What to do after 12th grade? This thought feels overwhelming for every student. However, if you are a science student, you have a wide range of opportunities available across different fields. Even then, you may have confusion about choosing your career path. Usually, students opt for subjects according to their career ambition; however, there are several cases every year where students have not decided on their career path yet. Don’t worry!1 Your life has just started, and you need a powerful right direction. This blog by Milton Public School, Agra, is a small effort towards your career counselling.
You may have your interests in pure sciences, technology, medicine, or interdisciplinary areas; the choices are vast and promising. Milton School believes in empowering our students to make informed decisions that align with their passion, strengths, and future goals.,
Here’s a detailed guide to help you explore your options and plan a successful career path after Class 12 Science Stream.
Understand Your Stream:
Ahead of deciding what to do after 12th, identify whether you’ve pursued:
- PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics)
- PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
- PCMB (Physics, Chemistry, Math, and Biology)
Certainly, your subject combination plays a key role in determining eligibility for various courses and entrance exams.
Top Career Options for Science Students After Class 12
Engineering (PCM Students)
A popular and very common dynamic field, engineering offers specialization in:
- Computer Science
- Mechanical
- Civil engineering
- Electrical & Electronics
- Artificial Intelligence
- Aerospace
- Biotechnology
Entrance Exam: JEE Main, JEE Advanced, State CETs, BITSAT
An engineering degree opens doors to career opportunities in software and other industries worldwide.
Medical & Allied Health Sciences (PCB Students)
Medicine and healthcare remain noble and rewarding career paths. The most popular career option for Biology students after class 12th. This sector will certainly thrive forever.
- MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
- BDS (Dentistry)
- BAMS (Ayurveda)
- BHMS (Homeopathy)
- BPT (Physiotherapy)
- Nursing, Pharmacy, and Clinical Research
Entrance Exam: NEET-UG
Doctors are respected across the world. It’s a rewarding career both in terms of impact and income. For those who are dedicated, compassionate, and ready to work hard to serve others, nothing can be more satisfying than a career as a doctor.
Pure Sciences and Research
If you’re curious and love discovering how the world works, consider a career in research and academics.
- B.Sc. (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology)
- Integrated M.Sc., or B.S. + M.S.
- B.Stat or B.Math (ISI)
Entrance Exams: IISER Aptitude Test, NEST, CUET, KVPY (discontinued but replaced by other tests)
Career Paths: Scientists, Research Analysts, Professors, Lab Technicians
Computer Science & IT Fields
For tech enthusiasts, this rapidly evolving field offers high-paying and innovative roles.
- B.Sc. in Computer Science
- BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications)
- B.Tech (CSE, AI, Data Science)
Career Paths: Software Developer, Data Scientist, AI/ML Engineer, Cybersecurity Expert
Architecture & Design
Ideal for students with creative and analytical minds.
- B.Arch (Bachelor of Architecture) – PCM students
Entrance Exam: NATA, JEE Main (Paper 2) - B.Des (Product Design, Fashion Design, Communication Design)
Entrance Exam: UCEED, NID DAT, NIFT
Interdisciplinary & Emerging Fields
Science meets other domains in many emerging fields:
- Environmental Science
- Forensic Science
- Robotics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Food Technology
- Cognitive Science
- Data Analytics
Commercial Pilot Training (PCM Students)
For students passionate about aviation.
Eligibility: Class 12 with PCM, medical fitness
Licenses: CPL (Commercial Pilot License) via DGCA-approved flying schools
Indian Armed Forces
Serve the nation with pride:
- NDA (National Defence Academy) – for Army, Navy, Air Force (PCM required for Navy & Air Force)
Entrance Exam: NDA Exam conducted by UPSC
Other Non-Conventional but Lucrative Careers - Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity
- Space Science (ISRO)
- Marine Biology & Oceanography
- Actuarial Science
- Science Journalism
- Animation and Game Development
Tips for Making the Right Choice
1. Self-Assessment: Understand your interests, aptitude, and values.
2. Career Counselling: Seek guidance from professionals or school counselors.
3. Internships & Online Courses: Try out fields through MOOCs (like Coursera, edX) and internships.
4. Keep an Open Mind: Success is not tied to one field. Thus explore!
Final Thoughts: What to do after 12th
Science after Class 12 opens doors to endless possibilities. Whether you aspire to become a doctor, engineer, researcher, designer, or data scientist, the key is to align your passion with your career. Take your time, gather information, and don’t hesitate to seek help.
Hopefully, this blog has helped you in some ways. Soon we will come up with our next blog in the same series- what to do after 12th grade(for Arts and Commerce) students