Knowing your options is sometimes not enough. Many of us have trouble making the final decision to submit our admission forms. Which course should you pick and why? Here are a few suggestions to take into account when choosing your undergraduate course
Once you have seen the list of undergraduate programs which are available in India, it is clear that there is no lack of options in our country. There are plenty of courses in the streams of science, arts and commerce, and in industry specific streams which provide students with hands-on training. There are also numerous specialisations within the main courses which provide a breakdown of countless industry-tailored subjects to choose from.
How do you know which course and which specialisation is the best for you? This is what it boils down to in the big picture. It is about making the right choice which will set you on your way towards a successful career. And to make this choice, you need the right guidance and the correct advice. It may not be enough to get information from a single source to choose your subjects.
APTITUDE TESTS
First and foremost, it would be good to go through an aptitude test to get a basic understanding of your strengths. While most are aware of their own plus points and shortcomings, an aptitude test would help tell anyone what their skills are and which area they would naturally succeed in. An aptitude test would help you focus on a stream and would provide you a goal to work towards.
GUIDANCE COUNSELLORS
An aptitude test can only help you by highlighting your strengths, it would be a good idea to meet with a guidance counsellor who can advise you on the situation of the industry you are looking to join. A guidance counsellor can also tell you the options that will open up for you with the specialisation you are choosing, the postgraduate courses you can pursue or the job situation for when you complete your programme.
INTERNSHIPS
Once you have figured out what career you want to move into, it would be a good idea to get an internship which would help you understand how the industry works and what your ideal job profile would be like. An internship is meant to provide on-the-job training which will also kick-start your learning process. It is through an internship that you will understand how the industry works and the effort that will be required for you to be successful.
SPEAK TO PROFESSIONALS
Speaking to professionals who have been working in the field for a few years is also a good idea. You will be able to get advice and an understanding of the field over the long term and you will also be able to have them as a mentor for when you do happen to join the industry.
CONSIDER YOUR PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Finally, take your own preferences into account. If the job profile does not match your personal preferences, it is likely that you will not be happy working in the industry. Some industries require commitments and sacrifices which may not be in accordance with the way you have panned out your personal life. Hence it is all down to you in the end.
Volume 2 Issue 7
