Choosing the right career is one of the most important decisions that one makes. The key to success and happiness is to be satisfied with what you do on daily basis. This profession is very rewarding if planned well in advance. Self-analysis is the best way to find out the skills and interest in an individual.
Non-Medical as per the name covers everything that is not medical. The options are unlimited and there are countless possibilities in this stream. There are so many career options for science students (PCM) apart from engineering.
If a student likes only 1 subject out of PCM there are options to do core science-related careers in the individual subjects:
- If you like only Physics, then options are-Astrophysics, Geophysics, Molecular Physics, Nuclear physics, Optical Physics.
- If you only like Chemistry, then options are-Biochemistry, Nuclear Chemistry, Organic chemistry, Physical Chemistry.
- If you like only Maths, then options are Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Geometric Analyst, and Computational Mathematics.
Career Options in Non-Medical Field
- Engineering: Engineering is the most sort after career for the students taking Non-Medical stream after clearing their Matriculation. Engineering involves scientific and practical knowledge to invent, build, design, and maintain the system, devices, the machine, and process.
Students who are interested in taking admission in an engineering college for pursuing B.E., B.Tech or B.Arch., need to appear for Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) which is conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) every year. The scores are used for getting admission to various engineering colleges.
Students can study BE/B. Tech in Electrical and Electronics, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Automobile, Aeronautical, Aerospace, Architecture, Mechatronics, Production, Mining, Petroleum and offshore, Information Technology and Software(Computer Science), Telecommunication, Power, Sound, Automation, Manufacturing Engineering, applied Marine Information Technology and Communication, Bio-Medical Engineering, Aircraft Maintenance, Textile, Biotechnology, Production, Industrial, Agricultural Engineering.
Postgraduate course in engineering can be done after B.Tech as Master of Engineering (M.E.) or Master of Technology (M.Tech). Duration is 2 years. After the Master's Degree, Doctoral of Philosophy in Engineering (PhD) which is an advanced research course in engineering can be pursued. Duration is 3 years.
For admission to IITs (Indian Institute of Technology), students have to appear in the JEE Advanced. For admission in M.Tech programme, students have to appear for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE).
- Career options after B.Tech: Some colleges provide campus placements; jobs can also be found in private and government sector or can run your own company as an entrepreneur. Students can apply for Indian Engineering Services (IES) exam conducted by UPSC.
- Career options after M.Tech: Both private and government sector gives preference to candidates with a higher degree. Teaching and research careers is also another option.
Some of the most sort after Engineering Institutes in India are:
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- Indian Institute of Technologies in the various state of India, Like IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay.
- National Institute of Technology's
- Various reputed regional engineering colleges like PEC, Chandigarh.
- Architecture: Going for B.Architect degree is the second most sort after course. The study includes drawing, design, planning, sculpture and architectural studies in great depth. A study in this field leads to career options for working with major architectural firms or government organizations.
- Bachelor of Science: Going for Bachelor of Science in any of the Non-Medical subjects pursued in 12th Non-Medical is the next most sort after the path. A B.Sc degree can be followed by M.Sc degree and there is immense scope in this career. Some of the known and promising disciplines in B.Sc are:-B.Sc. Agriculture, Horticulture, Forestry, IT, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Electronics, Hotel Management, Biotechnology, Nautical Science, Environmental Science and Electronics and Communication.
- Mathematics/Statistics: In this study, students can pursue a Bachelors in Statistics (B.STAT) or Bachelors in Mathematics (B.Math). One of the top institutes that can be considered for this course is Indian Statistical Institute (ISI), Kolkata. This institute focuses on teaching, research and application of statistics.
Career option includes many private and government organizations in banking, insurance, and finance sectors. They hire mathematics majors for project development, research operations, commercial surveys and numerical analysis in share and stock markets.
- Management: Bachelor of Business Administration is one of the best options after 12th for MBA, PGDBA diploma courses in management by qualifying exams like CAT, MAT.
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration): This 3 years course is just below the level of MBA. BBA followed by MBA is a good prospect for mathematics students.
- BBA & MBA Integrated Course: On completing this course student will not have to apply for MBA degree separately and will possess dual degree i.e BBA and MBA after the completion of 5 years integrated course.
- BMS (Bachelor of Management Studies)
This 3 years course focuses on traditional management education and elements of Commerce also.
- Law: The law education is the only legal education in India. Students who pursue this degree are designated as Lawyer. The Bar Council of India (BCI) is the main regulatory body of Law Education. Law courses that can be pursued after 12 class are: Integrated undergraduate degrees are: B.A. LL.B., B.Sc. LL.B., BBA LLB, B.Com LL.B. This course can be followed by 1 or 2 years long Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Integrated MBL-LLM /MBA-LLM is the other option after completing the LLB degree course.
