JOIN USMaking the right decision
Choosing a professional course after second PUC or twelfth standard is one of the most important decisions in a student’s life. Many students find themselves at crossroads while choosing a graduation course.
The most common dilemma being whether to opt for conventional courses like engineering or medicine or to opt for a course that they are truly interested in, which might not provide the same monetary benefits as engineering or medicine.
A lot of factors influence this decision. Peer pressure and lack of support at home, force most kids to abandon their dreams and take the beaten path. Metrolife asks students of second PUC and twelfth about the reasons for their choice of course.
Komal S K, a twelfth standard student, keen on pursuing environmental science, says, “I think that people’s choices are greatly influenced not only by their parents and friends but also by the kind of education they receive. Sometimes, random experiences and certain projects we undertake can also make us realise what we want to pursue.
Parents play a huge role in our decision-making process. In the current scenario, I think that parents have become more aware and open to relatively new courses and are driven to help their kids achieve their dreams. This was the reason why I was confident while choosing a pure science course over engineering or medicine.
Peer pressure plays an equally large role in making us change the way we look at things. Succumbing to what other people think will only make us feel more inadequate as those subjects might not be right for us and we might end up feeling uncomfortable in our own skin.”
Youngsters pursuing engineering and medicine agree that these courses do offer the guarantee of getting placed. Abhijeet P K, a student keen on pursuing engineering says, “Engineering is everybody’s option because most people want to settle down early in life.
It is the most practical decision. If you are from a middle class or upper middle class background, you can’t afford to take chances with your future.”However, students are also aware of the different options available.
Chaitra Chandrashekhar says, “I was initially keen on pursuing medicine but won’t be able to get a seat in Bangalore because of my ranking. Now I am contemplating on doing medical electronics or a B Sc course in cardiac sciences.”
Ashwini Ramesh, another student keen on pure science, says, “It is surprising that people are not particular about the subject they are choosing. A lot of people say stuff like, ‘As long as I get a good college, the branch doesn’t matter!’ I find it very strange that people are not willing to do that minimum amount of research to find out what truly interests them.
I am interested in forensic science and was also in a dilemma as to what to choose. I realised after a little reading and asking around that a BSc in biotechnology is the best bet. People still ask me why I am taking up pure science and it is hard to convince them that I am really not interested in engineering. The fact of the matter is that five years down the line, no one really remembers your CET rank. All that matters is you are pursuing what you like.”