Let us first analyze the meaning of STEM, the acronym STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and refers to all subjects that fall under these four disciplines. Courses such as Aerospace Engineering, Biology, Physics, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics among many others fall under this domain though the full list is far more exhaustive. Speaking of a career path, while some of these subjects can offer a straightforward progression to a particular field, others might lead to revolutionizing the agricultural industry or the energy sector.

Due to the presence of most-revered universities and institutions for STEM courses in the US, a large number of international students, especially Indians, turn to the US to pursue them. Because certain research institutions provide openings for students to work simultaneously with their professors/instructors and implement their classroom learning in the laboratory/workshop, it has become the prime reason for attracting many aspirants. Taking any of the STEM courses from the US will be one the most important decisions of your life given that the US has been at the forefront of scientific and creative innovation for decades now.

And, if you are serious about getting any of the STEM degree, a few reasons below will help consolidate your decision for studying in the US:

1.Global Outlook – All international students studying in the US get a life-transforming experience unlike anywhere else, and it is mainly due to the open-minded culture that persists in the institutions and life in general. This adds to the students’ invaluable learning experience which makes them fit to find unique approaches to solving everyday problems, within community and work places. Moreover, interacting with the local student community is beneficial to both, the international students and the local students, in building a global network. 

2.Thriving Diversity – Despite a large population of international students in the US, Indian students never feel out of place, it is more of a home away from home given a large population of Indian students studying in the US and the ones working and living there. Indian students can find just the right amount of familiarity when it comes to things Indian. Moreover, it’s a country that not just houses Indians but attracts a good amount of student pool from across the globe, making the country as the most diverse and liberal. 

3.Active lifestyle – Undergraduates and post graduates in American universities do not have a dull moment. Given a wide range of activities to choose from, students are required to participate and engage actively in the areas of their interest. Students can get involved in sports, debates, concerts, societies, clubs and even volunteer in organizations to pursue community work. 

4.Easy Access to Silicon Valley – Of the many reasons, the prime one for taking a STEM course from the US is, easy accessibility to Silicon Valley. It is no hidden fact that California aka ‘Silicon Valley’ is the technological hub, and due to this very reason, a big chunk of students are attracted to it, where new innovations are being made every day. Moreover, universities offer uninterrupted access to innovative companies and people building the latest and top-class technology. The students benefit enormously from interactions with these companies and have access to their cutting-edge resources.

And, last but not the least, students with STEM degrees are highly sought after as there is a growing demand for scientific thinkers and solution providers. STEM degrees from the US offer great opportunities for students not just in India and the US alone but, across the globe, as countries are constantly searching for a STEM workforce with a wide range of skills that are becoming increasingly important, not to mention the highest salaries that come from studying its disciplines.

International students who pursue a STEM degree are eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment, which allows them to work in the US for up to 12 months. An added advantage of being a STEM major is that international students can then request to extend their OPT for 24 months.

In the light of the pandemic and rising COVID positive cases in India, the government has decided to cancel class X exams and postponed Class XII Board exams. The fresh dates for class XII exams will be announced on or after June 1, 2021 (after assessment of the situation). While some cheer with delight, others are not so happy about it. Students who were planning to study abroad after finishing their high-school seem to have an additional apprehension on how they would submit their scores in time, especially where conditional offers apply.

Their heightened sense of worry is understandable and justified, as things look a bit uncertain at this time. Since the academic sessions in most of the popular destinations such as the US, UK, Canada, etc., begin in the month of September/October, students are normally expected to submit their documents and complete all formalities by May. But, with the delay in exams, it appears that they would not be able to submit their final year scores in time and it might affect their admittance to the universities applied. Need not worry.

Though the situation is challenging, countries like the US, UK, Canada, etc. have extended relaxations to students for the academic session which is to begin in the month of September/October this year. Also, because foreign students form the major chunk of their classes, universities would not let go of Indian students—since they are an important asset to these universities. Hence, the students are advised not to panic, rather focus their energies on preparing for the exams ahead. 

It has also been observed that the universities, at times, provide conditional offers to students and confirm their admittance only after Board exam results. With the delay in exams, the results are expected to get delayed, which means that students would be able to submit these documents only later. However, there are some universities which might ask you for your first-term and mid-term grades to evaluate your performance and give you an extension based on it before allowing you to submit your final scorecard later. Given the current circumstances and prevalence of the ongoing pandemic, the universities will be flexible in the application procedure this year; they will push forward their decision and admission timelines.

