top of page

Explore Career Paths

Creativity and the Arts

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers work across branding, advertising, UI, publishing, packaging, and more. Your job is to combine typography, imagery, and layout into clear, appealing communication. You need skills like: Visual thinking, composition, software fluency (Adobe Suite), basic marketing

Study Options:

  • India: NID, MIT Institute of Design, Srishti, Pearl Academy

  • Global: Rhode Island School of Design (USA), UAL – Central Saint Martins (UK), Parsons (USA), SCAD (USA)

  • Alternatives: Online certifications (CalArts Coursera, Skillshare), diploma courses

Career Practicality:
Freelancing is common. Entry-level pay can be modest but grows with experience and niche specialization. Remote work is widely available. Requires strong portfolio.

Day in the Life:
Designers usually juggle client briefs, creative brainstorming, revisions, and deadlines. It’s fast-paced and visual,  less about art, more about function.

image.png

Actor/Theater Artist

Actors work across stage plays, films, TV, and web series, bringing characters to life through voice, movement, and emotion. Some expand into directing or scriptwriting. You need skills like:
Voice modulation, stage presence, memorization, improvisation, emotional range

Study Options:
    •   India: National School of Drama (NSD), Drama School             Mumbai, FTII
    •   Global: Juilliard (USA), Tisch School of the Arts (NYU),           RADA (UK), LAMDA (UK)
    •   Alternatives: Community theatre, acting workshops,                  online drama courses

Career Practicality:
Highly competitive. Freelancing is the norm. Success depends on auditions, contacts, and experience. Teaching, voiceovers, and ads can offer side income.

Day in the Life:
Rehearsals, auditions, script analysis, physical training, and performances. Long hours, emotional intensity, and periods of unemployment are common.

image.png

Photographer (Art and Editorial)

Photographers capture visual narratives—across fashion, travel, portraits, or conceptual work. Many freelance, build social portfolios, or work for agencies. You need skills like:
Camera handling, lighting, visual composition, storytelling, editing software (Lightroom/Photoshop)

Study Options:
     •   India: Pearl Academy, Symbiosis School of Photography,             NID
     •   Global: ICP (USA), UAL – LCC (UK), Parsons (USA),            SVA (USA)
     •   Alternatives: Online courses (Domestika, Skillshare),                    apprenticeships

Career Practicality:
Entry-level income may be modest. Income grows with niche expertise (e.g., fashion, wedding, product). Strong portfolios and Instagram matter a lot.

Day in the Life:
Client shoots, post-processing, editing timelines, and managing deliverables. Days can be unpredictable and require adaptability.

image.png

Browse real-world career options across fields like design, medicine, tech, law, and more. Each section includes the skills you'll need, top colleges (in India and abroad), day-in-the-life insights, and how practical each option really is. Since all the careers that exist may be countless to jot down in a couple of pages, you may find that some streams are limited. Don't worry, these options only exist to get you on the right path.

Fine Artist/Illustrator 

Fine artists create original works for galleries, installations, or private collections. Illustrators work for publishing, gaming, or media. You need skills like:
Drawing, painting, digital tools (Procreate/Illustrator), creative thinking, storytelling

Study Options:
      •   India: JJ School of Art, MSU Baroda, Srishti Institute
      •   Global: SAIC (USA), UAL – Camberwell (UK), Pratt                 (USA), RISD (USA)
     •   Alternatives: Diploma courses, mentorship, online                        portfolios (Behance)

Career Practicality:
Freelancing is dominant. Combining studio practice with commissions, exhibitions, or teaching helps financial sustainability.

Day in the Life:
Solo work in studios, experimenting with mediums, meeting gallery deadlines, and submitting portfolios for grants or showcases.

image.png

Dancer/Choreographer

Dancers perform on stage, in music videos, or for film. Choreographers design routines and teach movement. You need skills like:
Discipline, flexibility, musicality, memory, physical stamina, collaboration

Study Options:
    •   India: Terence Lewis Academy, Natya Institute of Kathak & Choreography, The Danceworx
    •   Global: Joffrey Ballet School (USA), Alvin Ailey (USA),             Trinity Laban (UK), Juilliard (USA)
    • Alternatives: Dance conservatories, workshops, online                certifications

Career Practicality:
Physically intense career with limited longevity. Teaching and choreography offer stability. Social media presence helps bookings.

