Chennai: The Southern India Regional Council (SIRC) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) recently organised a series of mega career counselling programmes benefiting nearly 3,900 school students across Chennai.

The programmes were conducted under the initiative of the Career Counselling Committee of ICAI (CCC-HO) in association with Namma School - Namma Ooru Palli (NSNOP) and the Department of School Education, Government of Tamil Nadu, organisers said.

The counselling sessions were held at Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ashok Nagar; Government Model Higher Secondary School, Arumbakkam; and Perunthalaivar Kamarajar Government Higher Secondary School, Ambattur. Students from Classes XI and XII participated in large numbers, with about 600 students attending the programme at the Government Model Higher Secondary School, Arumbakkam alone.

The sessions aimed at creating awareness among students about various career pathways, professional courses, higher education opportunities and emerging career options, with a special focus on commerce, finance and accountancy-related professions. Resource persons guided students on academic planning, skill development and informed decision-making after school education.

As part of the initiative, notebooks and pens were distributed to all participating students as a gesture of encouragement and support.

Officials said the programme was part of ICAI's ongoing efforts to reach out to government school students and provide structured career guidance at an early stage, enabling them to make informed choices about their future education and careers.