Date: 25 January 2024
Time: 9.00 am – 11.00am.
Venue: Don Bosco High School Hall
A seminar on career guidance was organised on 25th January 2024, from 9.00 am to 11.00am for students of class 10 and their parents. The very skilled and experienced career guidance counsellor, Mr. Prakash Almeida, was our guest speaker. Mr. Prakash Almedia holds multiple master’s degrees in over 15 disciplines such as linguistics, literature, economics, management, defence and strategic studies, disaster management, international relations, environment and ecology, rural development, sociology, political science, psychology and more. This seminar was organised to encourage our students and to expose them to several job alternatives and to inspire them to find their hobbies.
Mr. Almeida began his session by speaking in general about how one’s interests, likes and dislikes shape their career. He explained how we need to plan for the future and why we need to plan? He mentioned about how nothing can be predicted. For instance, Mumbai itself has changed from being a city of factories to a service centre economy. He motivated the students to do their best in their boards as this is just the beginning of career planning. He congratulated the parents for selecting Don Bosco School for their children’s education, noting that the school offers training that will prepare them for life after graduation.
He talked about how technology is eliminating jobs and how AI is making offices empty of people. Thus, in such a situation, intelligence can only be attributed to individuals who possess the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn. He clarified the necessity of career guidance in this way. Additionally, he provided a range of professional alternatives that students from any stream can pursue, including mass media, law, and design.
He then responded to a few queries from pupils and parents. The range of questions asked were – Which entrance exams and courses must be completed for the engineering course? What opportunities does a kid have if he or she excels in maths? How does one enlist in the Merchant Navy? In addition, there were inquiries about coding, integrated studies, etc. He enthusiastically responded to all of their questions.
The Rector, Fr. Dominic Martis, then spoke to the parents and students, advising them to allow their children make career decisions based on their interests rather than pressuring them. He highlighted that having good grades is not nearly as essential as being a nice person.
He expressed gratitude to Mr. Prakash Almeida for his insightful advice and for paving the path for our parents and students. The seminar ended with Tr. Annie proposing the vote of thanks. The session was an eye-opener for our students.
