education – ABLES INDIA

Courses after 10th and 12th

After SSC (10th grade) / HSC (12^th grade), students can pursue various vocational courses, diploma programs, or continue their academic studies in high school. After 10^th and 12^th, several courses offer excellent opportunities for career development and higher education :

ITI (Industrial Training Institute) Courses: These courses offer practical training in various trades like electrician, electronic mechanic, COPA, fitter, mechanic, welder, plumber, and many other. ITI stands for Industrial Training Institute, a type of vocational school in India that provides practical, hands-on training in various trades and skills. ITIs offer courses ranging from a few months to two years, focusing on skills development for industry employment. They are overseen by the Directorate General of Training (DGT) within the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Diploma in Engineering: Diplomas are available in various engineering fields, including computer, automobile, and mechanical engineering. These courses provide a foundational understanding of various engineering disciplines (e.g., Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Computer Science) and can lead to entry-level jobs in various industries. A Diploma in Engineering is a 3-year course, often referred to as a Polytechnic program, that provides a foundation in engineering principles and skills. It’s equivalent to the first two years of a bachelor’s degree in engineering (B.E. or B.Tech). Students can pursue various engineering specializations, including Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Computer Science. Diploma holders can enter the workforce as junior engineers or pursue further education, such as lateral entry into the second year of a B.E./B.Tech program.

Paramedical Courses: These courses offer specialized training in medical fields like Medical Lab Technology (MLT), and can lead to roles in hospitals and healthcare facilities. This course focuses on medical laboratory procedures and techniques. DMLT stands for Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology. It is a two-year diploma course that focuses on the principles and practical skills of medical laboratory science. The course prepares individuals to work as medical laboratory technicians or technologists in various healthcare settings.

Computer Courses: Options like Digital Marketing, Graphic Designing, and Computer Applications offer skills that are highly sought after in the digital age, with opportunities in various industries.

Diploma in Computer Applications (DCA): A Diploma in Computer Applications (DCA) is a short-term, vocational program that provides a foundational understanding of computer applications and related skills. It’s typically a 6-month to 1-year course, equipping individuals with practical knowledge and skills for entry-level roles in the IT sector or for enhancing computer literacy.

Diploma in Graphic Design is a short-term, practical course focused on developing skills for visual communication. It typically covers design principles, software proficiency, and various design applications. The course can help individuals gain a foundational understanding of graphic design and prepare them for entry-level roles or further studies.

Diploma in Hotel Management: This course provides practical training in hospitality, catering, and tourism, preparing students for careers in hotels, resorts, and other hospitality settings. A Diploma in Hotel Management is a professional course that provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a career in the hospitality industry. It is a shorter, more focused alternative to a bachelor’s degree, typically lasting 1-3 years, and equips graduates with practical skills in areas like food and beverage, front office operations, and housekeeping.

Diploma in Fashion Design: A Diploma in Fashion Design is a vocational course that equips students with practical skills and knowledge to pursue careers in the fashion industry. It covers various aspects like design, garment construction, textiles, pattern making, and fashion marketing. The course helps students develop creative, design, and visualization skills, making them suitable for various roles in the fashion world.

Diploma in Interior Design: A Diploma in Interior Design is a professional program that teaches individuals the art and science of enhancing interior spaces to make them aesthetically pleasing, functional, and safe. These programs typically cover topics like design fundamentals, color theory, material selection, and the use of various design software. Diploma programs can range from one to three years, depending on the specific institution and program structure.

Diploma in agriculture: A Diploma in Agriculture is a short-term, vocational program that provides practical and theoretical knowledge in modern agricultural practices. It typically covers areas like crop production, soil science, pest management, and agricultural machinery. The program can be completed in one or two years and is often pursued after 10th grade or equivalent.

Science:

Engineering: B.Tech/BE in various specializations like Computer Science, Mechanical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering.
Medicine: MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery), BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), B.Pharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy), B.Sc. in Nursing, etc.
Other Sciences: B.Sc. in Biotechnology, Food Science, Nutrition, Chemistry, Physics etc.

