Quick Summary
Class 10th is a stepping stone to opportunities for long-term career growth. Therefore, choosing the best career options after 10th is essential for every student.
Upon completing the 10th year of school, students will select academic paths, or vocational paths. Academic streams include Science, Commerce and Humanities, while vocational paths include Industrial Training Institutes (ITI), Polytechnic diplomas or short term certificate courses in fields like IT, fashion or hospitality All of these paths offer various career options to choose from, Science students can lead into careers such as engineering and medicine, Commerce students can lead into chartered accountancy or finance, Humanities students can lead into journalism or design, and vocational students can provide technician roles.
This article will help you choose the best career options after 10th, depending on your aspirations. While you become skeptical about which stream to select among science, commerce, and arts, let us help you decipher what suits you best. Science and commerce are a fusion of theoretical and technical subjects, whereas the arts are more of a theoretical plus creative discipline.
The arts stream comprises knowledge of diverse languages, social issues, history, and world affairs. It is categorized into three types: Fine Arts, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts, offering various career options after 10th for students interested in creativity and humanities.
Fine arts are related to aesthetic beauty, including literature, drawing, sculpture, painting, and pottery. Visual arts are mainly related to film-making, and performing arts include comedy, drama, music, dance, and singing. Students from Arts streams can apply for jobs according to their subjects and skills learned. Some of the popular jobs include teaching, law, journalism and media, social services and tourism
Here is an overview of how to kick start your career growth after 10th in Arts Stream:
Humanities include history, political science, sociology, philosophy, and psychology. You can explore all these and take up a specialization course in one of the subjects you wish to. There are some of the most sought-after and interesting job roles under humanities. These include-
Fine arts are mainly related to visual arts, such as painting, sculpture, architecture, and motifs. If you are passionate about visual and performing arts, a diploma in Fine Arts is one of the best career options after 10th grade. Some of the popular job roles in Fine arts include-
Fine arts students can also tap their feet in the entertainment, advertising, multimedia, and publishing industries.
Fashion design is not just confined to dresses. It also includes shoes, footwear, bags and accessories. You can take up a diploma in fashion design course to get industry-ready. Some of the popular job roles in the fashion industry include-
Career options after 10th include a Diploma in Journalism, an apt course for students interested in mass communication. You discover the art of storytelling and fabricating compelling news stories, making this career rewarding. These courses are 1 to 3 years, depending upon your aspirations. Some of the popular job roles in mass communication include-
The commerce stream is especially designed for business-oriented students. It paves a path for after 10th career options, such as Chartered Accountant, Financial Analyst, Investment Banker, Financial Advisor, and many more. By choosing the commerce stream, you gain information related to Finance, Economics, and Business disciplines.
If you like working with numbers and data analysis interests you, the commerce stream is just for you. Some of the popular courses under the Commerce stream include-
Thus, the commerce stream determines the long-term career path. You can witness positive job prospects if you are a commerce student. Some of the best career options in commerce after 10th and 12th include:
The accountant can earn (sourced from Indeed) an average salary of ₹3,23,462 annually in India. Accountants are usually responsible for managing the finances of the company. You can find various specializations, such as financial, chartered, or tax accountants, under this job.
In India, a banker can earn an average salary of ₹2,76,878 annually. Their primary job is to provide customers with financial services such as investment, insurance, credit, and cash management.
A Company Secretary can earn an average salary of ₹ 3,89,742 annually in India. They are fundamentally responsible for verifying and auditing reports, filing tax returns, managing shareholders’ ownership, and rechecking the company’s balance sheet. Students find this career path lucrative as it has a high growth potential.
An investment banker can earn an average salary of ₹4,91,064 per year. They work with significant investment and asset management companies. They are primarily responsible for creating investment portfolios, anticipating correct market trends, using the right expertise, and maximizing their clients’ profits. It is a highly lucrative job role with a handsome salary package in the long run, making it one of the top career options after 10th for students interested in finance and business.
Science has been the most popular stream ever since the last decade. As per the reports, approximately 42% of students in India opt science stream after the 10th. This is probably because the science stream offers the best IT, medicine, and engineering career options. It also provides research roles. Students also look to the science stream because it is highly flexible.
So, if you want to become a tech-savvy human or numbers seem fascinating to you, the science stream is perfect! You develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills under the science stream. It is an ideal blend of theoretical and practical understanding through its core subjects. The key subjects of science streams include:
The science stream offers students several career options/fields. Following are the best job opportunities included under the science stream:
The two famous engineering courses are B.E. and B.Tech. India has some of the best engineering institutes in the world. The famous IITs, NITs, CFTIs, and IIITs unlock doors for plenty of job specialization for their students. These include mechanical, civil, electrical, software, IT, computer science, and biomedical engineering.