To get admission in law, students have to appear in CLAT (Common Law Admission Test). This test is conducted to get admission to National Law Universities and institutions.
BCI provides Certificate of Practice after completing LL.B. to candidates. To practice, law one has to qualify All India Bar Examination (AIBE).
Some of the reputed institutions offering the course are:
- National Law University, Delhi.
- The West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, Kolkata. A Law student can become a judge by appearing in the Public Service Commissions, Criminal lawyer, a government lawyer, civil litigation lawyer, legal analyst, legal journalist, legal advisor, document drafting lawyer, etc.
- Computer Application Science: This is one of the most preferred career options for those who have a keen interest in IT sector, quick thinking, and high reasoning skills, can analyze the situation and apply concepts in solving them.
Career options are Software consultant, Software developers, web designer, Web Programmer, technical writer, etc.
Students can pursue graduation in computer science BCA and post-graduation MCA from leading universities and colleges like Delhi University, Symbiosis Institute of computer studies.
- Hotel Management: This study prepares students to work at hotels, resorts, aviation, cruise, and casinos. Graduates study about various functions like housekeeping, front office, administration, and food production.
Students can pursue BSC/BA IN Hotel Management for 3-4 years.
Career after completing the course leads to lifestyle, business management in hotels, culinary fields.
- National Defense Academy (NDA): The National Defense Academy includes cadets of three sections of armed forces-Army, Navy and Air Force and they are trained altogether.
To join NDA, the age limit is 19 years. One has to appear for National Defense Academy written exam conducted by UPSC twice a year in March and August followed by (Services Selection Board) interview, medicals and clear all. Admission is on merit basis.
Course duration is for 3 years. Cadet has to complete 6 terms of training along with studies. After passing out cadets are sent to respective training institutes as per the Armed Forces division.
Army candidates are sent to IMA (Indian Military Academy) for 1-year training and after that, they are ranked as Lieutenant and join Indian Army as an officer.
- Technical Entry Scheme
Other than NDA, class 12th students can also join Indian Army as an Officer through Technical Entry Scheme(TES).Notifications in the newspaper are put in the month of May/June and October/November. Applications are online. Age limit is 19 years.
After application SSB Interview followed by medical examination is held for eligible candidates and merit list is announced.
Training is given to selected candidates for 5 years. After the course, they are ranked as Lieutenant and join services as an officer in Indian Army.
- Alternate Training Scheme (ATS) Shipping job: This is an approved course for Engineer Officer in charge of a Watch (STCW Regulation III/4) and is based on International Maritime Organization (IMO). The course is very intensive and requires serious study and hard work. Students who are interested deeply in Marine Engineering as a career should only apply.
This study is all about machinery items on ships, boats or yachts and makes an individual a ship engineer. The courses are divided into various phases:
- Phase 1-Training in the academy for 1 year. The syllabus is covered in this phase.
- Phase 2-Training on board seagoing ships as engineer cadets for 9 months is provided.
- Phase 3-Training in the academy for 12 months which covers the syllabus part again. Cadets have to pass an examination conducted by Mercantile Marine Department-Government of India (MMD) covering all subjects as Part A examination.
- Phase 4-Seagoing services as Assistant Engineer Officer on Watch for 6 months.
- Phase5-Preparatory course-Engine Room Simulator, Medical First Aid for about 3 months. After this Engineer Officer will have to pass another set of examination as Part B.
Career options: Some of the companies provide valuable opportunity and excellent career prospects to candidates and a bond has to be signed to serve them for a few years.
Some of the well-reputed Colleges offering these courses are:
Don Bosco Maritime Academy, Mumbai.
Chennai School of Ship Management, Chennai.
- Commercial Pilot Training: 12 Non-medical students can also opt for a career in Civil Aviation as Commercial Pilot. Students have to pass a Pilot Aptitude test and medical examination to be eligible and undergo training. Although CPL training is quite expensive.
- Nautical Science: This study refers to the basic knowledge required to safely navigate and operate a ship. The study includes navigation and seamanship. Seamanship is the operation of shipboard equipment and tools. Duration is 3 years and further divided into 6 semesters. The course is approved by Directorate General of Shipping, under Ministry of Shipping, Government of India.
Marine Engineering makes an individual a ship engineer whereas nautical science is the training of an individual to become a deck officer.
Career prospects are as a deck cadet, second officer, chief officer and finally a captain. Also can get employed as a marine engineer, oceanographer, radio officer or nautical surveyors.
