As far as job opportunities are concerned, there are good prospects for print, online or broadcast journalism. But how much you earn will depend on what media market you are in, where you work, your specific job and how much experience you have. If you are working with a major newspaper or news channel, most probably you will earn more than smaller papers and channels. Also, the new media, that is, the internet, social media or online publishing is growing at a fast pace. Organisations globally are increasingly exploring user- generated content in the form of blogs, tweets, online forums and databases and a host of other sources. But you must also be aware that journalism is not the best paying job. You will start on a low salary and your growth will entirely depend on how you measure up over the years. It is also a career with high stress, long and often irregular hours, and not much security. But it can be the best job in the world if that is what you like and want to do. It is a career in which you will be constantly reading and learning, picking up new experiences, learning to express yourself and meeting interesting people, even celebrities.

It is advisable to try and get as much experience as possible and study the industry in all formats. Today’s media business is made up of blogs, websites, national, international and regional broadcasters, dailies, weekly newspapers and regional magazines, and even sites that exist only on social media platforms such as Facebook. Employers will assess how well you understand and can use social media. It is also useful to be proficient in multimedia technology used in producing content for and maintaining news websites. Learn to use programmes such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Flash and HTML, and how to retrieve, analyse and build databases.  ---Usha Albuquerque

You can get into a designing course after Class 12, irrespective of the stream. Admission to the design courses is done on the basis of an entrance exam held in June each year, which assesses your creative ability. The exam includes a general proficiency test that covers general knowledge, comprehension and English language exercises as well as a design aptitude test to assess your sense of creativity, colour and perspective and so on. There are many areas of work in design including accessory design, textile design, footwear design, leather design etc. The fashion industry covers a wide spectrum of activities, besides design work. Garments are stitched by people who have trained in garment production, marketed and distributed by those who have training in garment marketing and merchandising and visual communication. You can check out all the courses offered by fashion institutes and select the ones that appeal to you the most. It is advisable to go directly into the career of your choice rather than wait to do so after graduation in an entirely different field. The fees for fashion design courses range from R40,000 to R3 lakh and are certainly nowhere as expensive as the MBBS programme.

Once you complete the course you can work with fashion and design companies in the export or domestic apparel industry as designers, merchandisers, fashion coordinators, or even as entrepreneurs setting up your own design/manufacturing enterprise. Fashion design requires a keen sense of aesthetics, an interest in fashion and clothing, ability to judge trends, and an instinct for what will sell.
 
French language can certainly be an added advantage, as you can work with French couture houses, designers, or clothing companies.  ----Usha Albuquerque

You can probably take up any course you have an interest in and have set your heart on. Think about what you are good at and let that be the starting point for your exploration of different careers where you can use those skills and abilities.

The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) is one of the central services which deal with the country’s external affairs, including diplomacy, trade and cultural relations. It is responsible for the administration and activities of Indian missions abroad, and for the framing and implementation of the government’s foreign policy. Much of the work in the foreign services involves planning, policy formulation and implementation, and in addition, representation and promotion of the country  internationally.

Selection to the IFS is through the civil services exam, as for the IAS, IPS and other central and all-India services. It is conducted by the UPSC through the All India Combined Competitive Examination for the civil services. The number of candidates selected each year for the IFS is around 8-15 and currently there are about 600-700 foreign service officers posted in the various embassies and missions abroad or with the ministry of external affairs in India. Candidates are appointed to a particular country or group of countries. They are expected to learn the language of that country and spend most of the career there, interspersing foreign assignments with postings in India, and working in the ministry of external affairs, the Indian Council of Cultural Affairs or the Passport Office. After selection you would undergo in-depth training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie followed by specialised foreign service training at the Foreign Service Institute in New Delhi. After the training you will get an assignment at the external affairs ministry before your first posting to an Indian diplomatic mission abroad. As with other services, the IFS officers are invested with a lot of power and authority. In addition, all civil servants get a lot of perks and allowances, including housing, conveyance/cars, health care, and educational facilities for their families. ----Usha Albuquerque