However, some of the universities follow a direct offer system which is not heavily based on grades, with those universities you should not have a problem as they are well aware of the problems students are going through this year. All things considered the impact is not as severe as one would think. In any case, IB and IGCSE students normally take their exams from May-July. While the students studying in IB schools rejoice on the cancellation of the exam this year, for the students of the IGCSE board the admission process remains the same. As far as students of the IB board are concerned, their annual performance would be taken into account. Given the availability of this facility for the students studying in these Boards, students giving CBSE exams can request an extension on submission of XII report card.

Further, it would give some respite to your nerves to know that, according to statistics, roughly about 7.50 lakh Indian students study abroad every year, with 1.90 lakh pursuing their higher education from universities in the US alone. The education sector relies heavily on international students in these countries, and, therefore, they would not want to lose out on incoming students.

In a nutshell, students must not get anxious about the postponed Board exams and, be rest assured that most of the universities and colleges have relaxed requirements and made additional accommodations to suit the needs of the incoming batch in the wake of the pandemic.

There are some students who have a clear-cut vision of the path they would take, but the number of such students is minimal as, most children graduating from schools are not aware of the choices available to them, and what confuses them even more is whether their choices will fetch them the returns and lifestyle they are expecting or not. While it may be puzzling, it’s the most important decision of your life? Because what you decide, based on your inclinations, sets the trajectory of your future. However, before you make that choice it’s imperative to ascertain what will be in demand in the coming years for your choices to give you a good return on your investment. Selecting a career and attaining an education on your field of choice has to be a carefully thought-out plan, with sufficient knowledge of what you are getting into and why.

Before I get into the list of careers that you can opt for, I’d like to suggest that brilliant opportunities lie in areas that have a good mix of employment opportunity, salary and at core should be solving people’s problems. It has been observed that most students study for jobs that are in demand at present. Ironically, given the pace of development, by the time you complete your graduation, there is a volcanic shift in demand and the job that seemed so lucrative in your 1st year may be outdated by the end of your graduation. Thus, instead of studying what’s in demand right now, try and select a career that has future potential.

To make your decision process easier, let me share a list of jobs/professions the demand for which is likely to skyrocket in the next two decades. 

1. Data Scientist/Data Analyst – Since we have all moved to online platforms, digital information about people is going to be the key source of predicting human behavior. It has been estimated that roughly about 2.5 quintillion bytes of data will be produced per day, to keep track of this vast amount of digital information, Data Analyst and Scientists would be needed to make sense of people’s preferences. These people would use a blend of tools, algorithms, machine learning principles to uncover hidden patterns and present complex data in a clear manner for companies to make informed decisions. 

2. Financial Planners – Getting on top of the game of financial planning is every layman’s dream, but not all are capable of investing wisely and that’s where the role of financial planners and advisors comes into play. People are constantly seeking reliable planners who could help them multiply money or invest safely. A financial planner’s prime aim is to create a program to meet long-term financial goals of a company or an individual irrespective of how the economy is doing. A great planner is one who can fetch highest returns when the economy is doing well, and invest funds safely when the economy is not doing so well. 

3. Entrepreneurship – The role of entrepreneurs is best suited for people who are not content at sitting in a cubicle and want to chart their own destiny. This involves risk- taking and being prepared for uncertainties of business. Designing a business idea, launching and running it requires exceptional strategic skills though you may not necessarily need education for it, yet a strong educational background along with experience in college can help forge relationships and build a wide network. Moreover, during your college years, you must gain market knowledge through internships; this increases your probability of success. And if you have some product/service/process to offer, taking a plunge in this direction would be the right decision for you. Though, the life of an entrepreneur is not a bed of roses, it’s full of challenges but, if you are persistent, hardworking, creative and good at networking, there is no stopping you from reaching the pinnacle of success. 

4. Healthcare – The opportunities in this industry are likely to grow exponentially and it has been forecasted by numerous agencies that the success of workers linked to this field is inevitable. Now, first we need to discount the myth that healthcare comprises only doctors and nurses—as conventionally thought. The onslaught of technology is one of the key drivers for creating new positions in this rapidly growing field, meaning, the requirement for other skilled people such as Managers, Administrators, Drug Developers, Researchers etc. would be needed to help the industry adapt to the changes to operate better.  Moreover, forecasting the needs of the patients is too taxing for healthcare providers thus their reliance on technology and people who handle that technology would grow multifold. 

