"Career Awareness and Guidance Needs among School Students in Rural and Semi-Urban India: A Survey of 200 Respondents"

This study explores career awareness among secondary school students in India through a survey of 200 respondents from grades 8–12. Findings show that most students are familiar with traditional career options such as medicine, engineering, and civil services, while awareness of modern fields like data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity is very limited. Parents and social media are the primary influences on career choices, yet only 10.9% of students have ever attended a formal career guidance session. Despite this, 91.6% expressed interest in receiving free guidance in the future. Although many students enjoy and perform well in science and mathematics, their confidence in career decision-making remains moderate, indicating uncertainty and lack of exposure to diverse opportunities. Overall, the study highlights a critical gap in structured career mentorship, suggesting the need for accessible, technology-based guidance solutions to broaden awareness and better prepare students for emerging career paths.