What Next After 10th - Which Stream to Choose? & Career Goal

What Next After 10th - Check Which Stream to Choose & Career Goal

Edited By Yashodhra | Updated on Feb 02, 2024 11:43 AM IST

Science, Commerce or Arts? What is next after 10th class? Which stream do I choose in class 11? What is my ultimate career goal?

Evidently, class 10 is a pivotal year in every students’ life. Some of you may be clear about what you want in your life, but on the other hand, many of you might find yourselves at the crossroads of your career and feel clueless about what is next after 10th. To clear the confusion, you can consider these important points which will guide you to the best career path.

What Next After 10th - Check Which Stream to Choose & Career Goal

Today, every field offers a plethora of opportunities but you should always select the stream/course based on your interests, aptitude and marks that you are scoring in class 10. Stay on this page to understand better what is next after 10th.

Also Read | Stream Selection For Class 11: What To Do When You Don't Fit In Any Of The Three Streams

What next after 10th- Assessing and analysing your strengths and weaknesses

It’s important to assess your interest and aptitude, and match up with the understanding of the requirements of the career. If you choose a stream merely based on your interests and do not possess the right skills and abilities, it may cause a problem in the future. So, to get a better idea for yourself about what is next after 10th, sit and introspect about what are the areas you are naturally good at, and what are those areas that are often hurdles for you. You may also take inputs from parents or teachers.

What next after 10th- Seek Career Counselling

The best and most reliable way to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses is to take an assessment with a professional Career Counsellor, and select a stream based on the consensus you reach with them. For a successful career, a well-carved path and proper careful planning is a must. Career assessments and a professional Career Counsellor can guide you appropriately in choosing the best career options, and understand what is next after 10th class.

Also Read | How Do You Know You Need A Career Counsellor: Signs To Help You Evaluate

What next after 10th- Choosing subject/ stream options

A proper understanding and knowledge of the subjects/stream you opt for and the future career options they offer are very important for you to know what is next after 10th class for you. After SSLC what next is choosing from the different streams that are available:

Science (PCM/ PCB)

Science has been the most opted for stream ever since we know, perhaps because of a popular perception that it keeps avenues open for students. What is next after 10th class for students who opt for Science is explained below.

If you study PCM, you can go for careers like Engineering, Computer Sciences, Defence Services, Merchant Navy, etc. Whereas, if you study PCB then you can opt for Medicine, Physiotherapy, Agriculture, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dentistry, and the like.

Apart from these core subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Maths, you will also have a compulsory language subject like English in both the streams. In total, you have to choose 5 main subjects. In addition to these, you will also have practical training in laboratories.

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Commerce

If you like Economics and particularly enjoy working with numbers, or plan to start your own business one day, this can be the right choice of stream for you.

The core subjects in Commerce are – Accountancy, Economics and Business Studies. You will also have to study a compulsory language subject, and a choice of Maths against some other subject like Informatics Practices, etc. What is next after 10th for Commerce students are career options like Chartered Accountancy, Banking & Insurance, Finance, Stockbroking, Financial Planning, and much more.

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Arts/ Humanities

If you are creative, have strong communication skills and wish to pursue academic research, this can be the right choice for you. Many students are opting for the Humanities stream these days for its diversified, exciting and interesting career scope, that are no less in comparison to Science or Commerce.

The core subjects offered in Arts are Sociology, History, Literature, Political Science, Psychology, Economics, Philosophy, Fine Arts, etc along with one compulsory language subject. What is next after 10th class for Humanities students are career options like Media/Journalism, Literature, Social Work, Product Designing, Writing, Teaching and many others.

Also Read | Career options after Humanities

Vocational stream

After SSLC what next you can opt for is many boards offering vocational subjects. These subjects prepare you for a job immediately after the completion of class 12. Depending upon the subjects offered by your school, your vocational subject choices could be Accountancy and Taxation, Auto Shop Repair and Practice, Business Operations and Administration, Capital Market Operations, Civil Engineering Technician, Food Nutrition and Dietetics, Food Production, Hospitality Management, Music Production, Textile Design, Web Applications, etc. These subjects undoubtedly enhance your scope of what is next after 10th.

Let us now look at a different side of the picture. There are many students who do not wish to follow the conventional route of choosing a stream in class 11 or pursuing higher education, for various reasons like financial responsibilities towards family, and the like. We shall now discuss some possible options of what next after 10th class for such students.

