If you’re a science student, you’ve likely wondered about your career path and job prospects. In today’s rapidly advancing technological landscape, there’s been significant growth in career options for Science stream students beyond the conventional paths like engineering or medical sciences.
In this blog, we’ll explore the diverse opportunities available to Science stream students post-12th, ranging from research positions to roles in innovation and technology. We’ll discuss how you can secure a job in various science-related fields.
We will discuss:
- What are the different science streams?
- What are career opportunities in various science streams?
- How to get a job in the science stream?
What are the different Science Streams?
Science streams can be broadly classified into two types: medical and non-medical.
The medical stream is where you must study physics, chemistry, biology (PCB) and other subjects in your school. On the contrary, the non-medical stream is where you must study physics, chemistry, mathematics, and other subjects. If you had electives like economics or sociology in your school, it would create more opportunities to work in interdisciplinary fields of economics and science.
The medical stream is further branched into many other fields. Here are some of them:
- Medicine
- Zoology
- Botany
- Biotechnology
- Forensics
- Agriculture
The non-medical streams are further divided into many other subfields. Here are a few of them:
- Engineering
- Physical Sciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Earth Sciences
- Architecture
- Forensics
- Computer Sciences
What are Career Opportunities in Various Science Streams?
We will now discuss what are career options in the above-mentioned fields.
- You can practice medicine and become a doctor. For that, you need to do an MBBS from a college like AIIMS and BHU. You can opt for a BHMS(Bachelor of Homeopathic Medicine and Surgery) course and start a career in Homeopathy.
- You can join IITs, BITS, NITs, etc, to pursue engineering in various fields (computer, civil, electronic, aerospace, etc). You must do BTech or BE(Bachelor of Engineering) for that. You can do a master’s further, but you can also get a job right after your bachelor’s. Almost every college conducts campus placements where companies hire students directly after graduation.
- You can join research institutes like IISERs or IISc to pursue research in natural sciences. You need to do a BSc or integrated BS and MS. You can get jobs after BSMS, but most students go for a PhD. This opens significant opportunities in academia and industrial research (e.g. ISRO).
Check out this blog to know how practicing medicine differs from biological research.
- There is an increase in job opportunities in space sciences, and vacancies come for a variety of fields, like engineering, scientists, geologists, data analysts and many others.
- If you are interested in building physical structures and love designing and planning, then Architecture is an ideal field for you. You need to have a creative and analytical mind along with a good grasp of mathematics to pursue architecture. You can do Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) or Bachelor of Planning from IITs or NITs.
- You can sit for civil service examinations like UPSC and have a promising career in civil services. In fact, you can sit for any government exam after graduating through the science stream.
- You can have an exciting career in solving crime scenes. You can become a crime scene investigator, forensic expert, fingerprint analyser, etc through forensic sciences. You must do courses like BSc in Forensics, MSc in Cyber Forensics, PG Diploma in Victimology & Victim Assistance, etc. AIIMS, Punjab University, and Amity University are a few universities that provide such courses.
How to Get a Job in Science Stream?
Identify Your Passion-
The first step towards a fulfilling career in science is identifying your passion. Science is a giant domain encompassing various disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, etc. Analyze your interests, strengths, and what truly excites you. Are you drawn to the microscopic world of biology, the complexities of chemistry, or the fundamental laws governing the universe in physics? After that, explore what exact domain of that subject interests you. You can only really function effectively when you are certain of the route you want to go.
Degrees-
Once you’ve pinpointed your area of interest, it’s time to lay the groundwork through education. Pursue a relevant degree program that aligns with your chosen field. Enroll in a good college like IISc, IISERs, IITs, AIIMS, etc., depending on what field you want to delve into. Starting from a bachelor’s, go for a master’s or doctoral degree, as required for the career you chose for yourself.
Look for the institutes with the best research and industrial outcomes and those aligning with your interests. Check this blog out to learn how to choose a dream college for science. Gather information regarding entrance examinations and start preparing for them. JEE, NEET, IAT and NEST are some of the most popular exams for the institutes listed above.
Practical Experience-
Theory lays the foundation, but practical experience sets you apart. Engage in internships, research projects, or laboratory work during your studies. Summer breaks in your college are the best time for internships. Check out this blog to know more about internships. These hands-on experiences enhance your skills and offer valuable insights into real-world applications.
You can also join our internship workshop. The key features of this workshop are:
- drafting CV and cover letter .
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- Mock interviews
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- Paid Internship opportunities and resources
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Check out our official app to know more about it.
Connections-
In the scientific community, networking is invaluable. Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops to meet professionals in your field. Engage in discussions, seek mentorship, and collaborate on projects. Building a network can open doors to opportunities, internships, and even job offers. You can also use LinkedIn, where almost every professional can be approached easily.
Make a Resume-
When it’s time to step into the professional arena, ensure your resume reflects your academic achievements, research experience, and any relevant internships or projects. Tailor your resume and cover letter for each application, highlighting how your skills align with the job or internship requirements. Keep your resume short but cover everything, and don’t forget to update your resume regularly.
It is essential to stay updated with the latest vacancies and opportunities. Organizations like ISRO or BARC release vacancies regularly on their official website. You can also check the LinkedIn profiles of private firms.
Interview-
Nowadays, almost every job is associated with an interview. You can prepare for interviews by researching the organization and understanding its work and objectives. Highlight your problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities, and how your expertise can contribute to their objectives. Read various materials related to interviews and how small details also play an important role in interviews.
Conclusion:
Overall, pursuing a career in science is a thrilling and rewarding journey. It requires dedication, continuous learning, and a genuine interest. After identifying your interests, you must start preparing for your dream career. A career in science requires you to be inquisitive, and thus, you must keep learning new things. Now, if you want to know about options in the science stream other than JEE and NEET, check out this blog.
FAQs:
Ques: How to become a medical doctor?
Ans: The best way to become a doctor is to clear NEET and study MBBS from AIIMS. However, there are many other ways too.
Ques: Can you do engineering through IISERs or IISc?
Ans: Yes. IISER Bhopal provides engineering courses in computer, chemical and electronics, while IISc provides engineering courses in aerospace, civil, mechanical, computation, etc.
Ques: Can I get IISc through NEET?
Ans: Yes, you can get into IISc through NEET. However, you need to have mathematics in class 12th.
Ques: What are the paid internship opportunities?
Ans: Check out this blog to learn about paid internship opportunities.
About us:
SciAstra is a team of scientists and research scholars from the top research institutes around the world like Oxford, Harvard, Cambridge, and so on. Our vision is to promote critical thinking and scientific temperament by helping students in their careers in science.
We offer many free and paid courses where our mentors from the top research institutes like IISER, NISER, IACS, CMI,ISI IISC Bangalore, etc teach students in live classes, with study materials, mock tests, books, and everything needed. We have taught more than 10,000 students already since 2021 and achieved over 1000 selections with AIR 1, 7,10, 12, and 13 in IISc Bengaluru, IISERs, NISER, IACS, and so on. If you are looking to prepare for IAT / NEST 2024, you can check out our courses and get access to live classes, recorded lectures, study material, mock tests, doubt-clearing classes, and much more!
To know more about us, click here OR download the SciAstra App from the Play Store and App Store!
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