How To Choose Your Stream After Class 10th Boards

How To Choose Your Stream After Class 10th Boards

Class 10 is a crucial juncture in the life of an Indian student because in this class almost all the students have this stress or pressure in which stream they have to go. Choosing the right stream is, therefore, most important because at this point a student has to decide about his/her future.

After the 10th board exam, you face the first biggest decision of your life and this decision is often made one of the most important announcements of your life. It is not easy to decide on career options at the tender age of 15-16 and this decision will determine the rest of your life. This decision can either make or break your career.

So students, now for the first time in your life you have to face the questions like, "What are you going to do after 10th Board Exams?", “which stream you choose?”, “Whether the stream you choose is right for your future career?” and many more And these questions pop-up in your mind time to time till you reach a firm decision.

Choice Is Important, Why?

Now you must be wondering why the task of choosing a stream after 10th is so important. This is very important because the stream you choose will impact the professional course after finishing 11th and 12th standard and this professional course, in turn, will decide your career which will be built after your graduation.

If seen directly or indirectly, the stream chosen by the student after class 10th is competent to influence your career. And that's why we can call it the “First Crucial Juncture” of life of an Indian student.

At This Time, Decision Making Is A Major Sought 

Before class 10th you had the only option to choose another language but the story changes after class 10th. Because for the first time, your career steering wheel is in your hands.  It doesn’t matter what job you are doing, your success will be built on the logic behind the decisions you take. 

Many students get confused at this phase.  It seems to them like a complicated maze where there are many doors which go in different directions and from which they have to find the door that leads to their dream career. Let us now try to see this labyrinth properly so that we can join the doors that will reach you to your dream.

Before deciding, let us know about some of the dilemmas faced by the students and their parents.

Confused By A Plethora Of Options

Parents whose children are in 10th standard or going to 10th standard in the next academic session, this is the biggest problem they face. This is because nowadays there are many options besides Mathematics, Biology and Commerce. But decades or two decades ago, these were the only three options. But now more choices mean more chances of making the wrong choice.

Which Option Is To Be Considered

It is very important to think about the consequences while making any decision. After class 10th, you not only have to choose one option but you also have to think about your desired career. One more, but very important thing at this place we would like to say is not to go in the “mob mentality”, rather you should decide based on your past, your strengths and weaknesses. 

Selection Of Board

Many times children and their parents also think of changing their board with stream after 10th. But this decision should be taken after understanding the ability of the child and the level of difficulty of each board. For example, if your child does 10th from the State Board and if you shift him to CBSE or ICSE, then be ready to face the difficulties of the new board.

Now you have to think about which stream to choose after 10th. For this, first of all, set your goal and based on that, get information about the career options available on that subject. Now you have to decide for yourself what you have to do in your life.

Now we will talk about the main streams that lead you to different career scopes and these streams are Science, Commerce and Art.

Science

Science; the most chosen stream for Higher Secondary ( 10+2) education, which has many rewarding career options including Medical Science and Engineering.  This course has options for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, IT, Electronics, etc. In the Science stream, you have to take 6 subjects which include a compulsory language. So you have to choose those elective subjects which can lead you towards your future career.

Most parents want their child will succeed with a rewarding career and that’s why they put more emphasis on science stream. Another major advantage is that students with science have the chance of changing the stream (Arts or Commerce) after 12th if they feel that they are not comfortable with the programs or specialization available at the graduate level. 

Students of Arts and Commerce do not get the changing of stream opportunity. 

Students opting for science should be very clear about their goals as it has limited career options because if you want to do a specialization in Medical or Engineering is very expensive and with long duration, it also needs full dedication. 

For Medical Studies 

It takes about 7-8 years to complete a specialization medical course. If you are selected in a government college then it is a good thing otherwise you will have to pay a hefty fee to study in a private college.

To enter in Government Medical College, State level PMT (Pre Medical Test), AIPMT (All India Pre Medical Test) etc. options are available. 

For Engineering studies

The duration of engineering is very similar to professional courses in commerce stream provided it is done from a reputed college. The degree of a local college does not matter in terms of career. If you really want to become an engineer, then you have to crack IIT-JEE (Indian Institute of Technology- Joint Entrance Exam) or PET (Pre Engineering Test) of State.

Seats are limited in courses offered by the government. Lakhs of students take part in these exams, in which only 10 to 11 thousand seats are available. You must have guessed how tough the competition is.
But if you are dedicated to your goal, then choose the stream of your choice and complete your passion.