The ITI’s, Polytechnic Diplomas, Paramedical and Vocational courses discussed below, make you job-ready and make you part of the manpower in the industries you would work in. They offer technical job oriented options that can help you seek employment soon after completing class 10.

Also Read | Career Planning In The Face Of Covid-19: Which Industries Have Been Affected?

What next after 10th- ITI (Industrial Training Institute)

ITI certificates are offered in more than 100 specializations in technical as well as some non-technical courses. It is a government training institute which trains you and makes you skilled for various industries. The duration for ITI courses ranges from six months to two years.

Top ITI Courses are Computer Hardware & Network Maintenance, Draughtsman (Civil), Mechanic (Auto Electricals & Electronics), Interior Decoration and Designing, Computer Operator and Programming Assistant, Baker and Confectioner, Sheet Metal, Plumbing, etc.

You can be employed in public as well as private sectors like PWD’s or can start your small set-up.

Also Read | ITI courses after 10th

What next after 10th- Polytechnic courses

They are cost-effective diploma courses which you can join after class 10 or class 12. You can opt for courses in Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Computer, Marine Technology, Textile Technology, Automobile, etc. The Polytechnic colleges offer diploma courses for 3 years, 2 years, 1 year. The 3-year diploma course in Engineering gets you a lateral entry in the 2nd year of B.E/B.Tech. For students who do not wish to continue the regular school study pattern, this could be one of the options for what is next after 10th class.

Also Read | Polytechnic Diploma in Engineering courses

What next after 10th- Paramedical Courses

The Paramedical branch is allied to the healthcare sector and offers good opportunities. What is next after 10th for students who take up Paramedical courses are options of becoming an X-Ray Technician, Dialysis Technician, Nursing Assistance, Ophthalmic Technician, etc.

What next after 10th- Vocational courses

After sslc what next best course can be decided by looking at vocational training courses. They are short term courses ranging from 1 to 2 years, which are job centric courses offered by the government under the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and National Skill Qualification Framework (NSFQ). Different courses available are: such as Software Development, Fashion Designing, Desktop Publishing(DTP), Jewellery Designing, Travel & Tourism, Medical Imaging, etc.

Also Read | What Will Be A Good Career Option For You? Understanding Yourself And The Industry

What next after 10th- Some important tips to keep in mind

Apart from focusing on choosing the right stream and subjects, it is also essential to keep working on yourself and building on skills that will prepare you for the immense competition in the job market. The more aware we are of what is happening around the world, the more we become ready to enter the industry. It is always beneficial to start early:

Start working on your soft skills like communication skills, interpersonal skills, and so on.
Learn a new language
Develop a habit of reading
Dedicatedly pursue your hobbies

Deciding ‘What next after 10th’ often turns out to be one of the most crucial decisions of your life and should not be taken for granted. Keep yourself updated and upgraded with the growing career opportunities in the world and make an informed decision before choosing subject streams and your desired career path.

Opportunities can knock at your door at times, so be well prepared and formulate a career plan of action for a better and brighter future ahead!

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Yashodhra Arora is a Counselling Psychologist with extensive experience in Career Counselling of high school students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which is the best stream after 10th?

There are 3 different streams that you can pursue after class 10 - Science - PCM/PCB, Commerce and Arts. The best stream is the one that you choose based on your interests and aptitudes and that lets you achieve your career goals.

2. What is the scope after class 10th?

You have to choose a stream after finishing your class 10th. Different streams have different scopes, if you have strong analytical skills and enjoy studying science you can go for PCM and become an Engineer. If you opt for PCB you can make a career in Medicine. There are also many lucrative careers with a huge scope after Commerce and Arts like - Corporate Law, Banking, Finance, Media & Mass Communication, Hotel Management, etc.

3. Is Polytechnic good for the future?

Polytechnic courses are short term technical courses that make you job-ready and help you seek employment within a short period. You can opt for courses in Mechanical, Civil, Computer, Textile Technology, Automobile Engineering, etc. directly after class 10th.

4. What are the short term courses?

Short term courses are offered by different schools and colleges which are usually for 3 - 6 months and helps you to refine your abilities in a particular area and provide you with job-ready skills. Short term courses offered are Diploma in Computer Applications, Certificate Course in Web Designing, etc.

5. Which subject is easier after class 10th?

The level of difficulty will rise twofold for all the subjects whether it's Science, Commerce or Arts. Some of the easier subjects after class 10 that you can opt for are Physical Education, Fine Arts, etc.

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