Actuarial science
Actuarial science or insurance requires the assessment of risks of premium or insurance. An actuary is a person who caters to the financial impact of risk taking. They have profound understanding of financial security systems and the way they work.
Aptitude: Analytical skills, business knowledge and understanding of human behaviour.
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream preferably commerce
After class XII: Bachelor in arts with insurance or actuary as a subject.
Institutes: Actuarial Institute of India, Mumbai, Institute of Certified Risk and Insurance Managers, Hyderabad, University of Delhi, The College of Vocational Studies (University of Delhi),
Academy of Insurance Management, Asia Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi, Birla Institute of Management Technology, New Delhi, Goa University, Goa
Jobs: If you are trained in actuarial sciences you can join both government or the private sector or find a job as an agent or a licensed insurance surveyor.
Recruiters: Government as well as private companies.

Advertising
Advertising is the act of influencing a customer to purchase a particular product. Some of the commonly-used media for advertising are TV, radio, websites, newspapers, magazines, bill-boards, hoardings etc. With multinationals coming up and a brand value attached to every thing, advertising is offering a wide scope to work with. It is considered a part of mass communication.
Aptitude: Since advertising is part of communication you need to have extraordinary communication skills, out -of-the-box thinking, ability to communicate lot with lesser words.
Subjects:
After X: Humanities preferably
After XII: English (H), mass communication in media and advertising or a diploma in advertising and public relation.
Institutes: National Institute for Media Studies, Ahmedabad, www.nifms.com; National Institute of Creative Communication,  Bangalore, www.niccindia.org; Makhan Lal Chaturvedi University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal, www.mcu.ac.in.
Jobs you can take: Client servicing, market research and media research. Creative side consists of copywriters, scriptwriters, visualisers, photographers and typographers.
Recruiters: Euro RSCG
Advertising Pvt Ltd, Everest
Integrated Communications Limited, Fountainhead Communications Pvt Ltd.

 
Agriculture
The Indian economy might no longer be a typically agrarian economy, but the career opportunities in agriculture are bright. There are many challenges facing this vital sector of the economy, which, in spite of its diminishing share in the GDP, has an impact on all the other sectors. The principal amongst these challenges are the need for food security, the new patent regime and the entry of multinationals. These challenges, coupled with the advances in biotechnology, have opened up opportunities for agricultural researchers and agricultural marketing personnel in the government and the private sector — in the latter case both in indigenous set-ups and multinational corporations. The Indian agricultural education system offers degree programmes in 11 specific disciplines: agriculture, veterinary science, agricultural engineering, forestry, home science, dairy technology, fisheries, sericulture, marketing, banking and cooperation; horticulture; and food science.
Aptitude: Scientific acumen.
Subjects:
After class X: Science
After class XII: There are about 30 agricultural universities across the country offering BSc and MSc courses in
agriculture.
Institution: Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi, www.iari.res.in; Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, www.gbpant.ac.in; National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, www.ndri.res.in; Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai, www.cife.edu.in.
Jobs: Those with BSc can seek jobs in the state agriculture departments, recruitments for which are conducted by the state public service commissions. Job openings exist in the agriculture clinics in the rural areas, banks and with MNCs, seed, companies and also pesticide manufacturers. The range of opportunities increase manifold after MSc, where research and teaching opportunities open up.
Recruiters: National Seeds Corporation, Food Corporation, The Warehouse Corporation, Fertilizer Corporation of Indian, National Dairy Development Board. Nationalised banks and rural banks such as National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) also hire professionals from this field. Even the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) seeks agricultural scientists for its various projects and so does the hotel industry.

Air Force (Defence)
Indian Air Force is part of the defence services. Defence services as such is one of the most challenging and most promising career option that youth can take up. Working with the Indian Air Force means being part of super-sonic jets, planes, fighter planes etc. One can join the Air Force either as an officer or airman. The officer cadre provides opportunities for men having 10+2 (intermediate), graduate, engineering and postgraduate degrees. Women who are graduates, engineers and postgraduates can join as an officer in the Air force. As an airman you make sure that all the air and ground operations run smoothly.
Aptitude: Certain physical requirements that are listed in admission notice, intelligence, courage, sense of responsibility, ability to reason, alertness, ability to work under difficult natural conditions.
Subjects
After class X: science
After class XII: National Defence Academy exam is the mandatory examination that candidates have to take to enter Air Force. Combined Defence Services Exam and examination conducted by the Short Service Selection
Board are other ways to enter after
graduation.
Institute: National Defence
Academy.
Jobs: In officer cadre: You can work in the flying branch as fighter pilots, in technical branch as aeronautical engineer, in ground duty branch as air traffic control officer, fighter controller, logistics officer. You can also work in other branches such as administration, education and accounts.  
As airmen: Either in technical or non-technical trade. Top

Animation
Animation industry is growing at a tremendous rate and a lot of Indian production is happening. The outsourcing work that was happening in India for the last so many years has doubled up now because people have realised that India is a very cost-effective market. And also, there are many creative people in the industry. Indian animation industry is said to be growing at an annual rate of 35 per cent.
Aptitude: A knack for drawing or creating characters, sketches, understanding of colours and an ability to live the characters
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream-science/humanities/commerce
After class XII: Any stream-science/humanities/commerce
Institutes: Toonz Animation, National Institute of Design ( NID, Ahmedabad), JJ School of Arts, Zee Institute of Creative Arts ( ZICA), Industrial Design Center (IDC), IIT (Mumbai & Guwahati), Arena Multimedia, Pentamedia
Jobs: Various TV programmes, advertisements and commercial demand a huge manpower from the Indian market. Animation is also used in titling films, creating special effects or in web entertainment programs
Recruiters: Various production houses.

Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of human race, especially how humans have evolved over the period of time. There are various branches of anthropology that specifically deal with a particular aspect of these larger questions. Like physical anthropology is the study of biological evolution of organisms, socio-cultural anthropology deals with issue like how humans relate socially and culturally, whereas linguistics anthropology is the study of the origin of words. Applied anthropology is about digging up their remains.
Aptitude: Scientific and analytical aptitude. A good understanding of societies, love for communication with people across communities.
Subjects:
After X: Students from both humanities and science stream can pursue anthropology after class XII.
After XII: BSC in anthropology or any subject of BA or BSc, followed by an MSc in anthropology.
Institutes: University of Delhi, www.du.ac.in; University of Pune, www.unipune.ernet.in/indexout.html; University of Calcutta, www.caluniv.ac.in; Sri Venkateswara University, www.svuniversity.in; Punjab University, www.puchd.ac.in.
Jobs: You can teach in the institutes imparting anthropological education. You can work as a researcher or work in a museum. Cultural anthropologists are particularly well suited to work in professions involving people, such as teaching, law, medicine, social work, and journalism.
Recruiters: Museums are the major employers of people from this background. Archaeological Survey of India, the Planning Commission as well as international organisations like the United Nation’s UNESCO or UNICEF offer job openings to researchers. ICMR, WHO and the police department also offer employment to anthropologists for the purpose of crime detection.

