Salaah: An Automated Career Counselling Chatbot

This project is based on the foresight research and strategy development work conducted as part of my Major Research Project at OCAD University, Toronto, Canada.

To find more information about my project, Click Here.

Introduction

The Indian higher education system is a pillar that supports the development of a skilled labour force essential for the nation’s continuous economic development and uplifting millions of people out of poverty into the Indian middle class. Vocational education and training within the higher education system train the workforce in-demand skills and job roles through long-term and short-term skill development courses and degree programs.

Educating our labour for the future has been integral to the Indian national strategy. As a nation of 1.4 billion people, India must take advantage of its strengths and minimise its weaknesses.

With critical uncertainties like climate change, migration, geopolitical instability, and many other unknown crises, the future in the twenty-first century looks different from anything encountered in the past.

In this project, I present Salaah: An Automated Career Counselling Chatbot, an artefact from the future.

What is an Artefact from the future?

Artefacts from the future are tangible or visual representations of possible future scenarios designed to make abstract future concepts more concrete and relatable. These artefacts can take various forms, such as prototypes, mock-ups, illustrations, videos, or written narratives.

They serve several purposes:

1. Helping people visualise and understand what the future might look like.
2. Stimulating discussion and debate about future possibilities and the implications of current decisions.
3. Engaging stakeholders in the foresight process by providing tangible examples of future scenarios.
4. Allowing for the testing of ideas and strategies in a simulated future environment.

The Historical Setting

It is the year 2049.

The Indian higher education system offers Vocational Education and Training (VET) through school curricula and dedicated higher education streams. VET programs of variable lengths are offered to students through a system of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), training centres, colleges, and universities.

Students in 2049 will use the academic program, faculty, and university alumni networks to build contacts within the industry. Regular apprenticeships and internships in the public and private sectors offer students the opportunity to apply their skills. Educational programs have transformed into work-integrated learning programs, preparing students for the world of work. Academic programs have merged with career counselling and industry networking, transcending the theoretical approach to learning from the past.

Artificial intelligence products largely support students in making informed decisions based on large datasets and known and unknown variables.

However, this wasn’t always the case.

With rising demand for quality education in Indian universities and colleges, career and placement departments in universities and colleges came under increasing pressure to prepare and place students in internships and job placements. Career and placement departments faced several issues:

• Lack of guidance: Many students don’t receive proper career counselling in their schools and colleges due to a lack of facilities and a lack of incentive to use it.
• Lack of time: Many students still don’t receive it due to a lack of time. Academic loads and work assignments leave students with no time for other important things.
• Copycat decisions: Due to a lack of guidance and understanding of their desires and passions, many young people choose their careers by simply watching their peers' choices.
• Changing preferences: Graduates in the digital age lean toward interactive and visually engaging content, demanding immediacy, relevance, authenticity, and personalisation in the information they consume. They also expect career advice and guidance that speaks directly to their circumstances and aspirations.

Hence a change was needed.

Shifting Tides

In the 2020s, students faced severe challenges in making informed career decisions based on their existing skill sets, academic qualifications, and industry requirements. Universities normally offer basic placement and training services for graduating students. Most students use LinkedIn and other networking and job sites to apply for opportunities. Others prepared for competitive examinations for government employment programs. The influence of technology made applying for jobs and networking with industry professionals easy. However, making informed decisions about building careers remained an elusive goal for many.

Views started to change with the digital natives utilising technological innovations like generative AI, social media, and personalised digital platforms to access information across the internet. Many decried that the existing career placement and training services offered in colleges and elsewhere were not enough.

Stakeholders in the VET also called for state and private sector intervention in developing modern placement and career-building services, making traditional skilled jobs and career paths aspirational for the masses in India.

New products and services emerged offering recruitment and career development services. Several products and services used developing generative AI capabilities and automation to reduce costs and increase access to career development services. Several companies and government agencies started to offering services targeting different segments of the workforce in multiple languages and dialects.

Adopting AI

By the time AI was fully adopted, new products and services were available to students in digital and physical space. Students used these services to uncover job opportunities and new career paths aligned with industry requirements. Conversational chatbots were integrated into recruitment and job sites to improve information access and personalisation of content on the platform.

