AFTER HSC : Look beyond the basic courses

Look beyond the basic courses

Regardless of your percentage, there are several career–orientated focused study options after the Class XII results

With the HSC mark sheets distributed yesterday, most students and their parents face a big dilemma starting this morning onwards – figuring out their future plan of action in case the cut-off percentages are too high for conventional courses. The good news is that the potential for career-oriented courses has widened considerably and the opportunities available in industry focused degree and diploma courses are far greater than ever before.

Specialisations available
From insurance to mall management, hospitality to fashion, event management to jewellery designing, animation to IT, there are a plethora of specialisations that one can consider. Depending on the aptitude and areas of interest, there are courses for future professionals in field like media, fire and safety, hospital management, etc.

New modules
Distance learning course options are also much more structured now, with weekend classes along with online tutorials, libraries where the student can access videos of missed lectures and so on. The scope to 'learn while you earn' is now opening up at a younger age, while fellow students slog away in their traditional courses and consider employment options only after graduation.

Mindset shift
However, this requires a mindset shift on the part of the parents as well. They would have to put aside their preset concepts from an earlier era and seriously consider what the job market requires in the current scenario. For all you know, some of these super-specialisation courses may just offer better career opportunities after graduation rather than the conventional category.

Inspiring cases
In fact, several students have been exploring this path after their XII standard and are reasonably confident that their decision was the right one. Many are poised to take up careers shortly and could conceivably have an edge in the job market compared to those who scored a higher percentage at the XI standard and gained admission in a coveted course.

Multiple options
Jolina Pinto, a B Com student from St. Andrew's College, shares that "Deciding on a career path was a big question in front of me. During my schooling I wasn't sure what career I will choose. I decided to opt for CA when I was in my junior college and since my aunty is also a CA, it encouraged me more to go in for the same. My parents were also happy with it. Right now I'm doing my B Com and CPT simultaneously.

Courses matter
Saurin Shah, a BFM student at M.K.S College, explains, "I always wanted to do something practical so I opted for Bachelor in Financial Management. I thankfully got the percentage required for this course but couldn't get the college that I wanted. Since there is a very good demand for finance professionals nowadays, it can be beneficial in future. I explained all the details about this course to my parents and they were also happy with it."

Changing attitudes
Huzaifa Sarang, a Mechanical Engineering student at Saboo Siddik College, had decided to do my engineering when he was 10 years old. "But it wasn't due to the fact that I was charmed by the field, it was because my parents wanted to me to be one. I got a high percentage so I got admission for engineering and my parents were also very glad. Initially I thought it's not my cup of tea but then as I was through facing it, it was sublime. No other field is as interesting as engineering, I felt. Discovery Channel became my inspiration and as I know most of the things, I want to become a professor in future.

Tough decisions
Anusha Jani, a BCA student at Sarvodaya College, reveals that "Initially I was doing B Com and BCA simultaneously but later on it started becoming too hectic. So, I quit B Com and continued with my BCA. I like computers so I plumped for this field. I would further like do my MCA (Master in Computer Applications) and make some software."

Simultaneous courses
Danish Mulla, a B Com student at Burhani College is doing the B Com and BCA courses simultaneously. "Before I did not thought about doing Bachelor of Computer Application so I took up B Com. Later on I heard a lot about BCA through my friend so I was keen about it. I spoke to my college professors about this and also discussed all the necessary information with my parents. They were also happy with my decision. I've chosen this course because I like computers."

Creative pursuits
Clive Lobo, a B Com student at St. Andrew's College, was satisfied with the percentage he got in XII standard but was confused too. "I was not sure which career option is beneficial for me. After completing junior college, I decided to also do an animation course as I find it very creative and interesting and my parents are also supporting me. Now I'm very passionate about this field and my future plan is to work for a big animation company like Disney Pixair or Dreamworks."

Making choices
Sarvam Patel, a S. L College student who just appeared for the BCA final year, points out that "I like creativity so I'm very passionate about animation. I'm planning to do my animation course along with my MBA after graduation. I did my BCA just because my parents wanted me to do so. I like to be creative as I also have a very creative mind so I chose to do my animation course and hope I'll do very well in this field."
So don't despair, whatever your percentages, there's always some course available to brighten up your career graph.