• January-22-2025

"Capacitating Educators through Career Counseling Training at BRO, Guwahati"

In an effort to better prepare students for the complexities of today’s job market, educators, social workers, and student counsellors from various institutions in the province of Guwahati gathered for a day of training at Bosco Reach Out (BRO), Guwahati, on 22.01.2025. The career counselling training session, titled "How to Become a Career Guide," drew over 25 educators, counsellors, vocational trainers, and social workers eager to enhance their skills. Rev. Fr. Sebastian Ishorary SDB, Director of BRO, and Rev. Fr. Ignatius Gari SDB, Associate Director of BRO, organized the event.

Rev. Fr. Ignatius Gari SDB inaugurated the event and welcomed the resource persons, including Rev. Fr. Gabriel Karunaraj SDB, National Director of the Don Bosco Job Placement Network, and Rev. Fr. Renigo Roy SDB, Assistant Professor at Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur, along with the Job Placement Team and all the participants. He then honored the resource persons with a gamcha in a traditional way. Rev. Fr. Ignatius also motivated the participants to embrace the importance of career counseling.

In his words: "In a world where careers are constantly evolving, we need to focus on the holistic development of students. Career mapping and multiple intelligences are essential tools that help us offer tailored support, allowing students to thrive in an ever-changing job market."

Why Career Counselling Matters

As the landscape of employment continues to evolve, it’s essential for educators to stay informed about current labor market trends and the diverse pathways available to students. This training session focused on equipping educators with the tools and knowledge necessary to guide students in exploring their career options—whether that involves pursuing higher education, vocational training, or entering the workforce directly.

Tools for Success: Multiple Intelligences and Career Mapping

One of the key components of the training was the introduction of innovative tools such as Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences and career mapping techniques.

Multiple Intelligences: Fr. Renigo Roy SDB led a session on Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences. This framework emphasizes that students have unique strengths and learning styles, such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, spatial, musical, bodily-kinaesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic intelligence. By identifying these strengths, educators can provide personalized guidance tailored to each student's abilities and interests.

Career Mapping: This strategic tool allows students to visualize their educational and career pathways. By mapping out potential careers based on their interests and skills, students can see how different educational streams—such as arts, sciences, technology, and vocational training—can lead to fulfilling careers. Educators learned how to facilitate this process, helping students set realistic goals and understand the steps needed to achieve them.

Job Hunt & Don Bosco Job Placement Network
Fr. Gabriel SDB led a session on job hunting in the digital age. Participants were introduced to helpful platforms like the Don Bosco Job Placement Network (www.donboscojobs.org), the Jobs DBI App, and government job portals such as NCS (National Career Service). These resources assist students and job seekers in finding job opportunities and accessing career resources. The session provided practical tips on using these tools to improve job searches and employability.

Higher Studies, Scholarships, and Government Jobs
Fr. Gabriel SDB also covered important topics like entrance exams, scholarships, and government jobs. Different government job categories were explained, including civil services, PSUs, banking, railways, defense, and more. Major exams like AFCAT, UPSC, and SSC were also discussed.

In addition, entrance exams for higher education, such as NEET for medical courses and JEE for engineering, along with various government scholarships like the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS), were highlighted.

Real-World Perspectives:

Attendees also had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers who shared valuable insights into the skills and qualifications that are in demand across various fields. The discussions provided educators with a clearer understanding of what employers are looking for and how they can help students align their skills with market needs.

Few Feedback from the Participants:

1. Nafisa Mary; Placement Coordinator at St. Antony's College, Shillong

I really liked the first session by Fr. Renigo SDB, as it was insightful. The second session by Fr. Gabriel SDB was even more informative and motivating. I now feel more confident in guiding students and helping them explore career opportunities, especially in government jobs and other sectors. I'm excited to use what I've learned in this training.

2. Richard Johnson Claridge: Snehalaya, Guwahati

I found Fr. Renigo's session incredibly valuable and insightful. The content was clear, and the tools provided were very informative. I suggest that future programs focus more on helping youth set goals and make better decisions. Overall, I am very satisfied with the session and look forward to attending more in the future.

Looking Ahead:

The enthusiasm from attendees indicates a strong commitment to ongoing professional development in career counseling. Don Bosco Job Placement Network and Bosco Reach Out (BRO) plans to host additional training sessions in collaboration with Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur throughout the year, ensuring that educators have continuous access to resources and support.