5. Digital Marketing – As traditional modes of marketing are failing, the scope of digital marketing is fast catching up, and providing powerful techniques of marketing to long established industries and even start-ups. Having said that, small businesses are switching from offline marketing strategies to online platforms to appeal to a larger audience. This form of marketing is not only the quickest form to reach the masses but is also the most cost-effective. The coming decade will demand employees with knowledge of Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Social Media Platforms, Web Analytics, Search Engine Algorithm, etc. in fact, so much so that the demand for digital marketing professionals is expected to touch 2 million this year alone.

6. Cyber Security and Blockchain – It is undeniably the fastest growing professions across the globe today. Why? Because cyberattacks are becoming more common than ever. Cybersecurity experts share that cyberattack incidents are happening every 11 seconds and due to financial damages amounting to trillions of dollars through cybercrime, more experts are required to tackle the problem. The rapid increase in cyberattacks comes at a hefty cost so, in order to protect computer systems and networks from intrusions, trained individuals who could bolster technological defences are going to be deployed in huge numbers. As for Blockchain, first we need to understand what exactly it is and then, learn why it’ll grab a good chunk of professionals. To put it simply, it is a transaction ledger that maintains identical copies on each computer within a network. This means that parties may be able to view previous entries and log in new entries. The blocks within the content are protected by complex cryptography, which ensures that previous transactions within the network cannot be either forged or destroyed. This way, a blockchain technology allows a digital currency to maintain a trusted transaction network. With the increase in use of digital wallets, online payments and cryptocurrency, programmers who create applications for blockchain would surge over the years. However, interested candidates would have to master programming languages such as C++, Python, Java before touching the intricacies of blockchain.

7. Robotics, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence – According to Gartner Reports and Google’s director of engineering, robots will replace 30% of human employees by 2025, and by 2030, human thinking will become hybrid, which means it’ll be partially biological and partially supported by artificial intelligence. Robots will be deployed for defence, nuclear and space programs and attain a humongous market cap of $46 billion. Engineers and computer scientists along with companies and universities are devising ways to make robots more perceptive, human-like cognitively and dexterous in functionality. Machine Learning is the arm of Artificial Intelligence where experts develop the system of machines that have a capability to learn and grow by itself without further need of human interference. It enables machines to access data on its own and let them learn to perform the tasks. For instance, when we search for some products on Amazon or eBay, similar or related products are flashed on screen while we are surfing the net. Machine learning identifies consumer behavior and tries to market the right products accordingly. Artificial intelligence enables software to perform tasks the way we would consider. It has become all the more popular because it has simplified the problem-solving process for humans.

8. Banking – The banks of the future will be more flexible and adopt evolving business models to put the needs of the customers at the centre of their strategy, for the success of which, they would embrace emerging technologies like never before. Also, a crucial point to be noted is that banking is the backbone of a nation's economy, and generates a myriad of job opportunities to serve the citizens and their various requirements. Functions such as Investment Banking, Corporate Finance, Project Finance, Credit Analyst, Wealth Management, etc., are only going to increase to bolster the economy and its people. Thus, these are some of the professions to look out for, if you are interested in the banking sector.

9. Content Creation – Due to increased penetration of internet, demand for writers with expertise in different categories is rising and we would all concede that marketing is becoming more education-based, it is not merely selling oriented today, and therefore, more job openings of Copywriters, Technical writers, Business writers, Bloggers, Digital Marketer, SEO or writers for social media, etc. is likely to gain more turf. However, digital marketing is expected to take the maximum share of the pie since it directly impacts the profitability of the organization, so upgrading your skills on SEO, Google Ads, Email marketing content may prove to be the most important learning of your career. In fact, many business houses will need full-time writers for their website, blogs, newsletters, articles, social media posts and issuance of white paper. Any form of content that convinces the audience to purchase an item, avail a service, click on a link, subscribe to a newsletter or leave an impact in the mind of the consumer is going to rule the roost. Hence, if you have a flair for writing, the coming years could be the best ones for you.

10. Business Analysts – Business analysts often referred to as ‘agents of change,’ who walk the tightrope between IT and businesses to improve productivity and efficiency, by cementing all gaps. These professionals guide businesses in improving products, services, processes or software through data analysis. BAs being equipped with relevant skills analyze data to determine requirements and assess processes before providing data-driven recommendations and reports to senior executives and stakeholders. These analysts work with wide sets of data and engage with business leaders to understand how changes can add value and improve efficiency, at the same time, ensuring recommendations that are functionally reasonable and technologically adaptable.  It has also been observed that BAs create new models and are also responsible for budgeting and forecasting, planning and monitoring, pricing and reporting. And if you are good with numbers and are interested in making decisions backed by data, this would be the right field for you.

