CAREER PLANNING AFTER SCHOOL EDUCATION.

Dear Students , Career planning is one of the most crucial factors in your life, which needs no emphasis. It is important at least for two reasons. First, whether you opt for a  job or prefer to be  your own boss ! you must appreciate that there is fierce competition for getting a space in the world of work. Remember the old adage, "Survival of the fittest". Second, in view of new developments primarily triggered off by the information technology and globalization of the economy, there are now more options than ever before. You will have to look for these options. Remember also that these are days of specialization.

When should you begin your career planning? As soon as you enter the IX Std. is the formative age to shape your career. Much more important reason, however, is that it is after the 10 + 2 level that a wide variety of course options are available for you to choose from. This means that as the first step you will have to choose from these three streams either Science, Humanities or Commerce and the appropriate combination of subjects, when you enter the 10+2 level. To a great extent, this choice would determine the course options available to you after the 10 + 2 level. For example, if you want to take up an Engineering Degree, you should not only join the Science stream but should also opt for the combination comprising Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.

Before you enter the 10 + 2 stage, you may like to consider which syllabus provides wider options. As you are aware, there are three Secondary Boards namely Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (ICSE) and the State Boards, each having its own syllabus.

Before you embark upon planning your career you may have to consider two issues:

1. Do you need an immediate job because of your family circumstances?

2. Is your family financially sound enough to pay for your professional education?

If you need a job, say after you complete the secondary stage, but still want to pursue higher education, you may like to take up a suitable course through distance learning mode. There are now many options available. You can study according to your own pace and convenience. You can complete your  higher secondary (10 + 2) courses through the distance-learning mode. As regards the second issue, the stark reality is that it is becoming increasingly difficult for many middle class families to meet the spiraling cost of professional education. Scholarships, and other financial support are scarce. You may be aware that in professional colleges there are two categories of seats "free seats" and "payment seats".

Since the tuition fees for "free seats" are highly subsidized, you pay much less compared to those for "payment seats". Generally, "free seats" are allotted to students on the basis of the performance at the entrance tests. You will, therefore, have to strive very hard if you want to get into a good professional colleges.

STEPS FOR CAREER  PLANNING.

1. Assess your strengths and weaknesses,  choices  , aptitudes and interests.

2. Gather as much information as possible about the various educational opportunities and choose one that conforms to your assessment.

Both are easier said than done. Therefore, it is necessary for schools to regularly hold career counseling sessions and impart information and provide guidance and counseling to their students from 1X Std onwards. In the absence of such facilities in schools, try to collect information from different sources. Here is a note of caution. Never take the claims of flashy advertisements in newspapers and other media at their face value. More often than not, they are issued by Fly-by- night operators to allure unsuspecting students. Ascertain the status of these institutions yourself .

OPTIONS AT 10 + 2 LEVEL.

1. Science Stream

2. Humanities Stream

3. Commerce Stream.

4. Vocational Courses

SCIENCE  STREAM

 There is a common myth that science is the most important subject, compared to humanities or even commerce. There is also a general feeling in our society that only the best students opt for science. This is an assumption of most parents & students .  In fact, brilliance and intelligence is not the exclusive preserve of science. If a student is interested in doing Engineering courses, such as Civil, Mechanical, Electronics, Metallurgy, Computers, the option should be for a combination of Physics ,Chemistry & Maths.(PCM) If you wish to take up Medicine, Dentistry, Agricultural Science, Dairy Science or Biological Sciences (Biochemistry, Biotechnology), the combination should be Biology, Chemistry & Physics (PCB) It is true that the main advantage of choosing science stream is that you can shift to the other two streams i.e humanities and commerce after    10 + 2. It also opens up the gateway to a large number of career and course options, even if you cannot make it to the most coveted courses in Engineering, Medicine or Agriculture.

Apart form doing the degree level courses in science with the conventional combinations you can also choose degree courses in several emerging professional areas, such as Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Nursing, Computer, Business Administration, Hotel Management, Tourism Management etc. You can also opt for courses outside the university stream, such as Fashion Technology, Industrial Design, Packaging, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, Government Accredited Computer courses and a host of  post 10 + 2 level vocational courses.

If you are very clear that science is not your cup of tea, there is no point in wasting two precious years simply because it keeps many options open. It would rather be desirable to explore the opportunities the other fields offer.

ARTS/HUMANITIES

Humanities also offers many options after 10 + 2 other than the usual BA degree course. Except for courses in science and technology areas, they can take up many other courses such as Travel & Tourism, Advertising, Journalism, Performing Arts, Business Management, etc. Humanities is also the favorite choice of many students who want to sit for the Civil Service examinations.

COMMERCE

Commerce stream opens up a variety of options after 10 + 2 stage. For example Company Secretary-ship, Chartered Accountancy, Law, Cost Accountancy, Business Management, Computer. Although chartered accountancy, cost accountancy or company secretary-ship course can be taken up after 10 + 2 (after successfully completing the Foundation Courses) you should be aware that each year only a small percentage of those who take the examinations get through.

VOCATIONAL COURSES

In all the these streams, students can now opt for job-oriented vocational subjects at the first degree level available in selected colleges affiliated to many universities. Another recent development has been the diversification of courses, professional in nature, at the first-degree level itself, although the number is institutions offering such course is still small. International postgraduate program of five-year duration after 10 + 2 in several subjects are being introduced by some universities you do not intend to pursue university education, you may opt, after the   X Std.  for various Vocational Courses available in different areas. The most sought after course are the Polytechnic courses of three-year duration leading to diplomas in different branches of Engineering and Technology. The advantage of polytechnic courses is that in some branches a diploma holder can make a lateral entry into degree level engineering courses. A clear idea about the vocational courses, therefore, would be helpful in taking an appropriate decision.

My Dear Students, whatever stream you may select, you should put in your best efforts, which would surely lead to the path of success. Obtaining high marks in the qualifying examinations  will put you in a comparatively better position to get into the course of your choice after the 10 + 2 level. All The Very Best...!

Tina Olyai 

Director LAHS

Gwalior