By Leo D’Souza for BIS Mumbai

A seminar on Career Guidance and Financial Freedom was held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, for the staff and students of Don Bosco Junior College, Yerwada, Pune. The seminar aimed to provide students with an overview of various career options as well as fundamental knowledge of financial management and achieving financial independence. Tr Nisha Saldanha introduced the speakers and welcomed everyone on behalf of the Don Bosco Family. Mr Ashish Parikh, the founder and CEO of Unique Academy for Commerce and Unique Global Institutions, presided over the session. Mr Parikh, known for his commitment to shaping careers, spoke about the importance of achieving financial independence through smart and informed investment strategies. He began the session by examining Warren Buffett, one of the world's wealthiest individuals, who made his fortune primarily through consistent investments in stock indices such as the Nifty and Sensex.

The session covered key financial concepts like CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate), inflation, and traditional investment options. Mr Parikh urged both staff and students to consider whether their financial habits were destroying or creating wealth. He emphasized the importance of making sound investment decisions early on, as well as explaining the differences between the NSE (National Stock Exchange) and the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange), and advised long-term investments in indices such as the Nifty and Sensex to achieve financial independence and a comfortable retirement.

In addition to financial advice, Mr Parikh introduced the students to Unique Academy's diverse range of professional courses, which are open to students from all backgrounds. These include the following: CMA (US) – Duration: 6–9 months; ACCA (UK) – Duration: 2.5 years; CFA (US); ESG, CFP, and numerous others. He highlighted that Unique Academy is a well-developed institution offering excellent career opportunities and placements, making it a top choice for students aspiring to pursue professional qualifications.

Master Jason Fernandes of XI Commerce A stated, "This session has been a wonderful one, as now I have a lot of clarity about my career options in the field of commerce and finance."

Mansi Shinde, 12 Science B, said, “As a science student, I was unaware of the field of investment, and I am now fascinated by the world of commerce as well.”

"Investing in gold was my best option, but this session has opened up a lot of options for me," said Tr Jessie Lobo, “I have also improved my financial literacy.”

The seminar ended with the students feeling more knowledgeable and motivated about their financial future after an interesting session. The experience was very beneficial and enlightening, and it emphasised the significance of early financial literacy.  The Junior College Coordinator, Sir Leo D'Souza, proposed the vote of thanks. Through these enlightening sessions, Don Bosco Junior College strives to give students the chance to investigate and make informed career decisions.