Introduction
Should I go with a specialized degree now? What examination(s) do I need to take for a lucrative career? Will a career in Science or Commerce be best for me? Have you already come across any of these questions? Well, students who have passed class 12 often ponder upon such questions. The answer varies based on the student’s interests, aspirations, and long-term goals.
Career options after 12th are very large. The domain of higher education is filled with diverse paths. From hundreds of degrees to diplomas and certification courses to advanced studies, the opportunities are abundant.
In this article, we will explore some options available to students who’ve cleared 12th grade. The article will focus mainly on streams like science, commerce, and arts. So, let’s explore all possibilities in detail.
Why does opting for a Career after 12th Matter so much?
Selecting a good career after 12th is an important decision for students. It decides the trajectory of their professional life. It would help if you opted for a career from your interest areas and fetch you a handsome salary.
There are several after 12th course, like medical, engineering, commerce, arts, business, technology, and more. What’s necessary is that a student do comprehensive research on the courses available in their domains. Picking up a career option that aligns with your skills ensures success.
List of Unique Career Options for 12th Passed Students
1. For Science Students
| Career Name | Educational Requirement | Average Salary (Annually) |
| Doctor | MBBS/BHMS/BDS/ BUMS | INR 5 lakhs to 12 lakhs |
| Engineer | B.Tech/BE | INR 4 lakhs 10 lakh |
| Data Scientist | B.Sc. or B.Tech. in CS | INR 3.5 lakhs to 9 lakhs |
| Food Technologist | PCB (passed out) + B.Tech in Food Technology | INR 2.7 lakhs to 10 lakhs |
| Architect | B.Arch (Bachelor of Agriculture) | INR 4 lakhs to 10 lakhs |
| Animator | BCA/BFA (Animation) or Graduation in a relevant field | INR 30,000 to 3 lakhs |
| Agriculture Scientist | M.A. in Agri-Botany/ Agri-Biotechnology/ Agri-Chemistry/ Agri-Economic/ Social forestry. | INR 8 lakhs to 11 lakhs |
| Biomedical Engineer | B.A in Biomedical Engineering | INR 3 lakhs to 6 lakhs |
| Veterinarian | B.V.Sc. & A.H. or BVMS | INR 0.5 lakhs to 10 lakhs |
| Blockchain Engineer | PCM (12th), BCA; MBA in Information Systems, IT Management, Business Analytics | INR 6 lakhs to 8 lakhs |
Top Entrance Examination for Science Courses After +2
Students can opt for any of the aforementioned careers after having their 12th degree at hand. 10+2 Students (PCM & PCB Stream) can take up the following entrance exams –
- Engineering Entrance Exams
Take up engineering entrance examination for lucrative career options after 12th. Almost all states conduct this entrance test. A candidate who clears the entrance exams can get a seat at a college in that state.
- JEE Main
The Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) is a national-level entrance exam in India for admission to various undergraduate engineering programs. Those who can crack this examination after 12th course, can apply for top engineering institutions like IITs, NITs, IIITs, and other top engineering colleges across India.
- JEE Advanced
After clearing JEE Main, students can appear for the second phase, i.e., JEE Advanced. The exam is exclusively for admission to India’s top 23 Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Depending upon the marks obtained, the candidates will be allotted an IIT campus.
- NEET UG
NEET stands for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test. It is a national-level medical entrance examination taken by such students who aspire to get admission into a top medical college across India. Once you clear this entrance test, you can pursue an MBBS or BDS in various government and private medical colleges.
2. For Commerce Students
| Career Name | Educational Requirement | Average Salary (Annually) |
| Accountant | B.Acy. or B.Acc | INR 3 lakhs to 4 lakhs |
| Statistician | Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Economics, or Computer Science | INR 0.7 lakhs to 8 lakhs |
| Investment Banking Analyst | Commerce in +2, BBA in Finance, CFA, MBA degree | INR 4.50 lakhs to 8 lakhs |
| Financial Analyst & Advisor | Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy, Finance, Economics, Statistics | INR 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs |
| Cost Management Accountant | B.com or Graduation in any relevant field | INR 7.5 lakhs to 9 lakhs |
| Charted Accountant | B.Acy. or B.Acc | INR 4 lakhs to 20 lakhs |
| Actuary | 12th with Maths, ACET, B.com | INR 5 lakhs to 7 lakhs |
| Event Manager | Bachelor’s Degree in Event Management, Hospitality Management, Marketing, Business Administration, Communication | INR 3.9 lakhs to 10 lakhs |
| Human Resources | Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, and Organizational Development | INR 5 lakhs to 9.62 lakhs |
| Entrepreneur | Degree in Marketing, Finance, Accountancy, Business Administration, Management, Economics, Engineering/Technical Field | INR 2 lakhs to 10 lakhs |
| Tax Auditor | B.Acy. or B.Acc | INR 3 lakhs to 10 lakhs |
Top Entrance Examination for Commerce Courses After +2
To pursue courses after the 12th commerce and get lucrative jobs, students can appear for the following entrance exams –
- CA
Institutes of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) conducts entrance exams for aspiring chartered accountants. Candidates who clear the exam can register for the Chartered Accountancy (CA) course.
