12th PASS, Now What? The Reality of Students’ Career Choices

July 15, 2025

For lacs of Indian students, completing Class 12 is supposed to be a moment of celebration. But right after the last exam ends, a bigger question begins to haunt them:

“What now?”

While some students have a clear idea of what they want to do, many find themselves confused, anxious, or simply going with the flow. Choosing a career after 12th is one of the most important decisions in a student’s life—yet the way it’s often made is far from ideal.

Let’s take a look at the real picture.

Most Students Don’t Really “Choose” Their Career

In many cases, students don’t actively choose their careers—they inherit them. A lot of decisions are based on:

  • What their parents want
  • What their friends are doing
  • What society thinks is “respectable”
  • Fear of failure in creative or unconventional paths

So, instead of exploring options, many students simply follow the well-trodden path: Engineering, Medicine, Commerce, or Government Exams—whether they like it or not.

Confusion Is the Norm, Not the Exception

Let’s be honest: most 17- and 18-year-olds are still figuring themselves out. Asking them to decide their future for the next 30–40 years, without proper guidance, is unfair.

Unfortunately, career guidance in most schools is either outdated or absent. Students often rely on half-baked advice, random YouTube videos, or the careers their cousins chose.

The Coaching Factory Model

In cities like Kota, Hyderabad, and Delhi, students are enrolled in coaching institutes right after 10th—or even earlier. Their entire life becomes a cycle of tuitions, mock tests, and pressure.

Yes, some students make it to IITs and medical colleges. But what about the thousands who don’t? Many of them feel like failures, even if they’re incredibly talented in other areas.

The reality? An entrance exam rank doesn’t define a person’s worth—but sadly, it often feels like it does.

Emerging Careers: Still Under the Radar

India’s job market is evolving fast. Today, students can build careers in:

  • Digital marketing
  • Data science and AI
  • Game design
  • Ethical hacking
  • Mental health and therapy
  • Fashion and interior design
  • Content creation
  • Entrepreneurship

But many of these options are still not taken seriously by parents, schools, or even students themselves. There’s a big gap between what's possible and what people believe is practical.

The Role of Parents and Society

In Indian families, career decisions are often a “family project.” While parents genuinely want the best for their children, the pressure to conform to social norms often becomes a barrier.

Statements like “Arts is only for weak students” or “No one earns from photography” still float around, even in 2025.

What students really need is support, not control. They need permission to explore, to fail, and to discover who they are—on their own terms.

What Needs to Change?

  1. Early career awareness in schools
    Students should start learning about real-world careers from Class 9 or 10, not after results are out.
  2. Professional counselling
    Every school must have access to certified career counsellors, not just motivational talks.
  3. Value skills, not just degrees
    The job market rewards people who can do things, not just people who have degrees.
  4. Make space for change
    Switching paths after Class 12 (or even later) should be normalised. It’s never too late to choose differently.

Advice to Parents and Children: Making the Right Study Choices Together

Choosing the right study path after school is one of the biggest decisions in a young person’s life—and often one of the most emotional for parents. It’s a phase where dreams, fears, expectations, and identities collide. With rising competition, social media comparisons, and evolving job markets, the question of “What should I study next?” is no longer simple.

But amid all the confusion, one truth remains: The best decisions are made together—with mutual understanding and respect between parents and children.

Here’s some grounded advice for both sides to help make smarter, healthier, and happier study choices.

For Parents: Let Go of the Fear, Embrace the Future

  1. Don't Project Your Past onto Their Future
    Many parents grew up with limited career options—doctor, engineer, or government job. But the world has changed. New professions like AI ethics, UX design, sports analytics, and content strategy are real, in-demand careers. Trust that your child’s world is not your world—and that’s a good thing.
  2. Support, Don’t Dictate
    Your child needs your experience and wisdom, but not pressure. Instead of saying “Do this because I said so,” say, “Let’s explore your options together.” Open conversations go a long way.
  3. Don’t Treat Marks as Identity
    A 90% student is not always a guaranteed success. A 60% student is not a failure. Today, emotional intelligence, creativity, and soft skills are just as important as grades. Let your child grow at their own pace.
  4. Invest in Exposure, Not Just Education
    Encourage internships, workshops, online courses, or skill-based programs. These build clarity and confidence—more than just mugging up for entrance exams.
  5. Listen Without Judgement
    If your child says, “I want to study music,” don’t panic. Ask questions. Understand the market. Discuss the plan. Dreams deserve to be nurtured with practicality, not killed with fear.

For Students: It’s Your Life, But Be Responsible

  1. Know What You Like—and What You Don’t
    Before making a decision, ask yourself:
    • What subjects excite me?
    • What careers match my interests?
    • What kind of life do I want 10 years from now?

Be honest. Don’t choose a course just because your friend or cousin did.

  1. Research Before You Decide
    Whether it's law, design, medicine, coding, or filmmaking—learn about the scope, challenges, entrance requirements, and lifestyle. Watch YouTube interviews, talk to seniors, attend seminars.
  2. Stay Open to Guidance, Not Control
    Your parents may not “get” your field, but they care about your future. Listen to their perspective. Don’t shut them out—help them understand your passion with facts and maturity.
  3. Be Realistic About Your Strengths
    Passion is great, but also check if you have the skills and mindset for your chosen field. If you love art but hate deadlines, or love medicine but can’t handle stress—pause and reflect.
  4. Your First Choice Isn’t Your Last Chance
    Even if you make a wrong choice now, it’s okay. Many successful people took detours. What matters is learning from the experience and moving forward with clarity.

A Conversation, not a Conflict

A child’s career decision is not a one-sided declaration. Nor is it a parent’s command. It’s a shared journey. Both sides must talk, listen, and adapt.

Parents need to let go of control. Children need to take ownership.

When families function as a team—not a battleground—students thrive, not just survive.

Final Thoughts

“12th done, now what?” should be a question filled with hope and possibility, not fear and confusion.

Let’s create a culture where students are encouraged to ask questions, try new things, and pursue careers that match their personalities, not just their percentage.

Every student deserves a future where they are not just employed, but also fulfilled.

So, if you're a student who has just finished 12th grade and are unsure what to do next, breathe. You're not behind. You're just beginning.

 

 

By Ankith S Kumar
Ankith S Kumar is a counsellor at Abhyuday- Department of Counselling, Welfare, Training & Placement, NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte (DU) Off-Campus Centre, Nitte, Udupi District.
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Comment on this article

  • Rekha, Nitte

    Tue, Jul 15 2025

    This article was insightful

  • Abdullah Gubbi, Mangalore

    Tue, Jul 15 2025

    Well written, very one has to read and understand where we stand

  • Adrian Rebello, Santhekatte, Kallianpur / Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain

    Tue, Jul 15 2025

    Very well articulated Sir.

  • Shanthi, Kundapura

    Tue, Jul 15 2025

    A thoughtfully crafted article, exactly what's needed right now.

  • Anil Danthy, Shirva

    Tue, Jul 15 2025

    Excellent write-up and well-timed for parents to consider how to approach their plus-two studying kids... Good job, Sir.


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Title: 12th PASS, Now What? The Reality of Students’ Career Choices



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