Sai Career Connections: Detroit Metro Center, MI
Sai Career Connections: Guiding Students to Fulfilling Futures
Our Divine Teacher Sri Sathya Sai Baba established the Human Values program to instill the essential tools for success in life for every student. As we strengthen students’ character through the Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) program, grounded in human values, we must also support the students in pursuing their academic and professional goals. For the SSE Group 3 and Group 4 students (Grades 9–12), choosing a career path and selecting the right college and academic field can be an especially daunting task. While a few students know exactly what they want to do from an early age, most find the vast possibilities overwhelming.
This challenge sparked a discussion that led to a first-time unique event at the Detroit Metro Sai Center. The SSE coordinator, teachers, and leadership decided to leverage the expertise of Sai professionals within their own Sai community to offer SSE students and their friends an exposure to a diverse array of occupations. While students may have similar opportunities at school, the level of care, openness, and encouragement from Sai Aunties, Uncles, and Young Adults (YAs) provide a unique and unparalleled experience.
Students had golden opportunity to interact with a wide range of professionals, including Software Engineers, Graphic Designers, Physicians, Entrepreneurs, Physical Therapists, Pharmacists, and Nurses. They witnessed what leadership looked like in diverse fields and learned about the required education and training for each.
More importantly, this safe space allowed students to build self-confidence. They felt comfortable asking "simple" or "basic" questions they might be embarrassed to ask elsewhere. Working YAs connected personally with the students, taking them under their wings to offer firsthand advice on course selection, internship applications, and interview tips.
The SSE program fosters integrity and self-awareness, but the Sai community also need to guide students on the right next steps toward finding fulfilling careers. This initiative served not only the SSE students but also their peers who may lack similar opportunities to speak with a wide variety of professionals.
The Sai Career Connections event can serve as a model for other SSE programs across the country to broaden students’ opportunity to explore the scope of careers for their Group 3 and 4 students in a safe and welcoming environment. Students at this age face parental and peer pressure, but equipping them with greater awareness of career fields of their interest will provide direction in their life, and pursue their goals with clarity, passion and purpose.
Our careers don’t define who we are as people. The character with which we put our strengths and skills to use is what makes our jobs rewarding.\