 
Army (Defence)
The Indian Army is the largest and the oldest branch of the Indian armed forces. It is trained to fight on land and consists of various divisions including the infantry, the artillery, the armoured corps etc. Two broad ways are available for those wishing to join the army as commissioned officers. A permanent commission is for those who want to make a career in the army until retirement, while a short-service commission allows you to join on a five-year contractual basis, after which you can exercise the option to continue or not.
Aptitude: Certain physical requirements that are listed in admission notice,
intelligence, courage, sense of
responsibility, ability to reason, alertness, ability to work under difficult
natural conditions.
Subjects
After class X: Any stream
After class XII: National Defence Academy exam is the mandatory examination that candidates have to take to enter Army. Combined Defence Services Exam and examination conducted by the Service Selection Board are other ways to enter after graduation. Engineering graduates can join the Indian Military Academy directly. They only need to attend the Service Selection Board interview.
Institute: National Defence Academy, Pune.
Jobs: You can join infantry, armoured corps, artillery, signals personal, army service cop. Medical graduates from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, are directly inducted as permanent commissioned medical officers.

 Archaeology
Archaeology is the scientific study of the past human activities through the physical remains. The aim is to understand man’s past and reconstruct the history. Usually archaeologists discover treasures such as tombs and valuables, as also artifacts from centuries ago. But their work also involves research, field investigations, laboratory analysis, library research, interpretation or consultative work and preparation of reports for publication.
Aptitude: Since it is the study of past, interest in history is the basic. The profession demands a great deal of field work. So a person should have ability to work in difficult situations and lot of patience. You should love travelling and have ability to adjust in unfamiliar cultures.
Subjects
After class X: Humanities with history is required.
After Class XII: BA In ancient Indian history, culture and archaeology, BA (archaeology), BA (archival science).
Institutes: Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, www.bhu.ac.in; Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, www.msubaroda.ac.in; Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University,  www.ddugu.edu.in; Utkal University,
Bhubaneswar, www.utkal-university.org. The Archaeological Survey of India also offers a postgraduate diploma in archaeology. At PG level Deccan College in Pune is considered the Mecca of archaeology.
Jobs: The main work is of course being on site and worknig in archaeological expeditions. You can work as a curator of any museum. Then one can also be involved in the protection and maintenance of historical sites and monuments. Institutions devoted to higher education and research also provide ample employment opportunities. Private collectors require the services of archaeologists to take care of their antiques, icons and curios coins besides and gems and jewellery of historical importance.
Recruiters: Archaeological Survey of India, museums. Top

 
Architecture
Architecture is the art and science of designing structures and buildings. But it is way ahead of what we simply call construction. An architect understands the requirements of a society and expresses them in the work he constructs. He is also concerned with organisation of space, including the aesthetic and functional part of that space apart, from environment and natural resources. Over and above an architect works on the aesthetics and utility simultaneously.
Aptitude: You need to be a keen observer with a rational approach. You must be original and creative in your approach. Analytical and mathematic ability, clarity in drawing and sketching are a must.
Subjects
After class X: Science with physics, chemistry engineering drawing.
After class XII: Bachelors of architecture and after that you can pursue specialised courses in industrial design, urban design, landscape architecture, town planning/urban planning, environmental planning etc.
Institutes: School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, www.spa.ernet.in; Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai, www.sirjjarchitecture.org; IIT-Roorkee, Karnataka, www.iitr.ernet.in; IIT-Kharagpur, West Bengal, www.iitkgp.ernet.in; Birla Institute of Technology, Ranchi, www.bitmesra.ac.in.
Jobs: With increasing urbanisation more and more architects are required. Architects can work with both corporates and government organisations. While working for corporates you will be working for retail sector, manufacturing agencies, hotels etc. In private practice you can specialise in houses, apartment blocks, schools, offices etc. While working with public departments you will be involved in town planning, hospital construction, schools and stadiums construction.
Recruiters: Central Public Works Department, National Building Organisation, HUDCO, National Building Construction Corporation Ltd, Idea Design, Neeraj Manchanda Architects, Sunil Patil and Associates.

 
Astronomy
The term astronomy means ‘law of the stars’. As the phrase suggests astronomy is the science of dealing with celestial bodies and the universe beyond the earth’s atmosphere. It is the study of motion, nature, law, constitution, history and possible future developments of heavenly bodies like the sun, planets, stars. It is divided into observational astronomy and theoretical astrophysics. Observational astronomy is concerned with acquiring data, where as theoretical astrophysics focuses on ascertaining the observational implications of analytic models.
Aptitude: Since astronomy involves high level of data handling gathered by observatories and satellites, you should  be good in problems solving, computer handling and mathematical skills. You need to have analytical and logical thinking. Since astronomers work at odd and for long hours, a lot of patience is required.
Subjects
After X: Science with maths and physics
After XII: Since most of the institutes offer this course at postgraduate or the PhD level, you can pursue physics (hons), Maths (Hons), BE/BTech degree and then apply for Msc in astrophysics.
Institutes: Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences aries.ernet.in; Indian Institute of Astrophysics www.iiap.res.in; Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics www.iucaa.ernet.in; National Centre for Radio Astrophysics ncra.tifr.res.in; Indian Institute of Science www.iisc.ernet.in.
Jobs: A major part of an astronomer’s job involves research and data analysis, the recruiters prefer people with PhD. You can work with government, defence and space research organisations,
electronic equipment companies.
Recruiters: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Space Applications Centres.

