What to Do After 12th: Science, Commerce, and Arts

One of the most important career decisions is the one right after Class 12. The decision to pursue a particular course or a field of study will determine the trajectory of a future career. At that age, only a few students are clear about career goals and how to pursue them whereas a majority of students are still confused. The reason why many youngsters are clueless is due to lack of information and proper guidance, peer pressure, and unawareness. If you are still figuring your career options then the best way to make a sound decision is

• To identify your strengths, weaknesses, likes, skills, and interests to decide a field to study accordingly
• Interact with professionals in your field of interest to understand the kind of work and the choices available on graduation.
• Understand the job market and whether the particular course of interest will make you job-ready. 
• Will the particular course be relevant in years to come
• Talk to counselors, teachers, and parents for guidance
• Once you have a clear idea of your career field then work backward to understand which course will be relevant to achieve the goal
• Do not make these important decisions out of peer pressure or family pressure because after all, it is something you have to pursue your whole life.

The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 is yet to be implemented but for students who are in Class 10 to Class 12 or have already passed out of school,  there are four possible streams, Science with Maths, Science with Biology, Commerce, and Arts. In this article, we discuss some of the popular career options after completing Class 12 from different streams.

What to do after 12th commerce?

Commerce is an essential part of the business that covers the economical part of the social, legal, technological, and political aspects. It has a few fields of specialization but very demanding and challenging. It is a gateway for the finance and accounts world for all corporate sectors.

• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com): The course gives a complete overview of the overall business scenario including buying, selling of goods, and principles of accounts and economics. Students can opt for this field to pursue a career in finance, accounts, and management.
• Bachelor of Business Studies (BBA): Students interested in management can opt for BBA. It is the right step if you want to pursue MBA after graduation.
• Charted Accountant (CA): It is a five-year course which deals with financial management. After the completion of this course, you can work in auditing, cost accounting, tax management, management accounting, and consultancy sectors.
• Company Secretary (CS): It is a corporate professional course of three years. The role of a company secretary is to keep the records, advice, tax returns, and evaluate the legal aspects of the organization. 

What to do after 12th Science (PCM)?

• Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech)/ Bachelor of Engineering (B.E): Engineering is one of the most popular courses in India. The admission to BTech/BE courses is done based on Class 12 percentage and entrance exams like JEE (Main), JEE (Advanced), and various other state engineering entrance exams. IIT’s, NIT’s, IIIT’s are some of the prestigious institutes to aim for which offer various specialized courses including computer science, mechanical, chemical, aerospace, civil, and electrical engineering.
• Integrated M.Tech: The five-year integrated B.Tech and M.Tech course are suitable for students who want to seek specialization in a specific engineering field.
• Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA): It is a three-year program for students who want to build their career in Information Technology. BCA course gives a deep insight into the field of computers and applications, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, etc. 
• Bachelor of Architecture (BArch): The five-year course is based on construction, designing, engineering, and computer science for a career as an architect. Students need to qualify National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) for admissions in BArch.
• Bachelor of Science (BSc): Students who wish to pursue a career in scientific research, teaching, academicians can select this course. Admissions to the course are based on 12th percentage and entrance exams.

What to do after 12th Science (PCB)?

The medical field is one of the respectable, challenging, top-paid, and highly job-oriented fields in India. The major working areas in the medical fields are healthcare industries, pharmaceuticals, hospitals, and research laboratories. 

• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS): The medical field has always been evergreen. MBBS is a five-and-a-half-year course that prepares students for the rigorous demands of a doctor’s surgeon. It is essential to qualify NEET to get admission into top medical colleges.
• Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS): BDS is equivalent to an MBBS degree but specializes in the dental field. Students will undergo five-year education and training to become a dentist.
• Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharma): The course is meant for students who want a career in medical companies as a chemist or pursue research in the field.
• Nursing: B.Sc Nursing is another lucrative career option. It is a four-year course and prepares students for a  career as a nurse. 
• Paramedical: Paramedical courses are job-oriented academic programs related to the allied healthcare sector.

What to do after 12th Arts?

Art and humanities carry a range of various courses including history, language, cultures, societal norms, philosophy, visual arts, music, and other intellectual aspects of life.  Students from any stream in Class 12 can pursue courses in the arts field.

• Bachelor of Arts (BA): It is a three-year course in humanities, social sciences, and liberal arts. Psychology, History, Archaeology, Geography, Economics, Journalism, Mass Communication, Sociology, Languages, and Literature are some of the specializations. The job opportunities are spread across academia, tourism, hospitality, media, and also government agencies. Admissions to colleges are based on Class 12 percentage.
• Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC): It is a three-year course that includes a variety of fields such as print journalism, television, radio, production, event management, film studies, media law, and ethics. 
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): It is the right course for aspirants who have a creative flair. Students can take unique specializations like theatre, film making, ceramics, textile, etc.

Conclusion:

In today’s world, the Class 12 pass-outs have hundreds of career opportunities in different sectors. It is not just limited to the traditional courses, as it was a decade ago. All it requires is hard work, determination, and resilience to be successful in any field.