CAREER OPTIONS AFTER GRADUATION
What to do after Graduation in India
Competitive Exams After Graduation for Jobs
It
is surprising indeed that not enough discussion or reference is available about
career planning after 10+2+3 or 4 or 5 (as in some cases it takes 4/5 years to
graduate) whereas it is very easy to find guidance as what to do after 10+2.
This article is an attempt to fill this gap.
As
a matter of fact for all students, completing
H.S.C. and then graduation, are two major milestones in their lives. However, in terms of choices both the stages differ strikingly. When you have just
completed H.S.C., you're mostly still into your teens, not in a very strong
position to take the independent decision and possibly not fully aware of doors
(read choices) that are open for you. In such a position it is not surprising
to find students who have to choose a path without an assessment of what the
future holds for them. Of course, the future can never be predicted fully, but
it is good that we try to design it.
When
you are a graduate you are a grown-up adult, with a wider perspective of the
world within and around you. Your personality has become relatively mature and
it is easier to form an independent opinion and chart a path for yourself.
Another big difference is that while after 10+2, a student in most of the cases
will think of further studies only (which
precisely means choosing the course of study for graduation viz. engineering,
medical, commerce, architecture, designing, pharmacy, agriculture, computer
applications etc.) after graduation though one may choose to go for higher
studies, there are also many other paths to choose from.
Broadly,
following are the options or paths available when you're done with your
graduation-
- Pursuing
further studies
- Preparing for/appearing
in All India Services
- Seeking a
job through other competitive examinations
- Seeking a career in armed forces
- Exploring
instant job opportunities
Each
of the above has been dealt with in detail below with an idea to help our
readers to evaluate the choices.
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1. Pursuing
further studies: When you choose to continue your study after graduation, you are again flooded with options. You may go for a postgraduate degree or a diploma course. Based on your eligibility and financial situations, you may have to take a call whether you want to join a top graded institute or will be happy to join any other institute also. Another decision which has more significance will be about the subject to be taken for your
postgraduate studies.
You may have been a science
student but may want to change your track now. This is quite common. Many students who have done engineering
(B.E. or B. Tech), instead of pursuing M.E. or M.Tech.. decide to go for
M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration). Even biotechnology and medical
science graduates have been found to pursue management education at
postgraduate level.
The advantage of courses like M.B.A. and M.S.W. (Master
of Social Work) is that these are open to graduates of all disciplines and has wide availability. Same is the case with a degree in law. A law degree
(L.L.B) can be pursued only after graduation in any subject (we're not talking of 5 years integrated courses possible after 10+2) though in its nature it is a graduate qualification. This freedom is restricted and is not applicable in cases of postgraduation in all the subjects.
For example, if an arts graduate suddenly develops
interest in physics, she or he will not be allowed to join M.Sc. in physics.
So you have to check if you are eligible to make the transition. But before that more probing questions need to be answered such as what is your reason
for wanting to change the subject. Is it your genuine interest in the subject, does it offer better job opportunities or you simply want a subject
which is easier to sail through. In certain cases, people choose a different subject for postgraduation as they want to keep this as an optional subject in civil services examination.
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2. Career
in All India Services: Once you're a graduate you become eligible to compete for prestigious All India Services. These examinations are conducted by Union Public Service Commission on yearly basis. Civil
Service (formerly Indian Administrative Service) examination is open to graduates of all disciplines.
Upon selection
candidates are allotted administrative (IAS), police (IPS), foreign (IFS) and
allied services like Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Indian Railway
Traffic Service etc.
To appear in Indian
Forest Service examination you should be a graduate in Physics, Chemistry, Zoology,
Botany, Mathematics, Statistics, Geology, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary
Science. Graduates in Agriculture, Forestry or Engineering are also considered eligible.
All graduate
engineers (B.E/ B.Tech. in any discipline) are eligible to appear in Indian
Engineering Services Examination. Indian Statistical Service examination is
open to those graduates who have completed their degree with any one of
Statistics, applied statistics or mathematical statistics.
