solution to support the youth in making the right career choices.

“Choose a Job You Love, and You Will Never Have To Work a Day in Your Life” – Confucius

Be Human Foundation strives to bring this quote into practice in each student and young adult who engages with us.

 

 

Focus Area

With the help of our research, we have chosen economically marginalized youth attending the municipality and government-aided schools, Grade Eight to Ten. They receive the benefit of the basic education infrastructure here. However, career guidance is not yet a part of the curricula or the format. We are also targeting local NGOs who are working with the youth.

Program Design

Student Counseling

• Mindset Change: Professional Counsellors engage the students through workshops on generating interest in career-related conversations. They begin by addressing a general attitude of complacency found commonly in the young generation. Next, they instil the significance of career planning by asking students what their future success would look like if they persevered today. Concurrently, the perils of failure are highlighted to pull them out of their comfort zone.

• Sensitisation towards Rights: Students are sensitised to protect themselves against substance abuse, internet addiction, and excessive gaming. They learn how physical and emotional well-being plays a vital role in their overall development. Additionally, they understand their rights towards their family and society, aligned with the ethical and moral responsibility to grow as contributors to society.

• Counselling Goals: The Counsellors challenge the pre-existing notions related to limited educational opportunities, traditional career choices. They help acquaint the students with their conscious and subconscious self to realise their potential and identify their ambition in life. Counselling is customised based on inclination and strengths.

Parent Counselling: 

The Counsellor makes the parents aware of their role as facilitators in student development and career selection rather than influencers. They get to know various career choices and the dynamic environment to which their children will be exposed. Parent’s involvement in the programme ensures the student does not adhere to herd mentality but can make informed decisions. They understand the importance of setting realistic expectations without burdening the child.

• Post Counselling Support: At the end of the counselling programme, students identify their field of higher education. We generate awareness in students about various Civil Services Examinations at the state and centre level; and other entrance examinations for professional fields like Engineering, Medical, Law, et cetera. We connect them with the NGOs and institutes which subsidise fee for various entrance exams and coach them to appear for these. We introduce them to government scholarships and schemes, also support them with the application and documentation process.

• Career Labs: Career Lab is a mini gallery where we display different career information in multiple learning formats. The content is customised using various resources to intrigue students towards career discussions. These are especially curated and conducted by our experts, where they hold dedicated sessions with students.

• We encourage the schools to adopt the concept of Career Labs to inculcate career guidance as part of the curriculum, to let the students resonate with the career conversations and know of a space dedicated to their development.

Teacher Development and School Assistance

Our Individualised Career Counselling Programme is not a one-time meet with students. It is an outcome-driven stretched programme. We tie-up with schools for a year to conduct periodical sessions and workshops. We continuously communicate with students to resonate with them and stay approachable.

The school is requested to identify a teacher with the potential to learn counselling skills and build in-house resource. Therefore, we train the teacher in basic counselling during the first year. The developed teacher then conducts base level counselling programmes from the second year onwards.

The school approaches Professional Counsellors for expert advice and customised counselling. This sustainable model will help us increase our reach manifold and impact numerous students’ life.

• Success Proposition: Be Human Foundation’s approach towards Career Counselling is focusing on an individual student’s talents and aspirations. We believe each student have unique experiences and perspectives, which shape their personality. We closely work with parents and teachers, share developmental updates. We draw a consensus with them on students’ growth journeys to enable them to drive their goals. We attempt to co-create unique and enriching experiences for students and not leave career choices to chances but plan them.