In an era where the professional landscape is rapidly evolving, the Foundation of Research in Careers & Education (FORCE) emerges as a pivotal initiative, aiming to equip high school students with the tools and insights necessary to navigate and excel in 21st-century careers.
Hailing from Belagavi, Ankitt SushilAnand’s academic and professional journey is marked by a commitment to interdisciplinary learning and adaptability. After completing his early education at Mahila Vidyalaya Mandal (MVM) School and GSS College, he pursued a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from KLESCET. His quest for knowledge led him to Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, where he earned a Master’s in Industrial Engineering. Ankitt further honed his expertise with a Master’s in Education (Ed.M) specializing in Learning Design, Innovation & Technology from Harvard Graduate School of Education.
With over eight years of experience as a Commercial Operations Manager at a Fortune 500 company, Ankitt transitioned to the education sector, driven by a passion to reshape learning paradigms. This shift underscores the growing recognition of the importance of integrating real-world experiences into educational frameworks to better prepare students for future challenges.
FORCE: A Catalyst for Future-Ready Careers
Co-founded with Nidhi Gani, a Professor of Digital Health and Cybersecurity at Northeastern University, Boston, FORCE is a career development lab dedicated to empowering high school students. Its mission is to equip students with the tools and experiences necessary to navigate and excel in the dynamic landscape of 21st-century careers.
Key Components of FORCE:
Career Exploration: Students engage with emerging interdisciplinary fields, gaining insights into diverse career paths through personalized mentorship.
Profile Building: Through real-world projects and research initiatives, students develop essential skills and a robust portfolio, enhancing their profiles for college admissions.
College Admissions Guidance: FORCE offers tailored support to help students present their unique narratives, aligning their strengths and aspirations with top university programs.
The program emphasizes one-on-one mentorship from Ivy League professionals, fostering not just academic growth but also personal development. By incorporating Harvard-style case studies and interdisciplinary projects, FORCE cultivates critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills—attributes highly valued in today’s workforce.
Ankitt says, In today’s dynamic job market, early career development is crucial. Programs like FORCE address this need by providing students with experiential learning opportunities that bridge academic concepts with real-world applications. Such initiatives not only enhance students’ confidence and competencies but also influence their educational and career trajectories positively.
Research indicates that experiential career education activities, such as career clubs and job simulations, significantly enhance students’ career development competencies. Students who participated in these programs demonstrated higher levels of understanding of work and the world of jobs, career exploration, and career design and preparation. This underscores the necessity of designing and implementing experiential career education programs that allow students to directly experience and participate in the world of jobs and occupations.
Ankitt SushilAnand’s transition from the corporate sector to educational innovation exemplifies a commitment to nurturing future-ready individuals. Through FORCE, he is fostering a generation of learners equipped to thrive in an ever-changing professional landscape. By integrating mentorship, experiential learning, and personalized guidance, FORCE stands as a beacon for transformative education in the 21st century.
For more information on FORCE and its programs, visit forcescholar.com or explore their LinkedIn page.