Career Options after HSC or Higher School Certificate Examinations include a vast area have different fields to choose. HCS is regarded as a crucial stage wherein an individual needs to clearly understand his interest and capability to pursue a rewarding career. This is the stage that everyone says can make or break the life of a student and it is for this reason that the same has become essential for the student to think, plan and execute his/her aspirations in the right manner so as to avoid any confusion in the future. With the sudden increase in competition and career options, it is quite natural for a student to get confused. Hence, with the aim of solving their confusion, the following are a complied list of courses that a student can avail of after the successful completion of HSC.

Among the several courses which can be chosen after HSC, one can go for graduation in one of the several fields available or can opt for any under-graduate diploma course. The graduation courses available in India include Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery or in short it can be said as BHMS. This country is the preserver of a list of healing practices. Previously MBBS was regarded as the only available means to cure disorders, diseases, etc, but gradually, by the coming of parallel medical science like `Ayurveda` and `Homeopathy`, people stated to give importance to them. The Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery is a course of five and a half year duration including internship. Once the BHMS course is successfully completed, a candidate can go for a Postgraduate Diploma in Homeopathic Medicine & Surgery or he/she can also earn as a private practitioner or can also get a chance to work as a faculty in Medical Institutes. One needs to have completed plus two or equivalent level exam having Physics, Biology, Chemistry and English as subjects in order to be eligible for this course. Getting admission for this test is based on merit, while there are states where admission to this course in determined by a joint entrance exam. Some of the reputed colleges in India offering this course are Smt. Chandaben Mohanbhai Patel Homeopathic Medical College, Mumbai, Nehru Homeopathic Medical College, Defence Colony, New Delhi, Calcutta Homeopathic Medical College, 265-6, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata (Calcutta)

After successful completion of plus two or its equivalent examination, one can enroll for the Bachelor of Arts or B.A. degree. Admission to this course is based on merit. However, there are several institutions in India where an entrance test is conducted to select students for this course. Different subjects can be studied in this course which include; History, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Regional languages, Hindi, Sanskrit, etc.

Bachelor of Commerce or B.Com is a course of three-year duration. This under-graduate degree course covers the same coursework to that of a Bachelor of Business Administration or BBA, except that B.Com gives more importance to theory and business principles as compared to BBA. After successful completion of this course one can pursue a career in the fields like; Banking & Finance, Actuarial Science, Financial Accounting & Auditing, Auditing & Cost Accounting, Company Secretarial Practice, Foreign Trade Practice & Procedures, Law, etc. The course can also be done along with some of the vocational subjects like insurance, tourism and advertising. One who has completed HCS from commerce or science can opt for Bachelor in Commerce. There are some institutions which rely on the candidate`s merit for this course while some of them hold entrance tests.

Bachelor of Science or B.Sc is an under-graduate course and its duration is three years. Once the HSC results are declared, a science student can go for a professional course like Engineering and Medical Science or he/she can choose Bachelor of Science. Several options available in this course are Physics, Math, Chemistry and Biotechnology with Biology, Botany, Zoology, Bachelor of Computer Applications, and Microbiology. One who has passed HSC examinations from Science stream is eligible for the Bachelor in Science course. Some of the institutions conduct entrance test for absorbing students in this course while several other institutions in India depend on the merit of the candidate for selection into this course.

Bachelor of Mass Media or BMM is another career option in India for those who have passed out their HSC examinations. The duration of this course is three years which was introduced in the academic year 2000-2001by the University of Mumbai (Bombay). The BMM course is having six which takes three years to get completed. The student is required to choose a specialization as Journalism or Advertising in the third year. The subjects which are covered by this course in the three year duration are segregated in different semesters.

These are:

Semester I (First Year). The subjects included in this semester are; Introduction to Computers, Effective Communication Skills - I, Fundamentals of Mass Communication, Introduction to Sociology, Economics and Landmarks to 20th Century World History.

Semester II (First Year). The subjects included in this semester are; Political Concepts and Indian Political Systems, Principles of Marketing, Introduction to Psychology, Principles of Management, Effective Communication Skills - II and Introduction to Literature in English.

Semester III (Second Year). The subjects included in this semester are; Introduction to Advertising, Introduction to Public Relations, Introduction to Media Studies, Introduction to Culture Studies, Introduction to Journalism and Introduction to Creative Writing

Semester IV (Second Year). The subjects included in this semester are; Organizational Behavior, Mass Media Research, Understanding Cinema, Radio and Television, Print Production and Photography and Advance Computers

Advertising (Specialization)

Semester V (Third Year). The subjects included in this semester are; Advertising in Contemporary Society, Advertising Design, Copywriting, Brand Building, Consumer Behavior and Media Planning and Buying

Semester VI (Third Year). The subjects included in this semester are; Advertising and Marketing Research, Financial Management for Marketing and Advertising, Legal Environment and Advertising Ethics, Agency Management, The Principal and Practice of Direct Marketing and Contemporary Issues

Journalism (Specialization)

Semester V (Third Year). The subjects included in this semester are; Reporting, Feature and Opinion, Editing, Journalism and Public Opinion, Niche and Magazine Journalism - I and Indian Regional Journalism