Unlike Trump’s leadership that had limited the movement of international students, Biden’s administration is far more flexible and international student friendly. As per research, from the day of the inauguration ceremony more and more students from the Indian subcontinent are keen on applying to US universities and colleges. Universities and authorities are expecting a return of Obama-type policies, which were far more welcoming for international students. It has also been predicted that under Biden’s leadership, student visas will be easily approved.

Education consultancies of India are in for some good times ahead as they expect a sharp rise in student application this year, especially after a report stating an impressive 20-30 percent spike in the application of Engineering and MBA courses.

The icing on the cake is Biden’s beliefs that foreign graduates with US degrees and doctoral programs should be given a green card as losing these highly trained youth to foreign economies could prove costly and would be a disservice to America’ economic progress. This may come as a blessing in disguise, especially for students who are aiming to either work in the US after college or hoping to obtain US citizenship later.

Looking at the recent protests and upheavals in the US, it is absolutely refreshing to look at a leader who is all in for diversity. Moreover, Biden’s inaugural speech (and his outlook in general) is a testament of how he would encourage racial and ideological diversity in the land of dreams. It must not be forgotten that Joe Biden worked as Vice President under Barrack Obama’s (didn’t we all admire this guy) administration and played a key role in instituting various policies. Evidently, in his new role as the President of the United States, Biden is proposing and lobbying for signing the American Rescue Plan for 2021, which means a lot of opportunities and leniency for international students. His policies would welcome young talent with open arms, and consequently preserve the critical role of diversity in colleges.

After the failure of Trump’s administration, the United States is finally looking ahead to a new day where new people friendly policies are being instituted and a new chapter beginning. The current administration is overhauling policies that stunt the growth of not only the youth but the country as a whole, and we have already witnessed reversal and revoking of certain policies which only indicates their aim at having a more inclusive community–the youth. The government’s approach is attracting the world’s best students from across the globe to its classrooms. Believe me, there is no better time than this to be studying in the US.

Moreover, the approach to education in the US is more applicable in real life. Be it an undergraduate course or an MBA, the pattern and methodologies of teaching far exceeds a student’s expectation. Here students are expected to look at real problems through case studies and devise ways or seek alternate ways to solve them. The format of classes is also way more different than what Indians have been used to: you will be compelled to participate in rigorous discussions with professors and students unlike the format experienced in Indian school or college, which is more lecture-based. 

To top it all, Biden is also looking into exempting recent graduates of PhD programs in STEM fields in the United States from any cap, as he feels these graduates are poised to make some of the most important contributions to the American economy and hence would not let go of them so easily. So, without a further ado, pick your course and check out the most relevant university for an exceptional educational experience.

Commerce is a very popular field among students these days. Choosing commerce as a stream in Class 12 not only gives the students an option to apply to courses related to this field but also students can apply for courses in the Arts field. Based on their areas of interest, commerce students usually go ahead with the following courses in college:

1. B.Com (Hons)/ B.Com

This is one of the most common undergraduate courses that students generally apply for after completing their high school education in the field of commerce. While B.Com is a general degree program that includes some of the subjects like Accountancy, Economics, Auditing, Finance, Tax, etc; B.Com (Hons) offers specialisation in a particular discipline. Career prospects after completion of both the courses are great and students can choose to go for post graduation like M.Com or MBA, or may apply for a job. 

2. Bachelors of Business Administration (BBA) 

BBA is another popular course that commerce students choose after class 12th. It gives corporate and industrial exposure to students and helps them to develop their corporate and managerial skills. After this 3 year undergraduate program, students can pursue higher degree education like MBA or may directly apply for a corporate job and can even start with a business of their own. 

3. Bachelors of Computer Application (BCA)

BCA is an undergraduate course generally undertaken by students who wish to explore the world of Computer languages. A BCA degree is at par with a BTech/BE degree in Computer Science or Information Technology. A candidate who has cleared 10+2 from any discipline with Maths can apply for this course. This course has promising career prospects in the field of computer and information technology.

4. Bachelors of Business Economics (BBE)

This is yet another option for commerce students after 10+2. Students pursuing BBE get to experience practical knowledge about different economic concepts, policies and analytical methods. This course is apt for those keenly interested in economics and want to gain specialisation about economic framework. 