Arts:

Humanities: B.A. in various subjects like English, History, Political Science, Psychology, Economics, etc.
Creative Arts: B.Sc. in Fashion Design, Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC), Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM), etc.
Other Options: B.Sc. in Hospitality Studies, Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Bachelor of Event Management, etc.

Commerce:

Business and Management: BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration), B.Com (Bachelor of Commerce).
Accounting and Finance: Courses related to chartered accountancy, accounting, and finance are also popular.
Other Options: Bachelor of Economics (B.A. in Economics), etc.

Entrance Exams: Many universities and institutions require entrance exams like JEE Mains, NATA, BITSAT, etc. for admission to specific courses.

Factors to consider when choosing a course:

Interests and Career Goals: Choose a course that aligns with your interests and desired career path.
Research: Explore different courses and their career prospects.
Job Market Demand: Consider courses that are in demand and offer good job prospects.
Course Duration and Cost: Evaluate the length of the course and the associated costs to ensure it fits your needs and budget.
Institution Reputation: Choose a reputable institution with a good track record of student success.
Consider Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Choose a course that aligns with your academic abilities and interests.
Talk to Mentors: Seek advice from teachers, counselors, and professionals in your field of interest.

Creativity

Creativity is a key skill for personal growth and professional success. It is important because it fuels problem-solving, drives innovation, fosters emotional well-being, and helps individuals connect with others.

Creativity comes from a combination of both nature and nurture. Creative people are often born with certain traits, such as curiosity, that can be nurtured and developed over time.

Creativity helps to think outside the box.

Creativity allows you to look at problems and challenges from different angles and to come up with solutions. This ability to think outside the box is essential in today’s fast-paced, rapidly changing world.

Key aspects of creativity skills include:

Imagination: The ability to envision new possibilities and scenarios.
Be Unique: The ability to come up with unique and novel ideas.
Problem-solving: Using creativity to identify and solve complex problems.
Innovation: The ability to develop new processes, products, or services.
Flexibility: The willingness to adapt and embrace new ideas and perspectives.
Communication: Effectively expressing creative ideas and solutions.
Curiosity: A natural inclination to explore and learn new things.
Open-mindedness: Being receptive to diverse perspectives and ideas.
Confidence: Believing in one’s creative abilities and expressing ideas.

Here’s a more detailed look at why creativity matters:

Problem-Solving and Innovation:

Creativity allows individuals to approach challenges with fresh perspectives and find unique solutions.
It encourages thinking “outside the box” and exploring unconventional ideas.
In business, creativity drives innovation, leading to new products, services, and processes.
Creativity can also help overcome biases and expand perspectives, leading to more inclusive and equitable solutions.

2. Emotional and Social Benefits:

Creativity provides a channel for expressing emotions, fostering empathy, and developing emotional intelligence.
It can also reduce stress, increase self-esteem, and promote overall well-being.
Creative activities can help individuals connect with others, share their experiences, and build meaningful relationships.

3. Personal and Professional Growth:

Creativity boosts confidence, increases motivation, and enhances productivity.
It encourages lifelong learning and adaptability in a constantly changing world.
Creative skills are highly valued in the workplace, making individuals more competitive and adaptable.

Examples of creativity skills :

In the workplace: Generating new marketing strategies, designing innovative products, developing better work processes, and improving customer service.
In the arts: Creating new forms of artistic expression, developing new musical compositions, and writing original stories.
In science: Discovering new scientific theories, designing and developing new technologies.
In everyday life: Coming up with new ideas for hobbies, finding creative solutions to household problems, and organize events uniquely.

Parents and teachers must understand that every child must have this critical skill for growth. They should give more opportunities and encourage children and students to think ‘out of the box.’

