Bhubaneswar, July 2: Students of Ramadevi Women’s Autonomous College struggling to make a career choice will soon have help at hand.

The college has initiated a move to set up a counselling cell on campus to sort out such problems and prepare the young girls to meet the challenges of the competitive world.

“Students are often in a dilemma about their career, unsure whether they should take up a job or pursue higher studies. The cell would provide them necessary guidance through interactive sessions, aptitude and personality tests so that students can make an informed decision,” said college principal Chitrangada Samantsinghar, who also teaches psychology.

The cell, expected to come up within three months, would function under the psychology department. One of the classrooms is being furnished for the purpose and a counsellor would soon be appointed.

Apart from career-related problems, the facility will also address personal issues of the students. If need be, their parents would also be called for counselling.

“An expert from outside the college would be roped in so that students can share their problems and concerns without any inhibition. Students must make the first move and we will be all ears. Every problem can be solved through effective communication,” said head of psychology department Jayashree Samal, who will act as the cell coordinator.

College authorities said the proposal for the cell was sent three years ago to the University Grants Commission in Delhi, which sanctioned a grant of Rs 2 lakh. However, the funds could not be utilised until now.

“There has been some delay but now work is going on in full swing. We have procured furniture and other materials for the cell and we will start it in two to three months,” said Samantsinghar.

A campus tele-counselling centre already exists in the psychology department of Utkal University here to offer professional and psychological help to those in distress. It was launched in November 2011 following the death of one of the students of the university.

The college would also start NCC as an elective subject for Plus Three students, said authorities. The course will be launched in around 60 colleges across the country as part of a pilot project under the Union ministry of human resource development to popularise NCC.