Building a successful career is an arduous process. We must develop a system of schooling that serves as a model for high-value learning and creates college, career and life pathways. Proposed below is a 5-point standard that serves as a benchmark for an authentic and sustainable approach to career and life planning.
1. Define a vision and inspiration for the children and not just a destination. An old saying suggests that wind blows only in favour of those who are on an inspirational journey. It is essential to know why one wishes to reach a destination and not just where to reach.
2. Assessment and diagnostic: A fair assessment of students' potential, interest and learning improvements is mandatory for a dream-diagnosis. It is important that we ask students, what place looks magical to them? Where does their ‘mojo' lie?, Who are the people they will like to work and collaborate with? What transformations will they want to drive?
3. Reality Check: The GROW model propounded by John Whitmore (Coaching for Performance: Growing People, Performance and Purpose is beneficial. It proposes a four-step exercise- Goal setting, Reality check, Options mapping and a decision about What option to choose.
4. Professional Intervention: It is critical to select appropriate, committed, professionally trained staff/mentor for a successful career education programme in a school. Continuous professional development and support extended by the top leadership is integral to success. Students need the support and advice of the right people. Only committed mentors can help them stretch their imagination and dreams.
5. Sustainability: Career sustainability does not mean sticking to one-job-for a lifetime. Sustainability refers to the difference one makes, and the exceptional strength and attributes one develops along the way. Career and contribution to society must touch people, meet the moral and social justness. In a world with shifting human and machine activities, it is vital to keep upskilling oneself.
In a world that will lean heavily on machine learning and artificial intelligence; a new role for human beings is called out. The emotional connect and learning to ‘be together' and ‘grow together' are the new mantras of sustainability.
Comments