“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
- Nelson Mandela
The Centre for Academic and Professional Support of Christ (Deemed to be University) conducted two sessions on 30/11/2018 (Friday) and one session on 1/12/2018 (Saturday) for VI HEP students.
The first session was held on Friday between 9:00 to 10:00 AM regarding Interviews. Since we are in the most crucial phase of pursuing our education or even a job, this session on interviews was meant to be useful and future oriented. The student representatives took active involvement in the teaching-learning process and left no stone unturned. Going beyond the definition of interview that is a one to one conversation between an interviewer and interviewee, they also explained us the varieties of formal, informal, structured, semi-structured and unstructured interviews. They made us prepare to either attend an oral, videoconferencing or even a telephonic interview. To make sure that we are an adequate student/member to study or work in an esteemed organisational institution, one must be able to follow certain etiquettes, manners and behavioural standards to leave the interviewer impressed and this can be achieved by ideally following formal wear for both men and women and also being well prepared with the content.  Further, the representatives also made us think in the perspective of the interviewer who would keep an eye over the subconscious motives and track the enthusiasm, nervousness and knowledge of the interviewee. They concluded the session on a positive note that each one of us must be able to communicate effectively and develop the right skill and attitude so that we can successfully complete and clear the interview process.

The second session was held on Friday between 2:00 to 3:00 PM regarding Internships. The upcoming key session for students is vital to prove their ability to work as a research intern in various governmental and non-governmental organisations. It not builds a work experience but also gives in a place for building a strong resume which is the need of the hour during admissions happening around the world. Being a platform of learning, the student representatives provided a list of internships we can avail and receive greater benefit from it. The list was apt for the course and academic curriculum where internships were ranged from being working as a legislative assistant to that of internships being offered by programmed initiatives like Lakshmi Mittal Internship etc. Though the list was overflowing, they even made us realise the benefits of paid, unpaid and partially paid internships. They also spoke about scholarships of various universities. Adding to it, we reaped the benefits of this session and realised that there is a world of opportunities availing to us and we need to access them and make it fruitful so that this short timely learning can be inculcated to building a future career with a full-time work following graduation.

The third session was held on Saturday between 9:00 to 10:00 AM regarding Research Methodology. The student representatives who volunteered for the session were accompanied with Ms Namrata D’Souza who is working as a Mentor-Class at CAPS in Christ (Deemed to be University). Since many of the students are pursuing a dissertation and also aiming a career that is research oriented, this session was handy to understand the systematic framework that needs to be adhered to in an academic writing. We were explained on how one needs to choose a topic, statement problem based on his or her area of interest associated to a branch of knowledge. Later one needs to develop it into a proposal and post the guide allotment one will be able to chapterise their writings and submit a completed academic work which will hold immense relevance and value when published. It must involve concepts like paradigm, theoretical model, qualitative, quantitative techniques etc. To provide a better piece, it must involve critical analysis and description. They also explained the difference between inter-disciplinary, intra-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary. An added advantage was that this session was a two-sided interaction between the student and the facilitators asking them their experiences involved during research activities. They wished us luck and encouraged us to take up more research endeavours in the future.

Thus, all the three sessions were beneficial and fruitful for the class and was of timely help and was handy for the students.