5. Bachelors of Management Studies (BMS)

Another undergraduate program designed to prepare students in the field of management is BMS. The course is designed to help students gain expertise in managerial and leadership skills. Students get to learn various disciplines such as human resources, management, operational skills, research methodologies, etc. After completing BMS, students get the option to either work in domains of human resources, operations, management, etc or pursue higher education like MBA.

6. Chartered Accountancy (CA)

CA is considered to be one of the toughest and most competitive courses under the commerce field. The course is managed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and includes several papers. It includes subjects like Accounting, Auditing, Financing, Taxing, Business Laws and others. Although difficult, this course offers high career prospects. 

7. Company Secretary (CS)

Another popular professional course is Company Secretary or CS. A lot of students after 12th commerce opt for this course carried out by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. A CS acts as an in-house legal advisor to the company along with being responsible for regulatory compliance of the company. Most students who go ahead with pursuing CS also combine it with LLB for better knowledge and future work opportunities. 

8. Bachelor of Law (LLB)

Earlier only a graduate student could study law but with the coming of 5-year integrated law program, being offered by many institutes, commerce students can study this course right after 10+2.  Law is a very popular choice among students given the number of options it offers to specialise in a particular discipline like Corporate Law, Criminal Law, Environmental Law, Banking Law, Family Law and so on. 

9. Bachelors of Accounting and Finance (BAF)

Similar to B.Com/ B.Com (Hons), BAF is a three-year undergraduate course that offers in-depth knowledge in accounting and financial subjects by different means such as classroom teachings, seminars, projects, practical training, industrial visits, conferences, expert talks, etc.The course helps aspirants to acquire knowledge in the field of accounting, taxation, auditing, risk management, financial accounting, taxation, managerial economics, business law, and business communications.

10. Actuarial Science

This course, although not very popular in India currently, has huge career prospects. Very popular internationally, Actuarial Science basically involves knowledge of Statistics, Mathematics, Investment and Insurance. Actuaries are in huge demand outside India with very high pay-scales. 

Some of the tasks that an actuary is required to do for a company includes risk evaluation, financial modelling, product pricing, etc. 

If you want to explore and select the right Career for you, download our very awesome Career Workbook below:

For most students who opt commerce in class 12th, B.Com is the go-to option for higher education. B.Com or Bachelors of Commerce prepares one for a career in accounting, financial management, banking, information systems and management. The course opens a number of career opportunities for its graduates and these opportunities open up right after the completion of course. 

Graduates can either start working immediately or can apply for higher studies like M.Com or MBA. If they choose the former, there are a number of job profiles that one can choose to work as. Some of them are:

1. Accountant

An accountant is responsible for keeping and interpreting financial records. They ensure the accuracy of financial documents, prepare and maintain financial reports, prepare tax returns and ensure that the taxes are paid on time and their work is spread across various tasks relating to finance and financial records. 

2. Auditor

They are responsible for assessing, evaluating and validating the accuracy of company’s commercial accounts. They evaluate the financial actions of the company and ensure the company's compliance with tax regulations.

3. Consultant

Consultants offer advice and expertise to companies to help them improve their business performance in terms of management, finances, operations, profitability, structure and strategy. They conduct surveys and research to gain understanding of the business, analyse statistics, detect issues and investigate ways to resolve them.

4. Business Analyst

Business analysts look at how a company operates, conduct research, analyse data and suggest methods for the organization to improve their practices and processes. 

5. Tax Consultant

A tax consultant, also known as a tax advisor, uses their expertise to help clients comply with tax regulations and take advantage of deductions, credits and adjustments in order to help them keep more of their money. 

Apart from these very popular career options, B.Com graduates can also work as Finance Officer, Sales Analyst, Stock Broker, Economist among other options. One can also study Business Law after graduation or apply for CA/CS. Commerce is a promising field that keeps coming up with new and interesting work opportunities one can choose from and specialise in. 

Major job areas for B.Com graduates include business consultancies, public accounting firms, industrial houses, policy planning, banks, marketing, investment banking and many more. 

Salary of B.Com graduates vary in each work profile or department. However, the pay-packages of most job profiles are quite well after graduation. Although salaries depend on the nature of the organization as well as the kind of job, a fresher can earn upto Rs 3-5 LPA whereas the annual pay of an experienced aspirant can go beyond 15 lakhs. 

Thus, pursuing B.Com is a good option for those interested in finances and related subjects. It is not only an interesting course but also has a great return on investment. So, if you are someone who is intrigued about economics, finances, marketing, entrepreneurship and other commerce related subjects, B.Com is the right choice for you.