After the completion of
the 10th Standard, the choice of an appropriate stream forms the
next crucial step in a Secondary school student’s life. It is indeed a
challenge to make a sound decision amidst a number of suggestions from parents,
teachers, elder siblings, friends and relatives. A major factor which has been
mistakenly assumed to be a determinant when it comes to choosing a stream of
study is the percentage of marks obtained by a student. In reality, the vital
factors when it comes to choosing a stream of study for a student is his/her
interest in the field of study and his/her career preference.
The days of rote learning
are gone and it is crucial to acquire additional skills which would lead a
student to an enriching career where practical application of the knowledge
gained and research are considered mandatory. The New Media age is brimming
with variegated career choices like never before and a student has to remain
open to exploring them all and espouse the one which suits him/her the best
taking into consideration his/her strengths, weaknesses, creativity, passion
and skills.
Traditionally, the
branches of study one can opt for in the 11th and 12th
Standard in India are as follows: Science Stream, Commerce Stream and
Humanities Stream. There are a few boards
of education which allow a student to opt for elective subjects along with the
chosen stream of study. For e.g. a student of the Science stream can chose an
elective subject like Entrepreneurship from the Commerce stream under the
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Such options vary in accordance
with the nature of the board of education.
Now, let’s examine the diverse streams of study in detail and look at
the career options they offer.
The most preferred stream
of study is the Science stream owing to its ever expanding scope. It is widely
recommended by teachers and parents to students who have scored above 85%. The Science
Stream could be classified depending upon the choice of subjects:
- Science with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB)
- Science with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (PCM)
- Science with Physics, Chemistry and Computer Science
- Science with Physics, Chemistry and Technical Drawing
The first choice among
students who have opted for Science stream with PCB would be to pursue Medicine.
And it is necessary to learn that there are many other number of possibilities
a student of Science with PCB can go for such which are as follows:
Nursing
– B.Sc. Nursing.
The scope of nursing as
heath care professionals includes that of a staff nurse, deputy nursing
superintendent, nursing superintendent, director of nursing, community health
nurse, nursing supervisor, nursing informatics and administrative postions of
nursing service.
Dentistry –
B.D.S (Bachelor of Dental Surgery). Specialisation is a must through M.D.S
(Master of Dental Surgery)
Dentistry in India offers
excellent employment opportunities in dental clinics, health departments,
nursing homes, hospitals and dentists can also contribute in the advisory
departments of the pharmaceutical industry and research. Dentists can also
associate themselves with companies which produce oral care products.
Veterinary Science
– B.V.Sc (Bachelor of Veterinary Science). Specialisation can be pursued during
M.V.Sc.
Veterinarians can work in
the fields of agriculture in rural areas, dairy farms, poultry farms,
government and private veterinary hospitals and clinics, government animal
husbandry departments.
Paramedical Services:
Deals with assistance in the medical profession. Audiology and Speech therapy,
Physiotherapy, Medical laboratory technology, Pharmacy, Operation theatre
assistant, Radiology/X-Ray technology, Operation theatre assistant, Optometry
and Ophthalmic assistant, Occupational therapy, Dental hygienist and Dental
mechanics constitute the Paramedical Services. Professional courses can be
pursued at the Diploma level, Bachelor’s degree level, Master’s degree level
and Doctorate level.
Forensic Science
– B.Sc. Forensic Science. Career
opportunities in Forensic Science include that of private investigator,
forensic consultant, police officer, crime scene investigator, drug analyst,
environmental investigator and forensic scientist.
Wildlife Science
– B.Sc. (Forestry), B.Sc. (Tree improvement and Genetic Resources), B.Sc. (Wildlife
Science)
Job types for Forestry
and Wildlife Science consist of dendrologist, entomologist, ethologist,
silviculturist, forest range officer, zoo curators, researcher, lecturer,
geneticist and forester.
Biotechnology
– B.Sc. Biotechnology
Biotechnology courses are
research & development oriented and hold great importance in the fields of agriculture
and animal husbandry, health and medicine, ecology, cell biology, physiology of
plants, soil conservation science and biostatistics.
Agriculture
– B.Sc. Agriculture
Numerous career prospects
are available in the financial sector
with focus on agriculture, Agricultural departments, research organisations,
extension
services, academia, micro-finance institutions, agri-biotech organisations,
fertiliser companies and commercial farming players.
Other career prospects
for students of Science with PCB involve Nutrition and Dietetics, Food
processing, Marine Biology, Genetics, Horticulture and Flori-culture, Aquaculture,
Traditional Medicine (Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Acupuncture etc), Cosmetology, Botany,
Home Science, Environment Science and Teaching. Apart from the given career
choices, a student can also pursue entrepreneurial opportunities after gaining
expertise in the chosen field of study and conducting proper market study.
Engineering alone is not
the occupation for students who wish to opt for Science with Physics, Chemistry
and Mathematics (PCM). There are many interesting alternatives which are as
follows:
Plastic technology:
B.Tech in Plastic Technology.
Plastic technology
involves the design, development, processing and manufacture of plastic products.
Rewarding career prospects could be sought after by a plastic technologist in
public sector organisations such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Oil
India Limited, Petroleum Conservation
Research Association of India, and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Leather technology:
B.Tech in Leather Technology
Leather technologists can
work in engineering and chemical industries which focus on the manufacture of
items such as musical instruments, suitcases, upholstery, bags, hydraulic
seals, gaskets, car seats, aircraft seats, hydraulic seals, gaskets, footballs,
cricket balls.
Oceanography:
B.Sc. Marine Biology. One can later opt for M.Sc. Oceanography.
Rewarding job types for
oceanogrphy include marine biologist, physical ocaenographer, chemical
oceanographer, biological oceanographer, marine and ocean engineer, marine
environmentalist etc.
Astrophysics:
BS-MS Dual degree programme in Physical Science, B.Sc. Physics
Career opportunities in Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Institute
of Astrophysics (IIA)
Other career options for
PCM students include placements in Merchant Navy, Railway Technician Services,
Navy, Civil Aviation (Pilot), Information Technology, Footwear Technology,
Industrial Design, Packaging Technology, Building Technology, Food Processing,
Agricultural Engineering, Geology, Gems and Jewellery, Teaching, Mining and
Metallurgy, Environment Science, Air Force, Meteorology, Industrial Design, Astronomy,
Research.
Great opportunities also
exist for students who can formulate business ideas based on the above areas of
expertise followed during under graduation.
The career choices
available for students who would be chosing Science stream with Physics,
Chemistry and Computer Science consist of
Computer Application, Engineering, Teaching, Artificial Intelligence,
Multimedia, Robotics, Information Technology (both Hardware and Software),
Graphic Designing, Industrial Designing, Interior Designing and
Bio-Informatics.
And lastly, the option of
Science with Physics, Chemistry and Technical Drawing will open doors to
careers in Building and construction, Architecture, Engineering, Design
(Interior, Graphic and Industrial) and Teaching.
In India, there are a
number of entrance examinations a student from the Science Stream could appear
for in order to qualify for admission into prestigious colleges across the
country and enter specialised services. Some of major ones are:
- All India Pre Medical Test (Provides entry into MBBS/BDS)
- National Eligibility and Entrance Test (Under graduate Medical Education)
- JEE-MAINS (previously AIEEE) [Entry into all the National Institutes of Technology, University of Delhi, Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, Delhi College of Engineering)
- JEE-ADVANCED (previously IIT-JEE) [Entry into Indian Institutes of Technology]
- Various examinations conducted by the UPSC
The career options for students of the Commerce stream will be discussed in the forthcoming article. Stay tuned.
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