Looking beyond DU

With an eight per cent increase in the number of students securing 95 per cent and above in AISSCE, the cutoffs of India's one of the most reputed varsities - Delhi University are destined to shoot up.

The board exam results announced recently, showed how some students scored really well and can easily get into the courses of their choice if they want to. By good score, here, we mean nothing short of 95 per cent, and then also they may not get into the most prestigious colleges to the most sought after courses. A class XII student who secured 93 per cent marks while stressing on anonymity is considering pursuing her second career option, Architecture, because of her low score instead of an Economics Honours.

There are things beyond marks which decide what your future will turn out to be. "Do anything if it connects with you. Always follow your passion," says Atishay, Radio Jockey with Red FM. Just as our fingers are unequal and meant to perform differently, every individual has their own strengths. Some are really good in studies while others excel in extracurricular activities. It's okay if your child wants to make a career in photography, travelling or writing. It's always about what they'll be good at which matters more than their marks. There are still a lot of options for you to explore.

"If you don't feel it, flee from it. Go where you are celebrated, not merely tolerated," said Paul F Davis. So, be in fields where you belong. Why be okay with 'okay', when you can be extraordinary? Here is a list of some unconventional courses you may find interesting:

The world is a complicated place, divisions are abound. Performing arts can function as a unifying force between people. Performing arts majorly include dance, music and theatre. To have a career in these fields you need to be highly dedicated towards these art forms for which you require complete selfless dedication. You need to have an inborn talent; training and guidance can only hone these talents.

"Every person is different in this world. Learn anything about fine arts, you'll expand your horizon and have a greater understanding of this world. People are not going much into these fields due to not being motivated by their parents," says Dr Kiranmayi Bonala, Director, Sanchalana School of Dance. Indian classical dances are in itself of 9 types. Apart from that, there are hip-hop, tap dance, jazz, break, ballet, salsa among others. With such a wide variety of dance forms, there are also a wide number of dancing schools spread across India. Few of them are Bharatiya Vidhya Bhavan, Bangalore, Veve Dance, Mumbai, NalandaNritya Kala Mahavidyalaya, Mumbai, Ballet Repertoire Academy of India, Mumbai etc.

Just like dance, music can be classical, folk, jazz, pop, fusion etc - there are also a variety of opportunities in this field. Besides becoming a performer (vocal or instrumental) or a teacher, one can be a composer/songwriter, music publisher, music journalist, disc jockeys/ video jockeys, music therapist, artist manager/PR and so on in the music industry. Some prominent music schools to look for in the country are the Shankar Mahadevan Academy, Mumbai; K M Music Conservatory, Chennai; Swarnabhoomi Academy of Music, and Chennai; Ajivasan, Mumbai.

Theatre is an art of expression. It is what you do for yourself, for your creativity, for satiating your urge. Theatre is about discovering oneself. It is about releasing the feelings, insights and impulses of the human race. It's about nurturing their talent andbeing able to express your mind. One can choose their suitable career in theatre from options like sound design, stage design, production, scriptwriting, lighting, acting and direction. The various theatre companies that provide formal training are Asmita Theatre Group (Delhi), Ansh: A Theatre Group by Makrand Deshpande (Mumbai), Ranga Shankara (Bangalore) - Theatre Group in Karnataka, Theatre Group by Makrand Deshpande (Mumbai), Lokdharmi (Kochi), Pierrot's Troupe (Delhi). The course fees for such institutes varies from Rs 1000 to 10,000 per month.

"I strongly believe that scoring very high in the boards is not necessary because it's basically a copy-paste mechanism of our education system which rules the board level school education. The real world industry is very different in terms of how it works, in terms of how it takes you as a professional and that is why institutes such as NID, IIT, NIFT has a cut-off eligibility of not more than 60 for getting admission for design courses," says, Rishabh Rhode, a NIFT graduate with a 10 years wonderful experience in this field.

"Designing as a professional career is beautiful. You have a new project every day in hand or a new take on any kind of product you are designing. The beauty is your career won't be unidirectional. After graduating you can still maybe diversify into styling or merchandising. It gives you a very different take on life, completely changes you as a person in a good way. The good institutes in India are NIFT, Pearl Academy, MIT, Pune, Symbiosis, Pune, UID, Gujarat, NID," adds Rishabh Rhode.

While a course in designing in private institutes like Pearl Academy can cost around 5 lakhs, at NIFT it is around 1 lakh per annum.

