A Career Fest was organised for the students of Grades XI and XII with the theme “Discover Your Tomorrow”, with the following objectives :
- to foster self awareness and help students recognize their interests, Strength, aspiration and potential.
- to expose students to diverse career pathways emerging opportunities and real world professional journeys
- to empower students to develop the mindset, skills and confidence to make informed and purposeful career choices.
- The Career Fest commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, seeking the blessings of the Almighty and marking the auspicious beginning of the event.
The Career Fest commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, seeking the blessings of the Almighty and marking the auspicious beginning of the event. This was followed by a Keynote Address by Dr. Balajith Shetty, Trustee, Kannada Sangha titled “Designing Your Tomorrow: From Possibility to Purpose.”
The keynote set the tone for the sessions that followed. The address emphasised that the future is not something that simply happens to us, but something we shape through the choices we make, the possibilities we explore and the purpose we bring to our journey.
Students were encouraged to look beyond simply choosing a career and instead reflect on the kind of future they wish to create for themselves. The address highlighted the importance of exploring possibilities with an open mind and gradually transforming them into choices that are meaningful and purposeful. These thoughts provided an appropriate foundation for the students as they moved through the various sessions of “Design Your Tomorrow.”
Know – Understanding the World Ahead
The Know segment featured Capt. Dr. Prof. C. M. Chitale, who addressed students on “The World Ahead – Opportunities, Choices and the Future of Work.”
His session encouraged students to look beyond conventional notions of careers and understand the changing world of work, emerging opportunities and the importance of making thoughtful and informed choices. Students were encouraged to recognise that the world of work is evolving rapidly and that adaptability, continuous learning and informed decision-making are increasingly important.
Explore – Discovering New Possibilities
The Explore segment was led by Mr. Anish Sahasrabuddhe, who brought a practical and contemporary perspective to careers and professional journeys.
His interaction encouraged students to think beyond traditional career paths and recognise the importance of skills, initiative, adaptability and creating one’s own path. The session opened up possibilities for students to view careers as evolving journeys rather than predetermined routes.
Grow – Growing Through the Journey
The Grow segment was conducted by Dr. Bhooshan Shukla, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist and Parenting Coach.
His session focused on the emotional and psychological dimensions of growing up, including the pressures, expectations and challenges that young people encounter while making decisions about their future. His perspective helped students understand that career development is also closely connected with self-awareness, emotional well-being, resilience and the ability to navigate uncertainty.
Connect – Learning Through Real Experiences
The Connect segment featured Ms. Vibhawari Deshpande, a renowned actress – whose journey across theatre/ acting, writing and direction offered students an engaging perspective on creative careers and the possibilities that emerge when one follows one’s interests, develops one’s craft and remains open to diverse experiences.
Her work across theatre and cinema provided students with an opportunity to look at career journeys from a creative and unconventional perspective, while understanding how varied experiences can contribute to one’s professional journey.
Student Response and Impact
The Career Fest was well received by the students, who participated enthusiastically in the sessions and interactions. The diversity of speakers and perspectives enabled students to view careers not merely as choices of courses or professions, but as journeys shaped by self-awareness, interests, skills, experiences, adaptability and personal growth.
The four segments, together with the keynote address, reinforced the central message of the fest — knowing oneself, exploring possibilities, growing through challenges and connecting with the world can help young people make more informed and purposeful choices for their future.
Overall, the Career Fest provided students with meaningful exposure to varied career journeys and perspectives, while creating a space for reflection, exploration and dialogue about their future. The sessions encouraged students to move from merely thinking about what career to choose towards reflecting on who they want to become and how they can consciously design their tomorrow.
Way Forward
The Career Fest is envisioned not as a one-time event, but as the beginning of a continuous career exploration process for students. Going forward, the initiative can be further enriched through interactions with subject experts and professionals, career exhibitions, industry visits, hands-on experiences and exposure to diverse fields and emerging career pathways.
The enthusiastic response and feedback from students reflected their strong interest in such opportunities. Their feedback also highlighted the value of continued exposure, interaction and real-world experiences in helping them make more informed and purposeful career choices.
