Summer Camps for Enhancing Careers

RANJAN K BARUAH

EDUCARE

It is the time for summer vacation for most of the students. Summer vacations are much needed and students also get time to be with their family members at home. These vacations can be utilized and used in a positive way by attending summer camps and special camps, hobby classes, etc. Students get to learn many new things and also enhance confidence through different activities.  Teachers and parents must encourage our students to take part in these kinds of camps and programmes.

The direct benefit is that our self confidence increases as we meet new friends and communicate with new people. Talking to others means learning new things and gaining experiences in life. This also serves as a platform where we start learning about public speaking. Speaking in front of others is not a simple cup of tea for everyone. A team activity helps one to learn and adapt to new things and ideas or in short we can say that it helps in enhancing our life skills.

Recently I have attended a similar special programme called ‘Anweshan’ or ‘Exploration ‘in English which was organised by Growth from Grassroots, an organization at different schools in Moran area of Dibrugarh districts from 12th to 24th July . The best part of the cam was digital connectivity so that no student is left out.  Students from more than 8 schools and colleges took part in a 12 days programme which was focused to inform the students about career opportunities, enhancing personality, improve communication, etc.

Generally we see that camps are held in one location but this programme was unique as it was held in hybrid mode both online and offline and there was practical demonstration and live interaction offline as well as online.  I am happy to be invited for this programme and I took a session on how to develop our career and also interacted with students and told them about different career options after school level and also higher secondary level.

It was a unique experience for me too as I could interact and reply to questions asked by the students. One of the girl students asked me how to join the Border Security Force (BSF).  I was so happy that a girl was so curious to know about it. Well, there are many options through which we can join in BSF and it is the first line of defence for India and it provides different career opportunities starting from constable to senior officials.

Both male and female may try to join as constable or other posts and the physical requirement varies when it comes to male and female. The academic qualifications also vary from post to post. A few designations or job profiles in BSF include Constable , Head Constable , Assistant Sub Inspector ,Sub Inspector , Assistant Commandant , Commandant , etc .

Graduation is the minimum qualification for all those who want to join as officers like Sub Inspectors, Assistant Commandant, etc. Aspirants must hold a degree from any recognized university and they have to appear in the exams to qualify for different posts. Regular vacancy positions and advertisement of all other vacancies are being published in the Employment News or other leading newspapers apart from the official website of the BSF.

Aspirants passing out from ITIs may try and join as Head Constable (Fitter or Operator, etc). Generally for constables minimum qualification is Class X passed but it is good to pass senior secondary which brings more chances for the aspirants to be selected as constables.

All those who wish to become officers may start preparing from an early age. Proficiency in sports or involvement in activities like the National Cadet Corps is an added advantage for the aspirants.

Similarly many other questions were replied to the students by me. I would like to mention that summer camps or any such special camps are always beneficial for students and others. ‘Exploration’, which was organised by Growth from Grassroots, became vibrant and active due to patronage of Shri Bimal Borah, who is the local MLA and also Minister of Industries in Assam.

(Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor and skill trainer and can be reached at bkranjan@gmail.com or 8473943734 for any career related queries)