Students who have just managed to get in through the so-called "iron-gate" the School Leaving Certificate examination are now in search of suitable institututes that would help them to shape up their intended career. These days they are running from institution to institution, taking entrance tests and giving interviews, in a determined effort to build their future. In the hot pursuit of the proper institution, the studetns are seeking advice from all possible quarters. Indeed, they need to draw from all possible quarters. Indeed, they need to draw from wisdom and prudence during this cruicial period to take a proper decision. failure to do so today could impede their progress tomorrow. The relatively immaturity of the students, lack of knowledge about the education systems here and abroad and lack of self-confidence pose a big hurdle in making the right decision. That is the reason they are vigorously seeking proper guidance.

Be it choosing the proper stream of study (subject) or identifying the suitable institution, the experience of seniors will be of grear help to these students. Parents, high school teachers and senior relatives all can give them proper suggestions. Education consultancies, too, offer proper counceling on various career opportunities available in the country and abroad.

The myriad colleges mushrooming in the cities have posted flashy advertisement deliberately designed to attract the attention of the tender minds. While they provide information in different options available to students, they are also pushing many into greater perplexity. The credibility of many adverstisement is poor.

The colleges, when visited, turn out to be different from what is shown or stated in the advertisement. "Many institutes I visited were nothing more than a rented building with some furniture," says Pratikshya Shrestha of Patan. "They were not as good as they had been shown in the advertisements."

At this stage of life, students are in dire need of suggestions and counceling about life and career. Obviously it is the responsibility of the parents to show their children the way. However, in an under developed country like ours, most of the parent are so ignorant of the changing that they can hardly help their children in any education related problems. It is therefore more important for the schoold from which students have graduated and their teachers to provide proper guidance.

Most school, however, do not provide councling service while the students are there, much less after they have grduated. They feel their job accomlished once the student have graduated. In most cases, it is the senios' experience that has the most effect on students.

Most of the youngster are confused which subject to study next? It is extremely important to know what one is studying. Rajesh studied science just because his father wanted him to become a doctor. He later dropped his science faculty and joined management. He is right now doing very well and now is studying in Kathmandu college of management (BBA). This can happen to any of us. After SLC we have the following options:
Science
Management
Humanities

If you want to make your career being a Doctor, Engineer, Environment scientist, Pharmacy, Vetenary sciences, microbiology, geologist, zoologist , botanist etc. then Science is the stream you should study.

If you want to be an MBA, if your dream is to develope some entrepreneural skill or if you want to choose among banking / finance/ accounancy / C.A / Human resourse / Operation / Marketing manager then you can choose Management as your main stream.

In nepal people studying humanities are not considered a good student just because of us being orthodox. The reality is that people conducting their studies in humanities are currently positioned in higher post of the government and non government offices. In United states Liberal arts is one of the most prestigious degree where they come under all sort of education ranging from english to economics etc. Mass communication and journalism, literature, music, economics & mathematics are some field of the humanities studies.

A set of questions on similar lines as the ones given below:

1. What is the subject I love most?

2. What sort of question would keep me awake the entire night pondering on it and I wouldn’t care the next morning about the lost sleep?

3. What sort of project would I lose myself in?

4. If I won a lottery and didn’t have to work the rest of my life, what would I rather be doing?

5. If I were marooned on a lonely island which of my activities would I miss the most?

6. Closing my eyes and drifting into the future, what picture of myself comes instinctively to mind?

7. Forget what I am good at, what would I rather be doing?

8. What would I not mind being addicted to and wouldn’t notice the hours flying by when I am at it?

9. If I were forced to pick a job tomorrow, what would I rather be?

10. And finally but most important, would I be good at it? This is the most important aspect. If your answer to this query is a resounding “NO”, I am sorry but you have to start all over again and arrive at your perfect career.

By now you must have a clear idea of what you want to do. You have crossed the all-important line, the best thing to do is prepare a statement of mission. Write down what you have decided to be and the reasons. Find out real solid logical reasons to back it, otherwise your intent might fall flat on your face. Try these:

1. What are my reasons for choosing this?

2. List out five strengths that back this career choice.

3. List out five weaknesses that might hamper this choice.

4. Is the choice suited to my emotional temperament? Don’t make a face. This is important too. If you are an introvert, you can never pull off a career in marketing however much it appeals to you. If you still decide to stick to it, you got to work on your personality and mould it to suit the career you choose. Yes, this can be done too, but you got to KNOW.

5. How long do I need to stay at school and what are the probable areas I need to major in? For example if you decide medicine is your calling, you need to take a lot of advanced classes in biology.

6. What are the job prospects and does the work environment coincide with my idea of a dream job?

7. Do the career prospects match my expectations?

8. What else do I need to do to better equip myself to this career and how do I go about it?

9. Which colleges offer me the courses required and where would I best live to enroll?

10. What do I need to do to get into the college I desire?

And Finally…

Now that you have decided on your career, go grab your dream. Hang out with people who are already out there where you want to be. Get some good hardcore experience during holidays so that you can get an idea of what you are in for. Remember you have to enjoy what you are doing.