How to Choose a Career After 12th - A Student's Guide

The Indian education system can be quite intimidating. It is a rat race for every person who wants to follow his or her dream and become successful. Picking up a course after class 12 is one of the most important stages of a student’s life, especially if he or she wants to go for Government Jobs in India. After all, the fruit of toiling for the board exams can be earned only if one selects the right career.

Tips to Choose the Right Career after 12th

Many students might already have thought about what they want to pursue after 12th and they might even be on the path to realize their dreams. However, if you are one of those who are still confused about what to choose, we have compiled a list of the most popular tips that would help you in choosing the right career for yourself.

1. Reflect and Explore

Consider the subject that is your favorite or fascinates you the most. Whichever stream you are in, be it Science, Commerce or Humanities, there must be one subject that you love and always study by heart. Just find that particular subject and pick it up. One might encounter obstacles from peer front or parents while choosing a subject of interest, however, it is important to not get carried away because of them.

After deciding the subject, explore the careers or opportunities available with your chosen subject. Thorough research is needed for every subject as each one has its opportunities to look upon. You can also search for Government Jobs besides searching for available opportunities in the private sector.

2. Understand the Course

Before deciding the course that you want to pursue, one should get to know about the course and what it covers. This will help you thoroughly understand everything about the course and what lies in store for you after you join it. It also means that you would be able to understand the subjects that would be covered in the course, what all you would learn, and what type of teaching pedagogy is followed in the course.

There are different ways to collect information about a course such as talking to your siblings, seniors, parents, or people who are working in that particular field. Alternatively, one can also consult a career counselor or search for the required information on the internet.

3. Consider the Future Prospects

Consider the prospects of a course before finalizing it. In case you want to go for a new course, it becomes all the more essential to understand about it and understand the future prospects it holds. The course should not only match your interests but should also offer good career opportunities after the course. You should also consider prospects for higher studies in the field.

4. Make a list

Create a detailed list of things that you like or dislike. You can include the subjects that you like the most, or if you are interested in arts or drawing. One can even include the areas of interest such as whether you are adventurous or not, and so on. Based on this list, you can select the career that best suits you.

5. Evaluate the Selected Careers

Once you are done making a list of shortlisted careers, analyze each one of them. Do not forget to consider facts such as minimum qualifications, starting salaries, growth opportunities as well as the potential dangers in that particular field. In case you want to try for Government Jobs, it is important to evaluate the available opportunities in the field.

6. Income or Earnings

One might argue that not everyone chooses a career to earn money, however, the career path that you choose should be able to give you the money that you desire for. Although most of the career options have a decent payout for the best, you should consider the average salaries or remuneration in the chosen field. For example, jobs in the government sector will have good basic pay and remuneration for freshers. However, if working for self-satisfaction is important to you, the door to different career aspects are always open.

7. Identify the Careers that you don’t want to Pursue

While it is important to recognize what you want to pursue, it is equally important to know what you do not want to pursue. Every so often, the best choices in life happen to be the ones that you do not make. You can carry out the process of elimination for removing the possible career options that do not suit you.

8. Get hold of a Career Counselor

Today, students and parents have started realizing the importance of availing the services of a career counselor while choosing a career. Career counselors tend to be highly trained professionals who can help the students in completing a series of aptitude and personality evaluation tests so that they can make an informed decision about their career.

9. Undertake Short-term courses in the Shortlisted Subjects

One of the best ways to find the subjects that you like or do not like is to take short-term courses in those subjects. Today, many colleges are providing such short-term courses to students to give them an idea about what to expect in those respective courses. This also helps the students to understand the subjects better.

10. Engage a Mentor

Another important thing that the students do is consider engaging a mentor who is ready to share his or her knowledge, expertise, and skills. The mentor would demonstrate a positive attitude and also act as a positive role model for the student. He or she would also be the right person for providing guidance as well as constructive feedback.

11. Work environment related to that course

Every field or career has a different work environment associated with it. For example, in the case of MBBS, a doctor generally has a hectic life. On the contrary, most of the Govt Jobs Today have a fixed schedule for the employees. Hence, one should understand the work environment before proceeding with a course.

You can also consider visiting a workplace associated with the course to understand the exact conditions and situations that you can face in the job.

Conclusion

Choosing the correct career path is completely in the hands of an individual. It is also one of the most important decisions of your life. Hence, one should take time and consider the different aspects of a career while making a choice.