Do you worry about the grades you score in your intermediate? The thought of what college or course you will get to choose. Does it bother you? Or do you think about the salary you would probably earn after you complete your education?
Yes. These are certain questions that come to your mind when you are getting closer towards the end of your schooling. Earlier, when kids were asked about what they would like to be when they grow up, the general answer would be a Doctor, Engineer or a Lawyer. But with the changing times and preferences, the youngsters are keen to find non-conventional career prospects and other exciting growth opportunities.
You can break all the stereotypes of the conventional doctor-engineer-MBA paths made by the rigid society. The creative courses are now abundant along with multiplying the scope of career choices in India. Many of the Indian colleges are now offering some unique programs and interesting career options that you can consider after school.
In this article, let’s talk about the top 10 off-beat courses offered across India.
- Carpet Technology
- Food Critic
- Gerontology
- Mountaineering
- Puppetry
- Pet Grooming
- Spa Management
- Tea Tasting
- Wine Tasters / Sommelier
- Tattoo Artist
Given below are the details pertaining these off-beat courses:
Carpet Technology
Know the entire history and art of the Indian carpet industry. It is a highly admired course set up by the Indian Institute of Carpet Technology (IICT). It strives to support the carpet and allied textile industries through the expanding skilled laborers. It will teach you both the theoretical and practical understanding of carpet washing, the process of dyeing, textile fibers and more. The institute even houses a range of regular, distance and short-term courses, which are aimed at promoting and flourishing the carpet and textile industry. This interesting career will help change the prospect of Indian carpet industry.
Apply
Chauri Road, Bhadohi – 221401 Uttar Pradesh
Phone: +91 – 5414 – 225504, 228409
Email: iict@iict.in, ictdmc@rediffmail.com
Food Critic
If you have a flair for writing and a passion for food, you can consider becoming a food critic. It has vast areas to specialize like a food writer, restaurant critic, food columnists, etc. A Food Critic is a writer who explores food or restaurants and then publishes the results of their findings. You will have to visit the food joints, restaurants, cafes, outlets regularly, taste their special dishes and make your opinion known to public by publishing them in paper/magazine, Internet, TV or radio.
Nowadays, the internet is becoming more influential in forming opinions about restaurants so there is a broad scope in this field. But becoming a food critic requires time. It is not only tasting the food that makes a food critic; you should be an expert and have extreme knowledge about every aspect of food. It is not only concerned with writing about food, but also a restaurant’s service, its ambiance and even other factors that can influence the enjoyment of food.
So if you have a good taste bud and the ability to convert these taste experiences to words, try becoming a Food Critic.
Apply
IIHM, Plot No. 44, Next to Vartak Polytechnic, Ganapati Mandir, Shastri Nagar, Vasai Road (West), North West Mumbai, Thane, Pin – 401202.
Tel – +91 – 9823431240, +91 – 8554022555, 0250 – 3291936 / 2347833
Email – info@iihm.co.in, 2007@rediffmail.com
Course: Diploma, Degree and Certification in Food and Beverage Production and many more.
SRM Nagar, Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu, Kattankulathur – 603203.
Tel – +91-44- 27417000, +91-44- 27417499
To check out the various courses in Food Processing Department – Click here!
CSIR − CFTRI, Mysuru (Mysore) – 570 020
Tel: +91-821-2515910
Email: iandp@cftri.res.in
Course: Degree courses in Food Packaging, Food Engineering, etc.
Gerontology
Gerontology, a vast subject, primarily means the study of old age. It is defined as the study of maturing and development through middle age and later life. This profession isn’t just about studying old people rather it’s the study of all the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging.
You can begin your career by volunteering with NGOs or community service agencies to know more about this field and the people working in it. Many private companies, healthcare organizations, old age homes, and nursing homes look for specialists in this field. The starting salary might not be very high but with experience, you can earn a lot more.
Apply
F-4, Hauz Khas, Block F, Police Colony, New Delhi- 110016
Phone: 011 2653 2402
Course : PG diploma in Health and Social gerontology
West Block-1, Wing-7, Gr. Floor, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066
Tel: 91-11-26100058, 26106325
Course : one-year PG diploma course in Geriatric care
Opposite the Deonar Bus Depot, V N Purav Marg, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400088
Phone:022 2552 5000
Course: one-year part-time Diploma in Gerontology
B-83, G.F. & Basement, Gulmohar Park, New Delhi – 110049
Phone : 011-46140405 / 9818854460 / 9958181512
Course: One year Post Graduate Diploma in Gerontological Counselling
Department of Psychology, 3rd Floor, L. Nappo Road, Matunga, Mumbai 400 019
Course: Certificate course in gerontology which is of 4 months duration.
