What to Do After 12th Science? Explore Your Best Options

One big question after passing 12th board exams is “what next?”. There are a multitude of options available for students who have opted for Science in the 12th grade. Selecting the right career path can be overwhelming. One has to do extensive research and explore the available options before enrolling in a professional course.
To make your job easy, this blog brings you detailed information about the best career options and alternative paths after 12th Science.

Understanding Your Interests and Strengths

A good tip to choose the right career path would be to self-assess your strengths, skills, passion and weaknesses. Choose the course that aligns with your interests. For instance, if you are good at Biology, then medicine-related fields are suitable for you. Additionally, consider the course fees, good colleges, entrance exams and job demand in the market to make an informed career choice.

Top Career Options After 12th Science

An overview of career opportunities available after 12th grade in Science including both PCM and PCB streams, is given below:

Engineering 

Engineering is the most desirable course among students who are into designing, resolving issues and finding solutions. It is a 4-year undergraduate program that includes several branches, namely:

• Mechanical Engineering
• Electronics and Communication Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Aeronautical Engineering
• Computer Science Engineering
• Information Technology Engineering
• Automobile Engineering
• Genetic Engineering

The theoretical and practical skills imparted along the course help students in the corporate setting. The demand for engineers is evergreen and future career prospects include:

• Mechanical Engineer
• Software Engineer
• Data Scientist
• Product Designer
• Civil Engineer, etc.

Medical and Allied Health Sciences

The medical-related courses are reputed and are always in great demand. The best options in medicine after 12th grade in PCB include:

• MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
• BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
• BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery)
• BUMS (Bachelor of Unani Medicine and Surgery)
• BYNS (Bachelor of Yoga and Naturopathy Sciences)
• BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathy Medicine and Surgery)  

Apart from these, there are a few paramedical courses that prepare students to assist doctors or work in the healthcare sector:

• B.Sc.Nursing
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy
• BSc in Medical Laboratory Technology
• Diploma in Optometry
• Diploma in Radiology and Imaging Technology
• BSc in Radiotherapy, etc.

Pure Sciences (B.Sc. and Research)

Pure Sciences opens avenues to diverse disciplines such as Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Biology. Students can choose a career in research, education, etc. Career prospects mainly include:

• Anthropologist
• Zoologist
• Botanist
• Chemist
• Statistician
• Geologist
• Biochemist
• Mathematician
• Physician
• Professor
• Scientist and so on.

Computer Science and IT

IT and Computer Science fields have become highly popular and sought-after courses among students as they provide flexibility, decent salary packages and global opportunities. Career options in these fields are:

• Software Developer
• IT Consultant
• Data Analyst
• Data Scientist
• Computer Network Architect
• Cybersecurity Specialist
• Information Security Analyst
• Database Administrator

Architecture

One benefit of choosing Science stream is that students can appear for entrance exams in other fields like Architecture. To get a B.Arch degree, you must pass entrance exams like JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, the National Aptitude Test for Architecture (NATA), and Architecture Aptitude Test (AAT). This career involves creativity and innovation focused on designing spaces and buildings. Students can work in design firms, construction companies, or establish an independent firm.

Pharmacy 

This course deals with the study of drugs, formulations, dispensation, and effects on the human body. Students must have passed 12th grade either in PCMB or PCB to get into B.Pharma, which is a three-year undergraduate course. For further specialisation, students can also pursue D.Pharma. Upon completion of pharmacy courses, students can assume the following roles:

• Clinical Research Associate
• Pharmacist
• Drug Safety Associate
• Drug Inspector
• Scientific Writer
• Food and Drug Administrator
• Assistant Professor

Biotechnology 

Biotechnology is the use of living organisms to create products with a purpose. Students can either pursue a B.Sc. or B.Tech. in Biotechnology. Graduates can pursue a career in research and development, bioinformatics, and genetics. The demand for biotechnology professionals is on the rise due to the advancement of gene therapy, artificial intelligence and research. Careers after Biotechnology include:

• Biomedical Engineer
• Biochemist
• Microbiologist
• Clinical Technician
• Scientist
• Medical Scientist

Alternative Career Paths After 12th Science

 
The Science stream gives students an opportunity to consider alternative career paths beyond Science. A few non-traditional career paths that science students can pursue are:

• Law 

After completing Science in 12th grade, students who want to pursue legal studies have three options:

(i) Five-year integrated degree in Law (BA LLB/B.Com LLB/B.Sc.LLB/BBA LLB/BTech LLB)

(ii) Diploma in Law courses

(iii) Certificate courses in Law

Students must appear for entrance exams like the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT), the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and other state law exams. 

• Management 

Another popular choice among students after completing the 12th standard is management courses that open gateways to a wide array of career options. Some of the famous management courses are:

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Business Management (BBM)
• Bachelor of Hotel Management
• BBA in Event Management
• Business Ethics
• Entrepreneurship
• BBA Airline Management
• Diploma in Travel and Tourism

• Design 

Students with creative minds can opt for design courses regardless of their background in 12th standard. It gives an opportunity for students to explore their strengths further. Designing courses mainly include:

• Fashion Designing
• Interior Designing
• Product Designing
• Graphic Designing
• Jewellery Designing
• Textile Designing

• Humanities and Social Science

The field of Humanities and Social Sciences is diverse. The fields of study include History, Geography, Political Science, Journalism, Sociology, Anthropology, etc. Roles in this field are:

• Anthropologist
• Historian
• Geologist
• Sociologist
• Journalist
• Competitive exams 
• Policy Maker

Choosing the Right Course: Key Factors to Consider

Here is a step-by-step guide to choosing the right course:

1. Identify your strengths, skills and strong subjects.
2. Conduct research about the options available after 12th grade.
3. Shortlist the career paths that match your interests.
4. Additionally, have a look at:

• The entrance exams
• Difficulty of the course
• Course fees
• Course duration
• Best colleges   
• Previous placement record
• Job prospects

Conclusion 

The main reason students opt for the Science stream is because of the plethora of career opportunities it offers. It gives students the freedom to transition from Science to non-Science courses with ease. It equips students with critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills that come in handy in the corporate world. Before jumping to any conclusion, research thoroughly and choose the stream that you think will make your career satisfactory.
If you have just passed out of 10th grade and are wondering which college is best for Science stream, consider visiting our site: https://nhpuc.in/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the Best Career Options after 12th Science PCM?

The best career options after 12th Science PCM include Engineer, Architec, Designer, Mathematician, Lawyer, Historian, Statistician, Sociologist, etc.

How do I choose between Engineering and Medical after 12th Science?

If designing, finding solutions and computing interests you, then Engineering is the best choice for you. But if you like studying Biology in depth and passionate about bringing positive change to healthcare, then Medical is the ideal choice.

Are there Good Career Options for Science Students Outside of Engineering and Medicine?

Students who want to pursue careers outside Engineering and Medicine can consider Architecture, Management, Law, Designing, Entrepreneurship, Psychology, Journalism, so on and so forth.

What Entrance Exams Should I Prepare for after 12th Science?

JEE Mains, JEE Advanced and other private exams are held for Engineering course. NEET-UG and AIIMS are two important exams to get admission in Medical colleges. For the Architecture program, NATA and JEE Mains should be cleared. Prepare for CLAT and LSAT to get into Law.