Nagaland: St. John Church hosts career guidance programme

St. John Church, Kiusam Town, organized a career guidance session on December 27, 2025, under the theme “Charting Your Path to Success.” The event aimed to inspire and equip young students with the tools they need to build a successful future. The program featured key resource persons, including Women Resource Development Officer (WRDO), K. Sudanvito Justin, associate priest at St. John Church, Rev. Fr. Thomas Toretkiu, and , Theological College, Shillong, Henry Orien.
Addressing the gathering, Rev. Fr. Thomas Toretkiu encouraged the youth to dream big and focus on their goals. He advised students in classes 6 to 8 to explore and develop their skills and interests, while students in classes 9 and 10 should focus on decision-making. For those in classes 11 and 12, he emphasized the importance of preparing for entrance exams such as JEE, NEET, CLAT, and IITs, highlighting the significance of mock tests and time management. He also spoke about the different academic streams—science, commerce, and arts—and how each path offers unique opportunities for success.
Rev. Fr. Toretkiu further inspired the students by sharing the story of Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet and Google, a global figure from India who rose to great heights through determination and hard work. His life story served as a powerful reminder to the students that success is achievable with perseverance.
K. Sudanvito Justin, in his address, spoke on the theme, “Believe in Yourself, Even When No One Else Does.” Quoting the famous poem “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, he highlighted that life is a journey, and youth are often at a crossroads. Justin encouraged the students not to fear challenges, stressing that self-belief is key to overcoming obstacles. He illustrated this by sharing the story of Thomas Edison, who failed over a thousand times before inventing the light bulb, underscoring that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success.
Henry Orien shared a motivational quote from Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal.” He advised the students not to fear mistakes but to learn from them and continue growing. He encouraged the youth to refine their approach with each mistake and use failures as a source of strength.
The session included interactive activities, such as treasure hunting and group discussions, which allowed students to apply the lessons they learned in a fun and engaging way. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Asang Mary.