Reformation of career centres and counselling in universities

Afra Nawmi | Published: August 10, 2024 21:42:09

Today, the world is evolving rapidly in terms of the job market. No matter whether an individual has prepared for it, universities are equally responsible for preparing students for their career. However, in Bangladesh, many universities need to open better career centres or counselling services. On the other hand, the existing career centres and counselling services at the university level need to work effectively so that they guide students toward employment opportunities.
However, there are challenges. From being disconnected or less connected to industries to having limited knowledge of emerging job trends and skills, universities need help to offer opportunities to their fresh graduates. Therefore, a comprehensive reform of career centres and counselling services is essential. But what reforms do they need?
Many centres on university campuses operate in isolation. They need more links to understand the current trends in the job market. Who are the stakeholders, which are the top-notch farms, who are easier to get, and what sort of deals or liaisons the university authority can make with these stakeholders? In that way, the university will be the bridge between the HR departments and their fresh graduates.
Career centres often need more knowledge about emerging job sectors, such as remote work, IT, and other non-traditional roles that graduates can pursue regardless of their academic background.
As the global job market evolves, career centres must stay informed about these new opportunities and up-to-date tools and let their students know about them. Giving them real-life scenarios will help them stay on the right track. The same goes for skill sets. Career centres and counselling clubs must devise ways to prepare their students with career skills so that they don't just get a job but have a sustainable career.
Main aspect of this reform involves actively engaging with industry professionals and alumni, not just CEOs of companies. Alumni are valuable resources who can provide insights into industry trends. They can share personal experiences, and offer mentorship to current students. The disconnect between alumni bodies and students is evident in most universities. By establishing solid alum networks, career centres can create a bridge between students and the professional world.
University faculty members need to play the most critical role in this reform process. Teachers should be encouraged to go beyond their traditional roles and actively engage with industry professionals. They need to rebuild the curriculum, offer training and workshops that are relevant to the industry.
Industry events should not be limited to career fairs but should be continuous endeavours in many forms. Universities can take inspiration from business schools around the world. Industry projects, different internships and exchange programmes should be included in the undergrad years. Students often struggle to understand where they would fit in. Here, university teachers can bring in mentors from other university alumni bodies as well. Cross university events will help immensely. We can see university clubs taking various business competitions and MUN related initiatives. But how many do we see from career centres?
Career centres should focus on ensuring that new industries and global professions are included in their domain. Unless Bangladeshis grab these early on, it will be tough to be on the global spot. Today career has become global. The reformation of career centres and counselling services is crucial to better prepare students for the evolving job market.
A fresh graduate is not someone who doesn't know anything. In our country, the perception of freshers as they know nothing is perhaps negative. Freshers have immense talent and potential in terms of scaling up in any sector, giving that a solid backbone. Career centres can break that notion, demolishing the borderline between their freshers and companies.
The whole thing is like an ecosystem, precisely a 'career ecosystem' where everyone is an equal actor playing a significant role in the economy. So, a systematic reform in these sectors can empower their students so that they can pursue diverse and rewarding career paths, ultimately contributing to their economic growth and development as well as the country.
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