 
Aviation
The aviation sector can offer you a career in commercial as well as the armed forces. For armed forces see Army, Airforce, Navy. Commercial aviation includes passenger airlines and cargo planes. Commercial aviation offers equal opportunities for those who want to fly and to those who want to stay on the ground. It operates at various levels like airlines operations, maintenance, marketing and finance divisions. There are different courses for pilots and engineers but for ground staff the courses and basic eligibility criteria more or less stays the same.
Aptitude: Aviation is also a service industry, the most important skill that you need is the ability to serve people. You should be ready to work at odd hours, should have good communication skills and should know how to handle people. You need to also qualify some medical fitness and physical traits suiting the airlines. Over and above, emergency handling skills are very important.
Subjects
After class X: For pilot (science with maths and physics), for other airlines operations any subject.
After class XII: To be a pilot you need to have flying licence, others can pursue diploma in hotel management and catering technology, courses tailormade for cabin crews and airhostesses, ticketing staff and aviation management.
Institutes: For pilots: Indian Aviation Academy, Mumbai, www.indianaviationacademy.com; Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation, Karnal, karnal.nic.in/dept_aviation.asp; Academy of Aerospace & Aviation, Indore, www.aaaindore.com; Delhi Flying Club Ltd, Delhi. 
For other staff: Indian Aviation Academy; Air Hostess Academy, New Delhi, airhostessacademy.com; Frankfinn, www.fiatfrankfinn.com.
Jobs: You can operate as a pilot, cabin crew, airhostess and steward, ground staff or as an engineer. As a ground staff you will be required to take care of passenger facilities such as checking in passengers and issuing and checking boarding passes.
Recruiters: Indian Airlines, Air India, Jet Airways, Sahara India Airlines, Airport Authority of India. Foreign airlines like Lufthansa also recruit Indians.

 
Ayurveda
Perhaps one of the oldest medical systems in the world, Ayurveda is not just the science of providing treatment to the physical ailments of human body. It also aims at improving the quality and longevity of life through the restoration of body to its natural constitution. That is why Ayurveda means “knowledge of life”. It operates on the philosophy that diseases occur when there is an imbalance between body’s three humours Vata (wind) Pitta (Bile) and Kapha (phlegm). It relies on natural herbs for treating diseases.
Aptitude: A general interest in medicine and science. Patience is the key to success in this field as Ayurvedic system is holistic approach to mankind and since it not only treats patients but the man physically as well as mentally, the results are not immediate.
Subjects:
After class X: Science with physics, chemistry, biology, preferably with sanskrit as additional subject.
After class XII: Bachelor of Ayurvedic medicine & surgery, followed by a post-graduate programme in one specialised field out of 16 available.
Institutes: Ayurvedic Medical
College, Raichur, www.ayurvediccollegemanvi.org; Ayurvedic & Unani Tibbia College, New Delhi; AL Government Ayurvedic College, Warangal; Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai; ALN Rao Memorial Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Kappa.
Jobs: Fresh graduates can join numerous colleges and institutes which impart education in Ayurveda for teaching. After completing a post-graduation you can get employment as doctors at both government and private Ayurvedic hospitals. With tourism industry booming and medical tourism gaining strength, the demand for Ayurved professionals is growing very high at various Ayurvedic health centres.
Recruiters: Ayurvedic Punchakarma centres, government and private hospitals, heritage resorts. Top

B

 
Banking
Gone are the days when bank jobs were considered secure yet stagnant. With private banks becoming big players in the market, a career in banking is becoming very promising. The banks are not only involved in money lending and deposits, but they are providing a range of financial products for their customers, from insurance and shares to mutual funds. The jobs are considered more glamorous and openings at various positions right from sales executive to managers are far and wide. With international banks making their way in India sky is the limit for those seeking a career in banking.
Aptitude: Banking is all about money so a comfort with numbers is mandatory. If you want to join at the managerial post, excellent communication skills, ability to manage team are also important. You are surrounded with money so integrity and honesty are the key.
Subjects:
After class X: Commerce with
accountants.
After class XII: BCom (bank management), diploma in bank management, diploma in bank administration. One can also join banks after completing graduation, preferably, in commerce subject and doing an MBA. Even without these particular courses you can get banking jobs in public banks after clearing the individual entrance exam of these nationalised banks.
Institutions: Bharathidasan University, Trichy, www.bdu.ac.in; Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, www.amu.ac.in; Maharaj Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, www.msubaroda.ac.in; Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, www.utkal-university.org.
Jobs: While recruitment in nationalised banks is done through entrance exam, recruitment in private banks is direct. In nationalised banks you can join at the clerical cadres, as Grade A officer and Grade B officer, probationary officer or development officer. Be it customer care executive, sales person, clerk or bank manager, private sector banks have openings for all.
Recruiters: Reserve Bank of India, State Bank of India, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, ICICI, HSBC, HDFC. Top

 
Bartending
It’s not just about mixing drinks and juggling glasses; bartending is fast emerging as a profession with pub culture picking up in India. Till recently it might have been looked down as a career but a lot of adventurous youngsters are into the profession now. Though largely dominated by males, a number of females are getting on to the other side of the bar.
Aptitude: One should like attending people and enjoy their company.
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream-science/humanities/commerce.
After class XII: Any stream-science/humanities/commerce.
Institutes: Indian Institute of Bartending, Chennai, School of Bartenders, Mumbai,
B’Mann School of Bartending, Chennai and Hyderabad, Cocktails & Dreams Bar School, New Delhi and Kathmandu
Jobs: Pubs, bars, cruise liners and the hospitality industry are the hot beds for a job as a bartender.
Recruiters: China House at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Mumbai, ITC Grand Central, Hotel Le Meredien, P&O Cruises

Beauty Care
A thing of beauty is a joy forever and a career in beauty is evergreen. Every person in this world wants to look good and who bestows these good looks? Certainly your parents and after that, beauticians. They are the one who can change appearance of a person in a blink of an eye. A lot of hand work goes into it. With people becoming more and more conscious about their looks, a career in beauty is becoming very promising.
Aptitude: An interest in beauty culture is basic mandate. You should have an aptitude towards fashion and aesthetics.
Subjects:
After Class X: Any subject
After class XII: Diploma or degree courses in beauty therapy and saloon management are available after school. The course requires high practical training than academic background.
Institutes: Shahnaz Husain’s Women’s World, New Delhi, www.shahnaz-husain.com/training_institutes.asp; Habib’s Hair Academy, www.habibsinc.com; Akbar Peerbhoy Girl’s Polytechnic, Mumbai.
Jobs: Right from opening up a small beauty parlour, you can venture out into your own specialised field like hair styling to being a make-up artist, skin treatment expert or beauty products specialist. The objective is the same — to make people look good.
Recruiters: Beauticians are easily absorbed in hotels, private clinics, spas, five star beauty salons and health resorts. Fashion photographers and film producers are the two avenue open to ambitious ones.

