Career Options After 12th Science - Eligibility & Expected Salary

For decades, the PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) stream has existed as one of the most sought-after choices among students after class 10. With a wide range of career options available after 12th Science PCM, students can pursue fields that resonate with their interests and ambitions.

However, students are often confused with "what to do after 12th science". While there is a common perception that engineering is the only best career option after 12th science, there are several other rewarding opportunities.

In this article, we explore some of the best career options after class 12th Science, along with their eligibility criteria, entrance requirements and potential salary structure.

Career Options After Class 12th Science

Let us, deep-dive, into the details of career opportunities after 12th science

Engineer

The field of Engineering is one of the most popular and versatile educational paths PCM students can choose. Students now have multiple specialisations to choose from beyond the traditional branches.

Popular Engineering Branches:

• Electrical And Electronics Engineering

• Mechanical and Automobile Engineering

• Civil Engineering

• Chemical and Petroleum Engineering

• Environmental Engineering

• Aerospace Engineering

• CS, IT And Software Engineering

• Biomedical and Biotechnology Engineering

• Mining Engineering

• Power Engineering

• Sound Engineering

• Marine Engineering

• Robotics

• Mechatronics

Eligibility Criteria: Students must pass class 12th in PCM with a minimum of 50% marks.

Entrance Exams:

Every year, a number of entrance exams are held in India to offer admission to undergraduate engineering courses. Although JEE Main is one of the most important entrance exams, there are other university and state-level entrance exams that students can appear for. Some of the most popular engineering entrance exams are given below.

Read More:

• Career options after 12th Science PCB

• Career options after 12th Science PCM

Career Scope:

Engineers can work in industries such as:

• Automotive
  
  

• Aerospace
  
  

• Software Development
  
  

• Energy & Power
  
  

• Telecommunications
  
  

• Infrastructure
  
  

• Cybersecurity
  
  

• Research & Development
  
  

Average Starting Salary: Rs 2.4 Lakhs - 12 Lakhs

Read more: What is Career Counselling

Architect

Architecture is a creative field that opens up plenty of career opportunities for students interested in design, aesthetics, and planning. It is one of the best career options after 12th science.

Specializations in Architecture:

• Residential & Commercial Architecture
  
  

• Urban Planning & Design
  
  

• Interior Architecture
  
  

• Green Building Design
  
  

• Landscape Architecture
  
  

• Industrial Architecture

Eligibility: Class 12th with PCM, minimum 50% marks.

Entrance Exams: NATA, JEE Main (Paper 2), AMU B. Arch, and state-level exams.

Career Scope:

Architects can work with:

• Private Architecture Firms

• Construction Companies

• Urban Planning Departments

• Interior Designing

• Government Infrastructure Projects
  
  

Average Starting Salary: Rs 4.1 Lakhs - 50 Lakhs

Defense Officer

The defense sector offers prestigious yet challenging career options after 12th Science PCM. This is a rewarding career for aspirants after 12th who love discipline, adventure and service for the nation.

Eligibility Criteria & Exams:

• NDA Exam: For Army, Navy, Air Force (Class 12 with PCM for Navy/Air Force; any stream for Army)
  
  

• Technical Entry Scheme: Class 12 PCM with minimum 70% marks
  
  

• CDS Exam: For graduates
  
  

Average Salary: Rs 4.5 Lakhs - 48 Lakhs

Branches:

• Indian Army
  
  

• Indian Navy
  
  

• Indian Air Force
  
  

• Indian Coast Guard

Other career options after 12th science in the defense sector include roles like CRPF, NSG, and backend technical positions under the Ministry of Defense.

Merchant Navy

If you are seeking a career path that offers a chance to travel to places and earn big, then merchant navy is one of the best career options after 12th science. The merchant navy involves international trade by sea and provides great financial benefits.

Eligibility Criteria: Class 12 PCM with a minimum of 50%.

Average Starting Salary: Rs 1 Lakh - 15 Lakhs

Popular Courses:

• B.Sc. Nautical Science

• B.E. Marine Engineering

• B.E. Naval Architecture and Offshore Engineering

• B.E. Petroleum Engineering

• B.E. Mechanical Engineering

• B.E. Civil Engineering

• B.E. Electrical & Electronics Engineering

• Electro-Technical Officer Course

• B.E. Ocean Engineering

Scope:

• Deck Officer
  
  

• Marine Engineer
  
  

• Electro-technical Officer
  
  

• Hospitality Crew

The merchant navy is among the most lucrative career options after 12th Science PCM for adventurous and ambitious students.

Read more: Careers Beyond MBBS For PCB Students

Aviation

If you have always wanted a profession that will allow you to fly higher into the sky, then aviation is the perfect career option for you! It is one of the best career options after 12th science that offers numerous job openings in several sub-sectors, with various advantages. From commercial pilots to traffic controllers, an aviation career is both financially and personally rewarding.

Eligibility Criteria: Class 12 PCM with a minimum of 45%.

Scope and average starting salary:

• Commercial Pilot

• Military Pilot :
  
  

• Ground Crew
  
  

• Air Traffic Controller
  
  

• Aviation Engineer

There are a plethora of career options after 12th science beyond the traditional roles like engineering and medicines. Students can build a fulfilling career in domains such as architecture, defense, merchant navy, or aviation. By identifying your strengths, developing the right skills you can explore the best career options after 12th Science and make informed choices that align with your goals.