ng>10+2 what after this
Career planning is one of the most crucial factors in your life, which needs no emphasis. It is important at least for two reasons. First, whether you opt for a career in jobs or prefer to be on your own, you must appreciate that there is fierce competition for getting a space in the world of work. Remember the old adage, “Survival of the fittest”. Second, in view of new developments primarily triggered off by the information technology (IT) and globalization of the economy, there are now more options than ever before. You will have to look for these options. Remember also that these are days of specialization.
When should you begin the career planning? The age that could be considered appropriate for making a start is the age of 14-15 years when you enter the Ninth Class under the 10 + 2 pattern of education. This is the formative age to shape your career. Much more important reason, however, is that it is after the 10 + 2 level that a wide variety of course options are available to choose from. This means that as the first step you will have to choose from the three streams viz., science, arts and humanities, and commerce and the appropriate combination of subjects, when you enter the 10+2 level. To a great extent, this choice would determine the course options available to you after the 10 + 2 level. For example, if you want to take up engineering degree course, you should not only join the science stream but should also opt for the combination comprising Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
Before you enter the 10 + 2 stage, you may like to consider which syllabus provides wider options. As you are aware, there are three Secondary Boards viz., the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (ICSE) and the State Boards, each having its own syllabus. While the CBSE and ICSE syllabuses permit combining biology and mathematics, not all the State Boards provide similar opportunity. For example, the Andhra Pradesh Board for Intermediate Education (equivalent to Higher Secondary Board) does not. It limits your option, because at this stage itself you will have to decide whether you want to join the engineering college or medical and agricultural colleges. However, as the number of CBSE and ICSE affiliated schools in States is small, you may have to opt for the State Board syllabus.
Before you embark upon planning your career you may have to consider two issues:
Is your family financially sound enough to pay for your professional education?
Do you need an immediate job because of some adverse family circumstances?
If you need a job, say after you complete the secondary stage, but still want to pursue higher education, you may like to take up a suitable course through distance learning mode. There are now many options available. You can study according to your own pace and convenience. You can even study both the secondary (Class 10) and higher secondary (10 + 2) courses through the distance-learning mode. As regards the second issue, the stark reality is that it is becoming increasingly difficult for many middle class families to meet the spiraling cost of professional education. Scholarships, freeships and other financial supports are scarce. You may be aware that in professional colleges there are two categories of seats “free seats” and “payment seats”.
Since the tuition fees for “free seats” are highly subsidized, you pay much less compared to those for “payment seats”. Generally, “free seats” are allotted to students on the basis of the performance at the entrance tests. You will, therefore, have to strive very hard if you want to get a “free seat” in professional colleges. If your family is unable to bear the cost of “elite” professional courses, you may choose a professional course, which also promises a reasonably good career at an affordable cost. It is prudent to cut your coat according to the available cloth. However, the financial consideration alone need not determine this option. There are other good reasons too for seeking a career in these professions. This option should also be considered if you cannot get through entrance tests for professional courses. Career planning should be preceded by two steps:
Gather as much information as possible about the various educational opportunities and choose one that conforms to your assessment.
Assess your strengths and weaknesses, likings, aptitudes and interests.
Both are easier said than done. Therefore, it is necessary for schools establishing their own career and course information centers and provide guidance and counseling to their students. In the absence of such facilities in your school, try to collect information from different sources. Here is a note of caution. Never take the claims of flashy advertisements in newspapers and other media at their face value. More often than not, they are issued by fly-by-night operators to allure unsuspecting students. Ascertain the status of these institutions.
If you do not intend to pursue university education, you may opt, after the 10th class, for various Vocational Courses available in different areas. The most sought after ones of course are the polytechnic courses of three-year duration leading to diplomas in different branches of engineering and technology. The advantage of polytechnic courses is that in some branches a diploma holder can make a lateral entry into degree level engineering courses. A clear idea about the vocational courses, therefore, would be helpful in taking an appropriate decision.
As stated earlier, at the 10 + 2 level you have three options:
The Science Stream
The Arts/Humanities Stream and
The Commerce Stream.
In Addition, there is the Vocational Stream. The Subjects offered in these streams are given in the Annexure. One problem you may face while choosing the combination of subjects is that the desired one may not be available in many 10 + 2 level institutions (higher secondary schools and junior colleges) Particularly in rural areas.
The best way to get information and guidance I advise to contact nearest Employment Exchae of your area as this department have expert and trained guidance officers with then.
B.Sc.(Med.), B.Ed., M.A.(Edu.), M.Litt.(Edu.), Ph.D.(Edu.Psy.)PGDCA.Served as Science Master, Employment Department as Vocational Guidance Officer.Retired from Employment Department, Punjab India as Dy. Director (Off.)Serving now Arihant Computer Center and Many Medical Hospitals such as Sadbhavna Medical & Heart Institute.