 
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is the application of computer technology to the management of biological information. It is the fastest growing speciality in the field of life science because of the increasing research carried in genetics. Bioinformatics specialists are involved in all aspects of collecting, assembling and analysing the staggering quantities of information that are being generated by the human genome projects, as well as genome projects for other animals, plants and disease-causing
microorganisms.
Aptitude: You need to have an eclectic bend towards molecular biology, chemistry and biology.
Subjects:
After class X: Science with physics, chemistry and biology
After class XII: BTech (bioinformatics), BSc (bioinformatics), BSc
(biotechnology).
Since there are not many institutes providing specialised degree in bioinformatics at the undergraduate level, students can do graduation or postgraduation in molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, chemistry, pharmacy, veterinary sciences, physics, mathematics, or even engineering and follow it with a master’s degree in
bioinformatics.
Institutes: Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore, www.ibab.ac.in; Bioinformatics Institute of India, Noida, www.bioinformaticscentre.org; Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Noida, www.amity.edu/aib; Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, www.iictindia.org/ACB/index.htm; Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, www.vit.ac.in
Jobs: You can work in the area of sequence assembly, database design and maintenance, sequence (gene) analysis, proteomics or parmacogenomics. You can also enter into biotechnology, pharmaceutical, research and hospitals.
Recruiters: Pharmaceutical and biotech companies where bioinformatics technologies are applied for drug discovery.

 
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is the application of micro-organisms or cells (such as s bacteria, yeasts, vegetable cells, simple or complex organism animal cells) for developing new material or modifying micro-organisms, plants or animals. There are many applications of biotechnology, such as developing various medicines, vaccines and diagnostics, increasing productivity, improving energy production and conservation. Biotechnology’s intervention in the area of animal husbandry has improved animal breeding. It has also helped in improving the quality of seeds, insecticides and fertilizers. Environmental biotechnology helps in pollution control and waste management.
Aptitude: To enter into this field you need a logical bend of mind. You should be able to think logically, analytically and make detailed observations. A flexible approach to problem solving is must.
Subjects:
After X: Science
After XII: Bsc (biotechnology), Btech (biotechnology), integrated MTech programme.
Institutes: Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, www.iitd.ac.in; Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, www.iitkgp.ac.in; Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Banasthali, www.banasthali.org.
Jobs: Biotechnologists can find careers with pharmaceutical companies, chemical, agriculture and allied industries. They can be employed in the areas of planning, production and management of bio-processing industries. There is a large-scale employment in research laboratories run by the government as well as the corporate sector.
Largest employers: Centre For DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Ranbaxy, The Institute of Life Sciences, National Institute of Immunology, Bharat Immunologicals & Biologicals Corporation Limited, The Indian Vaccines Corporation Limited. Top

C

 
Call centres
Business process outsourcing changed the way Indian youth and Indian economy operates, and call centres are the centres of this change. The career options provided by the call centres have become most sought after by the fresh graduates. A call centre is a service centre with adequate telecom facilities, access to internet and a wide database, which provides voice-based or web-based information and support to customers in the country or abroad, through trained personnel. It could be ticketing update, help on how to operate an electrical gadget, or registering a
complaint.
Aptitude: Good command over English, the ability to handle customers, ability to work in odd working hours and in shifts, computer literacy, typing speed and data handling.
Subjects: After class X: Any stream
After class XII: Any subject in the graduation to operate at the level of customer service operator, whereas an MBA is preferred for heading a large division.
Institutes: BK One, Gurgaon, www.bkone.co.in; Hero MindMine, Gurgaon, www.heromindmine.com, Akiko Sherman Infotech, www.shermanindia.com. Most of the call centres have their own training modules, under which accent training, listening skills, ‘slang’ training, accent neutralisation, telephone etiquette etc are provided.
Jobs: There are call centres for banking, utilities, manufacturing, security, market research, pharmaceuticals, catalogue sales, order desk, customer service, technical queries (help desk), emergency dispatch, credit collections, food service, airline/hotel reservations etc. You can join as call a centre operator or a call centre manager.
Recruiters: Wipro Spectramind, Infowavz International, Daksh, Convergys, American Express, GE, Reliance Infotech. Top

Car styling
Styling is a part of designing. A car has lot of components, there is an interior part to it, how it looks and how it functions. These are the three basic aspects of cars. The designers are responsible for coordinating between all three of them. Some of the designers work on the exterior part of it, the way the car looks. That is what is teamed as styling but it’s a major part of designing. Even the interior comes into designing. Styling is a name given to the form and function.
Aptitude: Creative as well as technical aptitude.
Subjects:
After class X: Science with physics, chemistry and maths.
After class XII: Science.
Institutes: Indian Institute of Technology, National Institute of Designing
Jobs: Jobs are available in automobile designing. It could be interior or exterior designing.
Recruiters: Mahindra, General Motors, Maruti, etc.

 
Chartered Accountancy
With growing importance of trade and business, the profession of chartered accountancy has gained weight. A chartered accountant is the one who is specialises in accounting, auditing and taxation. He can also serve as a management and corporate caretaker. CAs summarise transactions in standard formats for financial records, calculate projected financial ratios or organise data in special formats for financial analysis.
Aptitude: An aptitude for figures and accounts is a pre-requisite for the job of a CA. You should also understand legal nuances. Also good command over written and spoken English is important to form documents and discuss financial matters with the clients.
Subjects:
After Class X: Commerce (preferably)
After Class XII: CA programme is of two years and has three sections, professional education (course-I), professional education (course-II) and final examination. Candidates can apply for professional education (course-I) after class XII. You can also do graduation in any subject, preferably from commerce stream and straightaway apply for professional education (course-II) programme after clearing the entrance exam.
Institutes: The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), New Delhi, icai.org is both the examining and licensing body, authorised to conduct examination.
Jobs: All the companies registered under the Companies Act require full-time services of CAs as finance managers, financial controllers, financial advisors or directors (Finance), etc for keeping a close watch over the finances in the day- to-day management. Some of the opportunities available for CAs are in capital markets, business houses and industry. They can also run their own consultancy.
Recruiters: KPMG, Arthur Andersen, public sector undertakings, and specified business houses as they are required to get their accounts audited by the practising chartered accounts.

 
Company Secretary
A company secretary (CS) is recognised by various enactments as one of the principal officers of company. He carries out various functions related to finance, accounts, legal and administrative areas in addition to his own secretarial duties. Arguably MBAs hired on hefty pay packages operate in the same area, but a company secretary is indispensable and is authorised to be a vital link between the company, board of directors, shareholders and governmental agencies.
Aptitude: Ability to understand complex and technical issues in a clear manner, and an excellent command over written and spoken English are essential.
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream, preferably commerce.
After Class XII: One of the prescribed qualifications for a company secretary is membership of the Institute of Company Secretaries. To become a member of the institute, preliminary, intermediate, and final examinations conducted by the institute have to be cleared. After qualifying in the final examination and undergoing practical training, you will be eligible to be admitted as an associate member.
Institute: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India, www.icsi.edu. 
Jobs: A CS is competent enough to take up wide range of responsibilities in legal, secretarial, finance, accounts, personnel and administrative departments of companies. Now-a-days they are also involved in foreign collaborations, mergers and acquisition, reorganisation and restructuring of companies.
Recruiters: Private companies, consulting firms, financial institutions, banks, department of company affairs and other regulatory bodies.