Day in the Life:
Practice sessions, rehearsals, fitness training, gigs, and choreography creation. Days are packed and physically demanding.

Fashion Designer

Fashion designers create clothing collections for brands, boutiques, or custom clients. Some also work in styling or fashion marketing. You need skills like:
Sewing, sketching, trend analysis, fabric knowledge, visual presentation

Study Options:
     • India: NIFT, Pearl Academy, UID, INIFD
     • Global: Parsons (USA), FIT (USA), London College of              Fashion (UK), Istituto Marangoni (Italy)
     • Alternatives: Online fashion courses, internships with                  local designers

Career Practicality:
Highly competitive. Income varies by brand or label. Internships and networking are critical. Many designers freelance or launch independent lines.

Day in the Life:
Sketching designs, sourcing fabrics, attending fittings, managing collections, and keeping up with trends. Often intense around fashion weeks.

image.png
image.png

Music Producer/Musician

Musicians perform, compose, or produce soundtracks, albums, or live shows. Some specialize in vocals, instruments, or genres like classical, indie, or electronic. Producers handle mixing, mastering, and audio design. You need skills like:
Musicality, rhythm, composition, audio software (GarageBand, Ableton, Logic Pro), performance confidence

Study Options:
• India: KM Music Conservatory (Chennai), Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music, Shankar Mahadevan Academy
• Global: Berklee College of Music (USA), Juilliard (USA), Royal College of Music (UK), USC Thornton (USA)
• Alternatives: YouTube learning, online masterclasses (Soundfly, Coursera), mentorships

Career Practicality:
Income can be unstable. Many musicians juggle performing, teaching, and freelancing. Streaming platforms and social media are huge for reach and income. Networking is crucial.

Day in the Life:
Practice sessions, recording or performing, managing gear, collaborating with others, or producing in studios. Schedules vary wildly—some days are packed, others creative and solitary.

image.png

Software Engineer/Developer

Software developers build apps, programs, systems, and digital tools for everything from smartphones to satellites. They write code, test software, and fix bugs across industries like finance, healthcare, and entertainment.

Skills Needed:
Problem-solving, coding (Python, Java, C++), logical thinking, teamwork, version control (Git)

Study Options:

  • India: IIIT-Hyderabad, BITS Pilani, VIT, IITs (through JEE), NIIT University

  • Global: MIT (USA), Stanford (USA), ETH Zurich (Switzerland), University of Waterloo (Canada)

  • Alternatives: CS50 (Harvard online), freeCodeCamp, Google’s Career Certificates

Career Practicality:
Very high demand. Pay is solid even at entry level. Can work in big tech companies, startups, or freelance. Job automation is low for skilled developers.

Day in the Life:
Coding, debugging, attending scrum meetings, collaborating with product teams, and pushing updates. Sometimes hectic, often remote-friendly, always caffeinated.

image.png

Engineering and Tech

Data Scientist

Data scientists turn raw data into actionable insights. They build algorithms, interpret trends, and help companies make decisions—from predicting customer behavior to improving healthcare models.

Skills Needed:
Statistics, Python/R, machine learning, SQL, critical thinking, data visualization

Study Options:

  • India: ISI Kolkata, IITs (Data Science branches), Ashoka University, Great Lakes Institute

  • Global: Carnegie Mellon (USA), University of Toronto (Canada), Imperial College London (UK)

  • Alternatives: IBM Data Science (Coursera), Google Data Analytics, edX/Harvard

Career Practicality:
Booming field. Great pay, especially with experience or domain expertise. Jobs in tech, finance, healthcare, even sports. Remote work is possible.

Day in the Life:
Collecting data, cleaning it, building models, making dashboards, and explaining trends to non-tech folks. 

image.png

UI/UX Designer

They design how apps and websites look and feel. UI is about visual layout; UX is about experience. Their goal? Make technology intuitive and delightful to use.

Skills Needed:
Wireframing, prototyping, Figma, user psychology, design thinking, feedback analysis

Study Options:

  • India: NID, Pearl Academy, Srishti, MIT Institute of Design

  • Global: SCAD (USA), Royal College of Art (UK), Parsons (USA), UAL – London College of Communication

  • Alternatives: Google UX Design (Coursera), Interaction Design Foundation, Designlab

Career Practicality:
In demand across startups, big tech, healthcare, and edtech. Portfolio matters more than degree. Remote work is common.

