Kohima, May 1 (MExN): The Kohima hub of Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, organized one-day mentorship program on April 28 at Mezhur Hr Sec School, Kohima.
The programme was organised with an aim to provide a space to students of classes 10, 11 and 12 to interact with young Naga professionals from diverse fields, informed a press release. Almost 400 students from different schools in Kohima attended the programme. After the combined session, the students attended the second session of their choice from eight different sessions – Fashion, Teaching & Research, Government, Law, Medicine & Engineering, Media & Production, Music, and NGOs & Entrepreneurship.
4-Step Career-Planning Tool
In the combined session, Limabenla Jamir, founding curator of the Kohima hub, stressed on the importance of understanding changing contexts as the gap between what students are taught in schools today and what they would actually need in the future is ever-increasing. She underscored a 4-step career-planning tool: having self-awareness, occupational awareness, well-informed decision-making, and taking action to achieve one’s goals. She further encouraged the students to inculcate perseverance and grit in pursuing their dreams.
Fashion
The session on fashion was mentored by Leno Kense Vihienuo, who illuminated the students on how the job opportunities that exist in the fashion industry are much more diverse than commonly understood. She highlighted that besides the profession of modeling, the fashion industry offers other jobs like designing, photography, styling, writing, etc.
Teaching & Research
Kilangsungla Pongener and Veralu Vero mentored the session on Teaching & Research. Sharing from their experiences as teachers, they spoke on the far-reaching impacts that a teacher can have in the lives of their students, and also the demands and challenges of the profession. The students were briefed on the various educational requirements needed for different exams and also research degrees that can be pursued in different universities.
Government Sector
Kekhrie Mezhur, mentoring the students interested in the government sector, encouraged them to be well informed of the contexts that they live in and to develop their perspectives and opinions by engaging in more meaningful conversations. Abeinuo Jasmine Ashao challenged the students to set goals in their lives by setting the bar high for themselves. Sharing from her own experiences as a young administrator, she spoke about the rising competition in procuring a government job.
Law
In the session on Law, Kezhosano Kikhi mentored the students on how to better understand the workings of the law system, giving insights on the prospects of becoming a lawyer. She spoke on how it takes patience to become an established lawyer but how with passion, commitment and determination one can become an advocate for not only the haves but for the have-nots.
Medicine & Engineering
Dr Ruyangulie Paphino and Er Talisunup Jamir mentored the session on Medicine & Engineering. Both shared on the importance of not being bogged down by the mental and emotional stress that comes with pursuing such degrees. While Er Talisunup shared on the benefits of utilizing one’s time judiciously and being resilient in the face of setbacks, Dr. Ruyangulie stressed on the need to remain focused on one’s aims and to keep other interests as hobbies.
Media & Production
In the Media & Production session, Sanen Kichu shared about the practical and technical aspects of filming and production, while Wungchipem Raman challenged the students to push themselves to be creative and original. Music & production in Nagaland still being a vast market that has barely been tapped into, the mentors explored the scopes and opportunities that exist in this line of work. The students were also shown different tools and gadgets that are used in filming and production.
Music
In Music session, Nungshienla Yaden gave special importance to having knowledge of classical music. She spoke on how classical music has served as fundamentals for music and the evolution of various genres, influencing musicians of all kinds even today. Mele Pucho shed light on the changing music scene in Nagaland, and also the need for formal music education. The use of blogs and social media as essential platforms, besides performing live, for purposes of marketing and self-promotion was also highlighted.
NGOs and Entrepreneurship
Mentoring students in the NGOs and Entrepreneurship session, Shiroi Lily Shaiza, the current curator of Global Shapers Community Kohima hub and Kevisa Khamo shared about how an entrepreneur is someone who looks at any problem and turns it into an opportunity. Entrepreneurs look beyond themselves and explore ways to contribute to the society by generating jobs and opportunities for other people, so the students were challenged to dream big even if it means having to start small.
