You must be preparing well for your class 12 board exams and are ready to score high. At this stage in life, it is natural to think of your future career. However, due to the availability of several options, you might be confused.
As per India’s education system, every student has to opt for one of the three main streams: science, commerce, and humanities. Be aware that what you are going to do for the rest of your life will entirely depend on your chosen stream.
For example, as a science student, you can pursue engineering, medicine, or research. Whereas, commerce students can explore finance, business, or management. Similarly, humanities students can choose careers in arts, media, law, or social work.
To make the right decision, you should explore your options and research different fields. Then, self-introspect and choose what you enjoy the most. Want more clarity? In this article, let’s learn popular options you can pursue in all three streams.
Popular career options after 12th in Science
The science stream is one of the most difficult streams in Class 12. As a science student, you can choose careers in:
- Medicine
- Engineering
- Technology
- Research
Please note that many science-related careers offer high salaries and growth opportunities. Here, your path is mainly divided into two broader areas:
Medicine (MBBS)
If you want to become a doctor, MBBS is a great option. To get into this course, you must have Biology in Class 12. MBBS is a 5-year course that includes hospital training and internships. After MBBS, you can specialise in different fields by pursuing an MD.
Engineering
Engineering is a popular career choice that has changed the world with new inventions and technology. Engineers help in:
- Designing and building machines
- Constructing buildings, roads, and highways
- Developing software technologies and more
Some of the top engineering fields are civil engineering, electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, and more.
Popular career options after 12th in Commerce
The commerce stream also offers some of the highest-paying careers. After Class 12, you can study courses like:
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
- B. Com (Bachelor of Commerce)
- BA in Economics
Later, you can pursue higher studies like MBA (Master of Business Administration) or CA (Chartered Accountancy) to boost your career. Here also, your career is divided into two broader segments:
Banking
Banking is a great career choice for Commerce students. Banks need professionals with good financial knowledge. With the rise of multinational banks in India, banking jobs are in high demand.
In FY23, Indian banks hired more than 1,23,000 employees. This marked a 61% increase in the headcount compared to FY22. You can study B. Com, BBA in Finance, or Banking courses to enter this field.
Accountancy
Accountants are needed in every company to manage financial records. This is a stable and high-paying career option. To become a top accountant, you can pursue courses like:
- CA (Chartered Accountancy)
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
- ICWA (Cost and Management Accounting)
Popular career options after 12th in humanities
The humanities stream offers the widest range of opportunities among the three fields. As an arts student, you must have studied history, politics, or media.
Based on this knowledge, you can enter into many creative and professional fields, such as fashion design, hotel management, digital marketing, and more. Let’s check out the two broad areas you can consider:
Mass communication and journalism
This field is about news, media, and storytelling. If you like writing, photography, or reporting, you can study Mass Communication. It includes several branches:
- TV
- Newspapers
- Radio
- Digital media
- Advertising
With the internet growing, digital media jobs are also in high demand. India has over 700 million internet users, presenting a massive market for digital campaigns and online services. Some popular career options, you can explore are:
- News Reporter
- Radio Jockey
- Digital Media Manager
- Advertising Professional
- 3D Animator
Law
Law is another great career option for arts students. If you are interested in legal studies and justice, you can enrol yourself in a composite B.A. L.L.B course after your class 12th. Also, you can specialise in different areas like Criminal Law, Taxation Law, or Corporate Law. A law degree can help you become a:
- Judge
- Lawyer
- Corporate Legal Advisor
- Arbitrator (helps settle disputes)
- Compliance Analyst (ensures companies follow rules)
Best career options with eligibility and expected salary
To choose the right career after Class 12 you must analyse your interests, skills, and academic background. For your reference, below is a list of top career options, along with their eligibility criteria and expected salary in India:
| Career option | Eligibility | Expected salary |
| Engineer | B.E/ B.Tech | Rs. 3 lakhs to 10 lakhs |
| Doctor | MBBS/ BDS/ BHMS | Rs. 5 lakhs to 12 lakhs |
| Architect | B. Arch | Rs. 4 lakhs to 10 lakhs |
| Accountant | B.com | Rs. 1.3 lakhs to 5.8 lakhs |
| Auditor | CA/ ICWA | Rs. 2.3 lakhs to 10 lakhs |
| Financial Analyst | CA/ CFA | Rs. 2 lakhs to 10 lakhs |
| Lawyer | B.A. L.L.B/ L.L.B | Rs. 5 lakhs to 7 lakhs |
| Journalist | BJMC | Rs. 2 lakhs to 12 lakhs |
To not let monetary problems affect your dreams, you can apply for education loans from top banks and NBFCs to get financial support for your studies.
Conclusion
Choosing the right career after Class 12 is an important decision that will shape your future. Whether you select Science, Commerce, or Humanities, each stream offers great opportunities with good salary potential. The key here is to:
- Understand your interests
- Research different career options,
- Choose a path that suits your skills
Additionally, to excel in your academics, you can shop for books, laptops, and study materials on online marketplaces to avail of great discounts. By planning wisely and staying focused, you can easily pursue your dream career!