For all those who have failed to make the cut thanks to sky-rocketing Board percentages, there is still hope. Sarvesh Shrivastava and Amit Yaadav help you chart your next move
Did you know that every year 1.5 crore students take the Board exams nationwideIJ Out of this how many make it to the top of the crème de la crèmeIJ When the board exam results of class XII came out, students and parents thronged all over the internet to check out their near-perfect scores.
The pressure and concern about not performing well and getting into a leading institute can often be the cause of sheer repulsion and horror for many. A fiercely competitive environment, parental pressure and the sky-high cut off lists of India’s most sought-after colleges make the struggle to perform all the more arduous.
Don’t get us wrong, getting good marks is great but these are not the benchmark for one’s intelligence. So even if you did not make it to the top of the list, let us tell you one thing; it is not that big a deal. There are many examples of average students ( if you go by their marks ) who excelled in their fields — Sachin Tendulkar, Bill Gates, Walt Disney, Richard Branson — it's a long list of achievers if we want to list them all.
In today’s day and age, there are plethora of career options for students to pursue. Gone are the days of traditional career paths. We’ve got umpteen engineers, doctors and commerce graduates. In fact, many of the jobs/roles today shall become obsolete in another five years So it is important to be future ready. Chartering an unconventional route with career options that are equally viable in the industry today. It is always best to put your knowledge to better use, especially when you know what you are good at. Here’s how:
Fashion and lifestyle
With Indian fashion designers having hit big time in the country and abroad, it is one of the most sought-after career options. The industry is all about creativity, style and originality and exposure to it lays the essential platform that allows you to fit into the roles of buyers, category managers, retail operation managers and so much more. For an industry that is growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12 per cent, it is set to reach Rs 3,94,000 crore by 2020. The employment rate thus is around 60 million, opening long-term doors to leading manufacturers, brands, and retailers.
Almost all fashion institutes have a set criterion for admission. Candidates should have passed class XII from a recognised board after which the institute conducts its own entrance exams which has no relation to the Board’s score. So, if you are young, vibrant and live, think, breathe fashion and lifestyle, then this course is ideal for you.
Mass Communication
Mass Communication and Journalism is another such comprehensive course that in spite of having a merit-based intake process does not have a high cut-off criteria in most colleges and universities. It is an industry-oriented and cost-effective course. No matter where you do it from, exposure of practical knowledge will always hold more credibility than theory.
If you are a people’s person, love talking and listening and have a flair for writing, looking to get a better understanding in journalism, public relations, advertising, new media and entertainment and film technology then it is recommended that you give this course a shot. India has many good colleges for Mass Communication.
Ethical hacking
Got great IT skills but do not want to pursue engineeringIJ Take up a course on ethical hacking as an alternative to whatever you choose to study in college. Ethical hacking makes for a very lucrative career. A number of universities, colleges and private computer schools offer courses and diploma degrees and training programs that align with an industry certified ethical hacker curriculum. And guess what, you do not need your board results for admission.
So, if you possess a strong knowledge in web and computer systems, understand security protocols, can hack into systems and take ethical corrective measures to prevent cyber-attacks with the thrills, then target this course. Popular cities offering this course are Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, and Hyderabad. According to The Bureau of labour Statistics, job outlook for information security analysis is expected to increase 18 per cent between 2014-2024 which is much faster than the national average. And there is a reason, the National Cyber Security Alliance has data which shows that one out of five small businesses are affected by cybercrime each year.
Coding
With a growing emphasis on high tech and computers in our educational system, this is in fact a valuable skill, termed as the 21st century literacy. There are a number of apps, books, games and online tools through which students can build their own knowledge as well as explore skills that allow them to possess the most in-demand skill across industries. Seven million job openings are in occupation that required coding skills. Programming jobs overall are growing 12 per cent faster than the market average. Close to 50,000 positions are currently available at big firms and around 61 per cent of these roles require candidates with less than five years of experience.
Pursue your passion
love your job and you would not have to work for the rest of your life. A number of universities have introduced professional courses which are not considered mainstream. Acting, dancing, arts, radio jockeying, fitness training are some offbeat courses that are rewarding and satisfying options. From short courses, workshops, part time courses to diploma courses, there is not dearth of opportunities.
Students are taken not on the basis of their high school merit but their individual talent and creative excellence. So if you want to do something different that ensures great personal satisfaction, then these may be the courses for you.
Career in sports
Children who are good at sports have a plethora of opportunities in front of them. The Government of India, large corporate groups and renowned sports personalities offer financial and motivational support.
So even if you did not score as well, there is always hope. What parents and students simply need to understand is that in the end, everything falls into place. The game of life has just begun.
(The authors, Sarvesh Shrivastava, is the co-founder and MD of Eupheus learning and Amit Yaadav is the director of Pathfinder Global School)