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Abhishek failed to get into engineering college and is faced with a similar dilemma. He is wondering if 89.25 per cent can get him a seat in any of the top colleges of Delhi University. For students like Shashi and Abhishek, life begins with engineering and medicine, and ends with B.Com or economics. In the pecking order of subject choices, most students place a high premium on commerce and economics in university, and fail to even consider many of the other options that can lead to interesting and challenging careers. Stepping stones Many students say: What can I do with a B.Sc in chemistry? Or, of what use is a BA in Political Science? And take up these subjects only as a last resort. Therefore, while the study of commerce and economics provides a springboard for work opportunities in a range of financial services, banking, business and industry, management as in law, hotel management and government services, many of the other subjects at university can enable you to get into many options that are more exciting. If you are into science, science subjects can open a world of opportunities in practically all fields. These range from electronics, meteorology, plastics, and petrochemicals, to biotechnology, agriculture, floriculture or food sciences. Prospects with physics Physics graduates can enter a wide range of occupations in engineering, science and IT in particular, with post-graduate degrees or diplomas in areas such as software and electronics, geosciences—collecting and analysing physical data about resources like minerals and hydrocarbons, meteorology—observing and interpreting forecasts of weather, and research in the field of physical sciences such as astro physics, nuclear physics, solar physics and so on. Physics can also take you into specialised areas such as printing and packaging technology, oil and natural gas and mining studies. Want to be an astronaut? A B.Sc in Physics is the first step for the giant leap into space sciences, or even towards the innovative field of
nanotechnology. Choices with chemistry Chemistry graduates can look forward to careers in food processing, forestry, plastics and packaging, pharmacy, medical laboratory technology, biotechnology, environmental science and so on. These fields require postgraduate training, at either the degree or the diploma level. With an M. Sc in Chemistry, you could join the plastics, polymers and petrochemical industries. Pharmacy and jobs in medical laboratory technology are other openings for those with a chemistry background. An M.Pharm after chemistry qualifies you to work with pharmaceutical companies in manufacturing or product development. With chemistry, you can also take up an M. Sc in areas such as biotechnology and environmental sciences, working in research fields such as genetics, with chemical industries, as well as with organisations that look at ways to control, eliminate and prevent environmental hazards. Branching into bio sciences So also with subjects such as botany, zoology, as well as the other life sciences and applied sciences, which can open opportunities in fields such as biotechnology, genetics, food processing, plastics and chemicals, research, and a host of other options too. Currently there is great scope for trained professionals in areas such as food processing, which would require knowledge of chemistry and training in food technology, or home science; and biotechnology, or environmental science, for which any life science discipline at graduate level is required. Wildlife sciences and forestry science are other subjects that can lead you towards careers with any environment, ecology or wildlife organisation and with any private or public sector company engaged in the manufacture of timber, plywood, pulp-based products. Who says you have to restrict your choices to careers in the science field alone? After a degree in science, you can as well get into a career in journalism, law or design, as you can into chartered accountancy and business management. Value addition If you are good in maths, and enjoy the subject, a B.Sc or BA Maths can enable you to pursue careers in Accounting, Banking and Finance, Project Management, Computer Applications, Systems Analysis, Systems Programming, Quantity Surveying and many other options. You can also specialise in statistics and join a statistical or data collection organisation, or go in for Market Research, specifically Quantitative Research. In addition, after graduation, you can take up MBA, and make a career in the world of business. Maths is also an excellent option if you are interested in Computer Applications. After graduation, you can go in for a three-year Master’s in Computer Applications (MCA) and make a brilliant career for yourself in the IT field. Moreover, there is the entire field of financial services, such as Chartered Accountancy, Cost Accountancy, Chartered Financial Analysis, Financial Planning, Stocks and Securities and other related areas. Language lessons If, on the other hand, you are looking at the humanities subjects, you may like to consider English, History, and Psychology, Political science or Geography. English is one subject many students take up with the notion that it will enable them to get into journalism and mass communication. However, a study of English at university is a study of English literature, not language, and includes extensive study of a range of writings down the centuries, from classics to modern literature, and from poetry to drama. So, take up English only if you love books and reading. If you do, then English can help you to get into the fascinating world of books and publishing, of libraries, advertising, teaching and academics. It is also useful if you are looking for a career in journalism and public relations. History is another subject that is often misunderstood. A study of history and the past, can provide excellent insights into the present world of politics and international relations, and form the base of knowledge for careers in the civil services, in international organisations, journalism and travel and tourism. For those interested in the social and cultural aspects of history, consider offbeat pursuits such as archaeology, museology and art restoration. A study of fossils, monuments, manuscripts, coins and excavated remains can provide you with the knowledge of societies that existed in the ancient past, and lead you on a trail of jobs that can take you right up to the Smithsonian Museum. Mind your business There are several areas of work in psychology, and you can specialise in any one of them at the postgraduate level or through professional training after post graduation. You can become a child psychologist and work in special education schools and child guidance clinics, a school psychologist, or a clinical psychologist working in hospitals or rehabilitation centres. Social psychology and occupational psychology are other fields of specialisation, as is the area of Human Resource management for which an MBA is ideal. Map out your options Would you like to study geography? Here is a multi-disciplinary science that covers history, sociology and economics as well as geology, meteorology and the sciences. The knowledge and use of geography has helped scientists predict and deal with natural calamities, enhance soil fertility where required, demarcate geographical boundaries and provide logistics and remote sensing data through geographical information systems, for a range of uses from tourism and travel management to town planning. Geography graduates can also enter a wide range of occupations, such as working with the Survey of India, map-making, nature conservation and the protection, management and enhancement of wildlife habitats, tourism development, transportation development and management, and urban planning. Of what use is a degree in Political Science? Plenty, if you are interested in the careers such as the civil services, law, international relations, journalism, public relations, social work, development studies and several others. A study of political science will also provide you with skills useful for the careers in areas such as travel and tourism, management, advertising, publishing, teaching, and many others that do not require any specific formal knowledge. Moreover, you can do an MBA after graduation in any subject. With a postgraduation in Sociology, there are a whole host of careers you can look forward to, in areas such as the Civil Services, Human Rights Law, Social work Market Research, Human Resource Management, Anthropology, Travel & Tourism, Teaching and many others... If you are interested in the area of forensics and criminology, you can also take up courses in these subjects offered by several universities. There are so many different career options after graduation, irrespective of which subject you choose, and the college you get into. Every degree programme gives you knowledge of the subject, leading to a career directly related to that subject, as well as certain transferable skills that you can use for any number of other careers. The skills of creative and analytic thinking, and oral and written communication are needed on every job in every field. Depending on your aptitude and interest, you can select your career and make a good future for yourself. If you are good in verbal and written skills, you can get into careers related to the media, such as journalism, advertising or public relations, after a postgraduate degree or diploma in mass communication. If you are a creative person then a career in any of the design fields would be worth considering- fashion design, graphics, interior, textile, crafts or animation. If you are good with people and with persuasive skills, you could consider a career in sales and marketing, hospitality, customer care or even insurance, after a PG course in any of these fields. You can also consider a career in management, an MBA, or hotel management if this interests you. An LLB in law is another good option. There are so many career options to choose from, and any number of routes to success. You just need to know which one is the right one for you and select the subject accordingly. The writer is a noted
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