Career options after graduation

Work and study together: Outwardly it may appear to be a difficult choice but this is the way for some to create a balance in their financial needs and growth aspirations. You may have to make few compromises when you decide to work and study side by side. However this can also prove to be a game changer in course of time. You may join evening classes (those having evening shift may take up day classes), enrol as a private student or register for a course from an open university.

Indira Gandhi National Open University has created a niche in regard to their line-up of courses, study material and student support services like contact classes etc. Whichever institute/course you choose, it should be well thought out and with a purpose since you will be spending enough of your time and resources into it.

Taking a break from studies to join work later: In many western countries like US, this is considered usual, particularly for those interested in business studies/management. In fact at many institutes, certain work experience is considered necessary before one is admitted to a business management postgraduate course. At few management institutes in India also there is weightage for work experience in the admission process or work experience is a must (example- Indian School of Business at Hyderabad).

After some work experience one may join part time M.B.A. also while continuing working. Few organizations provide study leave to their employees and there are few who sponsor employees for higher studies. In such cases the employee may be required to sign a bond to continue in job for a given period or pay the bond money to the company.

Whatever you decide to do after your graduation should inter alia be based on the following:

Your family circumstances and financial situation.

Your personality and orientation and if need be, how far you're willing to modify it,

The kind of life you want to lead.

Your propensity to come out of comfort zone.

Your short and long term career goals.

Your risk taking ability.

The ultimate objective for your medium and long term future should be to realise your potential so that over a long period of time when you look back you can say with confidence that you made best of your gifts, talents and situations and therefore there is no cause for regrets.