Poona College Hosts Career Guidance Session for English Literature Students

Camp, 2nd March 2025: The Department of English and Post Graduate Center  of  Poona College of Arts, Science and Commerce organized a Career Guidance and Career Counseling Programme for English Language and Literature on 1st March 2025.

The purpose of the session was to help attendees understand the various career opportunities available within this field, provide guidance on the skills required for success and assist them in making decisions about their career paths. The objectives of this program were to Explore Career Opportunities in English Language and Literature ,Develop Skills for Career Success Assist in Career Planning, Provide Job Search and Interview Techniques.

The session commenced with the invocation of blessings from the almighty. Zeenat Merchant, Event Coordinator and Head, Department gave a with a brief introduction to the importance of English Language and Literature as an academic discipline and its broad applicability in various fields. She highlighted the flexibility of the skills gained from studying English, such as critical thinking, communication, writing, and analytical abilities. Dr.Siloo Chopra, a known academician in the field and the Resource Person for the program highlighted the diverse career paths available to graduates with a degree in English Language and Literature.

She provided a detailed overview of potential careers in areas such as Writing and Publishing, Education and Academia, Public Relations and Marketing, Translation and Interpretation, Corporate Communication, Media, Creative Arts, Entertainment and Library and Information Science.
Participants were encouraged to consider how their individual interests aligned with various career options and explore new, emerging job roles in the digital world like digital content creation, blogging and podcasting. The session continued with a discussion on the essential skills required for success in English-related careers viz. Writing Proficiency, Research, Critical Thinking, Communication Skills, Creativity and Innovation and Adaptability to Technology. The participants were given advice on how to build and refine these skills throughout their academic journey and even beyond formal education.

Dr.Chopra the Resource Person very diligently guided the participants through the process of setting clear, achievable career goals. This included Short-Term Goals such as gaining internships, working on personal writing projects, volunteering in related fields, or building an online portfolio and Long-Term Goals such as securing a permanent position as a teacher, author, editor, or communications manager, or pursuing advanced studies such as a Master’s or Ph.D. in English.

The session concluded with an open forum where participants had the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a discussion about career opportunities and strategies. This Q&A session was followed by tailored advice and deeper exploration of individual career concerns. The Key Takeaways from the program were: Career Options Are Diverse, Skills Are Transferable, Networking and Continuous Learning Are Key, Effective Goal Setting and Job Search Tips. Feedback was collected at the end of the session. The participants found the session informative, especially the insights into career options and skills development. The Career Guidance and Counseling session for English Language and Literature students was an insightful and valuable experience. By combining practical advice, skill development, and strategic goal-setting, the session equipped attendees with the tools needed to navigate the evolving job market confidently. With the right tools, strategies, and ongoing support, graduates of English Language and Literature can confidently pursue fulfilling careers in multiple fields.

The program concluded with the Vote of thanks by Zeenat Merchant, Event Coodinator and Head, Department of English and Post graduate Center who conceded the expertise of the Resource Person who maneuvered the interactive Career Guidance and Counseling program.

Merchant acknowledged the able tutelage and guidance of Principal Dr. Iqbal Shaikh and Vice Principal Dr. Amjad Shaikh which was instrumental in the program reaching the shores of success Department of English and Post Graduate center is grateful to all those who helped in making this endeavor successful.