Dear Madam,

I am studying in Class 12 – Commerce. I don’t have much aptitude for CA. To pursue MBA Finance, would it be good to do BBM or B Com? I believe in astrology. Should I go by my stars or should I believe in myself. Also please list good career choices after 12th Commerce, as I don’t have an interest in a particular field.

Shaadi

Dear Shaadi,

There are three questions you want an answer for:
1. To pursue MBA Finance would it be good to do BBM or B Com.
There are a couple of reasons why I would recommend BCom over BBM. BCom is broader and will keep many more options open for you to pursue thereafter. BCom will also give you a better grounding in the basics.
2. You want a list of good career choices after 12th Commerce. Apart from careers related to the Sciences and Technical fields any option is wide open. At the same time, I would be doing you a disservice by giving you a list. How will you choose from that list when you don’t have any particular interest? Would you want to play with your future and life by playing Tic Tac Toe with the list? Please remember that you must match ‘yourself’ to a career not the other way around, that is choose a career and fit yourself into it. An aptitude test with a good career counsellor will be of help to you.
3. You believe in astrology. Should you believe in your stars or in yourself? Honestly, I do not know anything about astrology. However, I wonder why I have been blessed with a brain and the ability to think! I believe, and this is purely my personal opinion that even if you believe in astrology, you are called to think, put in hard work, believe in yourself and do your best in any given situation.

Dear Madam,
I completed my BBM Finance in the year 2007. I worked for sometime but I found that it was very difficult for me to sit in one place all day. At the same time I don’t want to wander all day long. I want to pursue my career in a relatively new field where I get to meet a few people and where there is opportunity for growth. So can you suggest some new opportunities and also any courses, which can improve my career prospects? I am completely confused whether it’s the Real Estate, Retail Management or something else where I fit. Please help me.

Yeshwanth

Dear Yeshwanth,

Work experience always puts things into perspective, the stars are still available but we realise the earth under our feet. This experience has taught you what you want and do not want from your career.
You have in passing, mentioned that you are considering Real Estate and Retail Management. So in addition to meeting people and wanting personal growth, you are also looking for financial prosperity. Now, this gives me a small little picture of you as a person, however, I am sure there is more to you. I have said this before and I am repeating it – spend some time on introspection – to really think of – who am I? Your personality strengths, aptitudes, interests, likes and dislikes and so on. Then match this picture to career options.
In terms of additional courses to improve your career prospects — these can be value additions to your career choice or areas you feel you need to grow in. Industry needs you to have good communication and interpersonal skills, knowledge and skills in the area of work and definitely to be computer literate.
Just considering something new for the sake of it being new is a big risk. Do it because you believe in it and that ‘you’ can do it.
Do approach a Career Counsellor if you are still confused.

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