D

 
Design
Most of the time we tend to confuse designing with fashion designing. But designing is a vast field. Designers are the people who give shape to the ideas. Right from a needle to an aeroplane, they design everything. They are the people who understand people’s requirement and make a product more user-friendly along with working on the aesthetics of the product.
Aptitude: A person should be a keen observer, creative and should have out of the box thinking.
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream
After class XII: Graduate diploma programme in design. Some institutes and polytechnics offer specialised courses at the undergraduate level too; mostly in the field of interior, jewellery and fashion designing (see Fashion designing).
Institutes: National Institute
of Fashion Technology, www.niftindia.com; National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, www.nid.edu; Industrial design Centre, IIT-Bombay, www.idc.iitb.ac.in; Department of Design, IIT Guwahati, www.iitg.ac.in/design/about.htm; Srishti School of Design, Bangalore, www.srishtiblr.org.
Jobs: NID offers specialisation in 17 different branches of designing like product, animation, exhibition, space, interior, jewellery, footwear, furniture, toy, graphic, software and user interface designing.
Recruiters: Hotels, electronic companies, FMCG companies, auto industry, software companies, media houses. Top

E

 
Engineering
Engineering is the art of designing, repairing and modifying industrial machinery and equipment, consumer goods, electrical and electronic equipment. After a basic degree, engineering graduates may pursue postgraduate programmes in specialised fields followed by research. There are some traditional areas of engineering that will always hold importance but with IT boom computer engineering has gained weight and some institutes have started specialised courses in information technology. Some most sought-after branches of engineering are mechanical, electrical and
electronic, computer, chemical, agricultural, aeronautical and `information technology.
Aptitude: Analytical bend of mind, logical thinking, reasoning ability, good mathematical skills.
Subjects:
After class X: Science (physics, chemistry, maths).
After class XII: BE/BTech, followed by a postgraduation in specialised field.
Institutes: IIT-Delhi, IIT-Mumbai, IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Kharagpur, IIT-Guwahati, IIT-Roorkee, IIT-Chennai, National Institute of Technologies with 17 campuses, Birla Institute of Technology with its campuses at Pilani, Goa and Dubai, Delhi College of Engineering.
Jobs: While there is a continuous demand for engineering graduates in various specialised fields, they also find lucrative placements at managerial level after doing MBA. The engineering course gives you certain analytical skills and a logical bend of mind that many companies look for. Even if you are a simple engineering graduate you can find placement with software companies and financial companies.

 
Event management
Event management is a process of organising a professional and focused event for a particular target audience. It involves visualising concepts, planning, budgeting, organising and executing events such as sports event, fashion shows, musical concerts, corporate seminars, exhibitions, wedding celebrations, theme parties, product launch etc.
Aptitude: Managerial aptitude, creative thinking, excellent communication skills, ability to understand and handle a given situation, ability to work in odd hours are important. Money sense also required. Team spirit and leadership skills are the other prerequisites
Subjects:
After Class X: Any stream
After Class XII: Any graduate with excellent communication and public relations skills can enter. However there are institutes providing specialised diploma courses in event management.
Institutes: College of Event & Management, Pune, www.coemindia.com; Event Management Development Institute, Mumbai, www.emdiworld.com; National Academy of Event Management & Development, Jaipur, www.naemd.com.
Jobs: You can get into organising cricket matches, product launches, fashion shows and even training programmes for corporate sectors. You can arrange youth camps for children or a trekking tour for youth or executives. An interesting area in event management is organising parties and disco nights. The concept is gaining momentum because of the present-day demand for socialising.
Recruiters: You can venture into your own business, otherwise public relation firms and consultancy firms hire event managers. Top

F

 
Fashion design
Fashion, if you can say, is another language of the world and fashion designer is the person who gives expression to this language while working with colours, fabrics and accessories. The work of a fashion designer is not limited to designing clothes, he has to manage the finances also. Apart from designing clothes, fashion designers are also trained in running export houses, merchandising and quality management etc.
Aptitude: An eye for detail, flair for anticipating new trends and exceptional business flair or unlimited capital. For the fashion designer certain other traits are — manual dexterity, visual imagination and sense of colour.
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream (preferably humanities with fine arts).
After class XII: Diploma in fashion and apparel, diploma in fashion and textile, diploma in fashion communication.
Institutes: National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), having its campuses in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore, www.niftindia.com; Pearl Academy of Fashion, New Delhi, www.pearlacademy.com; Northern Indian Institute of Fashion Technology, Mohali, www.niiftindia.com; National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, www.nid.edu.
Jobs: You can start your own venture but it is always advisable to get some experience under a designer or in an export house than start on your own. You can also work as visual merchandiser, fashion merchandiser, fashion stylist, fashion consultant and as a fashion
journalist.
Recruiters: Big fashion designers like Ritu Beri, Rohit Bal who run their outlets, export houses, textile mills, garment store chains, boutiques, fashion show organisers.

 
Film-making
A film means entertainment for the onlookers, but for those who make it, it means world for them. It is perhaps the most widely accepted medium of mass communication and therefore there is a sense of responsibility attached to a film-maker. He does not only work with creativity but he has to be equipped with the technical know how of the entire production process. Film-making includes feature films, documentaries, newsreels, promotional films, TV commercials, music videos etc.
Aptitude: Strong visual sense, understanding of human emotions, creative thinking, good communication skills, artistic flair, ability to work cooperatively, sense of responsibility, ability to work under pressure, great physical stamina.
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream
After class XII: Institutes offer diploma, certificate and graduate courses in film making, acting, film direction, cinematography, editing, production, audio and visual education.
Institutes: Film and television Institute of India, Pune, www.ftiindia.com; Asian Academy of Film and Television, NOIDA, aaft.com; Jamia Milia Islamia University, New Delhi, jmi.nic.in; Satyajit Ray Film and TV Institute, Kolkata, srfti.gov.in; Film and Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, Chennai.
Jobs: You can work as a director, producer, editor, actor, cameramen, soundman, animator, screenplay writer, cinematographer, lighting technician.
Recruiters: Film Studios, production companies, advertising agencies, government departments which make films. Top

