- The Coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdown sent huge shock waves across the world. Every section of society had to grapple with its own unique set of problems. Among those faced with the dark clouds of uncertainty hanging over their futures are millions of students.
- Stepping up to the challenge, the Institute for Career Studies | ICS Careers rolled out a series of online initiatives to benefit students, parents and others stakeholders. Since the lockdown was announced in India, in March, ICS has benefited over 5,000 students and parents along with more than 3,000 educators through its online counselling and guidance services.
Compiled By: Ms Sanchita Dwivedi
“At ICS, we started getting frequent phone calls from panicking students even before the lockdown began. There were Class 10 and 12 students who were especially worried about their next steps,” said leading career consultant Dr Amrita Dass, Founder-Director, Institute for Career Studies (ICS).
“Our expert counsellors soon allayed their fears with well thought-out and personalised solutions to every problem. As an organisation also, we displayed agility — a must-have quality in today’s VUCA world — and adapted to the challenge. Online counselling was already taking place successfully across ICS. We upscaled it further and ensured that the students got a seamless personalised guidance experience,” Dr Dass said.
Meerut-based S Raju, father of sports prodigy and international medal winner in shotgun shooting Shapath Bharadwaj, said they were forced to cancel their face-to-face counselling appointment with Dr Dass owing to the increasing threat of Covid-19. “We had our flight tickets booked (from Delhi to Lucknow) to meet Dr Amrita Dass so that she could counsel Shapath who had just appeared for his Class 12 exams. A day before our departure, we were forced to cancel the tickets. However, Dr Dass’ online counselling sessions were just as enriching as the in-person ones. Shapath got a lot of clarity about courses and campuses. Dr Dass recommended courses in sports management, gaming and BBA for him. As Shapath had to be in Meerut to continue his shotgun shooting training, he decided to opt for BBA in international business at the Manav Rachna International University, Faridabad, which has a collaboration with the Auckland Institute of Studies, New Zealand.”
Several other students also have similar encouraging stories to share. Class 12 student, Vedant Khandelwal of Prelude Public College, Agra, said, “Being located in Agra, I had been receiving online counselling from mentors at ICS, Lucknow, even before the lockdown. The counsellors here are easily accessible and their process is very user-friendly. The guidance provided by Dr. Dass and other senior counsellors made me aware of my strengths and weaknesses. It also helped me choose a combination of courses that’s perfect for my future. While I am passionate about biology, I didn’t want to be a doctor. Dr Dass recommended that I pursue psychology and biology from Ashoka University. I am in the process of applying for the same.”
Pragya Lal, who is currently pursuing BA from Sophia College, Mumbai, and wishes to go for developmental studies in a UK-based college, is also among those who underwent online counselling during the lockdown. “Whenever, I face any problem, I immediately call up my mentors at ICS who are ever-ready to assist me. Online counselling has proven to be especially beneficial in this period. I would like to thank Dr Dass, Pooja (Ahuja) ma’am and Naheed (Verma) ma’am for being so supportive and just a phone call away,” she said.
Taruni Patel, a Class 12 student in Lucknow, who is gearing up to pursue a course in Computer Science from the Michigan State University in the USA, recounted her ICS experience: “The mentors here guided me in the right direction, leading to my applications being accepted by the world’s top institutions. They simplified the application process for me. I can say that ICS is the best in the area of studies abroad. Such is the efficiency of their online counselling that even during the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests in Lucknow, when internet services weren’t available and intra-city travel was hampered due to Section 144 being in force, or during the Covid19 lockdown thereafter, ICS counsellors were just a phone call away,” she said.
SEAMLESS INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
Nuhaa Shaikh, Year 13 (Grade 12) A levels student of Modern International School, Bangkok (Thailand), who just received a 3,000 GBP scholarship from the Queens University, UK, said that while she enjoyed mathematics, she wasn’t sure whether to pursue it as part of her graduation programme. “I guided Nuhaa to pursue a course in aeronautical / mechanical engineering. Her video and phone counselling sessions are still going on,” said Kiran Kanjani, Bangkok-based Director, ICS, South East Asia and senior career counsellor.
Talking about her experience, Nuhaa said, “I applied to TU Delft in Netherlands and many universities in the UK. I have received offers from all. My scholarship deadlines were in March-April, when the lockdown came into force. To get these, I had to submit essays. So, I used to e-mail my essays to Ms Kiran and within a few days, she would send me back the revised ones.”