Some of the main colleges are:
- Academy of Maritime Education and Training, Karnataka.
- Vels University, Chennai.
- Civil Aviation: Aviation is an art of aeronautics-design, production, operation, development, and use of aircraft. The 3 years course covers topics like Air Regulations, navigation, Air Traffic control, meteorology, aircraft and engine, aviation security, flight safety and crew management.
Career options
A certificate can be obtained as a Licensed Pilot for the program of 19-24 months. Get an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer License for certification of 3 years. Also, other career options are Air Traffic controller, ground operation staff, cargo management staff, ticketing staff.
Some of the reputed aeronautics colleges are:
- Indian Institute of Aeronautics, Delhi,
- Indian Institute of Aeronautics Science, Jamshedpur.
- Ethical Hacking: Ethical Hacking is a computer expert who hacks the security system or computer network that belongs to an organization and improves the weak points and finds vulnerabilities that a malicious hacker could potentially exploit.
Students can pursue B.Sc. in Computer Science/BCA/Graduation in any IT discipline for 3-4 years and then pursue Certification courses in Ethical hacking (CEH, CCNA, SCNS, CPTE, and CISSP)
Career options
Ethical hacking professionals are in great demand these days. They are employed by large organizations and core IT companies both in the public and private sectors.
Some of the reputed Ethical Hacking is:
- Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Tamil Nadu
- Indian Institute of Hardware Technology Ltd, New Delhi.
- Actuarial Sciences: This study is for candidates who are extremely numerate and proficient in mathematics and statistics. The professionals who are qualified in this study through education and experience are called Actuaries.
This study equips students to assess risks scientifically in various sectors and provide professional services and business to Life, health, and general insurance, financial services, business, investment. Assessment is given by use of statistical, computational and mathematical methods.
Career option
After graduation students can join professional bodies as a student member and become fellow in IAI. There are UG & PG courses also.
Some of the colleges offering the course are:
- Amity School of Insurance and Actuarial Science, Noida.
- Institute of Actuaries of India, Mumbai.
- Hospitality Management
Hospital management in the management of the administration of hospitals. It provides direct services between health care and those supplying the services to health care. Students have to appear for entrance examination like CAT, MAT.
Students can pursue Bachelor-3 years, Master-2 years and Doctoral degree-M.D./M.Phil. in hospital management.
- Creative Careers: There are a number of Creative career options available for students as per their interests:
Fine arts (Music, Dance, Painting, etc.), media studies, advertisement, Journalism, filmmaking, photography, animation, Design (Bachelor in designing) is further divided into fashion design, leather design, knitwear design, textile design, interior design, accessory design.
- Tourism: This industry boosts being the largest foreign exchange earner for the country and offers a number of career roles to the candidates.
Students should have thorough knowledge about travelling and tourist destinations, business tactics and social etiquettes.
There are graduate level, postgraduate level, diploma and certificate courses available in this industry.
After completion, of course, one can find career options both in public and private sector-with Directorates, department of tourism, a job in the travel agency, hotels, airline, transport agency, etc.
Institutions offering course are:
- University of Delhi
- University of Madras, Chennai.
- Education and Teaching Related Courses
These courses lead to the job of a teacher/instructor. Some well-known education courses that a student after 12 class can opt are:-
- Diploma in Elementary education
- Primary Teachers Training course (followed by B.Ed.)
- Diploma in Yoga education.
- B.P.Ed. (Bachelor of physical education) – can be pursued of
- B.EI.Ed (Bachelor of elementary education) duration is 4 years and can be perused after bachelor’s degree.
- Bachelor's Degree with Astronomy as the main subject: This study is about reading and studying the celestial bodies of the universe. Students study their movement, nature, law, composition, history, and future possible developments.
- Disaster Management: In this study, various programmers are designed to manage resources and to respond in case of an emergency. Also to avoid natural events such as earthquakes, floods, and cyclones, etc.
- Forensic Science: This study is one of the crucial elements of the judicial system. The study is about examination and forensic clues.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharmacy): This course can be opted by both Biology as well as Math’s students. The pharmacy can be further followed by M Pharmacy.
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A): There is also an option to pursue B.A for students who wish to change their stream. B.A. can be done in various subjects like Sales and Marketing, English, Hindi/Urdu, Social Science, Foreign language.
One should remember that Engineering is not the only option available after doing the 12th class with the Non-medical stream. There are many more career options which one need to choose as per his/her interest and skills only. One should always choose the career which will give you happiness in return and not just money. Some other options that are available are Air hostess, Visual Communication, Mass Communication, Journalism and literature, Sociology and literature, Catering management, Networking, and hardware, Health management courses etc.
