path ahead 2024 25

Path Ahead 2024-25

10th Annual Path Ahead 2024

The 10th Annual Path Ahead 2024 was organised on 7th and 8th November 2024 for the students and parents of Class IX to XII. The event was spread over two days with two distinct components: a Panel Discussion with Shikshantar alumni and University Representation.

On 7th November 2024, five of our alumni from diverse fields - economics, law, social sciences, psychology and engineering were invited for a panel discussion. The theme for the discussion was ‘Forging the Path Ahead ’. The panellists spoke about the subjects they studied in school, their college years and their experiences in the professional world. Students of Classes X to XII along with some parents from Classes IX to XII attended the discussion.

The discussion began with subjects studied in school, veered towards the transition from school to college and thereafter into the professional world. Noopur Jain (Class of 2017), a counselling psychologist, talked about what motivated her to choose Psychology in college and how she took control of her choices early on in life. There was a spirited discussion on whether to study Mathematics or not in senior secondary years and how the decision impacts one's choices in college and beyond. Srushti Joshi (Class of 2020), currently a research associate at a firm in Gurugram spoke about the pros and cons of studying in a public versus a private university/institution. Nandini Goel (Class of 2018), currently working as a Consultant at McKinsey and Company, and Rohan Agarwal (Class of 2020), a business development manager at Spectacom Global, talked about what being a ‘Consultant’ entails and the challenges as well as the learnings thereof. Yash Raj Mehran, (Class of 2018), currently a lawyer at Delhi High Court spoke about what a day in the life of a lawyer looks like. There was an intense conversation on ‘Profile Building’ wherein the panellists discussed the need for it, as well as what one’s primary motivation for the same should be. The students sitting in the audience heard their seniors in rapt attention and posed interesting questions that ranged from preparing for CLAT/JEE to ragging during the Q&A session.

The discussion was riveting and exhilarating and provided the high school students of Shikshantar an opportunity to see what lies ahead for them as they prepare to step out of school.

On 8th November 2024, representatives from higher education institutions had set up information desks for students of Classes IX to XII and their parents. During this session, children and parents got an opportunity to interact with the representatives of the following Educational Institutions/ Organisations:

INDIAN

Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana
Flame University, Pune, Maharashtra
Flight Simulation Technique Centre, Gurugram
GD Goenka University & Le Cordon Bleu India, Haryana
Indian School of Hospitality, Gurugram, Haryana
ISDI, ATLAS SkillTech University
Krea University, Sri City, Andhra Pradesh
Mahindra University, Hyderabad, Telangana
Masters’ Union, Gurugram, Haryana
Pearl Academy, New Delhi
University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun
Plaksha University, Mohali, Punjab
S.P. Jain School of Global Management, Mumbai
Shiv Nadar University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

INTERNATIONAL

Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
University of Bristol, United Kingdom
Toronto Film School & Yorkville University, Canada
Canadian University Application Centre (CUAC), Canada
Education USA
University of California, Riverside, USA
Wesleyan University, USA
Think New: Study with New Zealand
Ritsumeikan University, Japan

In conclusion, the 10th Annual Path Ahead 2024 was an enlightening event that provided students and parents of Shikshantar School with invaluable insights into academic and career trajectories. The panel discussion and university fair created a vibrant platform for future planning, fostering informed decision-making and inspiring confidence among students as they prepare for life beyond school.

Futuristic Interdisciplinary Careers in Engineering & Tech: A Session by Plaksha University

An informative session was organized on the evolving landscape of Engineering and Technology on October 18, 2024, for Class XII students, by Plaksha University. The representative highlighted the modern job market, emphasizing how automation and technological advancements are reshaping career prospects across disciplines. Students were introduced to essential factors to consider when choosing a college, such as faculty, course structure, and university ranking.

The session explored the historical context of technological change since the Industrial Revolution and future possibilities. It underscored the importance of research and problem- solving in education while promoting a holistic approach that integrates various fields like Computer Science, Economics, Social Sciences, Biology, etc. within Engineering.

Additionally, attendees were introduced to the diverse courses offered at Plaksha University, along with information on scholarships and the admission process. This session equipped students with valuable insights to help them make informed decisions about their higher education pathways and potential career trajectories.

"Pathways to Canadian Universities: Insights from University of Waterloo and UBC"

On July 18th, 2024, Class XII students attended an informative session on career opportunities and the admission process in Canadian universities. Representatives from the University of Waterloo and the University of British Columbia led the session.
The University of Waterloo's representative, an India Recruitment Officer for the Faculty of Mathematics, discussed the application process, admission requirements, co-op opportunities, and scholarships. The representative from the University of British Columbia, focused on recruitment activities and the unique needs of students from India and South Asia. The session aimed to familiarize students with university life and admission-related requirements.

