A tale as old as time reminds us that through a simple conversation, things become as clear as day. So, here we are! With a simple conversation on the table, we invite you to get to know Pifinity better.
Join us as Sheetal Kalra, Pifinity’s founder, answers key questions that reveal the essence of our organisation. For you to resonate with us better, it is imperative that you understand the founding bedrock upon which Pifinity stands and continues to grow.
Whether you’re a long-time follower of our journey or new to our story, this Blog-post should deepen your understanding of who we are, what we stand for, and where we’re headed.
What inspired you to start the Pifinity Education Foundation?
Totally! There was indeed a specific moment that propelled me to think about starting an organisation like Pifinity. The primary thought goes back to COVID-19 pandemic time, when my son was in 10th grade. While the world went online, his school also had arranged a few online Career Guidance sessions. After attending numerous sessions, he declared his interest in studying Economics, a decision which surprised both me and my husband.
The sessions helped my son choose the stream that seemed right for him. After discussing with my friends, I discovered that many private schools did offer such Career Counselling programs for 10th Graders. This idea intrigued me quite a lot, however it also made me question their availability in Government schools.
Two years later, I joined the Women Startup Program (WSP 4) by NSRCEL at IIM Bangalore to start a social impact venture. Here, I decided to validate my idea of providing Career Counselling in Government schools. We approached several Government schools and found they did in fact lack formal Career Guidance. This confirmed the gap I had anticipated, leading us to initiate Career Awareness programs. Positive feedback from students further solidified our belief in the idea, leading to Pifinity’s inception as a full-fledged social venture.
What personal values drive you and the Pifinity team in your work, and how do they shape your approach to education and empowerment?
We at Pifinity have our corporate values, which applies to everyone associated with the organisation. In fact, they are drafted in a way that it aligns with personal values of our team members, including mine. We have identified six core values, what I would also like to call as tenets, and they are –
Listening with Empathy: The first tenet is to truly understand and value every voice, thereby building respect and inclusion.
Practising Courage: Calling for positive change requires courage, and we do not hesitate in taking bold actions to make our vision a reality.
Be Humble: While it may sound cliche, I completely agree with the statement that ‘humility is the greatest virtue’. We approach our work with the same mindset, acknowledging that wisdom and insights can come from anywhere.
Moral Imagination: Humankind has been blessed with the ability to imagine, with the help of which we intend to develop ethical and creative solutions to solve social problems.
Ownership: We assume full responsibility and accountability for our decisions and their outcomes.
Collective Impact: It always takes collective effort to bring a lasting positive change, hence we rely on the strength of collaboration. The core values mentioned are more than just words on a page. They guide our every action, and inspire us to challenge the ‘status quo’ in education.
What are Pifinity’s core programs and initiatives for under-served high school students, and how do they address their specific needs?
To clearly understand our initiatives, we should start from understanding the needs of under-served high school students, as put forward by numerous studies. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), there is a lack of college and career readiness among high school students, a problem that is more complex for first-generation learners. Our initiatives primarily work towards addressing these needs.
To address this gap, we have developed the Kintsugi Career Launchpad Program. Through this program, our aim is to build a student agency, which allows them to make informed decisions about their college and work life.
To make this aim a reality, the program focuses on inculcating a Growth Mindset within students along with understanding necessary 21-st century skills. Through Career Awareness programs and mentoring with professionals, we are working on the concerns put forth by several studies.
How can individuals and organisations get involved with Pifinity?
There are many ways an organisation and individuals can get involved with Pifinity. I would like to answer this with three-fold categories of volunteering, partnering, and donating.
One can donate to fund Scholarships and resources, volunteer as a Mentor, or Partner with us as an organisation. Your contribution, big or small, helps build a brighter future for under-served students.
How does Pifinity engage with the local community and build relationships with schools, educators, and families?
Although Pifinity primarily works with students, over the time we have also been able to recognise the role of Parents, Teachers, and Peers in influencing students. Recognising this interconnectedness has prompted us to develop two major programs-
One is the Teacher Enablement Program, which equips teachers to handle students’ queries regarding College and Career Guidance, particularly in their fields of specialisation.
Second is the Parent Awareness Program, which aims to educate Parents about the diverse Career choices available and to support their children in making decisions that might seem unconventional to them.
With that, we come to the end of this brief but insightful dialogue with Sheetal. This conversation was not just about looking back; it was about understanding our present and glimpsing our future. By examining our roots, we have hoped to provide a clear picture of the unique approach that defines Pifinity, in today’s landscape.
Stay tuned for more dialogues and insights that we have in store for you!
