"Career-Based Learning: How Undergraduates are Connecting their Education Towards Professional Aspirations"

In today's competitive and unpredictable academic environment, undergraduate students are increasingly motivated by the desire to connect education learning to professional aspirations. Rather than viewing university as an academic milestone, students are viewing their time as a preparation for careers. At Presidency University, students are encouraged to engage in intellectually rich learning environments that also reflect real-world job expectations.

As undergraduates broaden their interest in schools of higher education that have curricula with learning that is career aligned, internship opportunities, and industry partnerships, they are increasingly desiring learning environments that expose them to future technology and trends that are industry specific to their program of study. In response to students' increasing need for a professional orientation in their learning environment, formally and informally, universities have altered the educational environment to suit students' demands; some aspects of the educational environment have been redesigned to be more professional in outlook.

In today's educational climate, pedagogy utilized in classrooms now includes case-based learning, simulation labs, group projects, guest lecture's from industry experts and practitioners. As undergraduates are also seeking curriculum with experiential components and project based assessments and market-based certifications. For example, undergraduates in business, computer science or design are more engaged in experiential learning opportunities in a course than other course based assignments.

This fusion of theory and real-world exposure builds greater motivation and purpose among learners. Beyond academics, students at Presidency School of Commerce actively participate in co-curricular and extracurricular initiatives that boost employability. Student-led clubs in entrepreneurship, finance, coding, sustainability, and social impact offer vital spaces to translate classroom ideas into professional action.

A professional object environment in education encourages students to take ownership of their learning; to make decisions as to which area they want to specialize; and to actively seek mentorship from faculty and alumni networks. These are equally important in nurturing student soft skills like communication, teamwork, leadership, and time management, which will serve as valuable resources in the professional world.

This new spotlight on a professionally oriented learning environment has thus started to trigger a metamorphosis in undergraduate ethos. With a strong foundation built on real-world relevance, innovation, and empowerment, institutions like Presidency University and the Presidency School of Commerce are preparing students not just for their first job—but for a lifetime of meaningful contribution and career growth.

Written by,

Dr. B. Upendra Rao

Assistant Professor Presidency School of Commerce