With rapidly growing societies in this neo-technological world, the job market is also in perpetual evolvement thus making career options very vague and vast. Nagaland is not exempt from such changes thus making it harder for the youth and the students in making good career choices. We’re often left in the dark about the many courses of study and line of work available because of little to no counselling. For this reason, there is a tire need for better career counselling in colleges all over Nagaland. By providing quality guidance and support; students will have the opportunity to compete with the world and its complexities. And this will further allow Naga students to grasp at other job opportunities available in the market.
Many of our youths today are enrolling into colleges just to push the unemployment phase further because they are undecided about their future prospects. They blindly opt to go for further studies without having enough information about the endless array of options to choose from, and this further adds to the number of unemployed youths and dropouts. To tackle this rising case in Nagaland, colleges and institutions need to add and upgrade career counselling options in their curriculum.
Educational courses and curriculums in Nagaland have been stagnant for the longest time and there’s little to no additions in the already existing syllabi. And as such, students opt for institutions outside of Nagaland seeking for better options and quality education. Majority of the students are also left confused because of job openings asking for a variety of qualifications and degrees that are not available in Nagaland. This narrow perspective limits students’ understanding of alternative careers, entrepreneurial opportunities, and emerging industries. By providing comprehensive career counselling services, colleges can bridge this information gap and expose students to a wider array of career options. Career counsellors can guide students in exploring their interests, aptitudes, and market trends, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their future careers. The nature of the workforce is continuously evolving with advancements in technology and globalization. The traditional job market is no longer as predictable as it used to be, and today’s graduates need to be adaptable and equipped with a diverse set of skills to thrive in the professional world. Unfortunately, many Nagaland colleges have not adapted their career counselling practices to address these changing dynamics adequately. Enhanced career counselling can play a vital role in helping students navigate this evolving landscape. Additionally, regular training and professional development programs should be organized to keep counsellors abreast of emerging career trends. Furthermore, collaboration between colleges, industry professionals, and alumni can prove invaluable. Guest lectures, internships, and industry visits can expose students to real-world experiences and expand their understanding of various career pathways. Alumni networks can also play a significant role by sharing their experiences and providing mentorship to current students.
The way forward to enhance career counselling services in Nagaland colleges; several measures can be implemented:
Collaborations and Partnerships: Collaboration between colleges, government bodies, industry experts, and professional associations can help in developing robust career counselling programs. Such partnerships can provide access to current industry trends, mentorship opportunities, internships, and real-world experiences. These kinds of exposure will help equip the students for the real-world experience and give them a better understanding of the market and how to go about with their interests and talents. It is through such exposures and experiences that a student can learn what they excel and what brings them down.
Trained and Qualified Counsellors: Investing in the training and development of career counsellors is essential. They should possess the necessary knowledge and skills to guide students effectively. Regular professional development programs and certification courses can enhance their expertise and keep them updated with evolving career trends. A well-qualified career counsellor can identify the strengths and weaknesses of their students and provide them with curated guidance that applies with their interests and equip them with skills that can be applied in real life situations.
Institutional Support: Colleges must recognize the significance of career counselling and allocate adequate resources to establish dedicated career guidance cells or departments. As an educational institution, colleges should make an effort to better prepare their students for job opportunities, whether it be government or private.
Early Intervention: Career counselling should begin at an early stage, preferably in secondary schools, to ensure students have sufficient time to explore different career options and make informed choices. With the right guidance and support, students can make better choices and have better options to chose from. Likewise, students will have the ability and choice to align their interests with their academic choices, giving them the opportunity for potential growth.
Awareness of the expanding job market: Nagaland has over 100 colleges and like any other region in the world, we have our own unique employment industry. But there has been a certain lack of awareness among the students regarding the diverse opportunities available for them to choose from. This can be tackled with proper career guidance by exposing the students to varieties of industries, professions, relevant economies in Nagaland. To provide better insight in the availability of various job opportunities, institutions can organize lectures, events, and industry visits, thus encouraging and intriguing the students with curiosity.
Overall, investing in better career counselling will not only benefit the students and the society, but colleges providing enhanced career counselling will become the better option for students opting for higher studies. Such counselling’s can help some students in bringing out their creativity through entrepreneurship ventures and will help empower them to turn their ideas into reality. By providing and equipping the students with the necessary knowledge and skills, institutions pave a way for a better future for the society as whole. Furthermore, as Nagaland continues to grow and move forward, quality career counselling plays an important role in empowering the youth with the potential of paving the way for a prosperous future.