I am 12th Pass - What Next?

Right then

This one is for all the youngsters who are stepping out of their school lives and are stuck with what to do next! Yes, for millions of youngistani's this question has either not been answered or has been answered be their parents / relatives / peers or other influences in life. I remember the days when cleared my Senior Secondary examination from CBSE about 11 years back - everyone around me starting talking about me becoming an Engineer, that too from IIT or DCE only. Some of them had started calling me Er Sumit Saxena (on a lighter note of course). But, I wasn't too keen to become an Engineer - not that I knew what should I do in life, but yes not Engineering for sure. Due to the fact that I was being pushed against the walls (only by the expectations of my ecosystem) I decided to appear for the entrance exams (JEE and all) and flunked with flying colors! Yes, I could not clear any of them, only because I was sure I can't be an Engineer, even if I become one by degree!!!

This is exactly what many of you may be going through - Engineer, Chartered Accountant, Doctor are the most commonly used mind bogglers by parents and relatives. But will every single student become any of the above 3? Does everyone possess the skills and inclination that any of the above roles require? Are you aspiring to study something that you don't have a clue about? Are you even sure your choice of streams in 11th and 12th Standard were correct? Are you an Engineer by nature? A doctor by instinct? Not necessarily... Lets talk about some of the other career options you may want to chose from (especially for students in 45 to 70% marks)

OK, so even if you don't get through any of the entrances for Engineering or Medical - the next big question is whether you will qualify for a good college for a routine graduation? And even if you do, whether you will be employed at the end of your degree? What's in your mind while choosing your course / college? Are you doing it because you want to do it or because your parents can pay the fees for it (for students taking payment seats in Engineering/Medical colleges)?

While evaluating options, first think of what you wish to be? If you are not technically sound and don't love screw drivers at home, then may be Engineering was not for you. If you don't have the urge to take care of people, then you may just be unfit for a medical fitment. If you are not good with numbers, then what are you thinking about while aspiring to become a CA! 

Its about time that we look at Vocational Education as an option. There are a lot of companies offering Graduation courses across the country (from UGC recognized universities) and offer placement support as well. Some of them even structure the 3 year graduation into 2 years of theory and 1 year of paid / unpaid internship - which means by the time you graduate, you have 1 year of work experience as well. There is no entry criteria and and the jobs you get post the course are only as per your merit. The most genuine colleges / institutes will never commit a salary figure or a company or even a job to you - No one can predict what's coming in future. But in vocational institutes (who have a national foot print as well) the best students get the best jobs and the worst dont get one. It is all a case of merit.

Apart from Vocational, you can look at evening colleges (where the cut offs are generally low) and along side your graduation, try and get some skills as an add on. Please note that the maximum hiring in today's world is happening in Sales, Retail and ITES and in about 3 - 5 years time, the trend does not seem to change majorly, hence its important to set your own expectations correctly and take up the right stream. There is a lot of growth in these sectors simply because of the sheer hiring. 

You may chose to become an Accountant, Operations Person, Sales Guy, HR & Admin Champ or even decide to work as a freelancer. If you have good writing skills, try doing freelance blogging, it is a developing career. If you are good with Software's / Websites, try a BCA and get a development job. If computer parts have always attracted you to them, please get your hands on a Hardware / Networking or Infrastructure Management Services course brochure. You don't have to have the best first job, you need the best learning and the best first job as per your merit - Careers are shaped over the years not just by your first job. 

Other than this, if you have your inclination in areas like, acting, sports, RJ or something, please try and speak to your parents and jointly take a call whether you should pursue your interests or not. Once again, please:

- Do not take any call under the influence of your ecosystem

- Ensure that you speak to yourself first and decide what do you want to do

- There is enough present on www.google.com to help you out with choices / options

- No matter what, the final call has to be yours and a sensible one: once you enter a stream, its tough to take a U turn

- Don't be demotivated seeing high cut offs: there is something for everyone today

- You are a part of the youngest country in the world, you are our strength and you are our future: be responsible

I hope I could be of any help here, in case you would like to know anything about various career options available as per your skill sets and merit, please feel free to write to me through the contact me page!

I wish you all a grand career and hope to see some success stories from Indeah!!! Keep smiling and stay confident

Cheers

Sumit