Mountaineering
If you have a serious love for trekking, rock climbing and other similar activities and adventures, enroll yourself for the mountaineering courses. It will equip you with the proper and responsible mountaineering ethics and knowledge. There are two levels of a mountaineering course – basics and advanced and after you complete these two phases, you can go on to become an instructor also.
Apply
Nehru Institute of Mountaineering Uttarkashi – 249193 Uttarakhand
Tel: +911374-222123, 224663, 223580
Email: nimutk2004@gmail.com
Courses: Adventure course, Basic Mountaineering Course, Advanced Mountaineering Course, Search and Rescue Course (the only institute in India providing this course), Methods of Instruction Course, etc.
Jawahar Parbat, Darjeeling-734 101 (West Bengal), India
Tel: 0354 2254087, 91 354 2254083
Courses: Basic Mountaineering Course, Advance Mountaineering Course, Methods of Instruction Course and Special Courses like sports climbing, rock climbing, etc.
IISM, House No 183, Kursoo, Raj Bagh, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190008
Tel: 9419604990, 9419034449, 9419076335
Email: skitigers@gmail.com.
Courses: Water skiing, Parasailing, Paragliding, Mountaineering, Hot Air Ballooning, White Water Rafting, Adventure courses, etc.
Puppetry
Puppetry, which was in jeopardy, is again gaining recognition and appreciation. It is one of the oldest forms of entertainment as well as can be a major medium of education also. Many schools and institutes use puppetry to teach students about various topics. You can perform for stage shows and design for many theaters around the world. You can even write books, design toys, teach children, and direct prominent schools and museums.
Apply –
20, Ballygunge, Kasba Flyover, Kolkata 700019, West Bengal, India
Phone: +91-33-2440 4711
Email: info@calcuttapuppettheatre.org
G. Road Fort, Mumbai- 400032
Tel: 22708700, 26543000, 26543300
Course: Certificate courses in Puppetry
15-A, Sector – 7, Dwarka, New Delhi, Delhi 110075, India
Telephone: (011) 25309300 Extn: 319 and 331
Email: dir.ccrt@nic.in
Pet Grooming
If you can not help falling in love with animals every time you see one, this is just the right course or career decision for you! It will give you a chance to be close to the pets as well as enhance a pet’s health and appearance. From bathing to taking care of them to noticing any health issue, a pet groomer knows it all about the animal. Pet Grooming is in high demand as more and more pet owners seek professional care and maintenance of their pet’s health and well-being.
You can take it as a part-time job or a full-time career depending upon your passion and fondness for the pets that mostly include dogs, cats, and horses. On a higher scale, you can even go for becoming a veterinarian.
Apply
#670 CMH Road, Bangalore – 560038, Karnataka India
Phone: +91 98440 58080, +91 93414 33040, + 91 98863 12691
Email: info@fuzzywuzzy.in
14-A, Aurobindo Place Market, Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016
Phone: +91-93111 28809, +91-93101 28809
Email: info@scoopyscrub.com
Course: Basic Grooming Course in Basic and Advanced levels.
Spa Management
Spa Management is a career that requires proper training and education. It will give you an opportunity to work in various hotels, resorts, and spas. Becoming a therapist or a masseur will give you around Rs. 10,000 as a fresher, which will relatively increase with prior experience. Causing a specific kind of peace for another person is an art that can be learned.
Apply
Road No 7, Opp. Continental Hospital, IT Park Nanakramguda, Gachi Bowli, Hyderabad – 500019
Tel – +91- 8801028444, +91-40-40348888/14
Email – info@anandaspainstitute.com
Click here to check all of its courses.
SP- 36B, RIICO Industrial Area, Delhi-Jaipur Highway, Kukas- 303101, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Tel: +91 99099 53921
Email Id: info@orientspaacademy.com
Course: Certificate and Diploma Courses in SpaTherapies and Management & Operations along with some Shot term Courses.
Casabene Building ,Kunnumpuram, Opp. Western Union, Fort Kochi, Kerala, India
Tel: 0091 9961 712 221, 0091 9961 412 221
Email: info@annabelspa.com
Tea Tasting
Have you ever imagined that traveling, eating or tasting beverages like tea can make you money? The next two careers are somewhat similar to what you’ve never imagined. This profession will require you to be avid tea lovers, which is a quality that is inherent or inculcated and not taught or learned over a period of time.