 
Fine/Performing arts
Gone are the days when love towards art forms was considered a hobby. You can chart a well-planned career for yourself in this field. India has a rich tradition of both the art forms. Fine arts include painting, sculpture, sketching and drawing. Performing arts include dance, music and acting. The growth of Indian media and ever increasing craze for the  — talent hunt shows have really encouraged hidden talent to come out.
Aptitude: Creative mind, self confidence, an awareness of and an interest in the social environment and community needs, tastes, physical stamina, clear voice and love towards aesthetics.
Subjects
After class X: Any stream
After class XII: BA (fine arts), diploma in dance, acting, singing, music, painting and sculpture.
Institutes: MS University of Baroda, www.msubaroda.ac.in; College of Arts, New Delhi; Sir JJ Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai; Faculty of Fine Arts, Kala Bhavan, Shantiniketan; Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi, jmi.nic.in; National School of Drama, New Delhi, nsd.gov.in.
Jobs: Fine artists can start as out on their own as sculptor, painter, musician etc. They can also enter into academics as researcher or a teacher. The scope to work on small screen is very high. Performing artists can work as presenter, radio jockey, video jockey, choreographers. Fine artists also have scope in publishing houses, advertising agencies, in photography, graphics, printing etc. They can also work as art critics.
Recruiters: Advertising, magazines agencies employ fine arts graduates in their creative department as visualisers. Electronic media, films and theatre productions.

 
Food technology
It is the process of applying food science to the selection, preservation, packaging and distribution of food. It is an age when most of the family members work and there is not much time left for elaborate cooking. With retail chains making their mark in India, there is a great scope for people who want to make their career in food technology. Though packaging is a part of food technology but it has carved out its own scope and candidates can think of a career in packaging separately.
Aptitude: Scientific bend of mind, powers of observation, interest in health and nutrition, a discerning approach to food items, visualisation.
Subjects:
After class X: Science
After class XII: BSc with food technology, BTech (food engineering), short-term certificate, craft and diploma courses at various polytechnics.
Institutes: Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, www.cftri.com; Dr Babasabeb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, www.bamu.net; SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, www.sndt.ac.in; University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka, www.uasd.edu; GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, www.gbpuat.ac.in; Indian Institute of Packaging, Mumbai, www.iip-in.com
Jobs: You can work in research laboratories or on production lines to develop new products, test current ones, and control the overall food quality.
Recruiters: Hotels, food industries, quality control departments, hospitals, packaging companies, distilleries, soft drink factories and rice mills.

H

 
Home science
It is the science of dealing with, maintaining and improving the standard of home and family life in an ever-changing society. It is both science and art that pertains to the home as well as the outside world. It is a wide area that covers subjects like physics, chemistry, biology, hygiene, rural development, community living, art, food, clothing, textiles and home management etc.
Aptitude: Analytical mind, scientific acumen, practical approach, creative and rational attitude.
Subjects:
After class X: Preferably science
After class XII: BSc (home science)
Institutes: University of Delhi, New Delhi, www.du.ac.in; University of Mumbai, Mumbai, www.mu.ac.in; Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, www.pau.edu.
Jobs: Production jobs like dress making, food preservation; technical jobs like research assistants, food analyst, demonstrators, dieticians, nutritionist; teaching jobs; sales jobs like promotion of food, garments; service jobs like house
keeping, catering etc.
Recruiters: FMCG companies, hotels, resorts, health centres, NGOs. Top

 
Homeopathy
The sweet and white homeopathic pills could be a good cure for those who dream of becoming a doctor but faint at the sight of blood. Unlike allopathy, homeopathy is also concerned with the emotional attributes and the behaviour of the patient. The aim of homeopathy is to provide a rapid, gentle and safe method of treatment and cure to restore a sense of health and well-being on the mental, emotional as well as the physical level. It is equally effective in dealing with long-term chronic ailments and acute illnesses like viruses, coughs and colds. Homeopathic remedies, while being profoundly powerful when correctly prescribed, are highly diluted.
Aptitude: Keen and quick observation, a responsible attitude, along with commitment to the profession is essential.
Subjects:
After Class X: Science
After Class XII: Bachelor of homeopathic medicine and surgery.
Institutes: The Central Council of Homeopathy, New Delhi, www.cchindia.com, is the statutory organisation taking care of homeopathy education in India. There are around 165 colleges across the country that offer degree courses in homeopathy.
Jobs: Just as an MBBS, a homeopath can look forward to a job with a government or a private hospital, or can start his/her own private practice. In addition he can take up teaching assignments in a college teaching homeopathy. Yet another option is to join the ministry of health and family planning under the government of India or the respective state governments.

 
Hotel management
The growth of hotel industry is related to the growth of economy and tourism. And looking at the health of both these factors in India now we can say that a career in hotel industry has a great scope. But since the course changes your overall approach towards customers the prospects of hotel management students are also high in other service industries.
Aptitude: Ability to understand customers, handle difficult situations, humble and caring nature, natural bend towards serving people, ability to work in odd hours.
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream
After class XII: Bachelor of hotel management and catering technology, diploma in hotel management.
Institutes: Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition, with  24 centres, www.ihmctan.edu; Institute of Hotel Management, Aurangabad, www.ihma.ac.in; Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Management, Manipal; and Oberoi School of Hotel Management, New Delhi.
Jobs: A course in hotel management can help you enter into housekeeping, food and beverage production and hotel staff. You can also work as air-hostess, steward, in retail outlets and call centres too
Recruiters: Taj, Oberoi, Welcomgroup of hotels, retail chains, airlines, spas resorts. Top

J

 
Journalism/Mass comm
Journalism is a discipline of collecting, verifying, reporting and analysing information gathered regarding current events, including trends, issues and people. It is classified into two areas — print journalism and electronic (audio/visual) media. Print journalism includes newspapers, magazines and journals, whereas news channels and radio come under electronic media.
Aptitude: Interest in current affairs, ability to work with facts, an eye for detail, excellent writing skills, rough and confident personality.
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream
After class XII: Bachelors degree in mass communication. Or BA in any subject followed by a postgraduate diploma in mass communication.
Institutes: Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi and Dhenkanal; Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal, www.mcu.ac.in; Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi, jmi.nic.in; University of Delhi, Delhi, www.du.ac.in; Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore, www.iijnm.org.
Jobs: Print media: Reporter, sub editor, features editor, proofreader, freelance journalist, page designer, photo journalist, columnist, cartoonist.
Electronic media: anchor, radio jockey, reporter, video editor, researcher.
You can also work for websites.
Recruiters: Bennett Coleman and Company, HT Media Ltd, The Hindu Group, India Today group, Anand Bazaar Patrika CNN-IBN etc. Top

