Career Development PDF

# Understanding Career Development (Individual Activity) - Career development is one of the important aspects of individual development. - It is the whole preparation that enables an individual to enter the world of work successfully and adjust to a working life. - It is an ongoing process of gain...

# Understanding Career Development (Individual Activity) - Career development is one of the important aspects of individual development. - It is the whole preparation that enables an individual to enter the world of work successfully and adjust to a working life. - It is an ongoing process of gaining knowledge and improving skills that will help an individual to establish a career plan. # Key Players (Self Exploration) - Understanding oneself is very important. - Self-exploration involves understanding interests, abilities, skills, personality, etc. ## Personal Interest - Interest can be defined as an individual's preference for engaging in one or more specific activities relative to others. ## Aptitude - Aptitude refers to underlying potential for acquiring skill through training. ## Personality - Personality refers to individual's unique and relatively stable patterns of behavior, thoughts, and feelings. ## Values - Values help in prioritizing the choice of a career. # Various Other Factors Influencing the Choice of Career ## Parental Influence - The family as a basic social and psychological unit influences almost every decision an individual makes at all stages of life. ## Peer influence - If siblings are enjoying their career and living a healthy, prosperous, and influential life, their peers might also go for the same or can get influenced by peer influence while deciding their career. ## Circumstances - Circumstances play an important role in determining career choice. ## Influence of family background - There are cases where a son or a daughter of a doctor or an advocate couple opt for the same profession to carry the enterprise set up by the parents. # The Following Table Lists Few Factors/variables which affect or Influence Career Choice | **Personal Variables** | **Social Variables** | **Environmental Variables** | | ------------------------- | --------------------------- | --------------------------- | | Personality | Social and cultural factor | Media | | Interest | Educational institution | Socio-economic status | | Skills and aptitude | Geographical Location | Family | | Values | Political factors | Peers | | Belief | Working Condition | Community | | Ability | Market demand | Government Policy | | Self-concept | | | | Gender and Age | | | | World of work | | | | Knowledge | | | # Know Yourself - Values - Interests - Strengths - Traits - Ambitions # Explore Options - Occupational Research - Industry Trends - Career Options for Degree # Get Focused - Action Planning - Goal Setting - Decision Making # Take Action - Connect with Employers - Job Search Tools - Gain Experience # A Career Story-Activity Sheet (Group Activity) ## Reema Reema, class XII passed out student from medical streams, is fond of studying Biology. Her goal was to become a doctor. But she could not do well in the entrance test for medical college and could not get admission in MBBS. She tried in BDS, and got admission in a renowned Dental College. Rather than trying for one more year, she explored other options. She secured her seat in BDS, and is pursuing BDS and doing her best in it. She is now contented as it is also one of the Medical fields, which was always her passion. | **What she enjoys (interest)** | **What she is good at (skills and qualities)** | **Determining Factor(s)** | **Advantage(s) or Disadvantage(s) of being in present career** | | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ## Priya Priya is confident, extrovert girl having good communication skills. She is fascinated by the job of an airhostess and interested in joining airlines. She has gathered all the information regarding training institutes for the same. When she discussed about her interest with her parents, they did not show much interest and suggested her to continue her studies because they think that this career will not match their lifestyle. Moreover working hours are more. Now, she took admission in B.Com. Although she is good in academics but still she could not secure good marks in her graduation. Now she is trying to get admission in MBA. | **What she enjoys (interest)** | **What she is good at (skills and qualities)** | **Determining Factor(s)** | **Advantage(s) or Disadvantage(s) of being in present career** | | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ## Vedant Vedant, a class X student is good in playing football. He is very passionate for football. He is also selected in a state level team. His parents are very supportive and help him in his football coaching and academics. Because of his tournaments and coaching schedule he is facing difficulty in attending school. He wants to continue his studies along with his game. He enrolled himself in class XII through NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling). He passed class XII through NIOS and is representing state level football team. | **What he enjoys (interest)** | **What he is good at (skills and qualities)** | **Determining Factor(s)** | **Advantage(s) or Disadvantage(s) of being in present career** | | --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ## Nidhi Nidhi opted for science in class XII (physics, chemistry and biology) and wanted to become a doctor. She could not get through the entrance test for Medical colleges. She scored 94% marks in class XII and took admission in Psychology (hons.). She completed her graduation by securing 1st Position in the college. During her graduation, she realized that she has got interest in Psychology. As per her mother's suggestion, she did her B.Ed. in Special Education so that she becomes eligible for being a teacher. When she was pursuing her Masters in Psychology, she got an opportunity to be selected as a Special Educator in a Govt. School. Now she and her mother are happy the she has a secured job. | **What she enjoys (interest)** | **What she is good at (skills and qualities)** | **Determining Factor(s)** | **Advantage(s) or