Report
Summary
The Career Fest 2024, organized by Counselling Unit at Dr. Kalmadi Shmarao Junior College, was designed to guide and motivate 11th and 12th grade students in making informed career decisions. The event aimed to expose students to a variety of career options through expert presentations across all academic streams. Taking place on September 25th and 26th, 2024, in the college auditorium, this two-day festival included panel discussion and interactive sessions tailored for students in Science, Commerce, and Arts.
Introduction
Selecting a career is one of the most crucial decisions for students and their parents during the 11th and 12th grades. It shapes their future professional and personal paths and serves as a vital step toward realizing their aspirations. The main objective of Career Fest 2024 was to offer valuable insights into various career trajectories, connect students with industry professionals, and promote engaging discussions to assist in their career choices. The event featured esteemed experts from diverse fields such as Indology, Psychology, Chemistry, Acting, Data Analytics, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Financial Management, and many more.
Objectives
- To inform students about various career paths.
- To connect students with professionals from multiple industries.
- To facilitate discussions on career-related subjects.
Panel Discussion
The panel discussion was a standout feature of the event, offering students critical information about evolving job markets and their challenges. We were privileged to host the following distinguished panelists for the topic “The Future of Work: Remote, Gig Economy, and Beyond”:
- Dr. Bhooshan Kelkar: Director of Neuflex Talent Solutions, TEDx Speaker, and author
- Dr. Atul Deshpande: Economist, Corporate Consultant, and visiting professor at COEP and NIA
- Mr. Rahul Thorat: Director of PMO – Project Management at Emerson Export Engineering Centre
This discussion provided valuable insights into future work trends, gig economy, AI and the opportunities created for students as a result of these transformations. As the world is moving at a fast pace, it will expect students to plan and pivot, accept change, and be more resilient, agile, adaptive and flexible, and most importantly, transforming more than ever before.
Skill Based Learning :
Skill-Based Education emphasizes developing practical competencies over traditional subjects like science and math. Focusing on learners’ flexibility and competency, Mr. Vijay Navale, a career counselor, author, life coach, and motivational speaker, led a session on essential skills for student success. He stressed that learning is a continuous journey and encouraged students to embrace lifelong learning.
Illume : The Experts Speakers and Sessions
The festival hosted insightful seminars led by distinguished speakers:
Arts
- Mrs. Vibhavari Deshpande: Pathways in Acting
- Mrs. Manasi Kshirsagar: Career options in Psychology
- Mr. Shailesh Ghatpande: Working in NGOs
- Dr. Manisha Puranik: Career opportunities in Indology
Commerce
- Mr. Sanat Chitale: Becoming a Chartered Accountant
- Mr. Mahesh Rabade: Careers in Human Resource Management
- Dr. Shweta Bapat: Financial Management insights
- Mr. Harendra Godambe: Exploring Corporate Social Responsibility careers
Science
- Dr. Amol Kumbhar: Pharmacy career pathways
- Mrs. Sharvari Shukla: Opportunities in Data Analytics
- Dr. Abhijit Papalkar: Chemistry career options
- Capt. Yogiraj Khanwelkar: Marine Engineering careers
Participation and Attendance
The festival attracted the active participation of over 400-500 students from the 11th and 12th grades. Their engagement was evident through enthusiastic involvement in seminars and direct interactions with the experts.
Impact and Feedback
Student Feedback
The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed appreciation for the panel discussion and exposure to various career options and the chance to engage with professionals. They found the event both enlightening and informative, aligning well with their career aspirations.
Especially parents commended the organization of the event and appreciated the efforts taken by the college.
