Arts, Science, Commerce -- the eternal dilemma!

o you choose Arts, Science or Commerce?

Maybe none, if there are other subjects that interest you.

Career counsellors Niyati and Amrita of YoungBuzz answered queries from Get Ahead readers on how to proceed after Class X and Class XII, especially in non-traditional streams. This is what they had to say:

Part I: Hot career options for Class X

Ankit: I got 43 marks in Physics, 44 in Maths, 49 in Chemistry, 78 in computers, 80 in English in my Class XII exam. I want to become a computer engineer.

Should I prepare for exams like IIT-JEE, AIEEE or would it be a waste of time for me?

YoungBuzz counsellors: It is better for you to try for your state engineering entrance exam or courses like BCA, BSc (IT), BSc (Computer Science), DOAECC or CISCO certified network engineer, etc.

After graduation in Science or Commerce, you could also look at doing your MCA.

• A career checklist for every student

pals: I got 89 percent in the SSC board exam. I want to do commerce. Which is the best college for commerce?

YoungBuzz counsellors: If you are from Mumbai, then the good colleges are H R College of Commerce, N M College, Podar College of Commerce and Economics, S I E S College, Mithibai College and Jaihind College.

The all India best would be Delhi's Sriram College of Commerce.

• Test your aptitude!

ACHAL: I have passed SSC with 57 percent. Should I do Engineering or Hotel Management?

YoungBuzz counsellors: If you like Hotel Management, go for it. Engineering is very competitive and will require a high percentage.

To get into Hotel Management, you could take up Science, Commerce or Arts. You could then apply for the state Hotel Management entrance exam and do the three-year Bachelor's course in Hotel Management.

The other option is to do a Diploma in Hotel Management from the Taj or the Oberoi group of hotels after graduation.

• Career lessons from Bunti Aur Babli

zaharul: What are the advantages and disadvantages of vocational courses over Honours courses (like for Biotech)?

YoungBuzz counsellors: Though vocational courses give you a professional outlook, it is more credible to do a Honours course recognised by the University Grants Commission.

• Animation, a hot new career option

riya: I am in Class XII and have taken Commerce.

I have no interest in studying. I am an average student.

But I am interested in journalism. Should I do a course? Which is the best college?

YoungBuzz counsellors: To succeed in journalism, you require above average writing skills and an investigative nature.

You could do your Bachelors in Communication and Journalism or a Bachelors in Mass Media and later do your Masters in Journalism or Mass Communication. You could also do your BA in Literature.

The best colleges are the Asian School of Journalism, Jamia Milia Islamia, Symbiosis and XIC.

• Want a career in PR? Follow these tips

nikhil: I have just finished my Class XII and am interested in Engineering. 

Please tell me about the scope of Medical Electronics and Instrumentation in India.

YoungBuzz counsellors: Medical Electronics will always be in demand.

Instrumentation has come into the limelight in the past couple of years due to the boom in the aviation industry.

• Is teaching your vocation?

PRIYA: I got 51 percent marks in SSC. In which stream should I seek admission?

YoungBuzz counsellors: If you are Mumbai-based, you could try for Home Science at SNDT, Matunga or Churchgate, or Nirmala Niketan at Churchgate.

If you which to pursue Arts, then look at the following colleges -- Sophia, SIES, Ruia.

You could also do a Food Technology course or a certificate programme in Home Science.

• A career in films?

Shraddha: I got 55 percent marks in Class X. In which stream do I seek admission?

YoungBuzz counsellors: Check out my answer to Priya. You could look at similar options.

• Want to become an RJ?

nandi: I am an Arts graduate and want to know which careers will offer me the opportunity for challenge, hard work, enjoyment and the satisfaction of having done/ achieved something. I am not interested in the government services.

YoungBuzz counsellors: You could look at Mass Media, which is one of the booming fields today.

If you are a BA Psychology graduate, you could do your Masters in different branches of Psychology like Social Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Industrial Psychology, etc.

You could also look at law, teaching or social work.

Don't forget to log in tomorrow for the concluding part.

Part I: Hot career options for Class X

YoungBuzz India Ltd is a career guidance and people development company which regularly conducts career guidance, personality and soft skill development programmes, customised for various age groups and needs. It has conducted programmes in over 100 cities, in more than six different languages for more than 300,000 individuals.