National Webinar on “Issues, Challenges and Career Opportunities During and Post COVID 19” was organized by career counseling cell of Government Degree College for Women, Kathua in collaboration with Counselling Cell of Higher Education Department, JKUT under the patronage of Commissioner Secretary, HED, Talat Parvez Rohella and Principal Dr. Y.P. Kundal.The objective of the webinar was to help the students at this crucial stage to plan achievable goals and take appropriate decisions regarding their career in the wake of uncertainties COVID 19 has posed.Webinar started with welcome address of Dr Rama Badyal, Convener Career Counselling Cell of Higher Education Department. She highlighted growing importance of career counseling for students in the wake of global pandemic, COVID 19.Dr. Ambica, Nodal Officer, Career Counselling Cell of Higher Education Department welcomed the resource persons and briefed about the aim of the webinar. She also shared launch of an online counseling service,” Lets Talk” by Higher Education Department.Varun Vohra, Director, Career Galaxy, New Delhi, Dr Dimpy Mahanta, Founding head, Department of Psychology, Cotton University and Dr Nilesh Thakre, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, SNDT University, Mumbai were the resource persons.The first session was led by Dr Dimpy Mahanta. She elaborated concerns of students and heightened stress levels because of COVID 19.
She put forth details of lot many new age career options which has emerged during contemporary times of pandemic. She stressed upon role of parents as catalyst to help their children achieve what they are good at.Varun Vohra, Director Career Galaxy, shared views on how COVID 19 has impacted Indian Economy and jobs. He explained to students about different career avenues which have gained momentum in COVID times.Dr Nilesh Thakre in his address talked in detail about role of counseling in shaping careers. He stressed upon students to opt for choices more suitable to their socio-economic environment.Dr Thakre also spoke in detail about drug abuse and trafficking on the eve of Drug Abuse and Trafficking Day. He stressed for behavioral, motivational and family counseling therapies to avoid drug abuse.Pertinently, earlier, an online psychometric test to assess career choices of the students was done by Career Galaxy Institute on 19-06-2020.About 500 students of the college participated. The webinar concluded with formal thanks by Dr Ravinder Kour, Co-convenor, Career Counselling Cell of Higher Education Department.The organizing committee of the college comprised Madhvi Parasher, Prof Pankaj Nandan and Prof Barun.A large number of students including faculty members of different colleges attended the webinar. Principal lauded the efforts of counseling cell higher education and counseling cell of the college for organizing the webinar successfully.