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A process by Eduberance

Up to class 10, you had it easy, you got to learn a bit of everything. Maths, Science, Social Sciences, Arts, Music, Language etc, Now suddenly you have to choose some and drop some subjects. It is at this point, that you need to sit back and reflect on what subjects you enjoyed reading most, what you tolerated, and what you absolutely loathed! For some of you, the decision is easy. For instance, you may love Science, so there is no question of taking any other stream. Yet there might be some of you who want to be as far away from Maths as you can be! So by method of elimination you arrive at a stream.

And then there is the third category of students who are very confused. You are unable to arrive at any decision. It is for you, that we attempt to sort out some basic questions often asked as to how to arrive at the right choice.

We begin with the fundamental questions.

1. What are the different boards available to students?
   CBSE, IGCSE, ISC, IB, and state boards are the options available to students. Let’s consider each in detail.

• CBSE - The Central Board of Secondary Education is one of the most popular choices. Some of the government schools that follow the CBSE board curriculum are Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, Army Public Schools and Air Force Schools. A number of private schools such as DPS (Delhi Public School), DAV (Dayanand Anglovedic School) too follow the CBSE board. This board is especially suitable for students whose parents have a transferable job. It helps maintain continuity for students even as they change schools. Moreover, since all the top national level entrance exams such as JEE, NEET etc. follow the CBSE board syllabus, it is useful for students who wish to pursue this line of education. As it is recognised all over India, getting admission into universities for higher education is easy. It also has fewer subjects as compared to certain other boards. A lot of weightage is given to theoretical concepts as compared to practical hands-on training. Also the student has to choose from rigid streams (where the choice of subjects is pre-decided) for classes 11th & 12th.
• IGCSE - The International General Certificate of Secondary Education is certified by the University of Cambridge. A number of privately owned schools follow this syllabus. The schools are located in different metropolitan cities across India. As it follows an international curriculum, it is application oriented. A lot of emphasis is given to oral and written abilities. It is suitable for students who wish to pursue IB board in classes 11 & 12. Also it is ideal if a student wishes to pursue under-graduate courses abroad or if the parents intend to relocate out of the country. It is much more expensive than CBSE schools or other boards.
• CISCE - The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations is a private board established in the year 1958. The course structure is considered tougher and more extensive as compared to the CBSE board. Emphasis is on applied learning over rote learning. It has the best English syllabus across all boards.
• State boards - Each state in India has its own board of secondary education which is exclusive to that particular state. It is considered easier than other boards as it caters to students with different learning capabilities. It gives the student more flexibility and time to pursue other interests such as music, arts, sports etc. If the parent has a transferable job, then this board is not advised as the local language also changes with each state, and the student can find it difficult to learn a new language especially in higher classes. Moreover the local state language is usually compulsory in all states.

Thus, after going through the above board choices, it will become clear as to which board would suit you the most, depending on your priorities and future plans. Needless to say, choosing a good reputed school is as important as choosing the appropriate board.

2. What are the choices of streams available to students?
   Or What are the subjects to choose after 10th?
   A variety of subjects are available to students to choose from, after 10th. Depending on the interest, you can choose either Science, Commerce or Humanities/Arts. Let’s explore each of them individually.

Some students are very clear right from high school as to what to pursue after 10th. Many are very confused and turn to parents, teachers or friends for guidance. Although this is an option one must explore, it is still recommended that you take help from a professional career counsellor. Career counselling is an integral part of today’s education system. Career counselling helps assess your aptitude, interests, and personality and guides you towards realising your true potential.

In order to continue pursuing your higher secondary school education, you can choose from the different options given below:

1. Science Stream

   Students who are interested in pursuing Engineering or Medical Sciences choose this stream. It consists of English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics in various combinations.

   PCM - Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics

   PCB - Physics, Chemistry, Biology

   PCMB - Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology

   English is compulsory with any combination. You also get to choose either Computer Science or P.E. (Physical Education) as your 5th subject. Ofcourse, different schools have different options.

2. Commerce Stream

It is for those students who wish to pursue a career in business, commerce, trade, or financial marketing, The subjects studied in this stream are Accounts, Business Studies, Economics, English, and Mathematics,

3. Humanities/Arts

This stream is for those students who are interested in pursuing Law, Psychology, History, Archaeology, International Relations, Hotel Management, Mass Communication, Journalism, Economics, Design, Event Management, Civil Services etc. The subjects are English, Political Science, Fine Arts, Economics, History, Psychology, Legal Studies. Different schools provide different combinations of the above subjects.

4. Vocational Education options

As the name suggests, these courses are vocation-centric. Students who do not wish to pursue grades 11 & 12 and wish to equip themselves for a job right away, prefer to study vocational subjects. They are non-academic and trade-specific. You can opt for short-term or long-term courses such as a certificate or a diploma course etc. The choices are aplenty in this stream.

• Auto shop repair
• Accountancy & Taxation
• Beauty & Wellness
• Electrical Appliances
• Database Management
• Animation
• Physical Education
• Finance & Banking
• Disaster Management
• Public Relations
• Marketing/Advertisements
• Catering Management
• Information Technology

5. Paramedical Courses

For students who are interested in pursuing career options related to the medical profession have the following options.