Pavan Idnani, Grade 12 student of KIS International School, Bangkok, said that he would gladly recommend ICS online counselling to other students. “Firstly, communication was never an issue. Next, all my queries regarding application forms, scholarships and course options were answered quickly. Thirdly, meeting deadlines for my Australian university applications was easy, as my counsellor and I were constantly on top of things. I received conditional offers from the University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, Monash University, Macquarie University and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology.”
Senior counsellor and Director ICS, Kavita Dass, who is currently counselling Class 9 students of the GEMS Heritage School, Dubai, said, “We are constantly getting requests from parents for appointments. At this stage (Class 9), following the online battery of tests, we are guiding the students on making informed choices regarding the subjects best suited to their aptitudes and interests, keeping in mind future eligibility criteria for academic/ professional courses. At the same time, we are making them aware of various career fields and also giving them inputs on personality development.”
UNLIMITED LEARNING: WEBINARS, OUTREACH PROGRAMMES
Ever since the lockdown was announced, ICS ensured that students and other stakeholders such as parents, principals and teachers had no issues in accessing the latest information and required guidance.
Dr Amrita Dass, who wowed huge audiences of students, parents, teachers, guardians and principals during recent special webinars — ‘Succeeding in the Post-Covid Career Scenario’ and ‘Being Future-Ready in a VUCA World’ — said, “We have been conducting a series of webinars during the lockdown. So far, we have reached out to over 5,000 students and parents and more than 3,000 educators, worldwide. Students have been provided with the latest updates regarding courses, campuses (India and abroad) and careers. We are elated by the overwhelmingly positive feedback of happy students and parents.”
“In our webinar on April 25, we were privileged to have the virtual presence of Hon Prof T.S. Powdyel, Former Education Minister of Bhutan as our Chief Guest. Over 20 school principals/ institute directors from India and abroad and nearly 100 teachers also registered for the event along with around 1,700 students,” she said.
Dr. Dass said the success of the event was mirrored by the next. “On May 9, a panel of four highly qualified expertsguided students of Classes 11–12 on succeeding in the post-covid career scenario.Accompanying me were three senior career counsellors and psychologists of ICS. While Dr Monika Dass and Ms Anuja Kumar guided students on staying positive in these tough times, Ms Kiran Kanjani enlightened them about the studies abroad scenario. Such was the response that we are now planning a dedicated session on ‘studies abroad guidance’,” she said.
“In addition to questions answered during our webinars, hundreds of queries related to courses, campuses and career choices are being continuously answered in a personalised manner by our career counsellors,” said Dr Dass.
Meanwhile, senior counsellor Naheed Verma, who is a part of an outreach initiative aimed at benefiting students of Jammu & Kashmir, said, “Free online counselling and guidance is being provided to students in association with the Directorate of School Education, Jammu. Students reach us through a dedicated helpline. These children are quite lost and have little idea of the many career opportunities available, today. We also get to engage with their parents.”
ONLINE PREP COURSES
Soon after the lockdown started, ICS also rolled out its cutting-edge online preparatory courses in April beginning. These ongoing courses are aimed at helping students crack management, design, mass communication and hotel management entrance exams.
Dr Vandana Gupta, who is leading the course that has four other highly qualified experts as faculty members, said, “ICS online prep courses have been very successful ever since they started. Traditionally, these were delivered in classrooms. But this year presented us with a unique challenge and opportunity. Accordingly, we had to re orient our process to deliver the same success online. The results, so far, have been very heartening. Many of our students from the current batch have already appeared for their interviews and micro-presentations. The results, so far, have been extremely heartening and we are expecting 100% success.”
Summing up ICS online outreach in these challenging times, Dr Dass said, “The ICS ‘hi touch-hi tech’ instant digital connect enabled students to clear their doubts and explore opportunities in these difficult Covid-related circumstances of adversity. They were locked down but not locked in, as need-based help from our team of dedicated and experienced career counsellors was just a phone call or WhatsApp message away. These have helped in restoring the students’ confidence in life and their future.”
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Institute for Career Studies | ICS Careers
6, Faizabad Road, Adjacent to I.T. College, Lucknow — 226007, UP, India
Phone number: (+91) 9335 912 616; Email: institute@icsmail.in
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