Students from various schools in Dehradun recently participated in an education fair that brought together institutions, career counsellors, and university representatives under one roof. Held in the city, the fair gave students a chance to interact directly with officials from national and international universities, explore scholarship opportunities, and get clarity about their preferred career paths. For many students from Classes 10 to 12, it was an eye-opener, especially those still confused between different streams like engineering, humanities, commerce, and liberal arts.

I’m covering this story because events like education fairs often go unnoticed, but they have a huge impact on students’ future choices. At a time when students are overwhelmed with options and career confusion, a face-to-face interaction with experts can give much-needed direction. I believe it’s important to highlight such initiatives so more schools and parents can encourage participation. Also, these events bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world career demands. Many students shared that this was the first time they got practical information about overseas education, new-age courses, and alternative careers. It’s a topic worth discussing because the decisions taken during school years often shape a student’s life ahead.

Students Get First-Hand Guidance

At the fair, stalls were set up by over 50 institutions, including universities from India, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Representatives shared detailed brochures, course details, and entrance requirements. Students were seen asking about fields like data science, psychology, mass communication, and hospitality—showing a shift in interest beyond traditional careers.

Career counsellors also took sessions where they answered common doubts related to subject combinations, entrance exams like CUET, JEE, NEET, and portfolio requirements for design and architecture courses. A few schools even arranged buses so their students could attend in groups, making it more organised and beneficial.

Parents Also Took Part

Interestingly, the event wasn’t just for students. Many parents turned up, curious about funding education abroad, hostel facilities, and the scope of newer subjects. Sessions on “How to support your child through career decisions” were well received. A few colleges also talked about mental health support, internships, and job placements—topics that matter to both students and guardians today.

Some schools shared feedback that students went back feeling more confident about their next steps, whether it was choosing their stream after Class 10 or preparing for a specific entrance exam after Class 12.

What Students Said

Here are a few reactions shared by students who attended:

• “I was interested in animation but wasn’t sure how to go about it. The session by an art college really helped,” said a Class 11 student from Kendriya Vidyalaya.
• “I didn’t know there were so many scholarships even for Indian students applying abroad. I got to speak to someone from a Canadian university directly,” shared a Class 12 student.
• “Earlier I thought engineering was my only option, but now I’m also looking at data science and social sciences,” said another student.

It’s clear that such events not only offer information but also help students discover paths they hadn’t considered before.

Schools Encouraged More Participation

Many schools in Dehradun are now planning to either host such fairs in-house or collaborate with organisers to bring more focused counselling sessions to their campuses. Teachers said that while online resources are useful, a physical event has a different impact, especially for students who need direct answers and motivation.

For example, some schools have now decided to include career orientation as a regular part of their academic calendar, especially for Classes 9 to 12. A few are also tying up with private counsellors to help students plan better.