Semester VI (Third Year). The subjects included in this semester are; Press Laws and Ethics, Niche Journalism - II, Broadcast Journalism, Internet and Issue in the Global Media, Contemporary Issues and News Media Management

After the successful completion of this course one can choose to do the courses like MMM (Masters of Mass Media), Event Management, MBA (Advertising and Advertising), Masters in PR, Masters in Mass Communication, Masters in Journalism, etc. After completing BMM, a candidate can also pursue a career fields like Sales and Marketing, Journalism, Advertising, Film-making, Public Relations, Careers in new Media (internet), Careers in Broadcasting Media, Event Management, etc. In order to be eligible to opt for this course on has to complete the HSC examinations in Science, Arts or Commerce. There are institutes where entrance test including written exams, group discussion and personal interview for selection into this course is mandatory while in other institutions the merit of a student is taken into consideration. Some of the notable colleges offering BMM are Jai Hind College, Mumbai, RD National College & W.A. Science College, Mumbai, St. Xaviers College, Mumbai, K.C. College, Mumbai, etc.

Bachelor of Science (Nursing) or Bachelor of Nursing Science is the skill of taking care of the sick people with health care science. This is the most vital part of all forms of medical care. The duties of the nurses are manifold and encompass a large variety of responsibilities and functions, depending on the working environment and the level of qualification. In the initial level, nurses are needed for the patient`s bedside care, while in the senior level; the nurses are required to take care of special group of people like pediatric, psychiatric, intensive care patients etc, which ask for specialized skills. They are also engaged in providing medication, setting up and operating medical equipment, keeping records of the patient`s progress, general administration and a list of other routine chores. The B.Sc Nursing Science course is to teach the candidates, who are especially females, to serve the patients in a pleasant way and to assist them to know their needs. This course is also of three-year duration. One needs to complete the plus two or equivalent exam with Chemistry, Physics, English and Biology as subjects in order to enroll into the Bachelor of Nursing Science course. Some of the well-known colleges offering this course include; Annamalai University, Department of Nursing, Tamil Nadu, Institute Of Nursing Education, Bhai Motilal Building, J.J. Hospital, Byculla, Mumbai, Apollo Hospitals Educational Trust Apollo College Of Nursing, Delhi, etc.

Another sought-after course in India is the Bachelors of Pharmacy or the B.pharm course. The work of a pharmacist is to mix, prepare, dispense or compound medicines and drugs, ointments, pills, powder, injections and tablets on the prescription of a dentist, medical practitioner or veterinarian. They are thus linked to the pharmaceutical product formation, development of the processes or methods of production and quality control. IN all, there are 225 and more programs in Pharmacy conducted by several universities in India; one of the prominent programs is the `Bachelor of Pharmacy`, which takes four years to get completed. After the successful completion of this program one can opt for M.Pharm or Masters in Pharmacy and subsequently do a PHD in Pharmacy.

For a bachelor of Pharmacy there are several jobs available. One can work in a pharmaceutical industry, universities, government departments, investigation and research institute, etc. In the pharmaceutical industry one can be involved in activities in connection with the formulation, development, production or marketing of new drugs for clinical use. Teaching profession can also be taken up by a pharmacist in a pharmacy college and university. After getting registered with the State Pharmacy Council, a pharmacist can also establish a shop and run his/her own pharmacy or a chemists and druggists shop. In order to be eligible for this course one should have successfully completed the 10+2 examinations with Chemistry, Physics, or Physics, Biology, Chemistry, or Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Biology. There are institutes in India which conduct entrance test of their own for admission into this course, while there are several other institutes conduct the AIEEE or state wise entrance exam. Some of the prominent colleges in India offering this course are Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Bombay College of Pharmacy, Kalina, Santa Cruz (East), Mumbai- 400 098, C.U. Shah College of Pharmacy, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, S.N.D.T. Women`s University, Annamalai University, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tamil Nadu, New Delhi College of Pharmacy, New Delhi 110 017, Sir Vithaldas Vidya Vihar, Santa Cruz (West), Mumbai- 400 049, etc.

Bachelor of Science (IT) is one of the most suitable career options after HSC in India. The flourishing sector of information and technology in India is indicative of the fact that the software professionals of India are extremely valued. With a view of the steadily growing market for software professionals, the B. Sc. course in Information Technology has been introduced which covers a duration of three years and has 6 semesters. The different subjects included in this course are grouped in 6 semesters.

