How to choose a right career after 10+2
Consider this: Do you want
to be sitting in a cubicle, hating your job and just counting your days,
knowing that you have made a huge mistake career-wise? You wouldn’t believe the
number of people who realize all too late that they have chosen the wrong career
path. And the process starts from class 10th itself. Here are some things that
you should keep in mind when you decide what career path you are going to
choose.
Your
strength and weaknesses
It’s important to figure
out what YOU are good at. Not your friends, not your parents or your relatives,
but you. You must realize that you shouldn’t come under pressure to choose a
certain stream or career just because your family or your friends said so. You
need to do what you are good at. And you will only find that out once you know
your strengths. Even if you have fared poorly, there are career options.
Just think about what you love.
For instance, if all your
friends have decided to pursue the science stream because they think other
streams are ‘uncool’, but you love politics, you are free to choose political
science as a subject. Because at the end of the day, it is you who will be
stuck doing a job that you don’t like and after a while, you wouldn’t even have
the option to quit because it will be too late. So, you must understand your
strengths and your weaknesses and choose a career path wisely so that you don’t
have any regrets later.
What
to choose after 10th?
A lot of students think
that choosing a stream such as science is important so that they can ‘keep
their options open’. However, there is no need to pursue subjects that you know
you have no interest in just for the sake of it. What you need to do instead is
draw up a list of careers that you would like to pursue and figure out which
stream would give you the adequate tools to lead you to it. Research is the way
to go!
What
to do after 12th?
Let’s face it, board exams
are a lot of pressure. But rest assured, faring badly in the exam is not the
end of the world. There are a lot of courses in India that do not require you
to ace them. All you need is the 50 per cent mark. These would be the courses
that require you to pass an entrance exam. Think Mass
Communication,
B.Tech or even MBBS. If you’re not interested in courses
like those, these days, there are a lot of out-of-the-box vocations that you
can go for. Disc jockeying, photography, you name it,
and there is a diploma to make a career out of your hobby. Just research and
pick out the best colleges that offer the courses and apply. What
to do after 12th is
not the most difficult question to answer.
Your options are endless,
even if you don’t fare so well in your board exams. It’s not hard to make a
career if you know your areas of interest. Keep the following things in mind
when trying to figure out what to do.
- Even
if you do get good grades and still have little idea of what to do, fear
not.In this case, it’s best if you
join a good college and pursue a bachelor’s degree of your choice, and you
have three to four years to mull over your options. In the meantime, try
internships so that you get an idea about the kind of work you’d be
interested in.
- Always
choose your degree over a college brand. Ultimately,
that will help you decide what you want to do in the long run. A college
brand can only take you so far if you’re in the wrong field and don’t
perform as well as you would have if you had chosen your favorite subject
at the degree level.
- Don't
take a Gap Year. Dropping a year to study
for entrances again might not be such a good idea. If you didn’t make it
the first time, you’d think that studying all year long would help you
make the cut. But that is easier said than done. Staying motivated the
entire year and going over the same repetitive course is a challenge. It’s
better to pursue a degree so that you have something to fall back on if
you don’t make it in the entrances. That way, you won’t have wasted a year
and you won’t have any regrets.
When it comes to choosing a career, your college or
course, don’t choose what is most convenient. Choose what will intellectually
stimulate you and motivate you to make a good career. In the meantime, you have
the opportunity to join a host of extra-curricular activities. Who knows? You
might find your passion in theatre or dance! College is a great way to find out
what you really want to do with your life. Don’t waste it away!