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IC3 Institute Case Study 2
Note: Student names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.
Breaking Boundaries
The below case study provides a deeper view of how career counselors from IC3 Institute are
not only helping marginalized students achieve employment but building the foundations for
resilient livelihoods and career development capabilities.
School: Pitts Modern School, Gomia, Jharkhand
Counselor Name: Ganesh Kumar Aranya
Student Profile: First-generation learners, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Below Poverty
Line, Other Backward Classes
Mr. Ganesh Kumar Aranya, a former teacher, embarked on a transformative journey by joining
the IC3 Institute’s Flagship Program (Empower) with a mission to expand his students’ career
awareness and opportunities. Recognizing the detrimental effects of parental fixation onEngineering
and the Medical field, Ganesh firmly believed that limiting career awareness to a
few fields could hinder young learners’ potential.
Working with Parents and Enhancing Awareness
Inspired by his experience in the Empower program, Ganesh initiated efforts to educate parents
about the vast array of career opportunities and their connection to classroom learning. He
organized sessions with students and parents, aiming to raise awareness levels among all
stakeholders.
Organizing Internships and Cultivating Industry Connections
T o provide students with firsthand knowledge of the industries in their area, Ganesh facilitated
paid internships and arranged factory visits. Leveraging the school’s alumni network, he
established a special group called “guru bhai,
” which created opportunities and paved new
career pathways for students. Looking towards the future, the school is currently exploring an
online platform to foster a stronger connection between alumni and current students.
Empowering Students and Exploring Diverse Career Paths
Starting with a group of 23 students, Ganesh worked tirelessly to enhance their spoken English
skills and successfully secured internships for them in local industries. These students, in turn,
became mentors to their peers, helping them follow the same path. Ganesh guided students in
exploring various job options available in the region, encouraging them to broaden their
horizons and consider unconventional career paths beyond Engineering and Medicine.
Promoting Career Podcasts and Magazines
In a stroke of innovation, Ganesh motivated students to initiate their own career podcast. The
podcast featured interviews with entrepreneurs, successful personalities from the region, and
even comedians. This initiative not only fostered research and communication skills but also
increased overall community awareness. The podcast was screened in school and watched at
home by parents, students, and other stakeholders. Students formed groups to watch the
podcast, sharing the knowledge they gained. Additionally, Ganesh encouraged the creation of a
60-page career magazine, which the school plans to publish and distribute in the region, aiming
to enrich knowledge and promote career exploration.
One of the podcasts can be viewed here.
The magazine assignment shared by the counselor with his students can be viewed here.
Parental Engagement and Overcoming StigmasRecognizing the significance of parental involvement,
Ganesh established a WhatsApp group and initiated regular meetings with parents.
Although only two parents attended the initial meeting, the remarkable outcomes achieved by students
who embarked on careers in entrepreneurship and paramedical fields resulted in increased participation.
By building trust and emphasizing his genuine intentions to help students, Ganesh effectively addressed parental
restrictions and established a supportive environment. Sharing success stories played a vital
role in balancing student aspirations and parental expectations. Ganesh encountered
challenges in creating buy-in due to the stigma surrounding “counseling.
” T o overcome this, he
diligently educated the community about the distinction between career counseling and other
forms of counseling, dispelling the misconception that counseling is only for struggling students.
Counseling Approach with Marginalized Learners
Recognizing the unique struggles faced by marginalized learners, Ganesh focused on providing
individual counseling sessions. Understanding that these students often felt embarrassed to
speak in group settings due to their socioeconomic status, Ganesh provided personalized
guidance and support.
Identifying Challenges and Paving the Way
Ganesh identified parental restrictions, financial constraints, limited awareness, and the lack of
financial assistance options as the primary challenges marginalized students face. Through his
efforts in engaging parents, building trust, and sharing success stories, he successfully tackled
some of these challenges, fostering an environment that encourages students to explore
diverse career options.
Encouraging and Facilitating Entrepreneurship
Ganesh facilitated the ideation and funding for several startups founded by his 12th-grade
students who sought transitions straight into resilient livelihoods after school. This included a
career counseling startup and several other ventures that benefited the community.
Furthermore, the counselor supported students transitioning into paid internships followed by
jobs in the local industry. This included students doing internships in the paramedical field and
starting their own practice.
Ganesh’s students are now setting an example for the rest of the learners from the community
through the stories of their success and the support they provide through the ‘guru bhai’
platform. One such success story is the story of Neeraj Kumar.
Neeraj’s Story
Neeraj hailed from a family of farmers. With a father working as a farmer and a mother as a
housewife, Neeraj’s upbringing instilled in him a strong work ethic and a passion for community
engagement. Always wearing a smile on his face, Neeraj actively participated in various schoolsports,
cultural events, and activities. The hardships of the family due to them falling below the
poverty line led Neeraj to decide that he needed to break the cycle of poverty.
Neeraj’s academic performance in the All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) was
commendable, earning him a partial scholarship to continue studying science, specifically
Biology, in classes 11 and 12. It was during this crucial phase of his education that he received
guidance from the school’s Counseling LaboratoryTM [1], which suggested various subjects
aligned with a biology background that required minimal financial assistance.
Following this advice, Neeraj pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharma) from
Marwari College in Ranchi, Jharkhand. This transition into a vocational program was facilitated
by the counselor, who understood Neeraj’s context and needs. However, his journey was not
solely focused on academics. Neeraj understood the importance of serving society, especially
during challenging times. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he joined the 104 Peramal
Swasthya Call Centre, where he selflessly dedicated his time to helping those in need.
In the year 2023, Neeraj successfully completed his final year exams in B.Pharma, marking the
culmination of his academic journey. Concurrently, he concluded his tenure as a Covid warrior at
Piramal Swasthya, having contributed significantly to the battle against the pandemic. Despite
his academic and professional achievements, Neeraj’s vibrant spirit led him to explore other
passions, including acting, social work, and even actively participating in blood donation drives.
His leadership qualities were recognized, and he took on the responsibility of leading the college
student union.
Reflecting on his career journey, Neeraj firmly believes in following one’s passion and doing
what one believes in. He credits the timely and appropriate guidance he received for paving the
way to a brighter future. Without such guidance, Neeraj acknowledges that he could have easily
lost his way.
Neeraj’s memories of his career journey are filled with gratitude for the support he received. The
right guidance at the right time steered him towards a fulfilling career while also allowing him to
positively impact society and pursue his diverse interests. As he embraces his present and
looks toward the future, Neeraj’s story stands as a testament to the transformative power of
career guidance to build resilient livelihoods in marginalized communities and the future leaders
of the community.
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The IC3 Institute is looking for a highly organized, relationship-driven Community & Partnerships Coordinator to help grow and support our global community of volunteers and university partners.This role is key to building a culture of service, collaboration, and global engagement as we work toward our mission of “Counseling in Every School.” You’ll ensure the smooth operation of volunteer engagement, partner communications, onboarding, and community growth.
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