Disadvantage(s) of being in present career** | | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | ## Karan Karan passed class XII in Humanities. Being not very good in academics he just managed to get passing marks in class XII. He was always interested in Arts and at school level participated and won various art competitions. After class XII, he did his graduation in interior designing. He did fairly well in his graduation and participated in exhibitions of designing. During exhibitions, his work was appreciated by all. Seeing his work, a Foreign Based Company hired him for their company in Italy with a handsome salary. Now he is happy, satisfied and flying to Italy. | **What he enjoys (interest)** | **What he is good at (skills and qualities)** | **Determining Factor(s)** | **Advantage(s) or Disadvantage(s) of being in present career** | | --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | # Jobs in My Community (Group Activity) | **Jobs in my Community** | **Name of Jobs** | **Duties** | **Working Conditions** | | ---------------------------------------------- | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- | | **Jobs of people I know** | | | | | **Jobs of people I see in my community** | | | | | **Jobs I have seen on Television, read or heard about** | | | | **Note:** - Working conditions – working time (hours of work, rest periods, and work schedules) - Remuneration: physical conditions and mental demands that exist in the workplace # A Case Study (Group Activity) After passing class XII, Saima happily joined a college to pursue her desired graduate course. She selected the college through her neighbour's assistance. The full-page glamorous advertisement by the college also compelled her to join it. She cleared her graduation with flying colours. Then she applied in a reputed university for post graduation. To her utter dismay, her application form was rejected on the basis of her graduation degree from an unrecognized college. The university did not find her eligible. Samia found herself totally at loss and direction less. Her 3 years of hard work and accomplishment became insignificant. ## Q&A 1. **Who is responsible for Saima's situation?** -Saima is responsible, as she did not check with teachers, parents, or the university to verify whether it was a legitimate, accredited college. 2. **How could Saima or her teachers and parents have helped her from facing such a situation?** - Teachers and parents should have advised Saima to verify and ensure that the college was registered and recognized. 3. **Had Saima identified few mandatory checks?** - No, Saima did not do any additional checks to verify the college. 4. **What guidelines can be suggested to students and parents before securing admission in colleges?** - Students and parents should: - Research the college. - Ask the college about its accreditation status. - Verify accreditation with agencies such as the UGC, AICTE, etc. # Initial Consideration Before Taking Admission (Individual Activity) ## Important Considerations For a student, choosing a college or university is one of the most important decisions. There is lots of information available on various aspects which is required to be considered before choosing a college. - Knowing what to consider while choosing a college can give them confidence to apply wisely and end up at the institute, which meets their needs. - It is important to have this information available before choosing a college. ## Accreditation - Accreditation means university/ college has been recognized by official, local, state and national agencies as providing a high quality education. - Accreditation of an institution is important to applicants who intend their degrees to be accepted for further education, job placement nationally or internationally. - It is a must for students who intend to transfer credits from one university to another. - In our country, some of the accrediting authorities are UGC for higher education, AICTE for technical education, NCTE for teacher education, MCI for medical education, etc. - Accreditation is an important factor to consider while choosing a college. # Course Affiliation and Accreditation - There is separate policy for accreditation of different courses offered by different universities. - Even though universities are recognized by UGC, it is not necessary that its courses must also be recognized. - While deciding upon joining a course in a university, accreditation of the course is important. # Cost/ Financial Aid/ Scholarships - The cost of studying in a private and public university has risen considerably in recent years. - Complete information about the fees structure or scholarships provided by the universities is necessary. - The validity and reliability of the scholarships provided by the universities should be checked properly, especially while choosing foreign universities. # Internships and Hands on Opportunities - Institutions should have a strong connection with the companies and organizations where students can go in for internship. - Websites of many colleges mention the corporate agencies that they have been servicing. # Job Placement Rates - To evaluate college placements, research facts such as how many graduates find a job and how quickly they get placed should be considered. - The college should have a system and process in place for tracking and reporting placement rates, which should be accessible for public information. # Course Content - While opting for any university/college, one major factor to be considered is the course content. - The content should have all the necessary topics that fall within the course subject, or the curriculum should cover the broader field and include more specific specialties as electives, etc. # Role of a Teacher in Imparting Career Guidance (Individual Activity) - Teachers can perform career guidance functions effectively through a systematic and planned set of activities, especially at the secondary and senior secondary stages. ## Teacher Roles - Share their own stories to build careers into the curriculum, and use different ways teachers can help students explore future opportunities. ### 1. Teachers Have Had Careers of Their Own - They have made decisions about whether to