Day in the Life:
Conducting user research, creating layouts, building clickable prototypes, testing with users, collaborating with devs. 

image.png

Robotics Engineer

They design, build, and test robots or automated systems for industries like manufacturing, healthcare, defense, and space. Think drones, surgical bots, or Mars rovers.

Skills Needed:
Embedded systems, control theory, sensors, Python/C++, mechanical design, electronics

Study Options:

  • India: IIT Kanpur, SRM Institute, VIT, Amrita University

  • Global: MIT (USA), ETH Zurich (Switzerland), Carnegie Mellon (USA), TU Delft (Netherlands)

  • Alternatives: Mechatronics diplomas, Udacity Robotics Nanodegree, Arduino/ROS workshops

Career Practicality:
Growing but niche field. High demand in automation, research, and industrial applications. Pay varies by role and industry.

Day in the Life:
Designing circuits, writing embedded code, testing robots in real environments, tweaking systems until they’re smooth. Involves hardware and software.

image.png

Mechanical Engineer

They design and build machines—everything from car engines to HVAC systems to robotics. Mechanical engineers solve physical-world problems using core engineering principles.

Skills Needed:
Physics, CAD (AutoCAD, SolidWorks), materials science, math, hands-on creativity

Study Options:

  • India: IITs, BITS Pilani, VIT, SRM University, NITs

  • Global: Georgia Tech (USA), TU Munich (Germany), University of Michigan (USA), EPFL (Switzerland)

  • Alternatives: Diploma in Mechatronics, Skill-Lync, SAE India short courses

Career Practicality:
Core branch with stable opportunities. Needed in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and more. Entry-level pay varies but strong growth later.

Day in the Life:
Designing parts, testing prototypes, analyzing mechanical failures, working on the factory floor or lab. Very hands-on and logic-driven.

image.png

Civil Engineer

They plan and supervise infrastructure projects like bridges, roads, buildings, dams, and airports. Civil engineers shape the physical world.

Skills Needed:
Structural analysis, AutoCAD/Revit, geology, materials science, site management

Study Options:

  • India: IIT Roorkee, NIT Trichy, LPU, Jadavpur University

  • Global: University of California–Berkeley (USA), University of Tokyo (Japan), UNSW (Australia)

  • Alternatives: Civil CAD diplomas, Construction Management certification

Career Practicality:
Always needed—especially in developing countries. Government and private sector demand is strong. Entry-level pay is modest but stable.

Day in the Life:
Checking construction sites, reviewing blueprints, meeting with architects, managing deadlines and safety checks. Involves both office and field work.

image.png

Medicine and Health

Doctor (MBBS/MD/etc.) 

They diagnose and treat illnesses, perform surgeries, manage patient care, and often specialize in fields like cardiology, pediatrics, or neurology. The path is long—but doctors are essential to society.

Skills Needed:
Biology & chemistry knowledge, emotional resilience, communication, decision-making under pressure, lifelong learning

Study Options:

  • India: AIIMS, AFMC, CMC Vellore, JIPMER, KMC Manipal

  • Global: Johns Hopkins (USA), Oxford (UK), University of Toronto (Canada), Monash (Australia)

  • Alternatives: MBBS in countries like Georgia, Philippines, Poland (then license exams)

Career Practicality:
Highly respected and in-demand. Long academic path, intense workload, but stable and rewarding career.

Day in the Life:
Patient consultations, rounds, diagnosis, emergency calls, procedures, research, paperwork. Often exhausting but deeply impactful.

Psychologist/Therapist

They help people manage mental health issues, emotional struggles, trauma, and behavioral disorders through therapy and counseling.

Skills Needed:
Empathy, active listening, ethics, research, emotional intelligence, strong theoretical base

Study Options:

  • India: DU (Psych), TISS, Christ University, NIMHANS, Ashoka

  • Global: UCLA (USA), University of Melbourne (Australia), King's College London (UK), McGill (Canada)

  • Alternatives: Online certifications (counseling, CBT), but licensure usually needs a degree

Career Practicality:
Growing awareness has expanded demand. Private practice, hospitals, schools, and even corporate roles. Requires a Master's or PhD for clinical practice.

