Stream Selection : The Biggest Decision for Career

 Since, as of now, Class 10th Board Exams 2020-21 of almost every Secondary Education Board in India are cancelled, so now pressure is on students is to opt for a stream for further studies. A very few students are very clear about what to do further in life. But most of the students have a confusion in mind, 'Whether to opt for "Science, Commerce or Humanities "?'

Stream selection is a very confusing but also very important process. Stream which you opt for Senior Secondary Grades play a very crucial role in your higher studies and also in your career defining. Stream should be selected with utmost care and information about the subjects is necessary.

In India, there are three major stream choices in front of students i.e. 'Science, Commerce, Humanities'. 

Each have different career options and opportunities in future.

Here are the some points that need to be considered while opting for a stream:

1. Interest in subjects- You must consider the subjects, you love to study while opting for a stream. For example, if you love to solve Mathematics,you must opt for Non-Medical Science or for Commerce with Mathematics. But this should not be your final choice. One must consider other points too.

2. Future Goals should be considered- One must also keep in mind their future goals, while selecting a stream. Stream selected play a crucial role in your future goals. For example, If you opt to be an engineer in future, you must opt for Non-Medical Sciences and prepare for respective competitive exams. In contrary, if you select any other stream, you won't be able to pursue your future goals.

3. Basic Knowledge- One should have basic knowledge of subjects of stream, he/she is opting for. It has nothing to do with stream selection but it play a huge role in understanding of concepts and subjects and thus have an huge impact on your results.

4. Don't be a part of crowd- Usually there are students, who select the stream on basis of what the majority of his/her classmates or friends are opting for.But this should not be the strategy for selection of stream. Your future has nothing to do with your friend's stream. So you must select stream of your choice only.

5. Don't make a decision on basis of advice- There are always some people i.e. some of relatives or acquaintances, who would suggest you to opt for a stream, some another will suggest you to opt for some another stream. This leads students in a huge dilemma. But you must not consider their opinion(unless you think that is useful) and opt for a stream of your choice.

6. Optional subject should also be chosen wisely- Most of the students think that optional subject will not play a crucial role, but the fact is that it is equally important. One should make correct choice for optional subject. Physical Education, Computer Science, Psychology, Mathematics (for commerce), Economics (for humanities) are some of the majorly opted optional subjects.

7. Take opinion of Parents and Teachers- These are the people who know you from years and have a level of understanding about you. One must consider their parents and teachers opinion before opting a stream.They can give you the best opinions of all. 

8. Get in touch of a Career Counselor- If you are not able to conclude which stream to opt and are in a huge dilemma get help of a career counselor. They can help you at their best.

9. Do not take decision in a hectic manner- Decision made in a hectic manner can be wrong as you were not able to think about it. You must opt for a stream only after thinking and discussing with your parents and teachers. A correct decision can be better than a sooner decision.

Now, let's individually look into streams:

1. Science

It is the first choice of majority of students and parents. In science stream one learn about the reason and logic behind the natural phenomenon and physical changes.It is broadly classified between Medical and Non-Medical Sciences. The major difference between the two is in case of Medical Science we need to study Biology while in case of Non-Medical Science one studies Mathematics. Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Biology, English, Computer Science/Physical Education are some of the major subjects in Science stream.

 

Usually, it is considered as Science stream is opted by only those who want to be an engineer or a doctor, but it is totally a myth as there are numerous career options in science stream.

A more advantage of pursuing science stream is one can pursue any stream's courses once he/she passes the Senior Secondary Board Examinations

One who is interested in space research, aeronautics, architecture, etc. must opt for science.

2. Commerce

It is the second priority for students and parents. One who love playing with numbers, knows basics of algebra and statistics, have interest in studying economics and finance should opt this stream.This stream opens a wide way for students. One can build his/her career in management or as a CA, CS, CMA, CFA, etc. At Senior Secondary level of education one can learn how to manage monetary developments and transactions opting Commerce stream.

Major subjects in Commerce stream are Accountancy, Business Studies, Economics, Mathematics and English. Once you are completed with Senior Secondary level of education, you can get into a number of graduation courses i.e. B.Com., BBA, LLB, Bachelor of Economics, etc. 

3. Humanities (Commonly known as Arts)

It is observed that Humanities was a very underrated stream few years back but the interest of students is consistently increasing in this stream. The exam conducted for recruitment of Civil Servants i.e. UPSC is based on the subjects of Humanities stream.

Major subjects in Humanities stream are History, Sociology, Political Science, Geography, English, Economics and Computer Science/Physical Education.

One who loves to study Social Science, have interest in knowing political situation of India, geographical and historical developments and knowing the developments that lead to form today's modern society or want to make their career in journalism, communication, administration,etc. should opt for Humanities stream.

What if you opt for a stream but now you think that is not perfect for you?

A stream must be selected only after you realize that,  it is not the best stream for you but there is not a problem in choosing wrong stream at first, the earlier you realize the better, it is to change stream. The same problem was faced by one of my friends Aayush. He opted for Science stream but was not able to grapple with subjects and thus he changed his stream to commerce.

The important thing here is that you must realize that this stream is not perfect for you and you switch the stream as early as possible.

Hope this Blog helped you!!

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