While stuck in Covid-19 lockdown, parents and students can utilize the time to decide on the right career option. The final year at school, the Class 12th in India can be a dichotomous year - full of opposing emotions. On the one hand, the students impatiently wait for the year to get over so that they can take that first step towards independence in the real world.
On the other hand, they are anxious about making life-defining choices for their college education, as these choices lay the foundation for their careers, their entire future. For some students, choosing the stream of study in college is a breeze as they are very sure of what profession they wish to pursue in life.
But for countless others, it is a stressful task. The pressure of making the right choice and then getting admission to a prestigious college can be extreme. Parental and peer pressure just add more weight to the confusion.
Students must take heart that the world today offers innumerable opportunities, and successful careers can be carved out in any field of study they choose, be it Science, Commerce, Humanities, or allied fields.
Here is a list of some exercises that can help you make the right choice about which field of study to pursue after Class 12:
- Decide your aim: Students should try to formulate clear objectives about what they wish to achieve in life. A focused goal goes a long way in helping students to choose the right path for themselves. By the time you complete class 12, you will likely have some basic idea concerning the subject/field which interests you most, and that can be the first place to start your quest.
- Create a list of your favourite subjects: If you are in class 12, create a list of your favourite subjects, topics, fields, areas that attract you in any way to give you some options. This list can also be helpful in eliminating what you absolutely do not like or hate. Based on this list, note down the 10-15 career options that may serve your interests and then move forward to make informed choices.
- Research about the emerging careers which are going to be in demand near future: The world is changing rapidly. A driverless car will make the driver redundant. Drone delivery will make delivery boys redundant. Robotic surgeries may enable surgeons to work remotely. Therefore, it is essential to research and understand what careers will be in high demand in the future. Built Environment courses are one example that will be in high demand by employers considering the government's plan for massive construction and infrastructure development.
- Scrutinize each one of the selected career options: Once ready with your selected courses and career options, analyse each of them on various parameters like minimum qualification, benefits and drawbacks, salary, and growth opportunities.
- Shortlist preferred career options: Create a list of 4-5 options and the one most preferred by you and suited to your skills. You should be very practical and careful while shortlisting as it is all about your future. But do not let your choices be clouded by self-doubt. Remember, skills can be developed through proper training.
- Field trip or experience work on ground level: Having practical knowledge about the career you are planning to choose will help you make an informed decision. Take a field trip to a workplace in your chosen field as it gives you a glimpse of the atmosphere. For example, if you want to be a civil engineer, visit a construction site. Similarly, visit hospitals or clinics if being a doctor is on your list. However, since the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted human activities worldwide, and field visit may not be possible during these times, you can take the help of the virtual world by going through videos and other real-time information available on the internet.
- Shortlist your career options again: Once the field trip or virtual tour is accomplished and over, trim down your list again and now select 1-2 areas based on your interest and note them down.
- Job shadowing: It helps you know more about a specific field if you spend time with the people working in that field. For example, if you want to become a doctor, meet a local doctor; get to know more about the profession and its demands. Try to spend some time with him.
There are plenty of choices in the degree courses that students leaving school can opt for. Students must choose their field of study based on the subject which interests them most.
Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/8-handy-exercises-to-help-you-decide-what-to-do-after-class-12-1800783-2021-05-10
About RICS SBE:
RICS School of Built Environment (RICS SBE), Amity University is an industry-led academic institution that delivers specialized undergraduate and postgraduate programs to students ambitious to work in the real estate, construction and infrastructure sector. It also aids as a hub for research and development of technical proficiency in the built environment.