Army Public School Shankar Vihar Partners with Educart for Career Counselling Workshop: Full Batch of Class 11 & 12 Students Gain Clarity on Future Pathways!
New Delhi, November 7, 2025 - Army Public School, Shankar Vihar, hosted a comprehensive Career Counselling Workshop for its Class 11 and 12 students. The 1.5-hour session saw the participation of the entire batch, reflecting the school's strong commitment to preparing students for life beyond the classroom.
The workshop was conducted by Mr. Anubhav Rakheja, Educart's experienced Career Counsellor, in the presence of Principal Neena Singh and teacher Nampreeta Kaur, whose support ensured an engaging and productive learning environment for all students.
Mr. Rakheja opened the session by addressing a problem many students face: limited awareness about career options. Most students only know about the popular choices like engineering and medical, but there are hundreds of other fields that match different interests and talents.
"Your career path doesn't have to be just about what's popular or what everyone else is doing," Mr. Rakheja explained. "It should be about what genuinely interests you, what you're good at, and what kind of life you want to build for yourself." He introduced students to a wide range of career options across different fields. The goal was simple: help students see the bigger picture and understand that they have more choices than they might have thought.
Understanding Money Matters: Scholarships and Financial Aid
One of the most valuable parts of the workshop focused on something many students and parents worry about: the cost of higher education. Mr. Rakheja dedicated significant time to explaining scholarships and financial aid options. He broke down different types of scholarships available including merit-based scholarships for students with good grades, need-based scholarships for students who need financial help, sports and talent scholarships for students with special skills, government scholarships that many students don't know about, and university-specific scholarships that colleges offer to attract good students.
More importantly, he explained the practical process of actually applying for scholarships. Many students think scholarships are only for the absolute top scorers or are too complicated to apply for. Mr. Rakheja showed them that with the right information and timely applications, many students can get financial support that makes quality education affordable.
"Don't let money worries stop you from dreaming big," he told students. "There are more scholarship opportunities than you realize. You just need to know where to look and how to apply properly."
Building a Strong Profile: More Than Just Marks!
A major eye-opener for students was understanding that getting into good universities isn't just about board exam marks. While grades are important, colleges also look at your overall profile to see who you are as a person and what you can bring to their campus.
Mr. Rakheja explained what profile building actually means and why it matters. He broke down the key elements that strengthen a student profile including summer schools and workshops that show your interest in learning beyond regular classes, internships and work experience that demonstrate practical skills, extracurricular activities that show you're well-rounded, leadership roles in school clubs or community projects, competitions and achievements in academics, sports, or arts, volunteer work that shows you care about making a difference, and personal projects or hobbies that highlight your unique interests.
He shared real examples of how two students with similar marks can have very different college admission results based on their profiles. The student who has attended workshops, done an internship, led a school club, and can talk about meaningful experiences has a much stronger application than someone who only has good grades with nothing else to show.
"Colleges want interesting, active students who will contribute to campus life," Mr. Rakheja explained. "Start building your profile now. Every small thing you do, from joining a club to learning a new skill, adds value to who you are as a candidate."
For Class 11 students, this was particularly important because they still have time to build their profiles before applying to colleges. For Class 12 students, it helped them understand what to highlight in their college applications and essays.
The Reality Check: Understanding Competition
Mr. Rakheja shared real statistics about university seats and competition levels. Many students don't realize just how competitive college admissions have become, especially for popular courses and top universities.
He presented actual numbers showing how many students compete for how many seats in universities like Delhi University, BHU, Aligarh Muslim University, top NITs and IITs, central universities, and other premier institutions across India. However, Mr. Rakheja didn't share this information to scare students. Instead, he used it to help them understand the importance of smart preparation.
He also encouraged students to look beyond just the most famous colleges. There are many excellent institutions across India that offer great education but receive less attention. Sometimes these colleges are actually better fits for certain students and career goals.
Key Highlights of the Workshop
- Understanding Career Options - Students learned about different career paths and courses available after 12th, helping them see beyond just the usual engineering and medical choices and discover fields that match their actual interests and strengths.
- Scholarships and Financial Aid - Mr. Rakheja shared important information about scholarships, how to apply for them, and how to reduce the cost of higher education, showing students that financial constraints shouldn't limit their dreams.
- Building Your Profile - The session covered how to build a strong student profile through summer schools, internships, and activities that make college applications stand out, emphasizing that good marks alone aren't enough for competitive admissions.
- University Competition Reality - Students got real statistics about how many seats are available, how tough the competition is, and what they need to do to get into good colleges, helping them prepare strategically rather than being surprised later.
- CUET Preparation Tips - A detailed discussion on CUET (Common University Entrance Test) helped students understand what to expect and how to prepare smartly for it, breaking down the exam structure and effective preparation strategies.