To cultivate creativity:

Practice: Experiment with different approaches to problem-solving and idea generation.
Seek feedback: Get constructive criticism on your ideas and work. View criticism as an opportunity for learning and improvement.
Stay curious: Explore new subjects, learn from others, and keep an open mind.
Embrace challenges: Don’t be afraid to tackle problems and explore new ideas.
Develop a creative mindset: Encourage yourself to think outside the box and explore different possibilities.
Brainstorm: Generate a wide range of ideas, even if they seem unconventional.
Doodle: Free-form drawing can unlock creative thinking.
Learn from Others: Connect with creative people, read widely, and explore different fields.
Creative hobbies: Incorporate small creative activities into your workday, like dancing, drawing, or listening to music.
Keep an Ideas Journal: Capture thoughts and inspirations as they arise.
Challenge Yourself: Regularly step outside your comfort zone and try new things.
Have Confidence: Believe in your creative abilities and don’t fear taking risks.
Don’t Be Afraid to Fail: Learn from your mistakes and see them as stepping stones.
Change Your Environment: A fresh space can inspire new ideas.
Change Your Habits: Make a conscious effort to incorporate creativity into your daily life.
Mind Mapping: Use visual brainstorming to explore ideas and connections.
Visualization: Try to visualize.
Take Creative Courses: Learn specific skills or explore different art forms.
Read Widely: Expand your knowledge and explore different genres and styles.
Travel: New experiences can broaden your perspective and inspire new ideas.

By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you can cultivate a more creative mindset and unlock your innovation potential.

Being an Ideal Fresher

Being a fresher is like a boon. In many Bollywood movies you must have heard a dialogue,”मै जब नया था, तब तुम्हारे जैसे ही था, energetic and enthusiastic, लेकिन मुझे system ने बदल दिया.” This dialogue tells you the advantages of being a fresher.

Freshers may bring energy, enthusiasm, and creativity to day-to-day work.

I conduct training sessions on ‘Campus to Corporate’ for freshers. In this blog, I have noted some difficulties of being freshers and how to overcome them.

Being a good student and being a good professional are altogether different aspects. College life is good, but it will end someday for something good. Students are sometimes reluctant to view what the future is offering them.

Every student must instill professionalism in attitude, behavior, and thought to be a good professional through proper coaching, mentoring, and training.

Here are some tips for being an ideal fresher:

Good first impression

Anyone gets only few seconds to make the first positive impression. Be prepared, professional, and well-groomed.

Professional Communication

As a student, many exams are written, except viva. In professional life, oral communication and presentation skills are the key. It is always wise to develop communication skills like a professional when you are a student.

It helps to get a dream job.

Ask for help!

No one is perfect and knows everything, as knowledge is ever-evolving. No one can learn everything on their own. You must learn to ask for help if needed.

Develop a growth mindset.

A positive attitude is the key to success, as it helps you to have a growth mindset. Trust yourself and your capabilities to learn and progress, and adopt a growth mindset. Understand and analyze your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis). Be clear about your goals and thoughts.

Be accountable and responsible.

I have observed that many students rely on their institutes and faculty for their knowledge. As a fresher, it is your accountability to gain knowledge and experience. Nobody is going to spoon-feed you. Proactively search for the right person and training for your growth. Consistently develop good habits as a professional.

Timing matters

Everyone gets an opportunity, but only one will grab it.

Timing in career matters as it matters in cricket.

Always be ready, and learn to take initiative. Instead of waiting for opportunities, learn to create opportunities. You are an architect of your career and life.

Develop skills

Organizations look for many skills in their employees. As a fresher, highlight those skills if you want to be selected.

They are Critical thinking, Problem-solving, Communication skills, Resilience, Consistency, Creativity, Emotional intelligence, Proactive, Decision making, Presentation skills, Discussion skills, Negotiation skills, Adaptability, and Coachable.

Professionalism

Being a fresher in the job market can be rewarding as you bring something unique to the organization. Companies are always ready to invest in freshers. Do ensure good returns to your employers.

