Written by Seema Nagar
A grade 12 student can feel like a whirlwind, with constant pressure from teachers to focus on board exams, parents urging you to ace competitive tests, and your own thoughts pulling you in different directions. You might find yourself wondering, "What do I really want? What's next for me?"
This period is a major life transition, and it's natural toworry about making the wrong choices.
Looking back of one of my friend’s journey, she made themistake of following the crowd after high school, without stopping to consider her true interests. This led her down a path that didn’t suit her personality at
all. It was only later that she found her passion in a completely different field—design. If she had someone to guide her back then, she might have saved myself a lot of time and effort. That’s why I’m sharing this advice, hoping it helps you avoid the same pitfalls.
Here are few Pointers to Consider.
1. Your Strengths Don’t Always Define Your Career: Just because you’re good atsomething doesn’t mean it’s the right career for you. For example, I was great at math, so I thought engineering was my path. But I quickly realized I lacked the passion for it. Choose a career that not only aligns with your skills but
also excites and motivates you daily.
2. Be Careful Not to Follow the Crowd: It’s easy to get influenced by what othersare doing or by their opinions. I made the mistake of choosing a popular course because everyone said it had good prospects, only to find out later it wasn’t for me. Make your decision based on your interests, not on what’s trending or what others expect.
3. It’sOkay to Take a Gap Year: Taking a year off to explore your options orimprove your chances for your dream college isn’t a setback. I know people who took a gap year and used it wisely to gain clarity, and now they’re thriving in their chosen fields. Just ensure you use the time productively.
4. Focus on What You Want, Not What You Should Do: Many students fall into the trapof pursuing careers they think they should do because of societal or familial expectations. Instead, focus on what you truly want. For example, I hesitated to pursue a career in music because it wasn’t seen as practical, but in
hindsight, I wish I had followed my passion sooner.
5. Don’t Be Afraid to Change Course: If you find that your initial choice isn’tworking out, don’t feel obligated to stick with it just because you’ve invested time in it. It’s better to redirect your efforts toward something you’re truly passionate about rather than staying in a field that doesn’t fulfill you. Remember, finding the right career is a process ofexploration and growth. Don’t rush it—take the time to find what truly resonates with you. Your career should be a reflection of who you are and what you love, so keep exploring until you find the right fit.
About Seema Nagar
Seema Nagar is a Career Counsellor, IELTS andSAT Trainer with twenty-five years of experience in education and Training. She has helped many students in identifying and pursuing right career aligning with their passion and aptitude.
Seema Nagar has completed Bachelor of Arts (BA)in Economics and English, Master of Arts (MA) in English and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in English from Himachal Pradesh University. Apart from this, she holds a Certification in Global Career Counselling from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Green Belt Certification from Global Career Counselling from University (UCLA Extension) and IELTS Train the Trainer certification from British Council.
She has beenconducting trainings for teachers and students on behalf of ‘Newspaper in Education (NIE) (Times of India Group) and has trained expat executives in English language, conducted seminars and multiple soft skills sessions with various corporate and Schools.
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