Class 12 can be a confusing time for many students, not only because of the board exams but also because of the consistent pressure of choosing the right career path. Many give in to the suggestions of peers, parents and guides without paying much credence to the fact that everyone speaks from their life-experience. What has worked for them, might not necessarily work for you.
If you are one of those who have no idea about what you should do, fret not because you are not alone. There are hundreds of thousands of students just like yourself who need clarity on this matter. So how should you select the best career for yourself after completing 12th? Read on to find out.
Understand your likes and dislikes
In the context of what you like to do and see, try and brainstorm on what professions attract you. Although the choice of your subjects in 12th limits your options, there is still a plethora of professional choices you can think of, in your bracket of subjects. One of the easiest things to do is to follow the advice of your parents, siblings or friends who have or are doing what they suggest you should do.
Instead, you should see what you are interested in. Do the traditional jobs of doctors, engineers or architects if they attract you or are you may be more inclined to be a painter, musician etc. This should be the point of beginning your decision-making.
Civil services is another profession that is ranked amongst the best in India. Your preparation for this prestigious cadre should start well within time as well. However, to clear an exam which lakhs of students appear for each year, a guiding light becomes so much important. Online course for UPSC, run by Youth Destination is a great place to succeed on this path.
Choose the right path
Based on your preferred choice of profession, you should select the path, i.e., the course and the educational institution. For instance, if you prefer engineering and aim for the best, prestigious institutions like the IITs can be a point of reference, according to which your preparations for entrance exams should be. On the other hand, to become an IAS, IPS or IFS officer, your stream of graduation does not matter as much as the exam readiness post graduation. The best online course for UPSC should contain previous papers, mock tests and interview preparation tips.
Remember to follow your heart and not rely solely on friends, teachers, parents or siblings to take you through this step, for this choice can not be easily changed and you should not be living under regret for the rest of your life.
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Know the probabilities
Firstly, the remunerations that come with common professions and the profession of your choice is something that you should consider. If you do not think you would require an average or above-average paygrade, this should not bother you. However, if the financial aspects concern you, you have to be careful about the profession you choose.
Secondly, despite a sheer passion for a particular field of work or an acquired enthusiasm for a profession, you should also keep in mind that there are probabilities that you might not end up there. Sometimes, one can not crack a particular exam despite their best efforts. To counteract such a scenario, you should keep a back-up option in mind.
Finally, professionals in the same category are often paid differently basis their institution of education and can get a head start in their careers. For instance, an engineer from the IIT is often paid more than one from an average private engineering college, especially in the beginning of their careers. Luckily, many government professions do not make this distinction – civil services is one of them.
Action Plan
The below 5 point action plan should give you a step by step system for clarity on your career choice.
List the choices
Narrow down your career choices to 5-20 most probable options basis your likes and dislikes. This is the foremost step to understanding what your preferences of career are.
Deep Analysis
Research and analyze your final choices according to parameters like remuneration offered, potential of growth, probabilities of hazard, minimum qualifications required etc. This step is necessary to identify what are your priorities with a job.
Streamlining
Based on your analysis, shortlist your choices to a list of top 5 potential choices that resonate the most with you. You might be surprised at the final results!
Workplace Visit
Find the time to take a field trip to the workplace of the professions you shortlisted. This would give you a fair idea about the working conditions and daily environment of these jobs. You can also speak to the professionals about their day to day experience.
Re-think your shortlisting
After your visit, rework on your list to modify your choices based on field trip experiences. Chances are, your perceptions must have changed after the field trip.
Additional tips
- One of the most important questions you should ask yourself after all this is that whether you would like to work in the government or the private sector. The pros and cons associated with each of these are different and one can not say that one sector is better than the other.
- State government entrance exams need preparation, unlike a private company interview does. The methods, criteria and preparation for both these sectors are completely different. While private-sector interviews focus on your future and current skills projection, government positions required you to clear infamous exams and personal interviews first. Online coaching, for instance, can help you get ahead of the curve of millions of students.
- If you want sit for competitive exams and wondering which one to go for or, if you can do it, a bit of research may help you out. For instance, if you are hoping to go for UPPSC exams, you can find out about the syllabus, the posts and the Online coaching, which can help you to make the final decision.
Youth Destination is one of the top-ranking institutes in India, known for the best online classes for UPSC with a host of success stories and positive testimonials vouching for it, Youth Destination has carved its own place amongst the crowd of IAS coaching institutes.
For the best online classes for UPSC, check out the Youth Destination and give your dreams, a flying start.
