Career counselling services at PAU's human development dept

People mostly would not be aware of the fact that Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) also offers career counselling service which can be availed with an appointment on weekdays. This service, which began a few years ago on nominal charges, was the brainchild of the university's human development department which is a part of home science college.

People mostly would not be aware of the fact that Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) also offers career counselling service which can be availed with an appointment on weekdays.

This service, which began a few years ago on nominal charges, was the brainchild of the university's human development department which is a part of home science college.

Now, with the culmination of exams for Class 10 and 12, the students must come forward to explore their aptitude here, say the department's experts.

Head of the department, Jatinder Kaur Gulati, said, "It is a fact that each year, in many cases, the students change their streams and later even careers only because they fail to get right guidance and counselling while choosing their career or stream. The students mainly follow what their cousins are into or what their relatives or friends suggest."

Revealing further the counselling session details, she said it takes about two days before a report is made for the child which defines his or her interest and talent. "First of all, we take a general knowledge test which is both written and oral and we go with many informal discussion sessions to understand the child. Next day, we talk even more and then within a day or two the final report is compiled and finally suggest the children along with their parents as per their interest and talent,"said Gulati.

The experts say appointment must be taken before coming for counselling. They opine that if the interest of the child is ignored, they will remain under stress and anxiety which can also lead them to depression. The other services offered by the department are home and family environment, school readiness, learning difficulties, improving mental health, discovering talent, social and emotional intelligence, vocation aptitude and interests, behavioural problems in children and adolescents and many more, shared Gulati. The department can be reached on 0161-2401961 at extension 357.

Fee structure

The students, who are below 15, are charged `300 as testing fee and `250 per session for guidance and counselling. Those who are above 15, need to pay `450 as testing fee while the guidance and counselling costs them`350 per session.