It is not  just students who take up specialised professional courses who do well career-wise. Even those who pursue regular degree and post-graduation courses can now choose from a number of career opportunities opening up in various fields, says Prof V B Hiremath

Many times, parents harbour certain misconceptions that can prove detrimental to the future of their children. One good example is how parents think that engineering and medical studies are the only options available for their wards. They believe that these are the only courses that can shape the future of their children. Keeping this in mind, they start pressurising their children into taking up either engineering or medicine. If their children are also interested in pursuing the same, and if they have the aptitude to take these up, then they should definitely be encouraged to pursue their goals. On the other hand when students are forced to take up a course that is not to their liking, they may end up hating their studies. Moreover, they may also develop an inferiority complex when they see other students doing well in the chosen field.

Numerous avenues
Keeping the welfare of students in mind, it is important to make them aware of the numerous avenues available to them, apart from engineering and medicine. They can pursue their interests by taking up a degree course, whether it is BSc, BCom, BA, BCA, BBA or LLB. BSc and BA students can choose combinations of three subjects of their interest. They can then take up one of these subjects for their post-graduation.
Now, there are many career options for students who are studying BSc with Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Electronics and also for BCA and BCom graduates. They are also being offered employment by corporate giants like Infosys, Wipro WASE, HCL, Accenture, iGate.

Corporate opportunities
Corporate houses look for students who have an excellent academic record. That is, those who have passed with a first class in Std X, XII and the UG level, with mathematics as one of their subjects at the 10+2 level. Normally, they conduct a written test for screening and then a viva-voce for the selection. A lot of importance is given to attitude, soft skills, behaviour, and leadership qualities.
Many colleges organise skill development, personality development and leadership building programmes for their students along with their regular course. Students who participate actively in these programmes and practice and exhibit the right skills and qualities have a better chance of getting selected.

Teaching options
These days, a good number of students pursue PG courses like MSc, MCom and MBA after graduation. There is a dearth of those who have MSc and MCom qualifications, for selection as lecturers in Pre-University colleges. Good teachers are offered a good salary by private unaided colleges. Good teachers can earn between Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000. It must be noted that in this decade appointments are made on the basis of merit because of privatisation and competition.
In order to be eligible to become UG and PG course teachers, one has to have a PG degree with 55 per cent marks and a pass in the NET/SLET examinations. A Ph.D is required for promotions. The present UGC scale for UG and PG teachers is very attractive. However, there is a dearth of eligible candidates in some subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Commerce, and also in some Social Science subjects.

Attractive scales
The present UGC scales and guidelines have defined equal status to UG and PG teachers. The posts are Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor. Even though the UGC has proposed better scales for teachers it has naturally asked for better qualification like NET/SLET for selection and a Ph.D and publications in standard journals for the next promotion. Publishing papers, involvement in projects, presentation of papers at national level seminars/conferences etc. are some more requirements for promotion to higher ranks.
At present, teachers who have served for more than three decades can get a salary of Rs 1 lakh. A beginner can get a total salary of Rs 38,000 as an Assistant Professor. This only goes to show how lucrative career opportunities are available for those who complete their post graduation, such as MSc and MCom.
One can pursue LLB after 10+2 or after graduation. After 10+2, it is a five-year course and after degree it is a three-year course. MBA and MHM are management courses which are gaining importance and those who pass out are absorbed in industries and hotels. Anyone with a degree can also appear for competitive examinations conducted by the KPSC and UPSC and join the administrative services.
It is the need of the hour to develop technical skills and soft skills to meet the requirements of the employer. Developing a pleasant personality and leadership qualities will definitely go a long way in finding attractive employment.