Today, a career in Arts is as meaningful and lucrative as commerce or science.

Ever-growing horizon of Arts

The days when Arts was for those who could not get into science and commerce or those below average in studies are long gone. Today, a career in Arts is as meaningful and lucrative as commerce or science. Pallavi Smart explores the different career options in this study of human behaviour and society in a two-part series. All myths surrounding a degree in Arts - that it is for girls, for non-scholars and leftovers - have busted some time ago, even as the general notion among the public of considering Arts as a non-career stream prevails. This despite the several lucrative career options available for Arts students. To get admission into a good Arts institute nowadays, one needs to score as high as 85% or more in the board exams, bringing Arts on the same level as commerce and science. Stating that Arts is getting credit and responsibility it deserves, management educationist and career counsellor RSS Mani said, “Arts careers are becoming increasingly lucrative, with jobs requiring communication skills and an understanding of human behaviour and society. The maximum career options are in the field of psychology.” Mani is currently vice-president of the ITM Group of Institutes. Formal route Counselling & Psychology: This a one among the most popular career options for students of Arts. A prominent subject in the Bachelor of Arts course, Psychology offers chance for specialisation in some city colleges. A degree in the subject followed by a Masters in the same can help one get jobs dealing with human behaviour, primarily in areas like human resources, employee welfare departments of organisations and companies, counselling, research activities covering human behaviour etc. In Mumbai, Xavier’s College, Ruparel College, Wilson College, Sathaye College offer Psychology as a major at the BA level. Sociology With development topping the national agenda, this subject dealing with the science of society offers opportunities galore. Administrative services, community development and social services, corporate social responsibility (CSR) services, health, family and child development services, gerontology, media and journalism, research-oriented jobs to name a few sectors where one can expect to build his/her career after studying sociology. A BA degree with Sociology major coupled with a Masters in any sociology-related specialised sectors can fetch one a job in both government as well as corporate, private sectors. Several city colleges offer BA with Sociology as a major. Unconventional options Criminology A Sociology graduate can serve to chart a career in this out-of-the-box field as the science of society also teaches one the different correctional steps for the negative and deviant elements therein. While Sociology graduates are preferred in areas such as social service agencies, rehabilitations centres and other correctional institutes such as handling domestic violence cases, woman’s right, child-support etc., other sectors like prisoner’s rights, human rights, criminal justice etc. require trained sociologists. A sociology major can be appointed for profiles dealing with criminals and the crime element in the society which include profiles like prison welfare officer, probation officer, parole officer, rehabilitation officer, district drug prohibition officer, substance abuse counsellor and criminal justice worker among others. Specialised Counselling & Psychology While Psychology teaches human behaviour, several specialised areas under this topic help one make unconventional career in this field. In the era of specialisation, several sectors are narrowed down to specific areas which then require particularly trained professionals. Areas such as education or career counselling, criminal psychology, sports counselling etc. are the unconventional career option in the field of counselling and psychology.