What Pune’s Top Counsellors Are Saying About Gen Z Career Choices
Gen Z students are rewriting the rules of career choices. They value purpose, creativity, and flexibility more than ever before. We spoke to some of Pune’s leading career counsellors to understand what today’s teens truly want from their future — and what schools, parents, and educators can do to guide them effectively.
Understanding the Gen Z Mindset
Born between 1997 and 2012, Generation Z students think very differently from their parents or even older millennials. They are digital natives, confident with technology, and deeply aware of the world around them. According to counsellors in Pune, today’s students are not only focused on grades but also on meaningful careers that align with their passions and values.
As teachers in Pune adopt modern technology to engage learners, the city’s career experts are observing fascinating trends in how students perceive success, ambition, and self-discovery.
What Pune’s Counsellors Are Observing
We reached out to several counsellors from reputed schools and independent practices across the city. Here’s what they had to say:
1. Students Are Seeking Purpose Over Prestige
“Students today are not just asking about high paying jobs. They ask about impact.” says Rashmi Kulkarni, a counsellor at a leading school in Aundh. She explains that Gen Z learners are drawn to fields like sustainability, social entrepreneurship, and design thinking.
“Earlier, students wanted to be engineers or doctors because that was the definition of success. Now, they want to build careers that feel authentic and emotionally fulfilling.”
2. Technology Is Redefining Career Choices
According to Manish Deshpande, a senior career coach associated with one of the top schools in Pune, “AI, robotics, and creative tech careers have become major attractions. Many students are interested in blending technology with art, psychology, or environmental science.”
He adds that awareness of emerging fields such as digital marketing, game design, and neuroscience has grown remarkably due to online exposure and early access to learning tools.
3. Parents Are Evolving Too
“Parents in Pune are becoming more open minded.” says Dr. Priya Soman from Kalyani Nagar. “They are now attending career sessions with their children, learning about modern fields, and realizing that traditional careers are not the only paths to stability.”
She believes that collaborative discussions between parents and counsellors are helping reduce student anxiety and broadening family perspectives on education and success.
4. Students Value Work Life Balance and Flexibility
Another counsellor, Ritika Shah from Baner, points out that teens today prioritize mental health and flexibility. “Students want careers that allow them to travel, explore hobbies, and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” she says. This mindset reflects the shift from job security to job satisfaction.
5. Early Career Exposure Is a Game Changer
Pune’s schools are introducing career exploration programs as early as Grade 8. From internship simulations to personality assessments, students are discovering their strengths sooner. According to Ravi Shinde, a counsellor who works with multiple CBSE and ICSE schools, “When students understand their strengths early, they make more confident choices in higher grades.”
Schools like The Bishop’s School and St. Mary’s School Pune are leading examples of institutions integrating career readiness modules in middle school.
Popular Career Fields Among Pune’s Gen Z Students
According to the counsellors we interviewed, the following fields are gaining rapid popularity among today’s students:
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Environmental Science and Sustainability
- Design and UI UX Careers
- Psychology and Mental Health
- Entrepreneurship and Startups
- Digital Content Creation and Marketing
- Space Technology and Astronomy
Interestingly, many students are combining fields to create interdisciplinary career paths, such as “Tech plus Art” or “Biology plus AI,” showcasing creativity and curiosity.
How Pune Schools Are Responding
Pune’s education landscape is evolving rapidly. Several schools are incorporating career counselling frameworks to help students explore future pathways. Some examples include:
- Symbiosis International School: Offers mentorship programs with professionals from various industries.
- Lexicon International School: Runs interactive sessions on digital skills, self discovery, and goal setting.
- Delhi Public School Pune: Partners with career guidance platforms to help students identify ideal career matches.
These initiatives are helping Pune position itself as India’s career guidance capital, where collaboration between schools and counsellors drives meaningful impact.
The Rise of Personalized Career Guidance
Career counselling has transformed from a one size fits all approach to a personalized student centric model. Platforms like EDVDO are leveraging AI tools to provide students with data driven career insights, helping them match interests with real world opportunities. This approach ensures that students build confidence in their own decisions while developing lifelong learning habits.
Local Insights That Stand Out
According to many Pune based educators, the city’s unique academic culture fosters curiosity and experimentation. With leading institutions such as SPIT and COEP Technological University nearby, students often aspire to careers that combine innovation with purpose.
One school principal from Koregaon Park shared, “Our students are more aware of global opportunities but also deeply connected to local sustainability issues. They want careers that make an impact both at home and abroad.”
What Counsellors Want Schools to Do Next
Pune counsellors believe that schools must take three key actions to guide Gen Z students effectively:
- Integrate career guidance early: Introduce personality mapping and skill based assessments from middle school.
- Build stronger mentor networks: Invite professionals, alumni, and industry experts for regular interactions.
- Promote holistic learning: Encourage creativity, teamwork, and communication beyond textbooks.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Career Guidance in Pune
With its growing network of schools, EdTech platforms, and skilled counsellors, Pune is leading the way in career readiness education. The collaboration between counsellors, teachers, and parents ensures that every student receives the support they need to find their path in an uncertain world.
As more schools adopt technology and integrate experiential learning, Pune’s students will continue to be among the best prepared for the evolving global workforce. The future belongs to those who combine knowledge with empathy, technology with creativity, and ambition with purpose.