Exploring the Interdisciplinary approach: A session on BA (PPE) program by Azim Premji University

On May 2nd, 2024, an interactive session was held for Class XII students, focusing on the BA Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program offered by Azim Premji University. Representatives from the university led the session, aiming to familiarize students with the interdisciplinary nature of the program.

The session commenced with a thought experiment titled "Three Mouths to Feed." Through a story, the facilitator contextualized social issues, culminating in a dilemma for the students to contemplate. Encouraged to engage in discussion and brainstorming, participants explored potential solutions, touching upon concepts of Equality, Equity, and various ideological perspectives such as egalitarianism and libertarianism. This exercise underscored the interconnectedness of social problems in today's world.

Following this thought-provoking discussion, the session transitioned to an overview of the BA Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program structure. Students were presented with a year-wise breakdown of the four-year curriculum, along with information on Major and Minor combinations tailored to individual career aspirations and interests. The session concluded with a Q&A segment, allowing students to seek further clarification on the program and related topics.

Path Ahead Session I: Navigating the Path Ahead

The first Open House Interaction on Navigating the Path Ahead was held by the University Admissions Team of Shikshantar School. The session for parents of Class XII took place on Thursday, 9th May 2024 with the focus on discussing the roles of both parents and the school in preparing their children for the future. A similar session for Class XII children was facilitated on Thursday, 13th May 2024. The session for students introduced them to the upcoming processes and planning required for this year's admission process. Interactions with both the groups provided an opportunity to the participants to build an understanding of the stages and procedures involved in the college admission process.

Writing an Effective Personal Essay: A Session Conducted by Ashoka University

Shikshantar School, Gurugram organised a session for its grade XII students on 18th April 2024 with the objective to help them to better manoeuvre their college application processes. Ashoka University, Sonipat, Haryana was called upon to conduct the same. This hour-long session focused on making students aware of the purpose and role of writing an effective personal essay as part of their university admission process.

The university representative began with discussing the various criteria that are taken into consideration for granting admission to their university; some of which were, their grade XII predicted scores, SAT / ACT scores (optional), a Statement of Purpose, a Personal Essay and an Interview. Further, key differences between an SoP and a personal essay were brought out.

The concept of liberal education as a pedagogy was discussed, familiarising the audience with the opportunity to choose and change their major and minor in a subject until third semester in a four year course at the university. The interdisciplinary nature of the selection of subjects was discussed at length with suitable real-life student cases from the university, like opting a major in Biology and a minor in philosophy.

In the last leg of the session, students’ queries were addressed. The session gave the students an aptly needed nudge in the direction of their application process and culminated with clarifying their numerous doubts about the same.

DESIGN & DREAMS 2024: A Session with Shikshantar’s Alumni

Design and Dreams 2024 was an inspiring event that took place on April 6th, 2024, bringing together students, parents, and educators to explore the world of design. The event featured a lineup of speakers who shared their personal journeys and experiences in the field of design, offering valuable insights and advice to aspiring designers.

Sarthak Kanchan, a dual degree student in Industrial Design from IDC (Industrial Design Centre), IIT Powai, Mumbai, shared his passion for solving real-world problems through design. He talked about his projects, such as redesigning a 'loofah' and creating an energy-efficient 'bus stop/shelter,' showcasing the practical applications of design in everyday life.

Palak Dhawan, a 3rd-year student of Fashion Communication at NIFT Delhi, wowed the audience with her creative skills in illustration and graphic design. She shared her projects, including a children’s book and a Devnagri typeface design, highlighting the artistic aspect of design education.

Abir Bahl, a 2nd-year student of Interior Architecture at Sushant School of Art and Architecture, Gurgaon, shared his journey of discovering his true passion. Starting with a culinary course, Abir found his calling in Interior Architecture, emphasising the importance of following one's heart in choosing a career path.

Devika Singh Bisht, a 3rd-year student of Knitwear Design at NIFT Delhi, discussed the intricacies of knitwear, particularly intimate apparel. Her dedication to her craft and technical expertise were evident, showing the depth of learning offered by her course.

The speakers also provided valuable insights into the admission process and how to prepare for it, helping aspiring designers navigate the challenges of applying to design schools. They shared examples of their assignments and projects, giving the audience a glimpse into the creative and intellectual rigour of design education.

Overall, Design and Dreams 2024 was a thought-provoking event that left attendees inspired and motivated to pursue their passion for design. The speakers' stories of perseverance, creativity, and innovation served as a reminder of the transformative power of design in shaping a better future.