It’s not just politicians who have been on edge this election season that coincided with the announcement of several important board examination and national entrance test results. Students, too, have spent several sleepless nights waiting to see how they fared and what the future has in store for them.
To describe the situation during result time in most Indian homes, Ameen-e-Mudassar, CEO, CIGMA Foundation said, “If the student is on the x-axis, the father is on the y-axis and mother on the z, and friends will be on the WhatsApp axis.” He said this keeping in mind the factors that influence children when it comes to making career choices.
He was speaking at the 15th edition of The Hindu Edge Career Counselling at Chowdiah Memorial Hall on Saturday. “Along with pressure from the family, the influence of social media has caused more and more children to take improper career decisions these days,” said Mr. Ameen who runs the career guidance and counselling company in the city.
It’s not uncommon to find students taking up a stream just because their friends are doing so. “Many students express their love for a particular field of study, but in order to excel in it, they must not only have an interest but the ‘ability’ and ‘personality’ suitable for that job profile,” he said, underlining the importance of one’s ability, personality and interest in ensuring successful careers.
Educationist Wooday P. Krishna, who was the chief guest, said, “Parents need to allow their children to be what they want as that would bring out their passion and potential better.” He urged parents to stop comparing their children to their peers. There is no necessity to imitate someone else as each human being is inherently dissimilar, he added.
On the definition of success, Mr. Krishna said, “We have achievers who are discontent and also those who are content without any accomplishment, but a blend of both would be meaningful.”