Day in the Life:
Meeting clients, conducting sessions, writing notes, collaborating with psychiatrists or schools, managing caseloads. Emotional labor is high.

image.png
image.png

Dentist 

They treat dental issues—cavities, gum disease, root canals, braces, cosmetic corrections. Work is clinical and procedural, often in private setups.

Skills Needed:
Precision, hand-eye coordination, hygiene awareness, patient care, biology

Study Options:

  • India: Maulana Azad Dental College, Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Saveetha University

  • Global: NYU College of Dentistry (USA), University of Michigan (USA), King’s College London (UK), University of Otago (NZ)

  • Alternatives: Dental hygiene or assistant courses (shorter duration)

Career Practicality:
Private practice is lucrative. Work-life balance often better than other medical fields. Requires BDS + license.

Day in the Life:
Consulting patients, performing fillings, cleanings, orthodontics, managing appointments. Mostly procedural and clinic-based.

image.png

Veterinarian

They care for animals—domestic or wild. Treat illnesses, perform surgeries, advise pet owners or work with zoos, farms, or wildlife orgs.

Skills Needed:
Zoology, compassion, strong stomach, diagnostic skill, surgical precision, communication

Study Options:

  • India: IVRI, TANUVAS, Bombay Veterinary College, GADVASU

  • Global: Cornell (USA), Royal Veterinary College (UK), Utrecht (Netherlands), University of Sydney

  • Alternatives: Vet assistant courses, animal welfare or zoology degrees

Career Practicality:
Less competitive than MBBS but still demanding. Government jobs, private clinics, and NGOs offer opportunities. Emotional labor is high.

Day in the Life:
Diagnosing pets, performing surgeries, dealing with emergencies, consulting owners. Wide variety—no two days alike.

image.png

Medical Researcher

They study diseases, test new drugs, analyze genetic material, and work on breakthroughs in medicine or biology. Often in labs or academic research.

Skills Needed:
Biotech & molecular biology, statistics, lab skills, critical analysis, patience

Study Options:

  • India: IISc, NCBS, AIIMS (Research wing), IITs (Biotech), JNU Life Sciences

  • Global: Harvard (USA), Cambridge (UK), Max Planck (Germany), Karolinska Institute (Sweden)

  • Alternatives: Online research internships, iGEM teams, biotech diplomas

Career Practicality:
Essential to drug discovery and healthcare advancement. Can be slow-paced. Requires a Master’s or PhD. Careers in pharma, academia, or biotech.

Day in the Life:
Running experiments, analyzing results, writing papers, collaborating with scientists. It’s a long game, but can change lives.

image.png

Public Health Expert

They tackle health issues at a population level-- policy, vaccination programs, outbreak control, sanitation, education. It's about preventing illness in thousands.

Skills Needed:
Epidemiology, statistics, health systems, community engagement, policy-making

Study Options:

  • India: PHFI, IIPH, TISS (Health Studies), AIIMS (Community Medicine)

  • Global: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School (USA), LSHTM (UK), University of Toronto, Harvard SPH

  • Alternatives: MPH online (Coursera), WHO programs, health NGO fellowships

Career Practicality:
Critical after COVID-19. Work with govts, NGOs, UN bodies, or research. Strong job stability. Less clinical, more policy/data-focused.

Day in the Life:
Analyzing health data, creating outreach programs, policy meetings, researching solutions for community-level health risks.

image.png

Law and Politics

Lawyer (Corporate/Criminal) 

They  represent clients in courts, draft legal documents, interpret laws, and advise individuals, businesses, or governments. Specializations include criminal, corporate, environmental, and human rights law.

Skills Needed:
Analytical thinking, public speaking, writing, attention to detail, logical reasoning

Study Options:

  • India: National Law Universities (NLUs), Jindal Global Law School, Symbiosis Law School

  • Global: Harvard Law (USA), Oxford (UK), University of Melbourne (Australia), NUS (Singapore)

  • Alternatives: 3-year LLB after undergrad in any field

Career Practicality:
Demand is steady, especially for corporate and tech law. Initial salaries vary, but top firms and litigation offer strong growth. Requires grit, reading, and sometimes long hours.

Day in the Life:
Meetings, case prep, drafting documents, court hearings, reading statutes. Can be courtroom drama or office paperwork—depends on field.