- CAT
CAT is one of the most popular entrance examinations to pursue courses after the 12th commerce. It stands for the Common Admission Test and is a national-level management entrance exam. Cracking this entrance test means you get admission to prestigious business schools, like Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
Also, after CAT, candidates can pursue an MBA or related management courses from renowned institutions in India.
- CS
Company Secretary Entrance is conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI). It is an entrance exam for those candidates who have an interest in pursuing a lucrative career as Company Secretaries.
- BBA
BBA stands for Bachelor of Business Administration. This is an entrance program conducted by institutes for admission to their BBA courses. If you aspire to land into business management and administration after +12th from commerce, take this exam.
3. For Arts Students
| Career Name | Educational Requirement | Average Salary (Annually) |
| Foreign Language Interpreter | Bachelor’s Degree in a third language – French, German | INR 3 lakhs to 7 lakhs |
| Content Writer /Blogger | B.A in English, Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Writing, marketing, communications | INR 3 lakhs to 6 lakhs |
| Interior Designer | Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Interior Design, or a related field | INR 20 lakhs to 20 lakhs |
| SEO Analyst | Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business, Computer Science, Information Technology | ● INR 1.8 lakhs to 2.66 lakhs ● INR 12 lakhs to 14.70 lakhs |
| Creative Director | B.A | INR 2.4 lakhs to 18 lakhs |
| Journalist | Bachelor’s in Journalism or Communications | INR 3 lakhs to 21 lakhs |
| Social Worker | Bachelor’s Degree, MSW, LBSW | INR 3 lakhs to 3.5 lakhs |
| Social Media Manager | Graduation (Across any Stream) or Bachelor in Digital Marketing | INR 1.7 lakhs to 6 lakhs |
Top Entrance Examination for Arts Courses After +2
- UCEED
UCEED stands for Undergraduate Common Entrance Examination for Design. If you want to pursue Bachelor of Design courses at IITs, take this exam.
- NCHMCT JEE
The National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology Joint Entrance Examination is an entrance examination for candidates who are looking for the best career options after 12th in the field of hospitality and hotel management.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the entrance test. Having cracked this entrance test, you will get admission into prestigious hotel management and hospitality institutions throughout India.
- DUET
DUET is an abbreviation for the Delhi University Entrance Test. This is a specialized entrance examination conducted by the University of Delhi. Candidates can take the exam to get admission into various UG & PG humanities programs offered by the university and its affiliated colleges.
- IIMC
Arts students who want to land the best career options after the 12th can try clearing the IIMC entrance test. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) conducts entrance examinations, cracking which make candidates eligible to pursue courses in mass communication, media studies, and journalism.
Government Jobs for 12th Pass Students (for all 3 Streams – Science, Commerce, & Arts)
There are several best courses after 12th in Science, Commerce & Arts. But, at times, students wish to get government jobs. Government jobs come with stability and a sense of security. If you want to pursue government jobs after completing your 12th grade, pick up any of the following fields –
- Banking
- Railway
- Central Police Organization
- Defense Services
- Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
- Indian Coast Guard
- Postal Services
- State Government Jobs (Clerical or Administrative Level)
Each of these government jobs has different eligibility criteria. Hence, students must keep themselves updated with the specific requirements to prepare for the position they’re interested in. For the majority of the time, government job exams are written tests. Interviews and physical tests are also included for cracking the exam and getting a job.
To prepare for the government jobs exam(s), students can consider pursuing certification courses related to their field of interest. The certification course enhances the skills and knowledge. Both knowledge and skills are required to score high in the competitive government job sectors.
Conclusion
So, this was all about top career options after +2. The period after completing the 12th grade is a crucial one for sincere students. Whether arts, commerce, or science, take up the best courses after 12th. Also, consider preparation, continuous learning, and adaptability essential to your chosen career path.