The famous medical courses in India are MBBS, BDS, BHMS (Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery), and BAMA. Some of the world-class renowned Indian medical institutes are AIIMS and JPIMER. Students must qualify for the NEET exam to be admitted to these institutes. Some popular job opportunities in the medical field include physiotherapy, pharmacy, biotechnology, nutrition and dieticianry, and psychology.
Career options after 10th include pharmacy, an excellent choice for science stream students. It revolves around biochemistry’s production, distribution, and importance in medicine. Courses such as a Diploma in Pharmacy Assistant, a Certificate in Pharmaceutical Management, and Veterinary Pharmacy can help you achieve job roles like pharmacy assistant, pharmacy technician, chemotherapy pharmacist, and pharmacist.
A research scientist is a lucrative job option in the research field. To become a researcher, you must take up a science stream and choose subjects accordingly. There are various types of research scientist options out there. Some popular scientific researchers include astronomers, botanists, geologists, and biologists.
In today’s world, women are demonstrating female empowerment. They are breaking barriers and excelling in every field. However, some women still face problems when choosing career paths. Due to personal issues, they want to achieve a work-life balance or look for opportunities to showcase their creativity, emotions, and empathy.
It has been witnessed that girls have greater emotional intelligence and a higher creative edge. Therefore, we have listed many best career options for girls after 10th grade.
Career options after 10th include teaching, which requires good communication, patience, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Girls are often nurtured to care for their homes and children, making teaching a suitable profession that aligns with these skills. Moreover, the working hours allow for a balanced work-life routine, as teachers typically return home by noon. It is a rewarding career for those passionate about educating and nurturing students with their knowledge.
Nursing allows people to impact their lives by helping them overcome illness. Girls tend to have higher emotional intelligence, patience, and empathy than boys, and nursing requires all these skills. Thus, it is one of the best career options for girls. A brownie point—nursing also allows employees to work part-time, enhancing their work-life balance.
This job requires creativity, strategic thinking, good communication, and expertise in digital marketing. It is best for girls as they have a penchant for creativity, and this job role gives them an apt opportunity to showcase their creativity to build impactful marketing campaigns. It can also offer remote work, ensuring their work-life balance.
Reports reveal that almost 50% of students become nervous about math as early as first or second grade. If you, too, have math trauma until 10th grade and are confused about choosing a lucrative career path, fear not!
Many people struggle with math anxiety, but overcoming it can open doors to better opportunities. Experts argue that Americans must overcome their fear of math (Harvard Business Review) to thrive in today’s competitive job market. However, if math still feels overwhelming, you’ll be glad to know that several well-paid careers require very little mathematics in daily tasks. Let’s discuss top career options after 10th without math:
Hotel Management is a good career option for students who don’t want to opt for math after 10th. You can take up commerce without math to become a hotel manager. A hotel manager oversees all services, from planning and organizing to coordinating and managing finances. It is a rewarding career path, with an average salary of ₹3,31,808 (Sourced from Indeed) annually in India.
Journalism is one of the multifarious career choices in commerce without math. Journalists are responsible for acquiring, assessing, and publishing information for the audience. A journalist can work in digital media or print entities. They can also work in broadcasting, such as television or radio. The average salary of a journalist in India is ₹3,19,874 annually.
You don’t need to be brilliant in mathematics to enter law college. All you need is some analytical skills and good communication skills. You can take up a commerce or arts stream to become a lawyer. This also is a lucrative career path in India with good career prospects. The average salary of a Lawyer in India is ₹7,85,000
Diploma courses are short-term, skill-based programs offered by polytechnic colleges and educational institutions. If you’ve studied Maths and Science in Classes 9 and 10, you can appear for an entrance exam and join a diploma program in a polytechnic college in your state. Typically, a diploma course lasts for three years and is open to students after Class 10 or 10+2.
After completing a diploma, you can either enter the job market or take lateral entry admission into the second year of a BTech or BE program. A complete list of government polytechnic colleges is available on the official website of the Department of Higher Education.
Popular Diploma Courses After 10th:
Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are government-run vocational training centers that offer job-oriented courses in technical and non-technical fields. These courses are designed to develop hands-on skills that help students either secure employment or start their own ventures.
Open to students after Class 8, 10, or 10+2, ITI courses usually last one to two years. Many institutes also offer apprenticeships for practical experience.