go to university, what subjects to study, and what jobs to do. - Their experiences are useful for young people. ### 2. Teachers May Also Perform Pastoral Duty - As trusted adults, young people approach them with their concerns and dilemmas, many of which relate to future career aspirations. - Working through these issues with young people in ways that keep their options open is important. - Teachers may offer some solutions when it is important, including referring young people to professionals and other specialists. - Teachers need to feel confident in having informal career conversations, signaling to young people the limits of their knowledge and referring to career professionals where appropriate. ### 3. Teachers Can Link Their Subjects to the World of Work - Teachers can also apply their pedagogic skills to the delivery of career learning. - To impart career guidance, teachers can establish connections with curricular and cross-curricular themes such as writing and communication skills. ## Typical Tasks That a Teacher Might Undertake - Establishing relationship of subject matter with careers, hobbies, leisure time activities, guidance information system, interacting with employers and workers. - Explaining students the progression routes open in continued learning in their subject area. - Using the curriculum to develop core employability skills. - Providing information and advice to students considering taking their subject as an option. - Arranging work-experience placements for pupils with employers relevant to their subject and visiting students on these placements. - This helps to offer development opportunities for teachers to see how their subject is used beyond the context of school. - Using work and career as a way of making cross-curricular links with other subjects. - Using work-related projects within their subject teaching. - Arranging visits to relevant workplaces. - Organizing a programme of visiting speakers from business. - Embedding employer-led interventions as part of the overall learning journey of students. # Career Guidance for Students with Special Needs (Individual Activity) ## Definition - Students with special needs are a diverse group, including those with mental and physical disabilities (physical, psychological, sensory, learning, intellectual, neurological, and chronic medical conditions, which can be either permanent or temporary). - Programs need to be tailored to suit the needs of this particular group of students with whom teachers are working. ## Challenges - Students with special needs require career guidance even more than their 'able' peers because their disabilities reduce both their ability and opportunity to learn particular essential concepts for independent, productive and integrated community adult life. - For example, a blind student will not gain the same wealth of incidental career-related experiences available to those who are sighted. - The student will miss the opportunity of visually observing people at work, at home or in the community. ## Opportunity - There are many careers available for students with special needs. - The right education and resources can open the door of opportunity. ## Teacher Responsibilities - Teachers should teach the diverse group of students in their classrooms keeping in view their needs. - They have to be very considerate towards the needs of the special students who are a part of the normal classrooms. - With regard to the career-related needs of the special students the teachers should arrange for the following services: ### 1. Individual Inventory Service - This emphasizes the collection of information that will identify each student as a unique individual. - Teachers can take the help of school counselors and help students to assess their aptitude and interests so that they can be guided accordingly with regard to the selection of careers and related subjects and courses. - This is an important step in the process. ### 2. Real Life Learning Experiences - Special students need to be explicitly exposed to a wide variety of work options that they might choose that suit their life style. - Teachers can suggest different hobby classes to be introduced for the students in the schools and the students with special needs may be encouraged to opt for them to gain experience. ### 3. Career Awareness - Special students benefit from being explicitly taught about the total spectrum of careers. - Special students need to be given exposure to other options, and have opportunities to discover how those careers might map to their needs and interests. ### 4. Economic Awareness - Special students need to be taught about such processes which will help them to become independent. - Being independent enhances self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. ### 5. Enhancing Life Skills - Life Skills are as important as academic skills, which contribute towards the success in careers. - Life skills are essential to job functioning, and they must be included in instruction for students with special needs. ### 6. Life Skills - These students do possess the potential to live and work in the community if they receive appropriate life skills instruction. - The teachers may blend life skills with their daily teaching to help students learn to function independently in the society. - The three major skill areas that need to be addressed are daily living, personal/social, and occupational skills. #### Emphasize The Following Life Skills: - **Self Awareness:** Special students need to be taught self-awareness, which will help them to become aware of their own needs, interests and abilities, try to set their own goals, develop their own plan of action and try to become self-reliant. - **Social and Communication Skills:** Effective social and communication skills are integral to being a part of society, developing worthwhile personal relationships and finding and maintaining employment.. - **Decision Making Skills:** Students with special needs need to be taught to use information in rational ways to reach decisions. **Note:** - In order to be successful in imparting career guidance to students with special needs, the teachers must work in close collaboration with their parents and school counsellor.