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What to do when you don't get what you want

Having spent quite a bit of time daydreaming about a course of your choice, the disappointment at failing to achieve your dreams would leave you feeling lost. Maybe the cutoff was too high, or you were put on the waitlist or your qualifications did not meet the requirements.

What do you do now?

1. Remember it's not the end of the world...

...and there are ways to achieve your goals in spite of all odds.

You might be able to pursue a correspondence course to complete the course of your dreams or do an add-on course while pursuing a course of little interest.

Students can become a trainee/ intern in the area of their choice and get hands-on experience to create an edge before
they are ready to enter the job market.

Careers360, is a complete career magazine

2. Sometimes one needs to spend time before deciding what to do

According to Neetu Sarin, postgraduate teacher at Sardar Patel Vidyala, New Delhi, three years of a bachelor's gives
you a chance to explore, to know what not to do rather than on deciding what to do.

It is through a process of negation that students are able to zero in on their choices, a learning experience that paves the way to making informed choices.

3. Choose a course based on your personality traits as well

Lecturer, HOD at CT Institute of Engineering, Management and Technology, Patiala advises that a student should opt for a course that they are good at and assess their choice seriously in terms of your personal likes and dislikes.

If you are not a people's person and like to work on your own, entering a field that expects you to interact with various people and work as a team may not be the best choice for you.

The more likes you have when you choose a course, the more chances you will have to excel in the course as well as in the subsequent career path.

4. A career is for life, so think it out carefully

The rule of the thumb in terms of zeroing in on a course should be that it holds interest for you, it should have job perspectives in the future and in addition you should also have a bent for the subject.

Try to avoid being stuck in a career line that is not of your choice because of the course you did.

If you do so, you will be headed towards a life of dissatisfaction and unhappiness.

5. Go for the second best and be happy

Assistant Professor Dr Rupali Bhardwaj, Kamla Nehru College shared that students are often left feeling disheartened
when they don't get their first choice.

Instead, you should just opt for the next best thing and not limit your choices in terms of getting admission in a particular
college.

6. Feel no guilt if you change your mind and catch up on time

Make sure that the beginning of your path has been well thought out.

Do your research and only then plunge into a course.

And don't worry if you change your mind at any point of time.

Switching over to a new course or career is not such an uncommon phenomenon.

It's better you start doing something you want than spend your life doing something you don't.

You might miss out on some years of experience but gain in the long run.

If you do what you love for life, you end up having the time of your life and contribute constructively in whatever you do.

7. Explore the less trodden paths

You need to remember that choice of courses is no longer limited to the typical engineering/medical/MBA streams.

Depending on your area of interest, you can opt for courses in fields such as Mass Media, Biotechnology, Consultancy, Environment, Law or Social Sciences.

Dr Bhardwaj believes that the new BA Programme in India offers students a more interdisciplinary approach, is more holistic in nature for the development of an individual and helps develop their knowledge base for the future.

8. Create a bridge for existent gaps

Having a direction in terms of the career path one chooses is equally important.

Many times we find ourselves beginning our career by joining a job that is not directly related to the course we did or in the direction we want to head.

So, think clearly and head in the right direction so that you end up being a winner in creating your own Individual Development Plan for life and do your parents proud.

9. Keep your eyes and ears open for new information

While studying, make sure you keep your options open and keep up by being well informed and in tune with new developments in your field.

Dr Pinky Goswami, Psychological Counsellor, DPS, Agra feels that choices made can make or mar your future life.

Information and awareness can take you a long way throughout life in terms of not only a career and education but also in terms of personal relationships and evolvement as a person.

Be aware of your self in terms of abilities, interests, personality, values, skills and choose a course/ career in accordance with that, be well on the road to success.

10. Think out of the box

In addition, remember that the course that you do will help you head on to the right job only if employers believe the relevance of the course and that it prepares you for the same.

Keep that in mind, make sure the course you opt for gives you a certain edge in the job market though the recent trend has been that both employers and employable individuals have begun to think out of the box and make choices that are
different from the norm.

According to Sarin the recent trend of getting a job for the young generation seems to be a means to an end in terms of doing a course rather than wanting to make a mark or a difference.

So develop your own edge to succeed in life.