10 stairways

STAIRWAYS

SCIENCE STREAM HAS A HOST OF OPTIONS FOR CAREERS A strong foundation in the subject at the higher secondary level helps build a successful career.

By Ahmed Kamal Khusro s it is a one-time decision with a bearing on your c a r e e r t r a j e c t o r y, choosing subjects after class X continues to be a make-or-break situation for students.

Traditionally, science continues to be the first preference for a large section of students.

A

“Science not only provides logical thinking but also helps build your analytical faculty. It enhances your decision-making capacity, which is required in day to day life. If you have analytic bent of mind and are inquisitive about science, it can prove to be a good choice,” said one expert as reported in

the Education Times.

Another educationist said that interest and aptitude should be factored in while selecting science at the + 2 level. Apart from this, a student opting for the sciences should be logical, systematic and structural in his/her approach to work and have a lively sense of curiosity. The student should also be prepared to devote long hours to study, enjoy problem-solving skills and methods and be stimulated by the understanding and application of scientific principles and concepts.

Typically, a student of science should be motivated to discover the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of all phenomena. Career options play a big role in selecting a particular branch of study. Often a student’s

37 EASTERN CRESCENT NOVEMBER 2015

preference may unfortunately be influenced by the parent’s view on the matter but there are students who choose to study a particular subject out of interest and not necessarily with a future career in mind.

Shyama Chona, a member of the CBSE, and former principal of DPS RK Puram, said “ Earlier, the choice of subjects rested on the marks students get in science, mathematics and English.

However, there is no golden formula to choose a stream. I have known students who didn’t score too well in class X but went on to make it into the IITs. While choosing subjects, students should take cognizance of their interest in the subjects and how their mathematical and analytical skills are. Give yourself a trial period to see how you get along

STAIRWAYS with the new subjects, in case they are not comfortable with them. The first terminal examinations are important and students should be allowed to shift subjects, in case they wish to change their minds about opting for other subjects. This should not be a one-time decision and an aptitude test can also help students make informed choices.

Several science students tend to study mathematics and biology together to keep their options open (medical and non-medical). This combination is believed to be toughest because of the vastness of the syllabus and difficulty levels.

An expert pointed out: “If you want to study medicine, biology forms the foundation of the advanced knowledge that you receive in later stages. Similarly, mathematics is universally known to be a base for all science subjects. Today, doctors are using computer-related technology in their practice. A sound training in both these subjects not only helps keep your options open, but also prepares you for advanced careers.”

Studying mathematics and biology together is not the only combination students are opting for after class X. The choices are extensive and wideranging.

CBSE does not put a restriction on any combination that a science student may want to study in class XII. Besides mathematics and biology, other popular subjects with science students are computer technology, biotechnology, computer applications, economics, psychology, etc.

That apart, those with mathematics at + 2 level can also opt for a BE or a BTech.

Those studying biology can opt for MBBS., But there are also other streams s u c h a s d e n t i s t r y, p h a r m a c y, occupational therapy, nursing, etc, which students can choose from.

Finally, these subjects can be further narrowed down to single corespecialization areas in accordance with students’ interests.

Careful observation, dedication, sincerity, analytical approach, patience and concentration are the prerequisites to pursue a career in the field of science.

In India, a career in science is a preferred option among young aspirants. Science encapsulates a vast range of choices from the traditional bio-physics-chemistry trio to emerging fields such as nanotechnology and robotics.

A strong foundation in the subject at the higher secondary level helps build a successful career. Science can open doors to much sought-after fields such as engineering and medicine. The main focus of any industry is technology, be it salaried job or entrepreneurship. Basic knowledge of science can help a student progress high up in the educational line.

Here the option of switching fields gets easier. The student can switch from science to commerce but vice versa is likely to be difficult.

In this era of technology and innovations, most industries and organizations across the world look for professionals with a background in science. Students can look forward to myriad career options and most of these are in demand with bright future prospects.

Science provides several research options. A research topic is flexible. It changes from time to time. It is a l l a b o u t innovation. As progress is made, career options increase. There is a tendency of science merging with other

38 EASTERN CRESCENT NOVEMBER 2015

disciplines later in life. If the interdisciplinary subjects increase, there will be holistic development.

Sriparne Tah, a BSc student of Vi v e k a n a n d a M a h a v i d y a l a y a , Burdwan University said “If you pursue a BSc in chemistry, you can directly opt for MTech later. There is no need for a BTech degree. Here the research options increase as you have a strong base in all the core subjects such as chemistry, physics, biology and maths”.

Science to many students holds within its fold a host of opportunities not available in any other stream. Atriya Choudhary, an SRM University (Chennai) student, said “Research requires a lot of patience. Science is all about discovering new fields. It offers freedom of choice unlike other disciplines. It is all about thinking new without any judgment. Most companies too nowadays look for prospective candidates who have that spark of creativity.”

With changing times, the scope has changed and students of the stream are no longer restricted to medicine or engineering as the only career options.

With options as diverse as food technology, robotics, cyber crime, textiles, microbiology, meteorology, and so on, the world of science seems to get more fascinating than ever.