Which Stream to Choose After 10th? 7 Simple Steps to Choose

Over 16 lakh students appeared for Class 10 board exams in 2018 and took the first step towards their career – choosing the best stream in Junior College. Science, Arts, or Commerce? We all have to make this crucial decision at some point. This brings us to society’s favourite question – what do you want to be when you grow up? You can run, you can hide, but you can’t escape this question – what you can do is give it some serious thought before selecting the right option.

Who do you want to be?

The world is bursting with options, and you can be anything or anyone your heart desires. But, from all of these possibilities; which is the best option for you after 10th? Before you start feeling the pressure, know that you don’t have to commit to a particular career right now. Junior college is the time to explore your interests. All you need to do is figure out where your interests lie.

And we can help you do just that.

1. Think – What Am I Really Interested In?

As teenagers, we have a general idea of what we like and what we hate oh-so-much! Vaibhavi Singh, a 16-year-old studying Arts at Joshi-Bedekar College of Arts and Commerce, hates anything to do with maths and enjoys reading stories.

“I would read my English textbooks as soon as we bought them. I love stories! So, science or commerce never crossed my mind as options,” she says.

The choice in Vaibhavi’s case was clear. She knew what she loved, and where her interests lay.

Think about what you love doing, and take it ahead from there.

2. Match Your Interests with Your Skills and Careers.

When you think about what you like to do, do you see yourself writing a book or finding the solution to a tough problem? These don’t really point to a stream; what do you do then? Think about the skills you would need for those activities. To write, you need to be good with language; and to solve problems, you need to be analytical and reasonable. Which stream will help you best hone these skills? Therein lies your answer.

Take the Mentoria career assessment test, to find the right career fit for you, based on your interest, personality & ability.

3. Take a Peek At the Real World

Before making any decisions, understand their reality. For example, creativity does not always point to fine arts; it could also mean creating solutions for businesses or coming up with breakthroughs in research. A great way to find out about careers is by talking to professionals in the field. You could even talk to your parents – ask about the skills they use at their jobs. Once you’ve met a few people and gotten a closer look into their work-life, you’re bound to find a career that interests you. If you can’t seem to find people from different career fields, you could take a look at what these professionals have to say.

4. Chart Your Path

Begin by making a rough sketch of what you want your path to look like. Put your dream career on top along with the skills you would need for it, then list out the relevant subjects. Now think – what stream will get you on your path?

“Since the time I can remember, I have always been a part of my society fairs,” says 17-year-old Akshat Mehta, who is studying commerce in Smt. Chandibai Himathmal Mansukhani College, Ulhasnagar. “I have set up stalls with family and friends. I love managing things. So, my elder cousin, who is currently pursuing an MBA, asked me to think about a career in business management. I am not sure yet. But commerce is my choice of stream. I like dealing with money and people. I am also hoping to gain more clarity by the time I am ready to choose a graduation course.”

5. Be Subject-Wise

Make it a point to go through the subject list or syllabus covered in different streams. Depending on your areas of interest, it’s possible that some of you might find better options overseas, especially if you can’t find colleges here that offer the subjects you’re interested in. So, the best way to go is to make a note of streams and colleges that offer the subjects you would like to study and make sure they fit right in with your interests and career choices.

Need expert guidance for your next career move?  Take the Mentoria assessment test & talk to our career counsellors to get personalized step-by-step guidance for your future career path.

6. Keep Your Finances in Mind

As you dig deeper and try to understand where your core interests lie, note that some courses will be more expensive than others. If a course looks too expensive, check if there are any scholarships available, or think about getting a student loan. It might be too early to think about these questions, but keep them in mind while choosing a stream so you are not caught unawares as you move ahead on your path. Talk to your parents, get their advice, and see how you can work things out.

7. Get Expert Guidance

The internet is full of advice on choosing the right stream after Class 10. But, when advice is pouring in from all sides, it can get overwhelming. If you are confused, ask for help. There are career counsellors who can help solve your queries and give you an overview of all your options.

Good advice at the right time will save you a lot of effort and money that you would otherwise spend on the wrong path. So, if you have any doubts, feel free to reach out to our experts. Good luck!

Kick-start your career discovery journey with Mentoria & be sure to find the right career fit for you. Our 4-step career guidance solution, helps us find the ideal career for you from 3 streams, 850+ courses & 12,000+ careers.