What Should I Do After High School?

Graduating from high school is a monumental achievement, marking the threshold to a student’s future. After completing +2 with flying colors, the next step often involves contemplating the ideal career path. So, what are your options after completing high school?

Students frequently grapple with the dilemma of choosing courses that align with their interests, offer promising career prospects, and have enduring relevance. This decision, made post-high school, holds considerable weight as it shapes one’s trajectory for a significant period.

Upon graduating from high school, students have several pathways that will help them shape their future. Pursuing a bachelor’s degree after high school seems to be a common choice for students. They usually opt for degrees that align with their previous academic background. Science students go for engineering, medicine, B.sc and related courses whereas commerce students opt for accountancy related degrees like B.com, BBA, or professional courses like chartered accountancy, cost and management accounting, etc. 

Arts students have multiple options to choose from including, media and communication, architecture, interior designing, law, hospitality and many more. Institutions often provide students with an option of integrated degree programs that combine a bachelor’s and master’s degrees with a specific duration. 

Institutions have a lot of options for students who want to pursue degrees in their respective fields, but not everyone is ready for the commitment of three to four-year college degrees. For such students, there are other academic paths that can help them learn skills in an easy way within less time. 

You can consider opting for a diploma program or a vocational course that emphasizes more on practical knowledge rather than theoretical knowledge. Such skill based courses will help you make a living in fields like business management, data science, designing, marketing, social media etc. 

So here is good news for all the high school graduates out there, you won’t have to choose to become engineer, doctore, lawyer, architect or something that your relatives have told you to become. Here is a list of options you can choose from:

Become a Full Stack digital marketer:

The trend of digital marketing started way back in 2004. Not many apps and platforms were used at that time because of the lack of digital devices. But with time, marketing through digital platforms increased and in 2020 when everything ranging from education to meetings were all overtaken by various digital platforms, the industry of digital marketing boomed.

People recognized the necessity of digital marketing and it became a widely popular choice of career. People have started taking a keen interest in pursuing digital marketing as a career which is a vast term. If you are looking for a career option in this respective field, you should consider becoming a full stack digital marketer.

A full stack digital marketer possesses a comprehensive skill set and expertise in the field of digital marketing. They have the required skills that help them to strategize, execute and optimize marketing over various digital platforms that include mobile apps, emails, search engines, websites and other digital platforms.

A full stack digital marketer’s role will include managing content marketing, email marketing, social media, digital advertising among others. A full stack digital marketing can earn up to 3-5 lac per annum in their initial career days. 

If you are interested in pursuing your career as a full stack digital marketer, you should consider enrolling in courses provided by various academies that focus on digital marketing. Go through their courses and choose the one that fits your interests. Make sure to choose an academy that can fulfill your requirement of the course. 

Become a photographer: 

You would be surprised to know how much the Covid period has changed people’s perspective of things related to career choices. Now people are more interested in changing their passion into a profession. One such passion that made it to the list is photography. People’s interest in photography has been increasing since 2020 and as of 2023, around 75% of the people in India have shown interest in this particular field. 

You can earn a living through photography. People who are passionate about photography, who find it interesting to capture moments in their cameras can turn that hobby into a career. A photography career can help you hone your creative side giving you an edge over other careers. 

You can sell your photographs online on websites dedicated to photography. Explore the aspects of photography and you can become a wildlife photographer, a wedding photographer, a street photographer. You can work with a magazine, a travel channel, start your own blog, work as a photojournalist etc.

Become a data analyst:

Data analysts can be found in every industry be it science, finance, medicine, business because of the duties that are bestowed upon them. A data analyst will collect, filter and interpret the data and present it to the audience as per the requirement. 

Since data has long been recorded digitally, it has become essential to collect, analyze and interpret data at every stage of growth of the organization. According to the recent trends, a boom in data analysis could be seen from the year 2022. 

Data can be found on every domain of the internet, but not all the data is relevant to companies or organizations. They have to keep the data that cater to their needs, this is where data analysts step in. To become a data analyst enroll in an academy that helps you choose relevant courses and prepares you for the world of data.

Become a graphic designer:

In today’s advertising landscape, design plays a crucial role in conveying messages effectively. Graphics in a post helps to attract not only the target audience but also catch the eye of potential audience. 

Choosing graphic designing as a career option might have come into recognition now, but it has been into existence since 2004. As of 2023, more than 50% of people have been constantly interested in the field of designing. 

A course in graphic design from a reputed academy sharpens skills, enabling quick entry into this dynamic field.

Become a web developer:

Web development stands as one of the most pursued career paths today. In an era where a business’s online presence is imperative for visibility, having a website is non-negotiable. It serves as the window through which businesses connect with their audience, transcending geographical boundaries.

A web developer plays a crucial role in constructing a website that resonates with users. They facilitate business visibility, foster rapid growth, and ensure easy customer access. Web developers craft layouts, designs, and prioritize user-friendly interfaces.

Interest in web development has surged since 2022, highlighting the pivotal role of a web page in any business domain. Opting for a career in web development offers personal and professional growth opportunities. Numerous academies offer a variety of web development courses, allowing individuals to choose based on their preferences and aspirations.

Become a culinary expert:

Who doesn’t love food? Cooking a meal is an art, and only an artist can craft finger-licking delicacies that offer the best culinary experience. A cooking course can open up new realms of culinary imagination. Cooking extends far beyond the kitchen; it’s about exploring traditional and modern cooking techniques that elevate the dining experience.

Delve into the canvas and explore the shades of various colours in the field of cuisine. Blend dishes from vastly different cultures whether you are a confectionary maestro or a cuisine expert. 

If you want others to savor the taste of your creations, why not leave them with something unforgettable? Mastering the art of culinary expertise allows you to offer people the most memorable meals of their lives. To unleash the chef within you, consider enrolling in top-notch culinary classes that cater to your aspirations. In the near future there will be an estimated growth of 11% in the career options that you can explore in the domain of culinary arts.

Become a Make-up artist:

Makeup encompasses a vast spectrum beyond the everyday foundation or the preparation for special occasions like weddings or parties. It’s not solely about foundations, eyeshadows, or lipsticks. Makeup artistry extends far beyond these norms, offering avenues for exploration, especially in fields like prosthetics. Though the trend in makeup artistry has gradually increased since the year 2011, it is important to note that this field also has a wide range of options to carry on, one of which is prosthetic makeup.

Prosthetic makeup involves sophisticated techniques such as prosthetic sculpting, molding, and casting to achieve advanced cosmetic effects. It’s prominently featured in movies requiring graphic representation, creating characters like mermaids, ghosts, or portraying wounds on deceased characters. All thanks to prosthetic makeup that craete introcate wounds shown in the movies. 

For makeup artists, delving into prosthetics opens up a whole new dimension in the field of makeup artistry. Exploring this facet of makeup allows artists to engage with the transformative and creative potential of their craft. They will learn to create astounding visual effects.

Conclusion

Diploma programs or vocational courses provide practical skills in fields such as business management, data science, design, marketing, and social media marketing, catering to individuals seeking skill-based learning within a shorter duration.

One can explore interests and career propects through academic offerings of diverse courses. There is no constraints of traditional college setups giving you the opportunities to dive into non-conventional career paths.