To understand freshers properly, employers ask some customized interview questions during interviews:

Tell me about yourself. (Can you express yourself positively?)
Run me through your resume. (Are you aware and clear of what you have written in your resume)
What are your hobbies? (To understand your personality in a personal way)
Why should we hire you? (To understand your career objective)
What do you know about this company? (Preparedness and Eye for detail)
What inspires you in your career and life? (Role models)
What kind of salary do you expect? (Your focus and negotiation skills)
Where do you see yourself in five years? (Your goals)
What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses (SWOT analysis)
Do you have any questions for me? (Are you good in positive discussions)

Keep Learning!

Keep Growing!

**Career, Education, and Executive Coach**
(https://www.linkedin.com/in/amoldixit17)

Soft skills – a need of an hour (Marathi)

नोकरी किंवा व्यवसाय करण्यात अपयश का येते?

नुकतेच एका वाहिनीवर एक बातमी दाखवण्यात आली की पुण्याच्या हिंजवडीतील IT park मध्ये मराठी employees चा टक्का फक्त २% आहे. आश्चर्य आहे ना, आपल्याच पुण्यात, आपलीच मराठी मुलंमुली एवढ्या अत्यल्प प्रमाणात…

आपली मराठी मुलंमुली अभ्यासात एवढे हुशार. आपल्याकडे MBA, MCA, Engineers, ITI तसेच अनेक क्षेत्रात graduates, Post-graduates…एवढे शिकलेले विद्यार्थी मोठ्या प्रमाणात आहेत. ह्यांच्या शिक्षणावर पालकांनी लागेल तेवढा खर्च केलेला असतो. पण शिक्षण पूर्ण झाल्यावर खूप कमीच विद्यार्थी पुढे job मिळवतात. काही विद्यार्थी job न मिळाल्यावर पुढचे शिक्षण घेत राहतात तर काही जण मिळेल ते काम करतात. घरी सगळं सधन असल्यास काही विद्यार्थी घरचा व्यवसाय करतात किंवा शेती करतात.

काही विद्यार्थी अभ्यासात हुशार असतात पण मुलाखतीत विचारला जाणारा ‘ Tell me about yourself?’ ह्या महत्वाच्या प्रश्नाचे उत्तर देताना अनेकांना अपयश येते. का येत असावे हे अपयश ???

अशी अनेक उदाहरणे आहेत की distinction मिळालेले विद्यार्थीसुद्धा soft skills चा अभाव असल्यामुळे interviews मध्ये reject झाले आहेत.

ह्याचा विचार ना विद्यार्थी करतात, ना पालक ना शिक्षण संस्था. फक्त अभ्यासात चांगले गुण मिळवणे एवढेच उद्दीष्ट समोर ठेवून विद्यार्थ्यांना शिकवले जाते. त्यांच्या positive attitude, emotional intelligence, intrapersonal skills, interpersonal skills, communication skills, आणि interview skills ह्या soft skills कडे पाहिजे तेवढे लक्ष दिले जात नाही. पण अनेक companies ह्यांच्या मते, job मिळवण्यासाठी किंवा successful होण्यासाठी IQ पेक्षा EQ, तसेच Hard skills पेक्षा Soft skills जास्त महत्वाचे आहेत. म्हणून तर Soft skills ला Employability skills ( रोजगार कौशल्य ) असे ही संबोधले जाते.

आपण जेव्हा एखादी छोटीशी वस्तू घेतो तेव्हा ती पारखून घेतो मग शिक्षण घेताना आपण नक्कीच पारखून घेणे गरजेचे आहे. आपल्या पाल्याचा सर्वांगीण विकास होतो आहे का?, हे पाहणे प्रत्येक पालकाचे कर्तव्यच आहे. शिक्षण घेऊन नुसते certificate घ्यायचे की ते certificate मिळवून चांगले career घडवायचे हे प्रत्येक विद्यार्थ्याने तसेच पालकाने विचार करण्याची गरज आहे…✍️