When I grew up, there were two primary career options after high school - one was to become a doctor and the other an engineer. Even commerce and accounting stood a distant third.  The school curriculum was also structured to push you into one of these categories. One of the perils of this was that an individual with a special skill like painting was forced to relegate that to a hobby and follow the crowd. 
However, now the attitude of both parents and schools have changed and the options are endless for a student. No one is shying away from dreaming big and different. Individual interests and skills have actually started to matter.

Offbeat lucrative career options available for your child:

• Photography

: Anyone with a high end camera can click a few appealing shots these days. However, photography has a lot of technique and science to it and needs a focused diploma or course. You can choose to freelance or work on the payroll of a firm. While, initially, your pay may be less in the field, once you create a name for yourself, your pay can go up significantly higher. There are also different specialisation areas within photography like weddings, underwater, forensic, wildlife, still photos, travel, investigative/journalism based, movies and documentaries, etc. Check out
http://www.photography-schools.com/
http://www.mycity4kids.com/Bangalore/photography-courses-for-children

• Product design

: There is increased demand for good product designers in the market. The range of products that need a good engineering and aesthetic sense can just be anything from mobile phones and other hardware devices to stylish footwear. National Institute of Design is a leading institute in India that offers courses including graphics & animation, ceramic design, textile, furniture and targeted product design. Check out
http://www.nid.edu/
http://www.mycity4kids.com/Bangalore/design-class

Jewelry design is another specialised segment that has scope for someone with an eye for detail. Gemology courses are also required to get a deeper understanding of different gems. If your child has the interest, patience and aptitude for this, you can also sign up for classes at an early age. Check out 
http://www.igiworldwide.com/jewelry_design_course.html
http://www.mycity4kids.com/Mumbai/jewellery-making-classes

• Home decor design

: While this is another area of design, the real-estate boom has provided a good platform for this as a career. People are ready to spend more on home decor and tasteful furniture now than ever. With the need for a good eye on design and good visualisation and imagination, there are also several automation softwares that one needs to learn to become a good interior designer. 
However, salaries can vary between extreme ends and so you need to have the perseverance until making a name for yourself in the field. Other than NID, you can also check out
http://www.lisaa.com/india/
http://pearlacademy.com/

• Event management

: The scope in event management is interestingly varied. From organising birthday parties to being theme based wedding planners who make big bucks, the options are out there. Big corporates are looking for event planners to organise their parties. Someone with natural leadership skills, the meticulousness to put together things and strong communication skills are ideal for an event manager. While, there are focused courses on event management, a general management course also equips with the right exposure and skills. Check out
    http://www.niemindia.com/institute.htm
    http://www.naemd.com/

• Pet groomers

: Pet grooming is a relatively new career with booming potential. This is for natural pet lovers, who love to care for the health and hygiene of pets. The clientele is now extending beyond the rich and celebrity profiles to office going individuals and couples who are looking for an integrated solution of kennel and styling for their pets. Some veterinary knowledge is also a must to pick up on medical ailments. While, there are pet grooming courses available, developing a keenness for pets from an early age certainly helps. Check out
    http://www.fuzzywuzzy.in/groomingschool.htm

• Chef

: Do you have a young MasterChef at home brimming with interest about food and the culinary experience? With the growth of hospitality and the hotel industry and an increasing international population in India, the need for chefs with a discerning knowledge of international cuisines is on the rise. Check out
http://www.mycity4kids.com/Bangalore/cooking-classes

• Sports

: In India, it is questionable whether any sport other than cricket can be lucrative enough. But, if you think your child is a born sportsman with an athletic gene, don’t let anything stop you, just Dream Big. There are several training institutes and you’re certain to find one in your city. For smaller kids, instead of exposing to a specific sport, you can also try a multi-sport program aimed to encourage motor skills development. Even, if your child does not choose this as a profession, he or she will have a great fitness level to boast about. 
http://www.mycity4kids.com/Bangalore/football-academy
http://www.mycity4kids.com/Bangalore/tennis-classes

• Styling and make-up specialist

: With several international products and techniques easily available in the Indian market now, hair styling and make-up industry have really come of age. While styling requires a natural flair, there are a lot of tools and techniques and dos and don’ts when it comes to the profession. There are opportunities for styling celebrities, TV and film artists or you could also work as a consultant with magazines or fashion/cosmetics based firms who demand the expertise. 
    http://www.lorealacademy.com/
    http://www.vikasmarwah.com/academy/courses.html

• Puppetry

: Puppetry has regained its popularity over the past few years. When you think of puppets, you’re probably thinking of birthday parties. But it’s also used in schools as a structured teaching medium. Puppets have been used in social awareness workshops where there is a need to convey information on difficult or sensitive subjects. Integrated with theater, it can become a powerful tool. Check out
    http://www.calcuttapuppettheatre.org/index2.html
    http://www.mu.ac.in/
    http://www.mycity4kids.com/Bangalore/learning-how-to-make-hand-puppets

• Fitness trainers

: A fitness trainer is one with a combined knowledge on fitness, health, nutrition, exercise and holistic living. The changing lifestyle and the increased focus on fitness is seeing a huge demand for fitness trainers who are qualified and trained to work with their clients. Check out
    http://www.reebok-training.com/
    http://www.bfysportsnfitness.com/
    http://www.goldsgymindia.com/

When your child chooses an offbeat path, the journey is not straightforward but it is important to have the self-confidence to Dream Big. However, since passion and profession blend into one, success is more likely and so is the contentment out of it.  

 – By Ramya Vasan

As a parent, you know how important it is for your child to have aspirations and seize the opportunities that come their way. There is a profusion of careers available in a bunch of off-beat sectors and children should be allowed to explore and decide for themselves which career interests them. If your child can excel in any career, how can you possibly know if they have made the right choice? Aviva Kidoscope is here to help your child make good, thoughtful choices about their career. With the aid of several interactive tools and personalized advice, we help your child understand their professional interests and inclinations while leveraging the strengths and weaknesses of their personality.  After all, what is perceived commonly as an off-beat career choice may eventually turn out to be a major area capable of going further beyond human understanding.

 

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