• Diploma in Rural Healthcare
• Pathology Lab Technician
• Diploma in Dental Mechanics
• Diploma in Pharmacy
• Diploma in Paramedic Nursing
• Certificate of Nursing Assistants
• Diploma in X-ray Technology
• Diploma in ECG Technology
• Diploma in Hospital Assistance
• Diploma in Physiotherapy
• Diploma in Radiology

6. ITI - Industrial Training Institute Courses

They provide training for both technical and non-technical fields. A student can pursue these courses after 10th or 12th. As they are trade-specific, they teach skills for the specific trade. These courses fall under the Directorate General of Employment of Training (DGET), Ministry of Labour & Employment. Post completion of this course, a student will be required to appear for the All India Trade Test (AITT); upon clearing this examination he/she will be awarded the National Trade Certificate (NTC).

• Programming Artists
• Computer Operator
• Fashion Design and Technology
• Digital Photographer
• Insurance Agent
• Radiology Technician
• Electrician
• Tool and Die Making
• Secretarial Practice
• Dress Making
• Commercial Art and many many more

7. Polytechnic Courses

Polytechnics provide focused education that will enable a student to get a good job at a reputed company. These courses are usually for 3 years. Many engineering colleges offer diploma courses in B.Tech specialisations as well.

• Diploma in Animation, Art & Design
• Diploma in Petroleum Engineering
• Diploma In Accounting
• Diploma in Early Childhood Education & care
• Diploma in Hospitality Management
• Diploma in Business Administration
• Diploma in Computer Programming

How to find the right Career Option?
Earlier times were simpler in the sense that there were not many streams or options available for students to choose from. The preferred choices were always Engineering or Medical. This is no longer the case, students today have a plethora of options, starting from specialising in arts, becoming a chef, taking a course in photojournalism, to becoming an ethical hacker. But the downside to this is that the students are now spoilt for choice and are more confused than ever. This is where career counselling comes to the rescue.

What is career counselling?
A process conducted by a certified and trained professional who helps students understand their strengths and weaknesses and enables them to make informed decisions. A student’s abilities, aptitude, personality is assessed through psychometric tests and the right direction is provided.

Things to consider while choosing your career after 10th
You can ask yourself a series of questions before arriving at a decision. For instance

1. What are the career opportunities for the stream that you are deciding upon?
2. What are the future job prospects for the field you are considering?
3. Are you planning to give national level exams after 12th? If so, do you need extra coaching?
4. Which board/school would suit you best, in terms of allowing you to prepare for national level exams?
5. What are your plans after 12th? Do you intend to continue studying in India or plan to study abroad? This answer will help you choose the right board.

List of top online diploma courses after completion of 10th
You can also consider diploma courses that are designed to meet the current job trends and that enhance the level of skill in students. Some of the top online options are:

• Online Diploma in Tours & Travels
• Online Diploma in Nursing
• Online Diploma in Civil Engineering
• Online Diploma in Fire Safety
• Online Diploma in Computer Science Engineering
• Online Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
• Online Diploma in Automobile Engineering
• Online Diploma in Electrical Engineering

What are the top 5 Career options after 10th?

1. Science
   There are a number of career options for students pursuing science such as Engineering, Medical Sciences, Research, Some of the popular courses are:

• B.Tech/B.E.
• MBBS
• Bachelor of Pharmacy
• B.Sc. Home Science
• B.Sc. Forensic Sciences
• B.Arch.

2. Commerce
   If you are business oriented and you like finance and accounting then this is the best career option for you. You can choose to pursue a Bachelors in Commerce (B.Com.) followed by a course in Chartered Accountancy (C.A.). Some of the career options are

• Chartered Accountant
• Business Management
• Digital marketing
• Human Resource Development
• Investment Banking

3. Arts/Humanities

It is for students who are interested in History, Political Sciences, Economics etc.

Some of the career options are:

• Law
• Psychology
• Media/Journalism
• Interior Designing
• Fashion Designing
• Video Creation & Editing

4. ITI - Industrial Training Institute
   It is for students who seek employment right after completing school. A number of industrial skills are taught to the students. These are focused on imparting specialised skills to the students that will better their job prospects. Job opportunities are:

• Self employed
• Government jobs
• Industries

5. Polytechnic Courses
   These are diploma courses for students which last for a duration of 1, 2 or 3 years. Again these enable students to be prepared for specialised job sectors. They can be employed in

• Government Sector Jobs
• Private Companies
• Industries
• Self employed

List of Don'ts

• Do not make hasty decisions. Weigh out the pros and cons of each stream and think and plan ahead.
• Do not succumb to peer or parental or societal pressure. Just because your friends are taking a particular stream do not force yourself to follow suit. Each individual is different. Respect your individuality. If you differ in choice of stream with your parents, sit with them and talk it out. Approach a career counsellor and take his/her guidance.
• Do not be afraid to explore unconventional options. Knowledge is power. Do a lot of research. Speak to your seniors and ask about their experience. Speak to people in your line of interest and learn from their experiences.