Exploring careers after school
Discovery has been one of the most fundamental and noble pursuits of the human mind. We need to celebrate it as one of the defining factors in human beings. Self-discovery plays a critical role in shaping our outlook towards life and recognising our true passion. Over the years, we have witnessed a pivotal shift in the way students approach the momentous decision of finding their career path. Traditionally, students had very few options when it came to choosing a career. Decisions were made based on parental input and societal norms rather than research and self-exploration. It is wonderful that students today can choose from a wide range of industries and job profiles to build their careers.
With those choices comes the responsibility to make a sound decision about their future. I personally feel that the summer holidays after 12thshould be the time for self-reflection. A time to dig deep and chart the course of their career and work towards building a career they are passionate about. Any decision that directly affects a student’s future is crucial. It has the potential to set the course towards a promising future. After 12th, the curriculum directly stirs you towards career specialisation, so it is paramount that every individual understands all the options. For example, if a student is interested in the aviation industry, it is vital he or she pursues aeronautical studies. Any other stream might limit their chances of entering the industry.
At this juncture, it might indeed be difficult to choose the right course. Luckily students have many avenues to gather information and make sound decisions. They can make a list of industries they like and do their research in selective fields. In this process of discovery, they will surely find their way or at least begin their journey.
Choosing from a wealth of subjects can be a blessing as well as a curse. It is a blessing because you have many choices and a curse because you have many choices. Students can find it very difficult to navigate through the plethora of subjects, but these choices give them an opportunity to explore who they are, where they stand and what they want to be in life. It is true that societal pressures to pursue the right course can be overwhelming for students, but when they love their job they will be good at it. My advice to young minds would be to follow their dreams. “Whatever you are, be a good one." These words by Abraham Linclon have always been close to my heart and I hope students follow it while choosing their career. The journey of finding a career path can be epitomised in 3 simple words ‘research, research and more research’. You will only have to open your mind and be honest about your interests.
In the current scenario, students have a plethora of streams and courses to choose from after 12th grade, including both STEM and non-STEM subjects. With that being said, I might be biased towards non-STEM courses like art and humanities. I strongly believe that these fields enable us to explore the creativity within each one of us. The knowledge gained from non-STEM subjects can be applied to all aspects of life, offering a roadmap to a successful career path. At the end of the day, whether you choose to build a career either in STEM or non-STEM fields, it is essential that students are motivated to discover and follow their passion.
Choosing a college or university is as important as choosing the subject you want to study. Great education institutions are often the foundation from where you can launch your career path. Students need to look at colleges that offer them a nurturing environment where they can truly follow their passion, and the exposure to grow and learn at a global stage. In other words, students need to shortlist colleges that offer holistic education, opportunities for experiential learning, have a dedicated faculty, and great on-campus experience. There are entrance exams for all areas of specialisation at the undergraduate level. A few of the prominent national-level examinations include CLAT for law universities which is on 12thMay 2019, Joint Entrance Exam (JEE main) for engineering colleges on July 1st, CA CPT for chartered accountancy on June 16th, AIIMS PG for medicine on May 15thand D-ART for non-STEM courses (Design, Arts, Liberal Arts, Humanities, Architecture and Media and Communication) which is in August, 2019. The sheer number of entrance exams can be overwhelming for students. I would advise them to take some time out, understand what they are passionate about and then register for entrance exams to give it their best.