October 13, 2025:
A comprehensive career guidance session titled “Career Crossroads” was conducted by the school counsellor, Ms. Faheema Mustafa, at the MPH for the students of Grades 10 and 12. The session was held on 24th September for the girls and on 28th September for the boys, with the objective of helping students make informed and meaningful career decisions as they stand at an important junction in their academic lives.
Session Highlights
The session began with an entry quiz that encouraged students to reflect on their own career paths, aspirations, and uncertainties. To build engagement, Ms. Faheema conducted an icebreaker activity, asking students to imagine themselves on a ship, eyes closed and hands tied, with no sense of direction. This vivid analogy helped students understand how it feels to drift through life without a clear career goal—confused and uncertain.
A fun and thought-provoking energizer followed, where students were asked questions like, “If you woke up in the body of a doctor, what’s the first thing you would do?” This sparked laughter, creativity, and participation, setting a relaxed tone for the rest of the session.
Core Presentation
The presentation opened with a famous quote by Robert Frost — “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood…” — symbolizing the critical decisions students face at this stage of life.
Ms. Faheema emphasized the importance of choosing a career path in a scientific and informed manner, highlighting that since we spend nearly one-third of our lives in our chosen professions, the decision must be made thoughtfully. A wrong or impulsive choice can lead to years of dissatisfaction, wasted time, and lost opportunities.
Interactive Discussions
To explore the factors influencing career choices, the counsellor introduced an engaging group activity. Four placards labeled Passion, Skills & Interests, Money, and Stability were displayed. Students were asked to join the group representing the factor they felt most important. Interestingly, most students gravitated toward Money and Passion, while fewer chose Skills and Stability — a reflection of contemporary youth perspectives.
Next, Ms. Faheema explained the “7 Ps of Career Choosing,” emphasizing that the first three — Parental Pressure, Peer Pressure, and Past Grades — though common, are often irrational or unscientific influences. Students were advised not to rely solely on these factors as they may lead to poor decisions.
She encouraged them to base their career decisions on personal interests, aptitudes, and skills — both hard and soft — and to consider taking an Aptitude Test to gain better clarity. Students were also asked to perform a SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) to assess themselves objectively.
Understanding Personality and Intelligence
The session further explored how personality type plays a major role in career satisfaction and success. Ms. Faheema introduced the concept of Multiple Intelligences, explaining that intelligence is not limited to academics alone, but includes various forms such as linguistic, logical, interpersonal, musical, and kinesthetic intelligence. She outlined possible career paths suited to each intelligence type, helping students visualize diverse options.
Finally, the role of Emotional Intelligence (EQ) was discussed as an essential component of success. Students were reminded that true achievement comes from the balance of both IQ and EQ — IQ + EQ = Success.
Conclusion
The session concluded on an inspiring note, leaving students reflective and motivated about their future choices. Ms. Faheema quoted the final lines of Robert Frost’s timeless poem to remind students that courage and individuality often pave the way to true fulfillment:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And I— I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
With these powerful words, she encouraged the students to follow their own path, make informed decisions, and pursue careers that align with their passion, personality, and purpose. The session was highly appreciated for its engaging approach, practical insights, and its lasting impact on students standing at their own career crossroads.