Commerce

Second most popular stream option by Indian students after 10th is Commerce. The reason behind this is that it is best for business and the chances of getting both name and fame are high. There are plenty of career options available in the commerce stream like Chartered Accountancy, Company Secretary, Financial Planner, Banking Jobs, Actuary, Investment Banking, Financial Advisor, Accountant, Stock Broking, Portfolio Manager, Cost, Foreign Trade, Economists and many more. 

The 2 subjects of Commerce, Business Studies and Accountancy, are the foundation for this stream and because of these, you will get a wide range of career opportunities. Apart from these 2 compulsory subjects, 2 other subjects are optional and students can choose any two from Math, Statistics, History, Economics, Geography, Political Science etc. It depends on the school, which subjects are offered as an optional subject. 

The courses can be done under this stream are B.Com, BBA, BBM, MBA, CFA, CA, ICWA, BMS, CFP etc. 

Arts

Art, the least-liked stream, is mostly chosen by students who have an interest in humanities, arts and academic research. This stream is not yet popular among students. Still, now this stream also has many opportunities for interesting, off-bit and exciting career options. 

One can make a choice from career options like Journalism, Mass Media, Social Service, Political Science, Literature, Teaching, Psychology, Anthropology, Human Resource, Economics etc. 

In Art Stream, there will be 6 subjects, in which one is a compulsory language and one is an optional language. The rest of the 4 subjects you have to choose from a vast list of options like History, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, Literature, Economics etc.

The Arts Stream also nowadays offers an array of career options that are equally worthwhile and satisfying as offered by the science and commerce streams.

Other Options After 10th Class

Apart from these three streams, there are other options which can be done after class 10th.

Vocational Courses

There are various types of Vocational Courses available after class 10th, in which students can opt for short or long term courses like diploma or degree. The Vocational Courses has varied, providing a wider scope for students after 10th standard. These courses are offered by various institutes, colleges, schools and government-aided institutions.

Topics Covered Under Vocational Courses

Health Care, creative fields like Graphic and Web Designing, Food Technology and Cosmetology, etc., are the courses offered in various fields in Vocational Courses. Apart from this, vocational courses are also offered in Automotive Repair, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning in skilled trades.  

Popular Vocational Courses

  • Hotel Management
  • Diploma in Graphic Designing and Web Designing
  • Acting for Film and Television

Other Diploma Vocational Courses

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Telecommunication
  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Dairy Engineering
  • Textile Technology
  • Fashion Designing
  • Tourism
  • Event Management
  • International Trade Management
  • Lifestyle Products
  • English Communication and Presentation Skills
  • Beauty Care
  • Catering Management
  • Computerized Accounting and Financial Decision Making
  • Cosmetology
  • Food Preservation, Production and many others

Certificate Courses

  • Industrial Training
  • Beauty Culture
  • Hair Design
  • Fabricator
  • LeatherCraft
  • Pottery
  • Housekeeping
  • Advertising Design
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Handloom Weaving
  • Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Office Management
  • Corporate Communication

Paramedical Courses

Paramedical courses are in great demand worldwide. By doing this course, students are able to become allied healthcare workers. This field has a large scope of employment in the health care sector and is expected to grow at an increasing rate. Paramedics around the world are earning good salaries and stipends with the right choice of paramedical courses. This course is cheaper and of shorter duration as compared to MBBS.

Some paramedical courses like X-Ray Technician, Dialysis Technician, Health /Sanitary Inspector, Nursing Assistants, Ophthalmic Technology can be chosen after class 10th. 

Short-Term Computer Courses

After class 10th, students can join short term computer courses. These courses will enhance their aptitude and knowledge. The advantage of a short-term computer course is that it ends in the time between the 10th exam and the start of the new session.

List of Important Short-Term Computer Courses

  • Graphics Designing
  • MS Office
  • Advance Excel
  • Web Designing
  • Programming Language
  • SEO
  • Digital Marketing
  • 3D Animation

National Program Of Fellowship

The Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) mainly attracts exceptionally motivated students in science to pursue a career in science courses and research. The objective of this program is to find talented and proficient students for research. Then by encouraging these students to pursue research careers in science, they ensure the development of the best scientific mind for research and development in the country.

Advertisement of KVYP Fellowship is appeared on May 11 (Technology Day) and the 2nd Sunday of July every year in all national newspapers.  Students are selected from those who are studying in class 11th to 1st year of any undergraduate program in Basic Science by the process laid down by the government. 

Hope this article helps you get out of this dilemma,” Which stream should be chosen after 10th and how to choose it”