Strap:
– With the new academic year for class XI starting this week, students will enter a new realm of education where choices are very important
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– While some students are at liberty to choose what career they want, others give in to parental restrictions and peer pressure
Dolcy D’Cruz / Team Café
Finally, the sense of freedom to move on from school! After going through the difficult process of bidding tearful adieus to classmates and holding precious SSCE results to their hearts, students are set to take on the world of ‘competition’. The first great decision is what career to choose, which accordingly decides what stream to join in higher secondary school. This single choice can either shape or break a young person’s career. While most students are left confused at this stage, there are many career guidance workshops being held, which give students a clearer idea on what to choose.
Percentage attained is an important factor for admissions in colleges. Students have to struggle to get into any renowned institute. With their parents still holding their arms and making them sign on the dotted line, some students don’t take the decisions that truly yield happiness. There are many examples where students regret joining a certain stream. Either they are not capable of coping with the subjects they opt for or they don’t have their heart set on the job options that stream offers.
Miriam Gomes, a student from Mapusa was forced to join the stream of science because her parents wanted her to become a doctor. A student who was neither interested in science nor proficient at the subject in school, she failed the year and was too embarrassed to return the following year. Eventually, she went on to join the stream of arts and become a teacher – a job she had long since admired. An incorrect decision cost her two years of education and just as importantly, it cost a capable student a seat in the stream of science.
Once results are declared, there is a never ending queue for admissions at noted institutes in the cities. Students want to move out of schools and get a head start by joining higher secondary schools that build their confidence and give them more exposure. Dr Elvis Gonsalves, Principal of St Xavier’s Higher Secondary School, Mapusa meticulously scrutinises each and every applicant for the new academic year.
“St Xavier’s Higher Secondary school conducts career guidance workshops under its ‘Super School Complex’ which covers 7-8 institutions in the area, where experts guide students in class X at least six months before the exams. For students who are confused to make a clear decision, we set up a help desk for students and parents on the day of the admissions to guide them. There are two areas that parents and students should focus on: liking and ability. This should match with the student’s interest in the subjects and the percentage they have attained. Some students, despite attending career counselling sessions, are still literally forced to join the stream chosen by their parents. The percentage itself acts as a reckoner for which stream one should opt for,” says Dr Elvis.
Speaking about students who shift from science to either the commerce or arts stream later in the year, he says, “There are many students per year who attempt to change their stream but we allow only if their grievances are genuine. We advise them based on their marks, especially after test performances.
Frustrated students will invariably be unhappy and even the parents need to sometimes be counselled. Peer pressure is very common and a big influence amongst students. We attempt to make students feel comfortable and have initiation sessions conducted by their teachers for the first 3-4 days to help the students make new friends and to understand their likings and hobbies.”
Kishore Shah, the author of ‘364 days of Transformation’ has his own experience to share with students who are pressured in to studies they don’t enjoy. A Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) with Honours from the Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Mumbai, Kishore was interested in studying Management. He feels that awareness is limited when it comes to options to choose from for students and parents don’t provide enough stimuli.
“Life is become like a carrom board, with constant bouncing between one’s home, school and office. There are no more outings for children where they can be taken for musicals, art exhibitions and other programmes. Parents should stimulate their children and children should talk to different people regarding career options. There should be at least one subject specialisation instead of opting for subjects that are very limited and have no flexibility. Clarity is important while making these decisions and one should know what they are good at.”Parental pressure also sets in because parents want their children to have a secure life. Fr Abraham Painumkal, a Jesuit priest and counselor understands their plight when he says that they need their child to feel accepted. “There are a number of cases that come up where children are forced to take decisions that they don’t want. Their decision should be based on what makes them happy and brings joy. Unless they have inner joy, their creativity will not shine.” Fr Abraham Painumkal was one of the first few who decided to abolish the rank system in Goa.
Ultimately, it is a decision that a student has to take for a brighter future. Being aware and well informed about the career options that subjects offer, will help students understand in which direction they are heading in and their optimum career plan in the future.
