Career Counselling Tips for Teenagers
Introduction: Children today are growing extremely career conscious. This is evident from the rise of career counseling services offered by institutions like schools, colleges, universities etc. Career counseling is extremely paramount in today’s era because of growing competition amongst teenagers. But we find teenagers confused with regards to what they should opt for to kick-start their career journey. This confusion is also because of the emergence of new subjects and streams which were not there before.
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Growth of AI for instance, is one such example.
Explore the Subjects Taught at School:
As a teenager, choosing the right career path can be daunting. To make an informed decision, it’s essential to start by diligently exploring all the subjects taught in school. As you delve into each subject, pay attention to the ones that truly resonate with you.
Research the Career Prospects:
Take it a step further by researching the career prospects associated with your preferred subjects. Look into the courses and syllabi offered by top universities and colleges.
Introspect Before Choosing a Career:
If, after thorough research, you still find the subject fascinating, then it’s worth pursuing. Introspection is key when it comes to choosing a career. Remember, your career is a long-term commitment that will shape your professional life. It’s better to take your time, weighing the pros and cons, then to rush into a decision and risk regretting it later.
Assess Your Aptitude and Skills:
In addition to exploring subjects and career prospects, teenagers should also assess their aptitude and skill set. So that they can be aware of what career aligns with their natural talents and abilities.
Self-introspection & Guidance:
Teenagers can seek guidance from school-appointed counselors, trusted teachers, relatives or parents. For instance, if a teenager discovers they have a knack for teaching and enjoy sharing knowledge with friends, they may consider a career in teaching. Similarly, curious and inquisitive individuals may find a fulfilling career in research, delving deeper into subjects that fascinate them. By understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and interests, teenagers can make informed decisions about their future. This self-introspection, combined with exploration and guidance, will help them to choose a career path that suits them.
Career for Students with Passion for Biology:
Students with a passion for biology and a compassionate nature, who are driven to alleviate pain and suffering, may find a fulfilling career in the medical stream. Becoming a doctor or surgeon can be a rewarding path for those who want to make a difference in healthcare. Students interested in biology can also pursue research in human genomics, DNA, RNA, genomics, or subjects related to vaccination.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve realized the significance of vaccination and quality healthcare services. They can also explore research on sex-linked diseases or genetic diseases, which are now a priority for scientists to cure. With the aid of gene editing and CRISPR technology, they can delve into related studies in biotechnology, microbiology, and more.
Career for Students Aspiring to Serve the Country:
For teenagers who aspire to serve their country and yearn for adventure, a career in the Indian Defence Services may be an ideal fit. Joining the Indian Armed Forces, such as the Air Force, Navy, or Army, offers a unique blend of service, adventure, and patriotism.
Career for Students Having Exceptional Diplomatic & Communication Skills:
Those with exceptional diplomatic and communication skills may be drawn to the Indian Foreign Services by cracking the coveted civil services examination by opting for subjects that cater to their strengths and interests.
Career for Students Aspiring to Contribute to the Administrative System:
Teenagers keen on contributing to the country’s administrative system, particularly at the grassroots level, may find a career in the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) rewarding. The IAS offers opportunities to work with underprivileged communities and drive positive change.
Career for Students Fascinated by Economics & Taxation:
Students fascinated by economics, taxation, and related fields may consider entering the Indian Revenue Services. This path allows them to study and acquire expertise in economics, ultimately contributing to the country’s economic system.
AI Based Careers:
AI based careers like Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, Business Intelligence Developer, Research Scientist, Big Data Engineer, Software Engineer, Software Architect, Data Analyst, Robotics Engineer are some of the promising fields and are smothered with scope.
Growing Demand of AI:
The field’s remarkable 32% growth in hiring evidently displays its potential. Moreover, the industry’s talent gap presents a unique opportunity for professionals seeking to make their mark. AI has been a breakthrough in driving advancements in sectors like healthcare, finance, and space exploration.
By harnessing the power of AI, you’ll contribute to breakthroughs that can improve lives. Collaboration with visionary thinkers and problem-solvers will further enrich your experience. Because of the growing sector even reputed universities and colleges all over the globe including India, US, UK are releasing interesting courses in this field.
If you’re interested in grabbing the challenges and opportunities presented by this extraordinary field, the possibilities are unfettered.
Emerging Career in Cyber Security:
With the advent of the Internet we have until now seen a beautiful picture it has painted by making our lives super convenient like never before. However, there is a flip side to everything and so does the internet. Today most of us live with our privacy endangered and in the grappling fear of cyber crimes. To combat this, cybersecurity has become unanimously necessary and hence developers and researchers are striving to make Cyberspace a much safer place. Thus, cybersecurity becomes a wonderful career prospect.
Many cyber security-related careers, such as cyber security engineer, network security engineer, and cyber security expert, are being promoted by the Government of India and governments worldwide. This is driven by the immiment threats to internet safety, which compromise daily online activities. Cyber security measures aim to enable individuals to use the internet with greater confidence, ensuring a seamless, unfettered, and worry-free web experience.
The rising prominence of nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning is transforming various sectors, including defense and space. Our government is actively promoting the space industry, driven by the Make in India initiative. Instead of relying on international procurement, we’re focusing on domestic manufacturing, encouraging projects from both private and public institutions. This push aims to explore possibilities of space exploration, encourage research, and compete with developed nations like Russia, the US, and China.
Conclusion:
It is also pertinent and exigent to mention that although counseling services offered by schools and universities, or private counselors afforded by some students, have become more affordable, there are still students or teenagers who cannot access these services because they cannot afford them. This is because not everyone can afford such services due to inequitable incomes and poverty, which affects certain underprivileged students.
It is necessary for the government to ensure that all teenagers can contribute to strengthening and bolstering the country’s economy, as they are all equally responsible for driving the country’s future growth. This can be achieved by making counseling services available to poor students as well, through streamlined schemes and policies catering to the needs of underprivileged students. Career counselling for teenagers should be universalised and made easier to be harnessed by these students, as career counselling can be very important to shape their growth and career, and make them fit and conducive for today’s world, which is ever changing.
