Highlights of interactions with students and teachers across schools on the dilemma of identifying apt course of study and career choice after
The student dilemma
How do I have a natural progression in course of study based on my passion after +2?
Above question that I have encountered with many students is the biggest challenge that a teenager stepping in to college life face. Interestingly, the answer is in the question itself. However, is she able to find the answer? Does the parent help him find it?
To get this answer, synergy in thinking and role clarity between student and parent need to well established. The student on most occasion has limited view of what are the fields of study available in his area of interest.
Parents sure have better view of it. But is the parent willing to facilitate her wish that may be in dissonance with mother’s or father’s wish? I have encountered numerous cases where the parents, in the fallacious noble thought of ensuring a safe future for the ward impose their decision on the child. In lot of cases the un-fulfilled dream of the parent is actualised through these decisions. This is to be guarded against as a decision which was seemingly good can turn sour if the student is unable to cope with the stream f study or realises there were other programs that matched his passion and talent to which his friends have admission and are doing exceedingly well. This can leave a life nagging question as to why my dad did not show me the option; despite I looking up to him to live my talents?
We need to realise that 12th standard is the turning point. Education up to 12th is a preparation for choice of right stream in college as can be seen from the syllabus in Schools. In India there is a greater thrust on the science streams than in the west where you have the option to choose level of difficulty in each subject. A boy with a literary streak has the option to choose a higher level of English learning and lower level of maths that’s rudimentary. This enables growth in own area of interest and know of maths needed for daily life; a win win solution. In India you do not have this luxury. As a result all students are forced to learn maths and science subjects at the same level of difficulty. This in turn becomes an excruciating rat race to catch up with the best in class in these subjects through special tuitions with out realising its limited use in future. As a case study lets look at a right brain oriented creative kid who excels in liberal streams. The advise to him would be to spend more time on correcting his so called weakness in science then build on his strength language or arts. It’s unfortunate that even today, specially in our part of the world, “you judge a fish by its capability to climb tree”.
My friend’s son David was a difficult child to most; except to his good meaning relatives and friends, that included me. He had the knack of taming class mates double his size with sheer audacity that bordered on foolishness. Four schools in 6 years with forced transfers, he was doomed to fail by his teachers. With out even telling anyone, he applied for creative design after 12th to secure admission to 2 prestigious institutions in the country, which of course turned him a darling and symbol of achievement to his naysayers. I have just been informed that he’s been recruited by a major creative agency and identified as a future potential. He’s few week short of 24.
This is where the role of parent is defining. As a parent one should listen to the child and help him choose and not impose. I have come across many parents who say “ we don’t force, he’s free to choose his option” and when I speak to the student, he agrees, only issue is that he does not know what to choose and as a result agree to study what the parent wants as its the course of least collateral damage. The parent can not run away from the responsibility of trying to understand the true capabilities and likes of the child and expose to him the various options available. I know that many parents do not have the wherewithal to impart it, in which case they need to get help. There are career guidance teachers in schools who are trained who could be consulted or free lancing specialists in this field. Its advisable to meet a consultant with whom the child can interact with out inhibition as that alone can help identify her true capabilities.
I as a Coach and counsellor do not follow psychometric assessments as a tool to identify the above. I believe more in the ZEN Concept of opening your thoughts through self probing questions that lead to identification of passion and its capability to achieve, delivering a vision statement helping
for self. It helps identify a stream and course of study with a reasonable view of how it will be utilised. In this respect, we need to appreciate the college admission procedure in west that asks the student to make an SOP or statement of purpose in life that’s sent along with the application. Professors who are trained in reading these are able to identify and choose the right talent for the institution. Those who try to live the dreams of others through a facade is unable to make the grade which I think is the best thing to happen. It will help the student and parent revisit his true calling and prepare an SOP accordingly.
I hope to share more of my thoughts and learning from interactions with students and others as we go along. Meantime it would be pleasure to hear from you too.
Till then…
Sanjeevthomas@musings is an ongoing exchange of ideas in self growth
By Sanjeev Thomas, Founder & CEO, ZEN Mentors LLP
He can be reached on Email – sanjeevthomas@zenmentors.com
Phone +91 8879787852
