Career guidance thro’ Career pre-planning Career is a buzz word today. We know it is very vital. What is career? It’s concerned to everybody, but how to make a great one, is little recognized by many. Is it only to take a degree, do some job, earn and just live an ordinary life? Or to do some computer course that guarantees any job? Or does it depend on luck? Or? .. Doing any course/job that one doesn’t enjoy may make one dissatisfied and frustrated. This leads to quitting the present educational course, occupation, job and switching over to another. Haphazard and frequent changes are like going from one pan to other and waste money, effort & crucial time. This leads to insecurity, gives stress to self and family, and reduces overall productivity. Then how to select a worthy profession that gives challenges, uses potential and helps to obtain an occupation that one can enjoy longer time, bring satisfaction, earn respect and contribute positively to self, family, organization, society and nation at large? Why is career more important today? Lot of information is available. Many opportunities around the world are encouraging. Fierce competition is threatening. Survival of fittest and fastest keeps one on toes. Though different career options and opportunities are available today, many are very expensive and demanding. They confuse young minds. Many youngsters don’t think that career is more than just securing a gainful employment or career development as more than merely getting confirmed in their respective jobs. Any bright / above average student can pursue any course, in general. Children have different mindset. Many parents find limitation to guide appropriately. Trial and error approach is very costly and may be frustrating to self and family. It’s like boating in rough sea, without knowledge, direction and not even knowing basic swimming. It’s dangerous. The rate of new information is doubling every 6 months The most of what one learns today will be obsolete in 2 years Does one get puzzled / confused by the info explosion at school? At work? At home? Why things go wrong? They go wrong because of - Unawareness, Wrong direction & attitude, Complexity, Time misuse, Lack of ambition / low aim, Inadequate preparatory efforts, Communication gap. If one doesn’t know well where s/he is going, then s/he may reach anywhere (and not where s/he should have or wanted to) Therefore, doing a homework, preparation is absolutely must, to avoid wrong and unwanted happenings. We know that nobody guides in detail in foreign countries. One has to decide his/her destination, study / know the shortest / safest route, and has to refer maps and follow the path to reach the destination. P 1/2

‘A man who does not think and plan long enough ahead will find trouble right at his door’ – Confucius. How to go about it? Strategy without planning is a slow growth and planning without strategy is failure. Strategic planning is doing something today for managing it tomorrow.

The answer is with us, between the ears - the brain – the engine – to adapt and thrive in a world, where we have to keep learning new things/ways. All we need are the tools, methods to get this engine running at a higher level of efficiency and effectiveness. However first, we need to understand our self/mind. What it wants? - to do, to have, to become and likes/dislikes, hobbies, dreams, goals, etc So let us find some answers to these.

Strategic planning is very imp at higher levels - national, organizational. Many experts, managers contribute. Also, at family level, some parents do it to some extent. May it be for children education, house, health, investments, values, etc At individual level, who should do it? Who can understand oneself better? May be to some extent, few parents do understand their children at junior level, but may not be in details. One must find out his/her wants in life and also why so? Therefore, s/he must know how and what way to think and the process of planning. Pre-planning is its fundamental, crucial and very important step.

Career is not only imp to individual, but to the entire family. It’s everybody’s dream, ambition in the family about son/daughter to see him/her someone special. Let’s use the valuable resources smartly and optimally for making the Great Career.

Career pre-planning (one/two day program) This program is aimed for students of IX, X (XI, XII) stds, but also useful for higher levels. Broad contents:

1. Introduction, Story – Where is the gap and who is responsible for it 2. Knowing self, Jo-Hari windows, Values 3. Important stages in life and what needs to be done at each stage 4. Capacity & capability, Efficiency & effectiveness, Process 5. KASH for better life, Learning cycle, training 6. Creativity – games, quizzes 7. How to prepare? Techniques –mind mapping, divergent/con thinking 8. Strategy planning -7Ps for preparation 9. Diff bet job & career, Job & work, Giver & Taker 10. Problem, SWOT analysis, SMART objectives, MBO, Cost benefits, PDCA,CAPA 11. Ultimate aim of life, Success, Satisfaction, Happiness 12. Enjoyment, Attitude & Interest, Assertiveness

13. Exercises – Know self info, Daily schedule, Action plan

14. Assignments, Learning, Q /A, Open house IMPROVAL Associates (Sushil Haté – 98207 80089) improval@vsnl.net P 2/2

The career pre-planning workshop will be held on 12th and 13th April. For registration and further details: Kindly contact Mr. Shekar poojari – 9870577729/9323304258