Various courses in designing are:

• Fashion designing

• Gemology

• Interior designing

• Jewellery designing

• Visual merchandising

• Product designing and much more…

People with a beautiful and strong voice can not only try their hand at singing but also make a difference through interaction. If you have the passion and confidence for communication then radio jockey is a career that would best suit you. A Radio Jockey or an RJ is a person who hosts a talk show on radio. You need to have strong linguistic skills and should be observant and aware of your surroundings. A natural sense of humour, creativity, imagination and a grip on the audience will be an added advantage.

"I love this career. I loved this that's why I am here. There is no particular course for radio jockeying, you need to have a fire within, to continue going on," said, RJ Atishay Radio Mirchi. "Attend college on a regular basis, it helps in personality development. Never miss the opportunity to do an internship, it helps in understanding things in a better light," explained the RJ.

Top Institutes in India for Radio Jockeying include The Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad; Alis Academy of Radio and Television, Bhopal; Media and Film Institute of India, Mumbai; Xavier's Institute of Communication, Mumbai; IRJ Institute of Radio Jockeying, Chandigarh and many more. Some of the available courses for Radio Jockeying include:

• Diploma in Radio Programming and Broadcast Management (DRPM)

• Diploma in Radio Production and Radio Jockeying (DRJ)

• Post Graduation Diploma in Radio and Broadcast Management (PGDRBM)

• Certificate Course in Radio Jockeying (CRJ)

Job opportunities in this field upon completion of these 1-year courses are plenty with thecoming over of private radio channels always on the lookout for fresh talent. RJs can also work as voiceover artists, or give their voices for audio recordings, or anchor live shows and events.

If you love to draw and create, this field is for you. "Animation is a very vast field. It is moving one picture to another," says Rajji Kaur an executive with Ernst and Young

You can study animation, graphics and multimedia courses either as a full-time or part-time student. Several programs are offered like certificates, diplomas, and degrees etc. While admission into full-time courses, ie diplomas and degrees is offered on the basis of entrance exams, admission into part time and short term courses are offered on first come first serve basis. There are many institutes in all major cities and towns of India, both private and government providing training in animation, graphics and multimedia.

Animation artists can use their skills in several different creative or design industries. While many studios produce motion pictures or television cartoons, others produce works to be used in advertising, software, and video games. In addition, animators can further specialise within their industry and may work on one particular feature of an overall project, such as special effects, lighting, or computer graphics modelling.

Institutes offering courses in animation are Arena Multimedia, Maya Academy of Advances Cinematic (MAAC), Zee Institute of Creative Arts, Global School of Animation etc.

Some of the courses offered are:

• Animation Film Design

• Arena International Animation Programme

• DAFM - Program in Animation Filmmaking

• D3D - Professional Program in 3D Animation and many more…

The fees structure varies from Rs. 1,25,000-5,00,000 annually, whereas the monthly courses come at a lower cost.

If you love to travel and have an affinity towards adrenalin rushes, this is the best career option for you. A career in adventure sports is only possible if you have a right mix of team spirit, risk-taking ability, mental toughness and fitness. With an increase in the number of travellers, the opportunities in this field for trained professionals are also increasing. There are two types of adventure sports: fun adventures and extreme adventure. The fun adventures include rock climbing, bike safari, jeep safari, trekking etc. Courses in rock climbing are usually conducted by Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi and Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling.

They usually cost anything between Rs 5000-7000. Trekking experts also need to have a training in first-aid.

Extreme adventures include bungee jumping, river rafting, hot air ballooning, paragliding etc. To be an instructor in bungee jumping you need to do a two months course which is offered by many private institutes like Wanderlust. It costs around Rs 5000-7000. River rafting courses are offered by Uttaranchal government at mere fees of Rs 2500/month. A three-months course makes you eligible to apply for the position of a trainer. To get a license as a pilot for hot air balloons you need to have a 60-hour flying experience. These courses range from Rs 7000-10000, whereas paragliding calls for a two-months course amounting to Rs 7000.

Upon completion of these courses, you may join private adventure sports companies in Kullu, Dharamshala and other places earning a decent salary of around Rs 15,000-20,000. While bungee jumping and hot air ballooning pay as much as Rs 50,000 - 60,000.

While selecting these career options remember that you are choosing the road less travelled by, so you'll have to fight against all odds. You'll have to carve your own niche without many people coming over to rescue you. Just remember to find your true calling, then start running towards it. You'll succeed.