Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
Education
10 mistakes you must avoid in a Group Discussion
Excerpts from article by Swati Mittal, published in Jagran Josh
Group Discussions are an important part of the admission screening process, especially for admissions in MBA programmes. So, let’s take a look at the most common GD mistakes that candidates make:
1. Take the lead only if you know the topic
Many candidates try to initiate the topic even if they have no clue whatsoever about it. Ignorance is one of the biggest problems in the GD round. If you know the topic well and are confident about it, it makes sense to initiate the discussion. If not, then it’s wiser to wait for the others to start.
2. If you know, don’t hesitate to take the lead
On the other hand, if you are well versed in the topic and are fairly confident about initiating the discussion then you must not hesitate to do so. For it’s quite true, the candidate who initiates the discussion gets noticed and if he puts forth invaluable inputs is also awarded bonus points.
3. Don’t copy or follow someone else
It is essential to remember that in a GD if you just simply go on to repeat what others are saying then you are making no valuable additions. It leaves a bad impression on the evaluator.
4. Don’t contradict your own points
Most of the times, the topics given in a GD are debatable. You may stand either in the favour or the argument or against it. However, take care not to contradict your own points. When this happens, the evaluator sees you as someone with no actual stand and lack of confidence.
5. Don’t avoid eye contact
When participating in a GD it is important to remember that this is a discussion which includes multiple people. Avoiding eye contact in such a situation is seen as a sign of disrespect or lack of confidence. So, the best strategy is to maintain eye contact with everyone in the group.
6. Avoid interrupting others
Group discussions are meant not just to evaluate your speaking skills but also your listening skills. Interrupting someone often leads to negative points. For remember, that the topic might seem as that of a debate but a GD is a discussion.
7. Contribute during the entire discussion
Students usually try to speak all their points in a single go. The problem is that they fear they may not get another chance to speak. But that is not the wise move to make. Break all your points into 2-3 different parts and then try to focus on one at a time.
8. Don’t lose confidence
Getting nervous jitters or experiencing lack of confidence is not uncommon during a GD. If something goes wrong i.e. if you state a point wrong, a lot of aspirants get nervous. Not everything you speak might be acceptable to the group but how you speak it and how much value is added is what counts.
9. Don’t mumble, be audible
The scene at a GD often becomes like a fish market, as everyone starts speaking at the same time. Speaking in such a din is waste. Also, if you have a weak voice, you stand no chance. You could either wait for the commotion to settle down or, if you have a strong voice, try to lead the discussion.
10. Keep a check of time & listen well
It is important to remember that you have limited time wherein you have both convey your message effectively and also listen carefully to what others are saying.
Career
Future Jobs: 6 Green Careers set to grow
Excerpts from article by Helen Lock, published in Global Citizen
Since the world economy was brought to its knees by the COVID-19 pandemic, economists and world leaders have been busy trying to think of ways to mitigate the damage while simultaneously taking climate action.
The International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) annual report, published in September 2020, said that the number of jobs in the renewables sector had reached 11.5 million globally.
Let’s take a look at some new and developing roles in the low-carbon and renewable energy economy:
1. Urban farmer
Urban farming, sometimes referred to as “vertical farming”, is a trend borne out of the world’s need to feed more city-dwellers using less land and water. It involves growing crops on rooftops and in small patches of arable land found within cities — and it requires skilled practitioners to make a success of it.
2. Green architect / interior designer
You could work in the field of eco-architecture for example, designing buildings that have as minimal an impact as possible on the environment. That could mean, instead of clearing land to create new buildings, working in tandem with the habitats that already exist, using sustainable materials, and the most efficient energy usage. Think buildings nestled in trees, or with grass on the roof to keep it warm, or a house filled with reclaimed items as furniture.
3. Green energy producer
Engineers and technicians for the renewables sector are very much needed if the world is going to transition away from a reliance on fossil fuels. Think of all the people needed to design and build solar panels and wind turbines to generate the electricity we use. Jobs in solar energy are leading the way in terms of growth. A less common form of renewable energy is tidal power, but it is being developed.
4. Sustainability consultant
Sustainability consultants help lower a company’s carbon footprint. They can do an environmental impact assessment and guide an organisation through cutting carbon emissions, waste, and water usage, etc. Or they can be involved in bigger projects such as advising the government on how to ensure new transport infrastructure.
5. Green home construction worker
Retrofitting buildings that already exist to make them more energy efficient and sustainable, and ensuring new buildings meet more stringent low carbon standards are two areas of work that require lots more skilled workers. There’s expected to be a jobs boom in green construction, with the International Labour Organization predicting 6.5 million sustainable construction jobs by 2030.
6. Environmental scientist
A healthy 8% growth in the job market for environmental scientists is expected between 2020 to 2029. The impact of climate change is already being felt with increasing extreme weather events and hottest ever years on record. Scientists who can assess, predict, and document the damage caused by warming temperatures will be vital in the coming decades.
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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