- Open Q&A Session - Students got time to ask their own questions about careers, colleges, and future plans, with Mr. Rakheja giving clear, helpful answers to each one, addressing individual concerns and confusion.
CUET Decoded: Preparing for the Common Entrance Test!
A significant portion of the workshop focused on CUET (Common University Entrance Test), which has become increasingly important for students aiming for central universities and many other institutions.
Mr. Rakheja broke down CUET in simple, clear terms. He explained the exam structure including which sections students need to take, what kind of questions appear, how the scoring works, and what timelines students should follow for preparation. He clarified common confusions about whether CUET replaces board exams (it doesn't, both matter), which universities accept CUET scores, and how to choose the right subjects and domains based on your career goals.
Most importantly, he provided practical preparation strategies. Students learned how to balance CUET prep with board exam studies, which resources and materials are actually helpful, how much time to dedicate to CUET preparation, common mistakes students make and how to avoid them, and time management during the actual exam.
He also addressed the stress many students feel about handling both board exams and CUET simultaneously. His message was practical: good preparation for boards helps with CUET and vice versa, since much of the content overlaps. Smart studying means preparing for both efficiently rather than treating them as completely separate challenges.
Open Q&A: Students Get Their Questions Answered!
After the main presentation, the workshop opened up for questions, and students had plenty. This interactive segment proved to be one of the most valuable parts of the session because students could address their specific concerns, confusions, and curiosities.
Questions ranged widely across different topics. Some students asked about specific universities and courses: "Is BBA a good option if I'm interested in business?" "What's the difference between BSc and BTech in Computer Science?" "How do I choose between commerce and humanities?" Others wanted practical advice about the application process: "When should I start applying to colleges?" "How many colleges should I apply to?" "What should I write in my statement of purpose?"
Several students asked about balancing different priorities: "How do I manage board exam prep, CUET prep, and building my profile all at once?" "Is it okay to take a gap year if I don't get into my dream college?" "Should I prioritize the college name or the course I'm interested in?"
Money-related questions also came up frequently: "How do I know if I'm eligible for a scholarship?" "Are private universities worth the higher fees?" "What are the most affordable options for quality education?"
Mr. Rakheja answered each question patiently and thoroughly, often using examples and real student cases to make his points clear. He didn't give generic advice but instead provided practical, actionable guidance that students could actually use.
What stood out was his honesty. When students asked difficult questions, he didn't sugarcoat answers but also didn't discourage them. He balanced realism with encouragement, helping students understand challenges while also showing them paths forward.
Strong Leadership Support from Principal Neena Singh!
Principal Neena Singh's presence throughout the workshop and her appreciation afterward showed Army Public School's commitment to student career guidance. In her closing remarks, she thanked Educart and Mr. Rakheja for providing such valuable guidance to the students.
She also appreciated how the workshop addressed both practical matters like exam preparation and broader issues like finding the right career fit. "We want our students to succeed not just academically but also to find paths that bring them satisfaction and fulfillment," she added.
Teacher Nampreeta Kaur, who coordinated the session, noted the high level of student engagement throughout. "The students were attentive, asked thoughtful questions, and you could see them really processing the information. That's exactly what we hoped for," she shared.
The response from students also was overwhelmingly positive. Many described feeling less confused and more confident about their future plans after the workshop. Several students shared their feedback immediately after the session.
What came through clearly in student feedback was appreciation for honest, practical guidance rather than vague motivational talk. Students valued getting real information, concrete strategies, and straight answers to their questions.
Educart's Commitment to Student Career Guidance!
This workshop at Army Public School Shankar Vihar reflects Educart's broader mission of supporting students at critical decision points in their educational journeys. Career counselling at the Class 11 and 12 level is particularly important because the choices students make during these years significantly impact their future paths. By providing expert counselling through experienced professionals like Mr. Anubhav Rakheja, Educart helps students make more informed, confident choices.
The organization's approach to career counselling is practical and student-centered. Rather than pushing students toward particular fields or institutions, counsellors focus on helping students understand themselves, explore options, and make decisions that align with their individual circumstances, interests, and goals.
Through partnerships with schools across India, Educart brings quality career guidance to students who might not otherwise have access to such support. These workshops complement schools' own counselling efforts and ensure students receive comprehensive guidance during crucial decision-making periods.
Mr. Anubhav Rakheja's expert facilitation, combined with the school leadership's supportive approach and students' active engagement, created a productive learning environment. Students left with not just information but with actionable plans, realistic expectations, and renewed motivation to pursue their goals thoughtfully and strategically.
In a world where career paths are increasingly diverse and admission processes increasingly competitive, initiatives like this workshop become essential. When students receive quality guidance at the right time, they make better decisions, experience less stress, and approach their futures with confidence rather than anxiety.
As schools across India recognize the importance of comprehensive career guidance, partnerships between educational institutions and organizations like Educart will continue playing a vital role in preparing students for successful, fulfilling futures.