Choosing the right stream after 10th standard is a momentous decision in a student’s life. The coming two years lay solid foundations and build a strong knowledge base for future professional courses. There are a handful of options that you can choose from to pursue a career choice and it can be really tricky to select.
To reduce your worries and make your job easier, this article is going to help you pick the stream that suits you best, considering other key factors that will give you a clear picture of the courses.
How to Decide After 10th Grade?
Do’s
- Identifying Interests
List down the subjects that interest you the most. Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Research the subject topics and assess whether you can grasp the concepts clearly and pass the exam with flying colours. Enter a field that you are passionate about. This aspect is very important as it influences your career choices.
- Analysing Opportunities
Apart from your interests, consider the colleges that provide better education opportunities and prepare you for future competitive exams. Analyse the career prospects, relevance and growth of the particular stream. Write down the pros and cons of each stream. For example, if you want to become a software developer, understand the roles that excite you and the job opportunities available.
- Understanding the Scope and Demand of the Field
Another crucial element to consider is the scope and demand of the field. Evaluate the long-term growth prospects of the field. Examine the future job market trends. This saves you from taking a bad decision and facing repercussions in the future. Consult a career counsellor or senior if you are still confused about making the right choice.
Don’ts
- Peer Pressure
Do not fall prey to peer pressure and mindlessly follow what your friends are doing. Come out of the herd mentality and keep your passion and interests above everything. Only your decision has to matter when deciding a field.
- Choosing What’s Trending
Do not make the mistake of choosing what is trending in the market currently or what parents and relatives advise you to do. The more opinions you receive, the higher the chances of getting lost. For instance, do not select a stream blindly just because your cousin has chosen the same.
- Just Looking at the End Goal
Some streams require a lot of hard work and commitment. So do not be obsessed with the end goal and neglect the struggle required to achieve it. Such delusions lead to unsatisfied results.
What are the Streams Available after 10th Grade?
Here are some of the common streams that you should know before taking a decision:
- Science Stream
- This stream mainly focusses on core subjects—Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, Electronics, and Computer Science
- It is the most sought-after stream because it opens gateways to diverse professional courses such as Medical, Science, Engineering, Research, etc.
- The career prospects are lucrative and few professions like doctors are evergreen.
- Students can choose a computer science subject along with PCM subjects if they wish to pursue computer science engineering.
- The science stream equips students with critical thinking and computational skills that will help them in their career.
- Another advantage of choosing the science stream is that it provides an opportunity for the students to make a stream switch from science to commerce or arts.
- Besides theoretical explanation, the lab experiments impart practical knowledge to the students.
- If you do not like math and want to continue in the medical field, choose PCB.
- If numbers and technology fascinate you, choose PCM or PCM Computer Science.
- If you still lack clarity, then go with the PCMB (Physics + Chemistry + Mathematics + Biology) combination.
Commerce Stream
- The commerce stream deals with Business, Economics, Statistics and Accountancy.
- This is one of the favourites among students after the Science stream for those who wish to pursue a career in the finance and business sectors.
- The commerce stream presents many lucrative career options, including Chartered Accountants, Investment Bankers, Financial Analysts, and so on.
- The course acquaints students with computational methods and business principles.
Humanities or Arts Stream
- The Arts and Humanities stream is gaining traction in recent years, which was once not so desirable.
- The emergence of this trend is because of the unique, diverse and creative career opportunities they provide.
- Some core subjects in this stream include: History, Geography, Sociology, Psychology, Literature, Economics, Political Science, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Anthropology, Law, Music, and many more.
- Students with keen interest and skills should choose the Arts stream to make a career as an artist.
Career Prospects
| Stream | Career Prospects |
| Science | DoctorEngineerBiotechnologistFull Stack DeveloperData AnalystChemistScientistMathematicianAstronomerAstrophysicistLawyer |
| Commerce | Chartered AccountantInvestment BankerFinancial AdvisorCompany SecretaryAuditorCertified Public AccountantBanker Risk Manager Stock broker |
| Arts or Humanities | JournalistHistorianEconomistSociologistAnthropologistTeacherActorMusicianEvent PlannerEditor |
Conclusion
The intermediate stage is the stepping stone for future plans of action. As a student, you should be aware of all the options and assess them personally based on your passion and skill set. Your goal and interest should be your top priority rather than others’ opinions. Ensure that you choose a stream that aligns with your budget, the colleges available and the job market. Develop good reading habits that will help you in the long run. Do not be in a hurry. Make an informed choice to have a bright future.
It is also important that you complete your schooling at the best schools, as it lays a solid basic foundation. So parents have to join children in the right school from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Which Stream is Best for Law after 10th?
Any stream: Science, Commerce and Arts/Humanities can be opted to pursue law after 10th. However, it is recommended to choose the Commerce or Humanities stream as they emphasise business, political science or economics.
- Which Stream is Best for UPSC after 10th?
UPSC only mandates a degree, irrespective of the stream. But it is better to choose the Humanities stream due to the overlap of subjects like Political Science, History, Anthropology, Economics, and Geography.
- Which Stream is Best for MBA after 10th?
Commerce is the good choice for MBA after 10th as it equips students with business-related knowledge and skills. It lays the basis for subjects like Economics, Accountancy and Business Studies.
- Which Stream is Best to Become Pilot after 10th?
Students who desire to become pilots should opt for the Science stream with a focus on Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. These subjects are compulsory to meet the pilot training and licensing requirements.
- Which stream is best for hotel management after 10th?
For hotel management, any stream can be pursued. However, the commerce stream is advisable as it teaches financial management and accounting, which are essential for hotel management.
