Choosing a stream is a major dilemma that students face during class 10. In a rush to not miss application deadlines, many students do not put in a lot of thought while making this decision. Ironically, this decision builds the foundation of a good career path and defines academic goals. The chosen stream not only decides the subjects to be studied in class 11, but can also aid you in preparing for various entrance exams after class 12.
Here are 4 things to keep in mind before choosing a stream after class 10:
That’s right! There is no one stream to rule them all! Each stream – be it arts, commerce, or science – is uniquely suited to different careers. Not just that, each stream equips a student with a different skill-set. For instance, traditionally, science is considered to be the best stream by some. However, someone who aspires to become a chartered accountant will benefit more by taking up commerce. Or someone looking to become a Lawyer or IAS officer will benefit from taking up Arts.
Your child’s career is a very important decision. If your child is confused about which stream to pick, it is best to speak to a career counsellor.
Deciding on a stream is not just a decision that will affect a student in class 11 and 12. You must think about the entire journey, till your career destination, before you make a choice about the stream. Your chosen stream must strengthen your skills and aptitude so that you are prepared to get into the correct degree after 12th. The right stream and elective subjects lay the right foundation for the future. Also you need to keep in mind the requirements of the entrance exam and eligibility criteria for colleges when you choose to pick a stream or drop a subject.
There are many unique career streams today for students to pursue like UX Designing, Data Science, Genetics, Liberal Arts, Bioinformatics, Patent Law etc. Thus apart from selecting the right stream the right subject combination is also important. Eg., if you want to study a Pure Science degree in a premier Institute in India then taking both Bio and Math is important in +2. Thus choosing the subject combination right is very important.
The traditional mind-set that arts stream is for students who have performed poorly in academics is fallacious at best. Most often, parents, peers, and relatives pressurize students to choose streams that are perceived to be popular without considering whether the streams are in line with a student’s passions, interests, skills, and aptitude. Professional career guidance is key to identifying streams that take a holistic view of the student and charting the complete roadmap for a student.
A recent survey conducted by Lodestar among 6000 students of class 9th and 10th across 102 schools in Bangalore found that, 69% of them research career options before picking up a stream.
That’s a welcome change. It is our duty, as parents, to support them in their endeavors. Helping our children with the right stream selection is the first step towards helping them build a stable career. A wrong move after class 10 can prove a costly mistake for your career.
This article is brought to you by Lodestar Career Guidance. If your child is confused about career choices, take the Stream Selector Test or Call a Lodestar Career Counselor at 9482423888 today.