Political Analyst

They study political systems, election data, policy trends, and advise think tanks, parties, or media. Often research- and writing-heavy, with some field work.

Skills Needed:
Political science, data analysis, communication, research, critical thinking

Study Options:

  • India: Ashoka University, DU (Pol Sci), JNU, NLSIU (Law + Policy)

  • Global: LSE (UK), Sciences Po (France), Georgetown (USA), UBC (Canada)

  • Alternatives: Public policy fellowships, journalism + politics specialization

Career Practicality:
Growing relevance due to elections, activism, and global conflicts. Jobs in research firms, newsrooms, campaigns, or NGOs. Often freelance/contract-based.

Day in the Life:
Reading legislation, writing reports, tracking elections, conducting interviews, appearing on media panels or internal briefings.

image.png
image.png

Civil Servant/IAS Officer

They run the government at local, state, or national levels. From disaster relief to tax collection to law enforcement, IAS, IPS, IFS officers make real-world decisions.

Skills Needed:
General knowledge, leadership, problem-solving, resilience, ethics

Study Options:

  • India: Any degree (UPSC eligibility); popular: DU, JNU, Ashoka, IITs

  • Global: Rare outside India, but MPP/MPA degrees abroad help in international policy roles

  • Alternatives: State PSC exams, Indian Forest Service, RBI Grade B, SSC, etc.

Career Practicality:
Extremely competitive—UPSC is one of the hardest exams. Job security is unmatched. Wide influence, but workload is intense.

Day in the Life:
Field inspections, file approvals, disaster management, public programs, policy implementation. Role varies hugely based on posting.

image.png

Politician/Campaign Strategist 

They run for office, create party agendas, or support candidates through messaging, organizing, and strategy. High stakes, high impact career.

Skills Needed:
Charisma, persuasion, networking, communication, risk-taking, resilience

Study Options:

  • India: DU, Ashoka, TISS, Ambedkar University (Pol Sci, Development, Law)

  • Global: Georgetown (USA), Sciences Po (France), Oxford (UK), UC Berkeley (USA)

  • Alternatives: No degree needed to run, but training in policy, media, and law helps

Career Practicality:
Unpredictable, but fulfilling for those who thrive on leadership and change. Many enter through youth wings, student unions, or activism.

Day in the Life:
Meetings, rallies, media appearances, writing speeches, mobilizing voters. Energy is non-stop. Constant visibility and pressure.

image.png

Diplomat/Foreign Service

They represent your country internationally-- negotiating treaties, assisting citizens abroad, and managing embassies. Work with the Ministry of External Affairs or UN.

Skills Needed:
International relations, languages, negotiation, cultural fluency, discretion

Study Options:

  • India: UPSC (IFS route), or degrees from DU, JNU, Ashoka (IR, Pol Sci, Econ)

  • Global: Tufts Fletcher School (USA), Sciences Po (France), SOAS (UK), LSE

  • Alternatives: Intern with UN, embassies, or NGOs for global exposure

Career Practicality:
Highly prestigious, but extremely competitive. Regular transfers. Opportunities in global organizations post-retirement.

Day in the Life:
Diplomatic meetings, writing cables, crisis response, representing India abroad, engaging with foreign leaders/media.

image.png

Business and Leadership

Entrepreneur/Startup Founder 

They start and run their own business. Could be a product, service, tech platform — anything that solves a real-world problem or fills a gap.

Skills Needed:
Leadership, risk-taking, communication, financial literacy, adaptability, innovation

Study Options:

  • India: Ashoka, NMIMS, IIM Indore IPM, Christ University

  • Global: Babson College (USA), Wharton (UPenn), INSEAD, London Business School

  • Alternatives: Startup accelerators (Y Combinator, Techstars), workshops, real-world experience

Career Practicality:
High risk, high reward. You are your own job security. Most startups fail, but successful ones scale fast. Requires networking, grit, and failure tolerance.

Day in the Life:
Pitching to investors, product development, team management, marketing, customer feedback, strategy calls.

image.png

Business Analyst / Consultant 

They help companies solve problems and improve performance. Use data and research to give insights on what to fix and how.

