Leading with Purpose: The Inspirational Story of Ritu Schimer Dhingra

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” A famous quote said by Nelson Mandela and Ritu Schimer Dhingra applied this to her life. She is a counsellor and currently heading The Career and College Counselling at Heritage International Xperiential School Gurgaon. 

Her journey has been marked by resilience and transformation. Battling and overcoming cancer was a profound experience that reshaped her perspective on life and professional aspirations. It instilled in her a deep sense of purpose and determination to make a meaningful impact in the field of education. The joys of making a difference in the lives of young people and being part of their school journey drew her close to the field. 

Throughout her career, she has positively impacted many individuals by helping them navigate their personal and professional journeys. The ability to adapt and integrate various roles has made her a versatile and invaluable resource for those seeking guidance and support in the field of education and wellbeing.

Introduction:

Ritu Schimer Dhingra is a psychologist, career and college advisor, and a life coach. She has been working in the field of education for the last 27 years. She started her professional journey as a project psychologist in Delhi with a non-governmental organization that catered to designing a program for school dropouts. The program served as a foundation for her further professional learning curve in the field of counselling. Her formal education in psychology, counselling, and teaching has played an integral part in supporting students and their parents. This background has been instrumental in her transformation, especially in understanding the finer nuances of thoughts and behaviors; helping students become the best versions of themselves.

Ritu Dhingra strongly feels that the role of schools in shaping young individuals to become responsible and effective individuals is extremely critical. A robust career and college counselling programs in schools help students realize the importance of career planning and preparation for college life. She motivates her students to look into building their career choices not only to become self-sufficient individuals but individuals who make conscious choices to impact and improve the larger communities. Individuals who choose social responsibility and sustainability as valuable parts of their personal as well as professional growth. 

Her career has been marked by a commitment to helping others through a diverse range of roles. Starting with a strong foundation in psychological counselling, and teaching she practiced her skills in understanding and addressing the emotional and mental well-being of individuals in diverse environments. This initial phase was crucial in developing deep empathy and analytical abilities to understand human behaviors.

Talking about her key milestone, she says that the psychological counselling education and training enhanced her understanding and the importance of well being in schools. She firmly believes in making psychological support and interventions easily available to all stakeholders within the school premises. Known for her strong interpersonal and communication skills, she connects with the stakeholders on a profound level. Transition to Coaching expanded her skill set to include coaching, focusing on personal development and goal setting- helping individuals unlock their potential and achieve personal and professional growth.

The shift to Career Advising was a conscious decision, she said “I thoroughly enjoy the process of guiding students and parents in making informed choices. I fully utilize my training in psychology and counselling background to provide holistic advice that considers both career aspirations and personal well-being”.  

Making a shift from teaching to psychological counselling almost two decades ago to mentoring students and parents was taking a deeper dive into their educational paths, career options, and personal development. It also helped her establish strong relationships with her mentees thus becoming a trusted advisor and a confidant.

Challenges and Achievements:

Ritu Schimer Dhingra has defeated cancer and after emerging from this challenging period, she reembraced the role of an educator, who is committed to revolutionizing how students and parents navigate the academic and career landscapes. This journey was not only about personal survival for her but also about empowering others to achieve their fullest potential despite adversities. Her diverse background is in psychological counselling, coaching, career advising, and mentoring is her stronger suits today. She encourages her students to believe in themselves and often reminds them of the following mantra- ‘Measure your success not just by how far you've come, but by the resilience and determination you showed to transform challenges into triumphs, surpassing even your expectations from the past’.

Whilst her most significant achievements center around the happiness quotient of her students, Ritu Dhingra feels humbled by the recognition given to her by IC3(International Institute of Career and College Counselling); one of the world's largest forums in the field of career and college counselling and being felicitated by the Women Leaders Forum for her hard work and commitment to the field of education. 

She believes that recognition through awards and nominations is mere evidence that you are doing good work and making a positive impact in your community. She hugely revers people working behind the scenes relentlessly and selflessly. She received recognitions like awards of excellence as an employee of the school, forums like IC3, Women Leaders Forum, Rashtriya Gaurav Awards, etc. that remind her of the responsibilities as a human who can contribute to her society in many meaningful ways.

Personal Insights:

Ritu believes “While it is quite impossible to strike work-life balance when you are a working women professional, going with the flow in both these spaces I think adaptability and managing time are two important keys. I don’t resist change but enjoy the act of balancing”. “The joy lies in learning and unlearning what works and what doesn’t”.

She also recognizes the importance of self-care and makes it a priority to engage in activities that promote her physical, mental, and emotional health. Regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and sufficient rest are integral parts of her routine, enabling her to stay energized and balanced. These practices give her the time to also continue investing in the relationships that matter most.

Impact and Vision:

Her leadership style is characterized by prioritization, efficiency, and a commitment to continuous learning, enabling an adaptable approach to both personal and professional responsibilities.

She is currently working on her second book that will narrate stories of her students, parents and teachers who followed non-conventional paths in their careers simply because they choose happiness and overall well-being. The book will also unravel different perspectives on what it means to be happy and to be in good shape mentally as well as physically.

Her future goals and aspirations are to advance educational innovation, engage in social impact and advocacy, writing and publishing, building collaborative networks, and personal well-being.

Conclusion:

Ritu Schimer Dhingra advises young women “As you embark on your journey into career counselling in education, remember that your voice and perspective are invaluable. Your empathy, insight, and dedication will positively impact many lives out there. Embrace every opportunity to learn, grow, and innovate in this dynamic field. Stay curious, resilient, and compassionate. Believe in yourself and the difference that you can make as an individual. The future of career counselling is brighter with you in it!”