Selection process to
all of the above in three stages of preliminary, main examination and comprehensive interview. More details can be had from the website upsc.gov.in
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3. State
Civil Services: On the line of Civil Services examinations,
in most of the states their Public Service Commission conducts examination for filling up administrative positions. If selected you would be working within the same state.
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4. Exploring
jobs through competitive examinations: Your being graduate makes you eligible to apply for clerical and officers position in public
sector banks and insurance companies. Combined examination is held for all
public sector banks, while insurance companies recruit individually.
These positions are
filled through written test and interview. There is no interview for clerical posts. Officers position are filled on all India basis whereas clerical vacancies are announced state wise. State Bank of India conducts its
examination separately.
Staff Selection
Commission conducts various examinations for filling up vacancies in central government departments, Keep visiting their website ssc.nic.in to learn about opportunities. Graduates are eligible to apply for sub-inspectors' posts in police forces. Recruitment is at the state level.
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5. Jobs
in Public sector organizations: Here the reference is to the public sector
oil (ONGC,IOL etc.), power (NTPC, Power grid Corporation and others), gas
(GAIL, Petronet LNG etc.) and other companies such as BHEL, HAL, REC etc.
Many of these have trainee scheme in management and engineering.
For engineering
trainee graduate engineers (in the required discipline) are eligible. In many cases, a GATE score is required to apply for such a position. At state
government undertakings like Gujarat State Petronet, similar opportunities
may be available.
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6. Jobs
in Indian Army: We all know the respect Indian Armed forces command. After graduation there are multiple avenues to join army. Graduates
with 'C' certificate from NCC have a special scheme for recruitment of men/
women.
Other entry schemes
for graduates are Short Service Commission (Technical/nontechnical) Combined
Defence Service which may take you to Indian Military Academy/ Indian Naval
Academy /Air Force Academy /Officers Training Academy for comprehensive
training before launching you as a full-fledged army officer.
Website joinindianarmy.nic.in will provide you
more information about army careers. It is not necessary to continue in the army until the time of your superannuation. Army allows you to come back to
civilian life after completing commissioning/ defined period.
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7. Jobs
in private sector: Liberal government policies and growing ease
of business have helped private enterprises to grow and expand in our
country. This is good for job seekers. Counter and sales related jobs may be
available to graduates in private banks, insurance companies etc.
While being open to
private jobs, you need to carry a strong persona so that you're not found gullible and are not taken for a ride. This aspect is highlighted as there
are many dishonest elements to exploit jobseekers with fake job offers.
8. Work
and study together: Outwardly it may appear to be a
difficult choice but this is the way for some to create a balance in their financial needs and growth aspirations. You may have to make a few compromises when you decide to work and study side by side.
However, this can also
prove to be a game changer in the course of time. You may join evening classes
(those having evening shift may take up day classes), enroll as a private
student or register for a course from an open university.
Indira Gandhi
National Open University has created a niche in regard to its line-up of
courses, study material, and student support services like contact classes
etc. Whichever institute/course you choose, it should be well thought out and
with a purpose since you will be spending enough of your time and resources
into it.
9. Taking
a break from studies to join work later: In many western
countries like the US, this is considered usual, particularly for those
interested in business studies/management. In fact at many institutes,
certain work experience is considered necessary before one is admitted to a
business management postgraduate course.
At few management
institutes in India also there is weightage for work experience in the
admission process or work experience is a must (example Indian School of
Business at Hyderabad). After some work experience, one may join part-time
M.B.A. also while continuing working.
Few organizations
provide study leave to their employees and there are few who sponsor
employees for higher studies. In such cases the employee may be required to
sign a bond to continue in job for a given period or pay the bond money to
the company.
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Whatever you decide to
do after your graduation should inter alia be based on the following: Your family
circumstances and financial situation Your personality and orientation and if
need be, how far you're willing to modify it, The kind of life you want to lead
Your propensity to come out of comfort zone Your short and long term career
goals Your risk-taking ability The ultimate objective for your medium and long
term future should be to realize your potential so that over a long period of
time when you look back you can say with confidence that you made best of your
gifts, talents and situations and therefore there is no cause for regrets.
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