Skills Needed:
Excel, PowerPoint, analytical thinking, business models, time management

Study Options:

  • India: SRCC, St. Xavier’s, Delhi University, IIM Indore IPM

  • Global: NYU Stern, London School of Economics, Bocconi, NUS

  • Alternatives: Online courses in consulting frameworks, case competitions

Career Practicality:
Corporate stability, fast career growth, high pay. Can move to strategy, product, or entrepreneurship later.

Day in the Life:
Client meetings, data crunching, presentations, Excel dashboards, traveling for projects.

image.png

Investment Banker / Finance Pro

They work with mergers, IPOs, and big financial deals. Analyze markets, manage portfolios, or help companies raise money.

Skills Needed:
Finance knowledge, math, stress tolerance, confidence, Excel, pitch deck making

Study Options:

  • India: BITS Pilani (Eco/Finance), NMIMS, ISBF, DU Eco

  • Global: Wharton, LSE, Oxford, NYU Stern

  • Alternatives: CFA, financial modeling courses, internships

Career Practicality:
Very high pay, but long hours. Work-life balance is complicated. Exit options include VC, private equity, and entrepreneurship.

Day in the Life:
Spreadsheets, charts, calls, and more. 12+ hour workdays, especially during deal seasons.

image.png

Marketing and Brand Manager

They build a brand’s image, plan campaigns, and figure out how to attract and retain customers. It is essentially a mix of creative and business. 

Skills Needed:
Creativity, storytelling, research, consumer psychology, strategy

Study Options:

  • India: MICA, Delhi University, Symbiosis, Christ

  • Global: USC Annenberg, NYU, ESADE, Columbia

  • Alternatives: Digital marketing bootcamps, social media internships

Career Practicality:
The job is definitely in demand, but it is flexible across industries. Great for creative and strategic minds., while also being remote friendly.

Day in the Life:
Campaign planning, brainstorming, competitor research, social media content, performance tracking, networking to collect consumers. 

image.png

HR Manager

They manage people at the workplace,  from hiring and training to employee wellbeing and culture building.

Skills Needed:
Empathy, communication, negotiation, conflict resolution, leadership

Study Options:

  • India: XLRI, TISS, Delhi University, Christ

  • Global: Cornell ILR, LSE, University of Melbourne

  • Alternatives: Short HR certifications (SHRM, Coursera), psychology degrees with HR focus

Career Practicality:
Essential role in every company. Good work-life balance. Growing attention to mental health & inclusion makes it even more important.

Day in the Life:
Interviewing candidates, team-building, handling disputes, reviewing performance metrics, policy writing.

image.png

CEO/CXO Track (After MBA)

They are top executives of companies, who are responsible for high-level decisions, strategy, and leading large teams or organizations.

Skills Needed:
Vision, public speaking, decision-making, big-picture thinking, people leadership

Study Options:

  • India: IIMs (MBA), ISB, XLRI, FMS

  • Global: Harvard Business School, INSEAD, Stanford GSB

  • Alternatives: Work experience → GMAT → MBA

Career Practicality:
It indefinitely takes time, usually 10–15 years of experience and also an MBA. High prestige, responsibility, and pay. It requires consistent career moves.

Day in the Life:
Meetings. Strategy reviews. Crisis management. Press conferences. The career is considered tense but is one of the most powerful positions in business.

image.png

Miscellaneous (Prominent Careers that aren't in the Previous Sections)

Police Officer/Detective

They maintain law and order, investigate crimes, gather evidence, and ensure public safety. Detectives specialize in solving cases through interviews, surveillance, and analysis.

Skills Needed:
Observation, physical fitness, quick thinking, integrity, communication

Study Options:

  • India: UPSC (IPS route), State PSCs, Police Academies

  • Global: Criminal Justice degrees (USA), Police Foundation Courses (UK), RCMP Academy (Canada)

Alternatives: Law degrees can help for investigative roles

Career Practicality:
Stable job with respect, but high stress and risk. Promotions possible through ranks. Detectives often need years of service first. Work-life balance depends on the role.

Day in the Life:
Patrols, paperwork, emergency response, investigations, community interaction. Often unpredictable.

Pilot (Commercial/Airline)

They fly commercial aircraft for passenger or cargo airlines. Also includes takeoff/landing control, pre-flight checks, and in-flight monitoring.