Such services allow students to explore learning and working opportunities that fit their career aspirations. Career decisions increasingly rely on automated services, which have reduced reliance on university placement services. Universities have also used AI to automate many services and started focusing on providing more personalised career development programs, focusing on start-up incubation, entrepreneurship, and soft-skills development.

Salaah

Salaah is a widely used conversational artificial intelligence platform that focuses on providing career development support to students and educational institutes in India. It provides intuitive suggestions on career paths, job preparations, resume-building, and aligning your career profile with industry requirements and future trends.

Design Process

Research and Analysis

In Indian higher education, career development services have become increasingly important as students navigate a competitive job market. Universities and colleges are progressively establishing dedicated career services departments to assist students in making informed career choices and securing employment.

Key Services Provided

1. Career Counselling and Guidance: Career counselling is a cornerstone of career development services in Indian universities. Professional counsellors assist students in understanding their interests, strengths, and career aspirations. They offer one-on-one counselling sessions, career assessments, and workshops to help students identify suitable career paths.
2. Placement Services: Many institutions have robust placement cells that work tirelessly to connect students with potential employers. These cells organise campus recruitment drives, job fairs, and internships, providing students with opportunities to interact with industry professionals and secure job placements before they graduate.
3. Skill Development Programs: Universities recognise the gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements and offer various skill development programs. These include training in soft skills, technical skills, language proficiency, and other competencies essential for the modern workplace.
4. Industry Collaboration: Collaboration with industry is another significant aspect of career development services. Institutions partner with companies to offer internship programs, industry projects, and guest lectures by industry experts. These collaborations provide students with practical insights and real-world experience.
5. Alumni Networks: Alumni networks play a crucial role in career development. Alumni often return to their alma mater to share their experiences, mentor current students, and offer job opportunities within their organisations. Universities leverage these networks to create a support system for students entering the job market.

Problems Faced by Students Regarding Career Development

Despite the availability of these services, students in India face several challenges in their career development journey.

1. Lack of Awareness and Access: Many students, especially those from rural areas or smaller institutions, are unaware of the career services available to them. This lack of awareness means they miss out on essential guidance and opportunities that could shape their careers. Additionally, institutions in remote areas may not have the resources to provide comprehensive career services.
2. Skill Gaps: There is a significant gap between the skills imparted by educational institutions and the skills demanded by employers. Many students graduate with strong theoretical knowledge but lack practical skills, making securing employment difficult. This skills mismatch is a critical issue that needs to be addressed through curriculum updates and enhanced training programs.
3. Inadequate Industry Exposure: While urban institutions often have strong industry connections, many colleges in smaller towns and rural areas lack such collaborations. Students in these areas do not get sufficient exposure to industry practices, internships, or networking opportunities, putting them at a disadvantage in the job market.
4. Limited Career Guidance: Career counselling services are often understaffed and overburdened, limiting personalised guidance availability. Many students do not receive the individual attention they need to explore their career options thoroughly and make informed decisions.
5. Socio-Economic Barriers: Socio-economic factors play a significant role in career development. Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds may lack the resources to participate in extracurricular activities, attend workshops, or pursue internships, all of which are crucial for career development. Financial constraints can also limit their access to advanced education and training opportunities.

Define

A quick analysis of the career development services uncovers several insights.

1. Develop comprehensive communication strategies to increase the awareness of career services among college students and graduates from training centres and universities.
2. Establish a national framework for career services to ensure consistent quality across all institutions supporting students from different communities, ethnicities, and linguistic groups.
3. Utilise AI-powered tools and online platforms to offer personalised career counselling.
4. Develop targeted support services for marginalised and non-traditional students.

Ideate, Design, and Prototype

So, the design problem is as follows:

How might we support Indian students and graduates in making informed decisions to shape their future careers?

The Achievements

• Access to Artificial Intelligence democratises access to career counselling services and reduces dependencies on placement and training centres in universities and colleges.
• A lowered barrier of access for underprivileged students using AI-generated recommendations on future career paths and job opportunities.
• Reduced repetitive tasks and training conducted by career centres in universities, enabling them to redirect resources towards personalised career development programs for students.

Where Next?

This is the first artefact from the future based on my work at OCAD University. Below, you can continue exploring the future of vocational education in the Indian higher education system.