These are:

Semester- 1. The subjects included in this semester are; Introduction to Digital electronics, Introduction to Information theory and applications, Digital Computer Fundamentals and Mathematics and Introduction to Programming

Semester- 2. The subjects included in this semester are; Design and analysis of algorithms, Mathematics II, Professional Skill Development course and Computer Graphics and Electronics and Tele Communication Systems

Semester -3. The subjects included in this semester are; Systems Programming, Computational Mathematics, Computer Networks and Logic, Discrete Mathematical Structures and Object oriented Programming

Semester- 4. The subjects included in this semester are; Data base concepts and Systems, C++ and JAVA, Operating Systems, E-Commerce and SW Engineering

Semester- 5. The subjects included in this semester are; Visual Basic 6, Internet Security and SQL 2

Elective I
Candidate are required to choose any one of the following subjects like; Multimedia, Web Design and Internet based applications and Advanced Java, Embedded Systems and Programming

Elective II
Candidate are required to choose any one of the following subjects like; GIS, ERP Systems, Management Information systems and BPR

Semester 6. The subjects included in this semester are; C# (which is pronounced as C Sharp), CRM and Internet Technologies

Elective III
Candidate are required to choose any one of the following subjects like; Total supply chain Management, Strategic IT Management, Project management and IT Laws and Patents and a project work.

After the successful completion of B.Sc (IT) course an individual can go for either a course on M.Sc (IT) or can do MBA. An individual, after completing this course can also work in the field of Research and Development, Management, IT, etc. In order to be eligible for this course a needs to successfully complete the H.Sc examination with a certain percentage of marks in aggregate and with Mathematics as a subject. Those who possess post HSC-Diploma in Computer Engineering/ Computer Science / Computer Technology / Information Technology and allied branches will be eligible for direct admission to the Second year of B.Sc. (IT). For admission in to this course candidates need to sit for an entrance test. Some of the reputed colleges offering this course are St. Xaviers College, Mumbai, Ruparel College, Mumbai, Thakur College, Mumbai, Vivekanand Education Society`s College of Arts, Science & Commerce, Mumbai, Sadakathullah Appa College, Tamil Nadu, etc.

A student can opt for B.E (Bachelor of Engineering), B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) or MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) based on his/her outcome of results in the HSC examination. One can choose the Bachelor of Engineering (B.E) course of four year duration. The Bachelor of Engineering can be undertaken in any one of the fields like Biotechnology Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Automobile Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering. Students completing HSC in the science stream are eligible to undertake this course. A common entrance test or CET or centralized All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) determines the candidates for this course.

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery or MBBS is a course of four year duration. After successful completion of the HSC examinations, an individual can choose course like B.E (Bachelor of Engineering), B.Sc (Bachelor of Science) or MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) according to his/her interest and the outcome of the HSC results. MBBS are the two degrees which are awarded after the completion of a course of undergraduate study in surgery and medicine. In this course the students are taught subjects like Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Microbiology, Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, Physiology, Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Gynecology. Once the MBBS degree course is completed, an individual will be called a general physician and will be provided with the prefix of `Dr` before his name. But today, specialization in a certain area has become a pre-requisite. Students completing HSC with science stream are eligible for this course. One of the parameter for admissions into this course is the percentage of marks obtained in PCB combination or Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Admission to this course can only be possible by qualifying the Commom Entrance Test or CET. Some of the well-known colleges in India offering this course are All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, Maulana Azad Medical College, Delhi, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Grant medical College, Mumbai, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, etc.

A Bachelor degree course in Hotel Management is a course which spans of a period of three years. It aims to equip all the trainees with the necessary skills and managerial responsibilities in some of the star category hotels, Ship and Cruise Line catering, Airline Catering, Institutional and Industrial Catering. Different options available in this course are; Front Office operations & Management, Food & Beverage Services & Management, Personality Development, Food Production & Management, Catering Science. An individual after completing this course can pursue a suitable career in Accounts, Food and Beverage Department, Front Office, Housekeeping, Security, Maintenance, etc. Those who have successfully completed their HSC or equivalent examinations from any stream are eligible for this course. Several colleges conduct entrance test of their own for admission into this course. Some of the notable colleges in India offering a Bachelor degree course in Hotel Management are; Institute of Professional Sciences and Management, (College of Hotel Management), Karnataka, Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Mumbai, National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology, Delhi, The Indian Institute of Hotel Management, Aurangabad, etc.

Another career option after HSC in India is a degree course in Fashion Designing. This field has, of late, came out as one of the most sought-after careers amongst students in India. The total duration of this course is three years. Once this course is completed, an individual can go for Garment Manufacturing, Merchandizing, Fashion Communication, Accessory Designing, Fashion Technology, Fashion Designing and Industrial Designing. In order to be eligible for this course a candidate need to have passed the HSC examinations in any stream. A Common Entrance Test is conducted by colleges individually for admission into the Fashion Designing course. Some of the major colleges in India offering this course are National Institute of Fashion Technology, National Institute of Fashion Design, National Institute of Design, etc.

Some of the other undergraduate course which can be taken after HAS are Bachelor of Home Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), etc. Apart from the above mentioned courses, one can choose to do Diploma courses in the fields like; Diploma course in Fine Arts, Diploma course in engineering, Diploma course in Fashion Designing, Diploma in Tourism and Travel Industry Management, Diploma in Tour Management, Diploma in Retailing, Diploma in Paint Application Technology, Diploma in Medical Radiography, Diploma in Computer Application Technology, Diploma in Interior Design, Diploma in Foreign Trade Management, Diploma in Customs Clearance & Freight Forwarding, etc. These diploma courses can be done after successful completion of SSS or HS examinations.