Skills Needed:
Focus, spatial awareness, physics/math, quick decision-making, calm under pressure

Study Options:

  • India: Indira Gandhi Institute of Aviation, Capt. Sahil Khurana Academy, CAE

  • Global: Embry-Riddle (USA), CAE Oxford (UK), FAA-accredited flight schools

Alternatives: Indian Air Force (if you qualify)

Career Practicality:
Extremely high cost of training (₹30–50L+), but good salary after qualifying. Physically and mentally demanding. Needs constant certification updates.

Day in the Life:
Pre-flight checks, communicating with ATC, long-haul or domestic flights, cockpit routines. Highly structured.

Architect 

They design buildings and spaces that are safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. They work on most types of infrastructure, from homes to commercial spaces and public infrastructure.

Skills Needed:
Design thinking, geometry, software (AutoCAD, Rhino, Revit), creativity, attention to detail

Study Options:

  • India: CEPT, SPA Delhi, NATA route colleges

  • Global: MIT, Harvard GSD, Bartlett (UK), ETH Zurich

Alternatives: Interior architecture, urban planning

Career Practicality:
It  is a time-intensive course (5 years). Early pay can be low, but it can grow well with proper experience. Requires licensing (CoA India). Both freelance and firm options in the field  are available 

Day in the Life:
Site visits, client meetings, sketching, CAD work, structural planning, zoning/legal approvals.

NGO/Humanitarian Worker

They work with nonprofits or international organizations to solve real-world problems like education, gender equality, environment, refugee aid, etc.

Skills Needed:
Empathy, management, cross-cultural communication, leadership, resilience

Study Options:

  • India: TISS, Ashoka, Azim Premji University

  • Global: Sciences Po (France), LSE (UK), NYU Wagner, Geneva School of Diplomacy

Alternatives: Volunteer, then field experience, then Master’s

Career Practicality:
Moderate pay (depends on org), but high fulfillment. Can grow into international roles or government policy. Frequent travel, sometimes to conflict areas.

Day in the Life:
Field visits, logistics coordination, fundraising, writing reports, advocacy, team work.

Interior Designer 

They design the interiors of homes, offices, and commercial spaces with a focus on functionality and aesthetics.

Skills Needed:
Space planning, color theory, materials knowledge, CAD, project management

Study Options:

  • India: NID, Pearl Academy, Vogue Institute, CEPT

  • Global: Parsons, SCAD, RMIT, UAL – Chelsea College

Alternatives: Online design diplomas (LinkedIn Learning, Coursera)

Career Practicality:
Similar to architecture work, there are both freelancing or firm-based options available. Similarly, pay improves with portfolio strength and experience. Popular in urban areas. Client-based — needs good communication.

Day in the Life:
Client meetings, mood boards, sourcing decor, working with contractors, supervising installations.

image.png

Chef

They plan, prepare, and plate dishes in restaurants, hotels, or catering companies, specializations in many different areas. Chefs combine art and technique to create memorable culinary experiences.

Skills Needed:
Creativity, precision, time management, multitasking, knife skills, flavor pairing

Study Options:

  • India: IHM (various cities), Culinary Academy of India, Lavonne Academy (for pastry)

  • Global: Le Cordon Bleu (France/UK), CIA (USA), Apicius (Italy), Culinary Arts Academy (Switzerland)

Alternatives: Online diplomas, apprenticeships, food blogging → self-taught route

Career Practicality:
Intense work environment with long hours, but rewarding for food lovers. Pay grows with reputation and experience.

Day in the Life:
Prepping ingredients, managing kitchen staff, timing multiple dishes, taste-testing, creative plating, late-night cleanups. High-energy and hands-on.

image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png
image.png

Teacher/Professor/Educator

Teach students in schools across subjects like English, Math, Science, or Humanities. Build lesson plans, evaluate students, and foster personal growth.

Skills Needed:
Subject knowledge, patience, creativity, discipline, public speaking

Study Options:

  • India: B.Ed., Teach for India, Azim Premji University

  • Global: Bachelor of Education, PGCE (UK), M.Ed. programs

Alternatives: Online teaching platforms, diploma courses

Career Practicality:
In-demand everywhere. Average pay in India; better in international or private schools. Work-life balance is decent. Emotional fulfillment is high.

Day in the Life:
Teaching, grading, planning lessons, handling classroom behavior, parent-teacher meetings.

image.png
bottom of page