The Career Guidance Unit of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University invited Mr. Raza Abbas, the Head of Shahjehan Syed Karim Incubation Centre at the Institute of Business Management and the focal point of the UNESCO Entrepreneurship Education Network – Pakistan National Chapter, to conduct a career guidance webinar themed “Fostering Innovative Career Thinking” on 5th September 2024. The highlights of the webinar are as follows.
In the webinar, Mr Abbas emphasizes the critical role of cultivating hope as a foundational element in career thinking. He began the presentation with an icebreaker activity that encouraged participants to share their thoughts on hope and how they can develop an internal hope reservoir, followed by inspirational quotes from notable Hope Scientists profiled in the global bestseller: The World Book of Hope.
These quotes underscore the importance of maintaining hope in uncertain times, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of career planning. The concept of igniting students’ career thinking through a structured approach that involves self-awareness, management skills, and educational planning. This process is designed to guide students in exploring their career options, setting achievable goals, and taking concrete steps toward realizing their career aspirations. The framework encourages students to reflect on questions such as “Who am I?”, “Where am I going?”, and “How do I get there?”, providing a comprehensive roadmap for career development.
The presentation also addresses the differing perspectives of parents and students regarding career choices. While parents often prioritize traditional career fields that offer job security, students are increasingly interested in fields that promise rapid growth and opportunities in emerging sectors, including entrepreneurship. This discussion highlights the tension between these perspectives and the importance of finding a balance that aligns with individual interests and abilities and promoting an enlightened dialogue with parents led by career practitioners.
Furthermore, the initiatives discussed in the presentation are closely aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting quality education (Goal 4), decent work and economic growth (Goal 8), reducing inequalities (Goal 10), and fostering peace and justice (Goal 16). He encouraged participants to reflect on 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and select the SDG goals that are aligned towards their career aspirations
The session also highlights the global recognition of these innovative practices, noting their publication in OECD materials and selection for key UN and UNESCO initiatives.
