Selecting the right course and college is a very significant decision after 12^th because the right selection will lead to a gratifying career as the wrong one is equal to ending up in studying a subject or a sphere that doesn’t really interest you. Moreover, the choice made after Class 12 will be the one that will decide your future. There is a very little scope for changing your career after joining a graduation course and even if you do it, you will still end up wasting the most important and productive years of your life. 

The contemporary and highly competitive world is giving the students a tough time to choose their career. Today, students are facing with plentiful options as there are several courses all of which look almost equally lucrative and interesting. This wide range of courses accessible today has further complicated the decision-making process for the students. Gone are the days when a career as an engineer, doctor, chartered accountant and in other such core fields was the only good career opportunity. Students today have far more options available than ever before. They are far more open to experimenting with new fields and are building careers as tea tasters, graphic designers, professional photographers, ethical hackers, content writer and many other such fields that were completely unheard of a few years back. 

There are some major factors which influence the selection of our career:

1. Cultural background: The cultural background of an individual plays a massive role in influencing the career. For eg: if the parents are doctors the child may be very much inspired by their way of life or the respect that is being paid in the society. So the child may opt to become a doctor.

2. Bad work experience:  A bad work experience of any family member in a particular field may also influence the teenage in a negative way. It may lead to loss of interest in that particular kind of job.

3. Economic condition: It’s hard to believe that many dreams are killed every day as the economic condition of the family is one of the main reasons. For eg: A hefty amount is required to get admission in an architectural designing college.

4. Potential: Different profession demand different kind of requirements. For eg: If you want to join the film industry and you don’t have the requirements such as height and various physical requirements than perusing a course on acting and dreaming to be actor may be a waste of time and money. Pursuing a career depending on the potential may lead to success.

5. Parents’ dreams: Every parent has dreams and expectation for their child regarding their future. Sometimes children’s are being forced to fulfill their parent’s dream by killing their own dream.

6. Social Value of the Job:  Some people get fascinated towards some jobs because of the respect and social value they carry. For eg: Being an IAS officer carries a lot of admiration in the society.

7. Peer Pressure: Peer also plays a very important role while choosing a career. Some people choose the same career as their friend to maintain the same level of status forgetting their own field of interest.

8. Income: The future income of the job also plays a very important role while choosing a particular career. Some time running behind money kills the field that we are really interested in.

9. Our tastes and interests: Career should be selected depending on our tastes and interest which will help to give 100% to the job.

Now, here are the few tips to choose the right career:

1. Decide your aim and be focused: The very first step to choose a right career is to have a clean and clear objective pertaining to the aim or goal. Having a clear mission helps you to choose the right path.  Till the time you complete 12^th, you will have some basic idea concerning the subject/topic of your interest. So go ahead accordingly.

2. Create a list: Creating a list helps you to identify the likings and disliking. For eg: the subject or the field you like the most. Based on this list note down 10-15 careers that serve your interest to the best.

3. Analyze each one of the selected careers: Once ready with the listing, analyze each and every career into complete detail. While analyzing facts like minimum qualification, benefit, and drawbacks, salary, and growth, opportunities should be kept in mind.

4. Shortlist: Create a list of 4-5 jobs the one most preferred by you. You should be very practical and careful while shortlisting as it is all about your career and future.

5. Field Trip: Having a practical knowledge about the career you are planning to choose will help you a lot to decide whether or not you need to pursue that course. Take a field trip to the workplace as it will be helpful to have a good eye on the minute details. For eg: If you want to be a civil engineer visit a construction site. Similarly, visit hospitals or other fields related to your shortlist. 

6. Shortlist again: Once the field trip is accomplished. Trim down your list again. Now select 1-2 jobs based on your interest and note them down.

7. Job Shadowing: It helps you to know more about a specific field if you spend time with the people who are working in that particular field. For example- if you want to become a doctor, meet a local doctor; get to know more about the profession, its demands. Try to spend some time with him.