Career Opportunities after 12th – Humanities Stream

In this article I would like to focus on the branch Humanities. Previously, many parents and even students hesitated to join this branch after 10^th. They had a notion that choosing Humanities basically was “below average” or “low status”. Today, the picture is changing but I still hear parents saying that once one chooses Arts/Humanities one won’t have many career opportunities and so it is better that one join the Science stream. Anyway, here I would like to put forward the various opportunities by joining humanities. At school, one is introduced to subjects like social sciences and languages. Apart from this, we have subjects like philosophy, sociology, economics, psychology, logic, as well as many foreign languages.

Once a child opts for Humanities for 11^th and 12^th, he/she has to choose subjects of his choice as there are many subjects to choose from. After completing 12^th one can decide what interests him like research, teaching, or becoming an administrator or joining Government services or Defence services (Army) or he/she wants to become a professional social worker, lawyer, psychologist/counsellor, journalist or wants to join the management field.

UPSC/MPSC/PSI/BANKING/STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION ETC 

If one desires to prepare for competitive exams like these , one has to complete his degree with the chosen subjects or specialization and during the course in 3 years duration one can thoroughly prepare for the exams, increase the reading, work on his general knowledge and practice a lot of paper solutions. The student gets a brief idea of what the examination is like and who he will be competing with. These exams are highly competitive and the pass percentage is very low so systematic planning and study surely increases the chances of success. The plus point of joining Humanities is that a student gets ample amount of time to study.

Foreign Languages

Let us see some other fields: if one specializes in a foreign language like Japanese, German, French, Spanish or Mandarin (Chinese) by getting a master’s degree, he/she can join as a transcript translators or interpreters or join the teaching faculty as more and more students and employers too learn at least one foreign language .

Social Service and Counselling

If one is interested in social welfare, health, then one can join BSW (social work) after 12^th or choose psychology as a major subject for bachelors and specialize in counselling psychology, clinical, industrial, educational and so on to become a professional in the respective field. There are job opportunities in various institutes, schools, hospitals, NGO’s and so on 

Law

Now let us come to some other fields like Law, Journalism, and Service industry. One can enter the Law college either after 12^th or after completing the BA course with subjects of your choice here entrance exam is necessary like CLAT or CET  to get admission in good colleges. One can become a practicing lawyer, corporate lawyer, criminal lawyer, notary or take further education and give examination for judge (district/sessions/high court). 

Journalism and Media

Many students have shown interest in media and communications;, here too one can give entrance after 12^th or after bachelors to do a degree course in mass communication. One has to keep in mind that though you can see glamour and prestige in this field one has to have good command over language, a flair for writing impressively and boldness to handle serious cases. One can choose various media options like print, television, radio etc.

Hotel and Service Industry

Today the service industry is gaining popularity and globally it is in high more demand., Tthere are a is lot of job opportunities in this area. After 12^th by giving the national entrance test /CET one can join hotel management and catering technology or hospitality management where one gets placements in star hotels, resorts, spas or can start his own joint of catering. Though this field needs tremendous hardwork one is paid well too!

Liberal Arts

If one is interested in drama, dance, i.e. performing arts, can appear for entrances to join national and state level institutes to get trained in acting, directing, editing, script writing and so on. For those who want to be trained in instrumental /music/dance can give entrances at various universities which conduct the courses (SPPU conducts one).

Design

Many of the students have shown great interest in designing , here to get admission for national level design schools one have to prepare thoroughly ,if one is good at his drawing skills then he can practice for the entrances during 11^th and 12^th if one has joined arts/humanities it becomes easier to practice thoroughly as other fields consume a lot of time .Entrances like NID/UCEED and private colleges entrances should be attempted. 

Fine Arts

One should not forget about the fine arts field too! Pparents should encourage the child to join fine arts if he has fabulous drawing skills. One requires to give an entrance after 12^th to join BFA course . Here one can choose to become a commercial artist, sculpture/pottery, advertising, animation and so on. One can inquire  at the reputed fine arts institutions for various courses.

Other Avenues

Finally, I would like to add that after/during a bachelor’s course one can do certificate courses or diplomas of interior designing/food and beverages/travel and tourism/bakery and cooking art and craft training and so on to enhance one’s skills in a particular area to be job ready in the respective field.

So friends, I would like to sum up by saying that joining humanities/arts is not at all “low status’. If one has the abilities, he can enhance his skills and achieve tremendous success through these fields. Hardwork and perseverance is required in all the fields so choose wisely and dedicate passionately for a bright future!!