Popular ITI Courses After 10th:
Engineering Trades:
Non-Engineering Trades:
Certificate courses are short-term programs lasting two to six months and focus on developing one specific skill. These are ideal for students looking to enter the workforce early or start their own businesses. Many certificate programs also prepare students for roles in corporate sectors.
Popular areas include cooking, baking, photography, event management, stock trading, beauty and makeup, and MS Office. Technical certifications like mobile repairing or computer hardware are in high demand by companies.
Popular Certificate Courses After 10th:
These courses offer practical skills and can be a great stepping stone to employment or entrepreneurship after Class 10.
Many students choose to start working after Class 10, and there are several promising job opportunities that don’t require a 10+2 qualification or college degree. Both the government and private sectors offer roles suitable for 10th-pass candidates. You can find openings through newspapers, job portals, or local employment agencies. Below are some of the best career options available after completing Class 10:
Numerous central and state government jobs have Class 10 as the minimum educational qualification. These roles offer job security, regular salaries, and additional benefits like allowances and pensions. While some posts require a written exam or interview, others are based on merit or physical standards.
a. Indian Railways
One of the largest employers in the country, Indian Railways hires lakhs of candidates every year for Group C and D posts. Eligible age: typically 18 to 33 years.
Job roles include:
b. Defence & Paramilitary Forces
The Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces recruit 10th-pass candidates for various entry-level roles. Selection may involve physical and medical fitness tests.
Roles may include:
c. Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
The SSC conducts exams like SSC CHSL for 10th and 12th-pass candidates to fill positions in government departments and ministries.
Common SSC job roles:
d. Other Government Departments
Apart from the above, candidates can also find jobs in public sector undertakings (PSUs), the banking sector, and departments under oil, gas, power, and energy sectors. Many of these jobs accept candidates who have continued their education through distance learning or open schools.
The private sector also offers a wide range of opportunities to 10th-pass candidates, especially those with skills gained through ITI, diploma, or certificate courses. These jobs are available in sectors like manufacturing, retail, hospitality, logistics, IT support, and more.
Advantages:
Popular roles include:
For students who have completed a skill-based diploma or certificate course, starting a small business or freelance career is a great option. Many 10th-pass individuals go on to become self-employed by leveraging their training.
Popular business ideas after 10th:
Many students also begin as assistants or interns to gain real-world experience before setting up their own ventures.
Making the right career choice post-10th grade is a significant aspect of student life. It lets you step ahead toward academic excellence. You must explore varied courses by acknowledging your personal and educational interests. Taking the psychometric and biometric tests can leverage your potential to choose the right career path.
Keep exploring all career options after 10th across science, commerce, and arts streams to make informed decisions. Whether you want to become a teacher or an AI specialist, stay updated about industry trends by seeking career counseling. A good career counselor can help you understand the need for adaptability and acquire multidisciplinary knowledge to evolve with the career industry.
The best career after 10th depends on what you enjoy,
For example, if you love tech and science, choosing the science stream can lead to careers like engineering or medicine.
Tip: Don’t just follow the crowd; pick a path that matches your interests and strengths.
The best future careers match your interests and demand.
For example, AI or data science.
Tip: choose fields that grow with tech and solve real problems.
The shortest courses after 10th are 3–6 month certificates.
For example, a Basic Computer Course or an ITI Electrician.
Tip: choose one that matches your interests and can help you start earning or studying further.
Courses leading to high salaries often include in-demand skills.
For example, Computer Science Engineering or Data Science can lead to high-paying tech jobs.
Tip: pick a course that matches your interest and has strong job market demand.
Yes, you can get a job after 10th, especially in entry-level or skill-based roles.
For example, apprentice jobs, delivery services, or ITI trades.
Tip: Consider doing a short skill course to boost your chances and get better-paying opportunities.
Girls can pursue any career based on their interests,
For example, popular options include science for medicine or engineering, commerce for business or CA, and arts for design, teaching, or law.
Tip: Focus on your strengths, not stereotypes. Every field is open to you.
Authored by, Gagandeep Khokhar
Career Guidance Expert
Gagandeep is a content writer and strategist focused on creating high-performing, SEO-driven content that bridges the gap between learners and institutions. He crafts compelling narratives across blogs, landing pages, and email campaigns to drive engagement and build trust.
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Chegg India does not ask for money to offer any opportunity with the company. We request you to be vigilant before sharing your personal and financial information with any third party. Beware of fraudulent activities claiming affiliation with our company and promising monetary rewards or benefits. Chegg India shall not be responsible for any losses resulting from such activities.
