Four promising careers for millennials and the tech-savvy generation.

Teenage is the time when most children are already feeling baffled about a lot of things happening around them. A critical decision that they have to make at this age is the choice of career.

 Although we keep saying to them that education is the key to success, adolescents find it extremely difficult to fit this key into the right lock and open their path to success. Finding the right career is like finding the perfect match.

Most of them stumble and keep dabbling from one career to another trying to figure out what they are doing in life and what they should be doing. Many of them are afraid to take the road less travelled. 

It is time to get rid of our fears and expand our boundaries. To those who are always in quest of more here are the four promising careers towards a bright future

Architecture

When we think of science stream we come up with only medicine and engineering. Architecture is often less explored. Rather than just building structures architects nowadays are more into product designing and planning cities.

To become an architect,

• Pupils must first appear for an entrance exam NATA i.e. National Aptitude Test in Architecture, conducted by the Council of Architecture at national level for admission to 5-year B.Arch. Degree Course at all recognized institutions across India.
•  Students appearing for the NATA should have a sound knowledge about drawing, mathematics, physics and chemistry concepts

The eligibility criteria mentioned in the downloadable brochure available on the NATA-Official Website is as follows:

• The candidates who have passed 10+2 level examination with at least 50% aggregate marks in Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics (PCM) and also at least 50% marks in aggregate of the 10+2 level examination OR 
• Passed 10+3 Diploma Examination with Mathematics as compulsory subject with at least 50% marks in aggregate shall be eligible to appear for NATA-2020.

 Students who want to gain mastery and complete higher education can do an M.Sc. in Sustainable Development and Environment Management (MSDEM) from Garware Institute of career education and Development. A M.Arch Degree in Urban Design provides a lucrative job as an urban planner to a young architect students. 

Apart from being an urban planner one can opt for a three year (part-time), Master of Architecture in landscape offered by L.S.Raheja College of Architecture.

Company Secretary

For those feeling stuck after completing their graduation in the commerce field, company secretary holds great future prospects. A Company Secretary (CS) is a senior position in a private sector company or public sector organization and thus ensures that decision of the board of directors are implemented.

This course is run by a statutory body recognized by the government of India known as ICSI (The Indian Institute of Company Secretary). It can be pursued by those who feel that they cannot be a chartered accountant because of its competitiveness.

• There is no specific admissibility required for one to become a company secretary.
• A graduate from any discipline excluding fine arts can enrol for the CS executive program of this course. 
• Students who have passed their HSC i.e. 12^th std or its equivalent of any stream except fine arts can take admission in the CS Foundation Program. To become a CS, one has to complete the CS Professional Program.
• Thus, we can say that students who have just obtained their HSC mark sheet have to clear three levels of CS that is CS Foundation Program followed by the CS Executive and Professional Program. Whereas those registering for this course after graduation needs to clear two levels that is the CS Executive and Professional program.

The easy online admission process with an affordable fee is a unique feature offered by ICSI. Aspirants can download the brochure from the ICSI official website. On completion The Companies Act 2013, provides young individual opportunities to work as a Key Managerial Personnel, Governance Professional, Secretarial Auditor, Registered Valuer, Insolvency Professional, GST Professional, Corporate Compliance and Risk Manager, Advisor Board, Corporate Planner and Strategic Manager.

Psychologist 

Mental health was once considered a stigma. With the current pandemic situation across the globe and a lot of people experiencing stress, anxiety, depression this career has boomed like never before.

A lot of helplines including psychologist are run on a national and state level to help those in distress and help an individual in their grieving process to people who have lost their loved ones overwhelmed by the uncertainty, and adapting to the new normal. 

All this has increased the demand for mental health professionals who can help people find a purpose, relieve their anxiety and provide a listening ear to those facing emotional turmoil.

So how does one become a mental health professional? 

• Most of the colleges in Mumbai offer a 3yrs, Bachelors Degree of Arts in Psychology or Applied Psychology.
•  However, some of the institutes also offer a Bachelors Degree of Science in Psychology.
• A post-graduate degree in Psychology offers various specialization which is usually for 2yrs.
• One can specialize in Clinical Psychology, Counselling Psychology, Industrial Psychology, Forensic Psychology, Social Psychology and Sports Psychology.
• Clinical Psychologist has to complete an M.Phil. from a recognized university and get certified from Rehabilitation Council of India for their private practice. 
  

The career prospects are vast for those completing a post-graduation in any of the specializations. A psychologist can work in hospitals, NGOs, schools, firms, assessment centres, private practice as a life coach, psychologist, psychotherapist, motivational speaker, child psychologist, school counsellor and many more.

Digital marketing.

With high-speed technology and internet connectivity, we are now experiencing a different world on just a click. The pandemic has changed the face of the digital world and suddenly every individual has switched to the online mode be it teaching, learning, banking, business or e-commerce.

The market and shopping trends have changed with amazon, Flipkart, eBay, Nykaa and many such online platforms ready to provide speedy services. Companies like this are able to reach their consumers with the help of digital marketing.

Hence learning this new skill is interesting yet challenging and requires a lot of diligence. To become an expert in this field one can obtain a degree and learn the little nuances of the digital world.

•    There are several certificate programs for the span of six months to a post-graduation diploma for 11months to learn digital marketing.
•     It is advisable that students do not go for these short-term courses rather take a professional degree by doing a BBA ie Bachelors Business administration in Digital Marketing for 3yrs or MBA i.e. Masters of Business Administration in Digital Marketing for 2yrs.
•     To get into management colleges for a master’s program one has to clear the entrance exam at the state level, national level and college-based exams.

•      The state-level entrance exam held in Maharashtra is the MAH-CET (Maharashtra Common Entrance Test), while the one held at the national level is known as CAT (Common Admission Test).

    One can build a job profile as a web analyst, email marketing specialist, project manager, social media manager, web designer and teacher.

     Graduates are recruited in leading government, multinational companies and fields like Digital Marketing Agencies, Digital Marketing Department of MNCs and Companies, Startups, Data Analytics Agencies, Social Media Marketing Agencies etc.

    Believe in yourself and know that sky is the limit to achieve your dreams with these careers and many more unexplored.

      By Shaista Siddiqui

     Clinical Psychologist