Working professionally as a Tea Sommelier can give you a high pay if you get the right opportunity. The sommelier not only tastes the tea but also gives their advice, does branding, and has a great knowledge of cultivation and manufacturing. So don’t wait. Pick up a cup of tea and start examining its taste, aroma and color!
Apply
Jnana Bharathi Campus, P.O.Malathalli, Bangalore 560 056
Phone: 91-80-23211716, 23212767
Email: admissions@iipmb.edu.in
178 A Kankulia Road, Kolkata – 700029
Telephone: +91 33 6545 8717, +91 9830044806
E-mail: diprastea@gmail.com / rd@dipras.in
Courses: Tea Management and Tea Tasting.
Wine Tasters / Sommelier
Just like Tea tasters, Wine Sommelier is a person who understands the several types of wine, can identify their aromas and flavors, advise on purchases and pair wines with specific foods. You will also get an opportunity to tie up with various other winemakers and improve the wine they make. Though starting out in this job is not that easy, as in India a lot of people had a stereotype that if someone is associated with alcohol, it automatically makes him/her a drunkard.
But, in the recent times, these stereotypes are on the verge of changing. Once you’re somewhat established, the pay can be good.
Apply
WGSHA, Valley View, Manipal – 576104 Karnataka
Phone: 0820-2571101 Ext: 300
Courses offered: Sommelier Diploma Program (SDP) and Sommelier Certificate Programme-Level I(WFCL1), Level II (WFCL2)
Hosur Road, Bangalore – 560029, Karnataka
Phone: +91 80.4012.9100, +91.80.4012.9012 (IVRS)
30 Co-Operative Colony, Alwarpet, Chennai, Tamilnadu – 600018
Phone: + 91- 44- 4211 1528
Shooting Range Road, Sangam Vihar, Tughlaqabad, New Delhi 110044
Phone: 919650046655
Tattoo Artist
A tattoo artist is someone who makes decorative patterns (tattoos) with needles and chemical ink on their customers’ bodies. They can do it at a shop, studio or even a parlor. You can learn this art during apprenticeship of two-three years with a senior tattoo artist.
If you have a love for art, tattoo artistry is something you will surely enjoy doing once you’re established in the field. The income level in this field is not fixed. It solely depends on your expertise and popularity. You can even earn Rs 500-600 per hour; relatively popular ones can earn Rs 6,000-10,000 per hour while the experts working in studios can even charge up to Rs 40,000-50,000 per month in peak season (summers).
Apply
M-53, Top floor, G.K-1, New Delhi – 110048
Tel: +9111-46792201, +91-9810364801
Email: devilztattooz@gmail.com
14/1, Wood Street, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025
Tel: +91-80-25309090, +91-9742863993
Email: veer@tattoobangalore.com
18 (old No.44), College Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600034
Phone: + 91 44 2826 6660, +91 98840 87177
Email: chn@irezumi.in
There you go! The leading offbeat courses that are gaining popularity in the recent times and the list is ever-increasing. Choose an interesting career for yourself that no one else has probably ever heard of. Know what you’re passionate about! It is important for you to identify what your key strengths are.
So, choose a career that will help you love what you’re doing. Be different! With these new avenues and opportunities on the horizon, India’s youth is expanding the definition of learning. Now is the time that you start doing what you are passionate about. Good luck!
on Many thanks for creating the effort to talk about this, I feel strongly about this and like studying a great deal more on this topic. If possible, as you gain knowledge, would you mind updating your website with a great deal more info? It’s really beneficial for me.
amma 2011 la computer mudechu interveiw la kayta quesku ans sollatha 1ruvan eppa part time teacher? ethuku thunai poonathu unga mla. ethuku neengal ena sayia poorenga?
I’m not really talking about crits. I’m talking about when the CD looks at your book, after it’s been recommended to him by a senior team, or by whoever looks after placements. You’re not there. Maybe the team that recommended you is there, maybe they’re not. Maybe there are six books there.He won’t read the long copy. Maybe he should but he won’t, if there are five other books waiting.
You’ve got it in one. Couldn’t have put it better.
How could any of this be better stated? It couldn’t.
Dew's fan campaign for the latest addition to the Diet Dew lineup is called FanDEWmonium, pitting Diet Mountain Dew Voltage against Diet Mountain Dew Supernova, with the winner becoming a permanent flavor. Both of these