Media Release

Mangaluru, Oct 10: “Job Shadowing” a unique programme was initiated this year as part of the Career Guidance Programme at Manipal school for the students of Grade X. This programme provides students with an up-close look at a particular occupation, company, industry and career path. It offers students an opportunity to spend a day in their chosen work environment and gain a much deeper insight into what a job involves rather than reading job descriptions or asking people questions.

About 35 students were allotted work places in small groups of three based on their area of interest. They got an opportunity to observe work in the following organizations:

KMC Mangaluru
SDM Eye Hospital
Control R
Sulthan Gold and Diamond, Kankanady
Om Power Terminus
White Room Deli
Aaradhya Silks
Namma TV
Nithin J Shetty and Co.
JMFC II Court

The experience helped students formulate a more realistic impression of whether or not they are truly compatible regarding their individual interests and abilities. Students who were very happy about this initiative at school shared their experiences as follows:

“Accompanied by our School Nurse, we visited KMC Hospital, Attavar on September 26 to see the everyday life of people involved in the medical field. The day began with an introductory talk by the Marketing Director, a member from the HR Department and a Senior Doctor who explained the working of their hospital and all their schemes and programs. This was followed with the hospital tour by one of their representative where we got a deeper insight into the-ICU, NICU, General wards, Psychiatric ward, Oncology department, Sterilizing rooms, Orthopaedic ward, Cardiology ward, Neurosurgery ward, Paediatric ward, Radiology department, Outpatient and inpatient rooms, Pharmacy Scanning and X-ray Labs, tool rooms and even the Cafeteria. We ended our tour with the visit to the marketing and business management departments. It was a day of great learning as our mentor explained each department. We also interacted with the head nurse of each ward. I now have a clear idea on my career options for the future. Overall it was a fruitful experience," said Siya Abriana Setin, Grade X B.

“On September 27, we got to spend a few hours with the Ophthalmologist Dr Ashutosh Boloor at the SDM eye hospital, Mangaluru. Dr Boloor who was very humble and cheerful took us on the hospital tour. He showed us all the equipment used in the field of ophthalmology and educated us regarding their use. We were permitted to be present in the examining room while he was treating his patients. He gave us a small talk about the various eye defects and the treatments available for those defects. He even advised us on how to deal with patients. It truly was a unique learning experience,” said Tanvi Amin, Grade X B.

“The job shadowing initiative was really helpful and thoughtful. As I had visited a CA firm, I improved my knowledge regarding the same. We were first greeted by Sunitha Furtado who introduced us to the employees and interns working in the firm. Inspite of their busy schedule, they were all really friendly and cleared all our doubts. This experience got me wondering on taking up CA as my career path,” shared Sumanth Kini, Grade X C.

“It was my first time visiting a court. I always wondered what a court was like, and this visit answered all my questions. I noticed that the lawyers were wearing white band around their neck, 3 calendars were displayed, the first one was of current month, and the next two were of the upcoming 2 months’. The court asks for every details of the event for judgement. I learnt that one needs to have the patience, to listen, to ask, to prove who is right/wrong, to deliver justice. The main point of court is delivering justice,” expressed Mariam Rania, Grade X C.

“On September 28 we visited Aradhya Silks for the job shadowing program. We were educated on the various practical skills for running a business and got to know how to deal with customers. We were taught on how to price items based on their quality and how to stock the shop based on popularity. It was an informative and enlightening experience to be behind the counter,” said Anvitha Uchila, Grade X C.

Divya Sandeep, parent of Tushali of Grade X shared her views as, “The concept is a good initiative keeping in mind to let the children take an informed call on their career choice. For Tushali this experience was quite new and she did get a lot of inputs on how and what about Media as a career option. Thanks to Namma TV team and Manipal School for this opportunity.”

Arun Raj Rodrigues of the firm Control R said, “Very good initiative by the school to expose students for the practical experience at firms to understand various jobs and the entrepreneurship. Students were very keen to understand the process. They showed great interest to know how different job roles contribute in the success of the business. Students also acquired the required technical knowledge. My advice to the students joining the job shadowing program is to do research in their area of interest and to seek knowledge by questioning their mentor”.

Dr Ashutosh Boloor, SDM Eye hospital, Mangaluru, said “Quite a good programme introduced by Manipal School. Students can learn and get to know the details and the actual feel of the subject they are interested or before planning to take it up as a profession. The students were quite interactive as I showed them around the hospital. They also got to be around as I did procedures with my patient. Happy to know that it was fruitful for them too”

The school counsellor Supreetha Shetty coordinated and ensured that the programme went on well.