Science: An unending world of opportunities

“We should not teach children the sciences but give them a taste for them.”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Science is a vast field of study and is an entire world in itself comprising diverse branches like Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and Earth Sciences. Physical sciences include chemistry, physics and astronomy; life science mainly comprises botany, zoology, nutrition, medicine and genetics; earth sciences include geology, palaeontology, meteorology, oceanography and ecology. Therefore science has its application in every aspect of everything that surrounds us whether it may be a living or a non living entity.

The intriguing aspect of science is that some hate physics, some adore it; some are scared of biology, some excel in it; some get confused in chemistry, while they top in physics. The roots for the passion or fear of a subject depends on the way the student is exposed to it, the way the subject is taught and the ability of the student to relate with the subject in his/her day-to-day life.

So why study science? The main aim of science is to encourage our curiosity in finding out why things happen in the way they do. There are a lot of fields in science to choose from. Science helps our understanding of the world around us. Everything we know about the universe, from how trees reproduce to what an atom is made up of, is the result of scientific research and experiment. The progress of humans throughout history has largely rested on advances in science. From our knowledge of gravity to cutting-edge medicines, students of science have shaped our modern world. All of these advances can trace their origin back to individuals learning about science as students. That is why it is in the interests of governments, companies and wider society to promote science as a subject in schools; it ensures the next wave of progress in all of the fields that affect our daily lives.

There are many scientific disciplines that fall under the mentioned branches of science which can allow students to become experts in a specific scientific area and then go on to a specialised career. In fact, students with a degree in a scientific area are usually highly prized. Often, a Science degree will enable graduates to go into well-paid jobs, and even choose the country in which they work. If you want to shape the world around you, help make scientific advances that benefit mankind, and prepare for a successful career, a Science degree will be highly valuable.

With the advancement of technology and industries, there has been an exponential growth in the career options available for Science stream students. Not just limited to Engineering or Medical Science courses, one can explore a wide range of degree courses after 12th Science. From immense prospects in research to opportunities in innovation and technology, the Science stream offers a dynamic work environment filled with countless specializations and prospects to explore. After graduating from high school, students can study and choose from a plethora of courses and programmes in different fields of science ranging from healthcare and biotechnology to mathematics and chemistry.

It is true that science is an enormously broad discipline with various subdivisions. Natural sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology), formal sciences (Mathematics, Theoretical Computer Science, Logic), Engineering, Medical Science, and even more advanced fields like data science, robotics, and block chain are all available with a vast number of courses to pursue and choose from for students. Naturally, the spectrum of employment options in science is also quite broad and diverse.

For science students who have completed their 12th grade, there are several employment opportunities. The best aspect of studying science is that students may pursue various occupations such as arts, humanities, or even business. A graduation degree is required to establish a wonderful job. After receiving a bachelor’s degree, you can work in any industry. Candidates might also pursue additional education to broaden their work opportunities. Many colleges and universities in India offer advanced degree programmes in science. There are also career chances in defence for scientific students (PCM stream). After completing the 12th grade, one can apply straight to the Indian Army, Indian Air Force, or Indian Navy via the National Defence Academy (NDA).

Some of the emerging career options in today’s world are Artificial Intelligence, Machine learning, Big Data, Data Analytics, Data Science, Blockchain Technology, Ethical Hacking, Cyber Security, Robotics, Internet of Things, Aviation, Aerospace, Food and Agriculture Science, Environmental Science and Sustainable Development. Therefore, science offers an unending number of career opportunities. It can be anything and everything under the sky or the sky itself.

However, there can be some students who are often annoyed with the subject of science. But it should be remembered that science brings about the work of logic and reasoning and also combines a lot of amusement and entertainment within it. It can be said that it is one of the best choices to choose science as a career. It challenges the current norms and traditions of the world and enables students to have a positive perception of the world with a better understanding.

Neithongunuo Angela Belho

Head of Department (HoD)

Department of Botany

St. Joseph’s College (Autonomous)

Jakhama, Nagaland