A school with a Difference – Entrepreneurship Mindset Part II
(caution: long post)
Delhi govt. has introduced a new subject focusing on development of entrepreneurship mindset for classes IX to XII from the current academic year. This is a non-exam, non-evaluation/assessment subject and the objective is to develop an entrepreneurial mindset that helps the children to identify and pursue entrepreneurial careers so as to become job providers instead of job seekers.
Two interesting components of this course are
- once a month live interaction with entrepreneurs who would share their life journey and interact with students and
- a live entrepreneurial project to be done by student group for which govt. will contribute Rs 1000/- to every student.
Delhi govt. had advertised and asked entrepreneurs to volunteer for the ‘live interaction’ and I had applied for the same. Within three weeks, there was a response and an interaction was held with Mr Manish Sisodia – Dy. CM and education minister and other officials. Following this, I was asked to take a 45-minute session at Hemu Kalani school. As reported earlier, this school is helping students to develop their interest in music and art.
Before I went to the school, I was not sure how interactive the session would be. The interaction started with a brief 3-minute session on mindfulness with closed eyes breathing/meditation technique. Then, I briefly introduced myself and shared my career journey for the next 6-7 minutes and waited their questions.
The 45-strong class initially needed some prodding and encouragement from the teacher-coordinator Mr Rajeev Kumar but after the first couple of minutes, the torrent of questions continued for the next more than one hour well past the scheduled class time!
It was a great learning for me. A large number of probing questions on my career and entrepreneurial choices kept me on my toes. Also, they were very curious to know and understand my journey from for-profit to not-for-profit space. Some of the heartening queries were from those who had deep interests in non-conventional careers and were apprehensive whether these could earn decent livelihood and support their families. Some of these were – Weighlifting, Poetry, Acting, Football and Cricket.
Some questions that saddened me came from visually challenged students who shared their apprehension that they are not treated at par and will therefotre find it difficult to earn a decent livelihood. While I tried my best to allay their apprehensions by citing examples from public life and those of my students who had faced similar challenges, it was an uphill task. Not sure whether I did an adequate job.
In between the session, school principal Mr B K Sharma joined and it was a good indicator of teacher-student relationship at this school that the flow of questions continued unabetted.
In summary, questions asked by students could be divided into three broad areas:
1. I am not sure which career I should opt for. Sometimes I feel like going for career X while some other times it is Y or Z. I am confused. Khushboo from Alohomora helped me by conducting Head-heart-hand exercise that can help one to find where the greater inclination lies. Hope it helped.
2. I am not keen in academics and would like to pursue a non-academic career but everybody tells me to study. How can I convince my parents and follow my interests? Will I earn a decent income?
3. I wish to pursue career X but do not know how should I go about it. Also, not sure if I can make decent livelihood if I go for it.
In the end, which was not coming to an end, I shared my whatsapp number for further/unasked questions.
A fantastic experience indeed. I was supercharged up by students’ energy, enthusiasm, and their dreams and ambitions.