L

 
Law
In the era of globalisation the profession of a lawyer has witnessed tremendous changes. It is no more restricted to courtrooms. The world needs services of lawyers everywhere and the opportunities to work in corporate sector have increased manifold. Due to the opening up of economy MNCs are setting their shops in India and company issues are getting complex, for which lawyers’ services are needed. So you can get into specialised area of law.
Aptitude: Analytical ability, good memory, excellent communication skills, brevity of thought.
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream
After class XII: LLB can be pursued after class XII or after graduation. But its advisable to pursue five-year programme at under graduate level.
Institutes: National Law School of India University, Bangalore, www.nls.ac.in; National Law Institute University, Bhopal, www.nliu.com; Nalsar, University Of Law, Hyderabad, www.nalsarlawuniv.org; National Law University, Jodhpur, www.nlujodhpur.ac.in.
Jobs: You can practice as a lawyer in both state and central level courts of law. You can work as a teacher, legal advisor in various companies, business houses, organisation.
Recruiters: Big corporates, MNCs, law firms.

 
Library sciences
A librarian is a person who gives access to knowledge in a more systematic, organised and easier way.
Aptitude: A general interest in books, an inquiring mind, a good memory, and plenty of initiative to dig out information, organisation skills, speaking and writing skills.
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream
After class XII: Bachelor of library science (B.Lib), diploma in archives and documentation
Institutions: Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, www.amu.ac.in; Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi, jmi.nic.in; University Of Delhi, New Delhi, www.du.ac.in; University of Calcutta, Kolkata, www.caluniv.ac.in; Jadavpur University, Kolkata, www.jadavpur.edu.
Jobs: You can work as a librarian in libraries or also get associated with research scholars for documentation etc
Recruiters: Schools, colleges and universities, specialised research institutions, documentation and information centres, government offices, public libraries.

M

 
Medicine
Medicine is one of the most sought-after and rewarding careers for those interested in the science of dealing with sick people. Over the years, the field of medical studies has undergone various stages of development. It has become so vast that specialisations within are increasing day by day. There is a great scope for medicine as a professional career. The increasing complicated lifestyles are giving birth to a variety of ailments that have made it impossible for general physicians with an MBBS degree to handle all ailments. It is here that specialisation in a particular branch of medicine becomes a necessity. The major specialisations include general medicine, general surgery, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, dermatology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, ENT (ear, nose and throat), psychiatry, anesthesiology etc. There are also super specialisations which require a further 3-5 years of study in areas such as plastic surgery, neurosurgery, cardio-thoracic surgery, gastroenterology, endocrinology and clinical haematology.
Aptitude: Ability to deal with patients in various conditions of illness, injury and trauma. Therefore one needs to be patient and compassionate. The work of medical and dental practitioners is physically demanding and strenuous, hence a good deal of stamina is required.
Subjects:
After class X: Science (physics, chemistry, biology).
After class XII: bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery (MBBS), followed by MD/MS.
Institutes: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, www.aiims.edu; Christian Medical College, Vellore, www.cmch-vellore.edu; Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, www.amu.ac.in/index3.asp?sublink2id=120&sublinkid=178; Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College;
Aligarh Muslim University, www.amu.ac.in.
Jobs: You can either establish your own practice as a general physician or a specialist or join as a junior doctor in a hospital and then climb the ladder.  After doing a specialisation degree you can operate as a specialist in that field. You can enter into teaching. A lot of people after doing MBBS are entering into outsourcing business to develop medical-related content. An area that is opening up for MBBS is of management and administration. The coming up of big hospital chains has introduced luxury health services. So the demand for doctors in offering special health packages to big corporates is also increasing.
Recruiters: Government or private hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, health departments, medical services of the armed forces, pharmaceutical companies.

 
Merchant navy
The Merchant Navy is a non-combatant commercial fleet, which deals with transporting cargo and occasionally, passengers, by sea. Its fleet is therefore composed of passenger vessels, cargo liners, tankers, carriers, as well as other special types of vehicles. The major tasks performed are in three basic areas of a ship: the deck, the engine and the service department. A career in this field is full of adventure and above all it offers excellent pay packages.
Aptitude: Self-confidence, love for adventure, tough physical constitution, capacity for hard work and love for travelling and comfort with sea.
Subjects:
After class X: Science
After class XII: You can enter merchant navy as navigating officer or as marine engineer. In order to be navigating officer you need to have a degree in BSc nautical science. Students who have completed their class XII with PCM (physics, chemistry, mathematics) are eligible to join as deck cadets and a student holding a bachelor’s degree in mechanical/ electrical/ technology engineering could also join the merchant navy as a engine cadet/ fifth engineer/ junior engineer.
Institutes: TS Chanakya, Mumbai: Marine Engineering Research Institute, in Calcutta and Mumbai.
Jobs: A deck officer or navigation officer, as the name suggests, is in charge of the navigation of the ship. Marine engineers have the complete responsibility of the ship’s engine room. Second engineer looks after the day-to-day work in the engine room. The third engineer is in charge of the main engine, spare parts for the main engine, all purifiers, boilers, compressors etc. Fourth and fifth engineers are in charge of the numerous generators onboard ship as well as certain small pumps. You can work in service department that revolves around the living and catering services for all the crew on board.  

Museology
Museology or museum studies entails the study of running a museum where various items of interest are kept. Most museums have galleries where items are displayed. There are museums for almost every interest — science, history etc. From managing museums to documentation to exhibition to designing, museology provides a varied career option.
Aptitude: A curious mind; but the subject is practical-oriented and grows on you over a period of time.
Subjects:
After class X: Preferably humanities.
After class XII: Science/humanities/commerce — all three can apply for a post graduate course but arts background is preferred.
Institutes: National Museum Institute, New Delhi, MSU, Baroda. Leicester University, UK, is the best institute in the world.
Jobs: Those with a qualification in museology can apply for jobs in museums, art galleries, NGOs.
Recruiters: National Museum, Archaeological Museum, Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, etc.

N

Navy
The Indian Navy consists of the combat fleet, support ships, personnel, training establishments and land bases. It has patrol boats, torpedo crafts (for patrolling and safeguarding coastal regions), warships, aircraft carriers, cruisers, destroyers, frigates and submarines. A career in Indian Navy is demanding, yet it has a great scope.
Aptitude: Certain physical requirements that are listed in the admission notice, intelligence, courage, sense of responsibility, ability to reason, alertness, ability to work under difficult natural conditions.
Subjects:
After class X: Science
After class XII: National Defence Academy exam is the mandatory examination that candidates have to take to enter Air Force at cadet level. Combined Defence Services Exam and NCC certificate are other ways to enter after graduation. A degree in electronics/ electrical / mechanical engineering or post graduate degree in electronics or physics can help you enter the Navy directly.
Institute: National Defence Academy
Jobs: You will be working in either officer or sailor cadre. As officers you will be working in the various educational, electrical executive or technical or engineering branches of the Navy. An electrical officer deals with computer-based or computer-aided weapon systems and missile systems. Under sailor-cadre you will be working as a matric recruit, senior secondary recruit or an artifices apprentice.

