Choosing a satisfying career is the key to happiness and success. For many high school students finding the right career is a challenge as the number of choices are one too many. Keeping this very crucial fact in mind, The Navhind Times Career Focus, a career guidance seminar for students of standard XI was held on November 15 and 16 at Dempo House in Panaji.
Higher secondary schools from all over the state were sent invitations to depute students for the seminar and the response was overwhelming! Students and teachers from Vasco, Margao, Navelim, Santacruz, Nuvem, Panaji, Margao and other places participated in the two-day seminar. The careers that were focussed upon were those that students were most curious about and which were emerging trends.
At the outset, coordinator for the seminar, Wilma D’Silva welcomed the participants and made a presentation on how to choose a career. She stressed on the need of choosing a career based on one’s aptitude and interests.
Science students attended on the first day which began at 9.30. The speakers of the day included, professor and head of department of Preventive and Social Medicine, GMC, Jagdish Kakodkar; fellow-TERI, Ashwini Pai Panadiker; Biotechnology and Biochemistry faculty, Chowgule College, Vallanka Dias and Sarah Misquita; faculty- Goa College of Home Science, Larissa Rodrigues, nutrition consultant, Sangeeta Jai; general manger, Hindustan Waste Treatment Plant, Richard Dias; chairman, Indian Institute of Architects, Goa chapter, Manguesh Prabhugaonkar; agriculture professional, Miguel Braganza; assistant agriculture officer, Kashinath Naik and professor, Computer Science, Nina Goveas.
On the second day which was reserved for students of Commerce and Humanities, the resource persons were: principal S S Dempo College of Arts and Commerce, Radhika Nayak; journalist, G R Singbal; entrepreneur, Nilisha Ferrao; curator, Goa Chitra, Victor Hugo Gomes; chartered accountants, Ashish Verlekar and Satyaprakash Kamath; faculty-Social Work, Don Bosco College, Alisha Dias along with student of Social Work, Valencio Rodrigues; teacher- Don Bosco night school, Hazel Fernandes; faculty – Bachelor of Physical Education, Ajinkya Kudtarkar; principal, Goa College of Hospitality and Culinary Education, Cidade de Goa, Zarine Lobo; assistant professor, VM Salgaoncar College of Law, B Patil; founder – Museum of Goa, Subodh Kerkar; and radio jockey, Ayesha Barretto.
Each resource person spoke passionately about their chosen careers, the subjects that were included in the course, the course duration, basic requirements and skills, fee structure, etc, thus giving the participants an insight into what it takes to study and pursue a career in the field. They also spoke about the different branches that the students could explore within the field. Retired assistant registrar – affiliated colleges, Goa University, Albert Fernandes was also present on both days and gave participants names of recognised institutes and colleges for various streams.
For reaching their goals, “hard work, perseverance and focus were the basic requirements,” the speakers informed the students. The seminar was well appreciated by students, teachers and parents alike.