 
Nursing
Nursing is the art and science of caring for sick people. Nurses are a very important part of the medical profession. Contrary to the popular belief, nursing is not a second choice career for those unable to gain entry in a medical college. The two professions, though complementary, require separate skills and temperaments. The demand for skilled, qualified nurses is ever present throughout the world. The entry of private sector in hospitals has increased the scope of this profession manifold.
Aptitude: Physical stamina, ability to work at odd working hours, patience, courage and a general bend towards serving people.
Subjects:
After class X: Science with physics, chemistry and biology.
After class XII: BSc (nursing), general nursing & midwifery.
Institutions: All India Institute Of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, www.aiims.edu; Rajkumari Amrit Kaur College of Nursing, New Delhi, www.du.ac.in/collegedetails.htm; Armed Forces Medical College of Nursing, Mumbai, armedforces.nic.in; College of Nursing, SSKM Hospital Campus, Kolkata.
Jobs: Nurses are involved in the bedside care of patients, while at senior level they are required to manage special group of people like psychiatric, pediatric, intensive care patients. The opportunities to work abroad are manifold for Indians because of their natural bend of mind towards serving people.
Recruiters: Hospitals, Nursing homes, clinics, orphanages, old homes, military, schools, railways, public health departments. Top

O

 
Occupation therapy
Occupational therapy is a health profession that focuses on helping individuals with mental or physical illness/disabilities to achieve the highest level of functioning and wellness possible in their daily lives. Occupational therapists (OT’s) work with those who have physically, mentally, developmentally, or emotionally disabling conditions. They help patients identify imbalances they may have in their lives and design activities to deal with them. This type of therapy is patient-specific, involving recreational, creative or educational activities. The patient’s specific interests, his background, his previous experiences also form an integral part of treatment.
Aptitude: An eye for detail, general bend towards service, scientific bent of mind, liking for machines and equipments, empathy towards the pain of the patients.
Subjects:
Class X: Science (physics, chemistry, mathematics).
Class XII:  BSc (Hons) occupational therapy.
Institutes: All India Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mumbai, aiipmr.gov.in; National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, Kolkata; Institute for the Physically Handicapped, New Delhi.
Jobs: Occupational therapists may work exclusively with individuals in a particular age group, or with particular disability/disorder. They can work with schools to evaluate children’s abilities, recommend and provide therapy, modify classroom equipment, and in general, help children participate as fully as possible in school programmes and activities.  They can also work with mental healthcare centres to treat individuals who are mentally ill, mentally retarded, or emotionally disturbed.
Recruiters:Therapists may practise privately and own their own clinics or work in conjunction with other medical specialties in polyclinics, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, special schools, psychiatric institutions, community mental health centres, adult daycare programmes, sports teams, residential care facilities etc.
 
Optometry
The general misconception is that doctors — eye specialists known as ophthalmologists — are the only qualified people to treat eye cases. Besides ophthalmologists, there is another body of experts, who are competent to spread awareness, examine cases, supply optical aids, treat eye diseases, provide post-operative care, detect and help people with severe eye impairment. The field that is very popular in the USA and is now gaining ground in India, is optometry, and the experts, optometrists. Optometry is one of the 10 highest income-earning professions in the USA, as reported by a Optometric Association survey. And in India too the income earned is attractive.
Aptitude: If you have the desire, the demonstrated academic skills, and a commitment to helping others, envision a career in optometry.
Subjects:
After class X: Science
After class XII: Bachelor of optometry, BSc honours in ophthalmic technology.
Institutes: Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune, www.bharatividyapeeth.edu; All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, www.aiims.edu; LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, www.lvpei.org; School of Optometry, Hyderabad; and Elite School of Optometry, Chennai.
Jobs: You can start own eye clinic, you can work for the setups dealing in eye testing, contact lenses, squint exercises, etc, with optician shops, eye doctors, contact lens and ophthalmic lens industry, hospital eye departments, etc. You can even get jobs with optician shops and hospitals in the Gulf countries. You can take up teaching optometry as a career with schools of optometry.
Recruiters: Optical shops, lens manufacturing units, hospitals, institute providing optometry education.

P

 
Paramilitary forces
Paramilitary forces provide additional support to the defence forces in guarding national frontiers of our country. The organisations serving under this category are — the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Border Security Force (BSF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), State Police Forces and Homeguards, and Coast Guards. Each of these units plays a well-defined role, besides coming to the nation’s rescue during times of national calamities.
Aptitude: Certain physical requirements that are listed in admission notice, intelligence, courage, sense of responsibility, ability to reason, alertness, ability to work under difficult natural conditions
Subjects:
After class X: Any stream
After class XII: You can join these forces both after class XII or after graduation. The main criteria is clearing a written test and physical efficiency test for a particular rank.  There are vacancies for technical graduates, education officers, medical officers, and other specialists.                 
Jobs: CRPF: Deputy commandant, commandant, additional DIGP, DIGP, IGP
BSF: In general duty cadre you are appointed as constable, sub-inspector. In communication set-up you work as assistant commandant, assistant sub-inspector, head constable.
Police force: In police force the recruitments happen at the constable, sub-inspector. For assistant Commissioner of Police the entire process is conducted and carried out by the Union Public Service Commission and candidates are selected through Civil Services Examination.
Coast Guard: You start from assistant commandant, move on to deputy commandant, deputy inspector general, inspector general and directorate general

 
Pharmacy
Each time a doctor prescribes you a pill for an upset stomach, he is actually recommending you to the pharmacists. From ancient times pharmacy is known as a branch associated with healthcare services. Thousands of tests are carried out to see what would be the reaction of a tablet in a given situation, what would be the possible side effects, whether the tablet meets the prescribed optimum quality standards or not. The people behind the scenes, who ensure the quality of the medicine, are pharmacists. Unlike the other curricula pharmacy is a product- as well as service-related
discipline, increasing its scope two-fold. There is a range of jobs in research and development, pharmaceutical production, quality assurance, marketing, enterprise and academic setups. The Indian pharmaceutical industry is taking big strides both nationally and internationally and is one of the fastest growing sectors in the eco