Headquartered in Mumbai, ReachIvy is a premium education and careers advisory firm that enables aspiring students to get accepted into top ranked schools globally and reach their career aspirations through personal mentoring and gamut of online learning services.

Summer holidays are the ideal time to relax, play video games, watch cricket,and catch up on your favorite TV shows and sleep! However with the recent board exam announcements,you may have shifted your thoughts to the future and how to plan your career after grade 12. If you are considering studying abroad – that’s a wonderful choice – but it also requires some preparation.Have you taken advantage of all your academic options? Have you streamlined your interests? Have you explored and defined your career objectives? Now’s the time to get set go!It’s easier said than done, right? Don’t worry; here are some guidelines to help you identify your optimal path forward:

Start Early: Study abroad means a great deal of preparation which cannot be done in haste.You must be sure about your decision and gain your parents’consent as early as possible.It’s important because of the n-number of tasks you have to complete to build the optimal profile and submit a compeling application. From research about the colleges, courses, geography to the financial resources, from admission norms to interview requirements,there will be a stream of pertinent activities. The best reason to start early is the long stretch of time that you’ll get to thoroughly familiarise yourself with the steps and have a smooth sail all the way.

Understand your strengths& preferences:

Do you know what area is your forte and which one puts you off? Are your grades indicating an inclination towards a particular stream and is it in alignment with your likes? If you are weak in a subject, your target would be to fill the learning gaps. While your mastery over another would help you understand your niche and design your career in that direction. Your ability to acknowledge your weakness and corresponding initiative to overcome it will not go unnoticed with the universities at the time of admission. Reflect on your likes/dislikes, analyse your learning needs, realise your talent and forge ahead to choose what’s best for you.

Identify your path: Once you have an indication about potential career options, take

proactive steps to learn more about your chosen field and future opportunities.

The ideal way to cast yourself for your dream profession are:

Internships: The benefits of internships are many. You’ll get practical knowledge that will strengthen your concepts, learn from industry experts, have a taste of real work experience. Above all, it will add immense weight age to your resume.

Once you have an indication about potential career options, take proactive steps to learn more about your chosen field and future opportunities

Shadow professionals: What does this mean? For example, if you want to be a big data analyst, besides updating yourself on the trends, follow top professionals of the industry and what they are recommending. Delve deeper into their growth path, what technology they are adopting and their take on the changes with in the industry. You’ll get a thorough insight about the options as well as get loads of motivation.

Summer School: One of the best ways to test the waters as well as orienting oneself towards a certain subject area is a short intensive summer course. Due to the short duration and field specific approach, you’ll get an in-depth knowledge about the subject. It’ll prepare you for your major. Besides, you’ll also experience in a small scale what study abroad entails.

Know your options: Just as in India we have a specific system of education in terms of syllabus, curriculum and exams, similarly at foreign universities the curriculum or examination norms can be completely different from what you are familiar with. It’s necessary that you understand the various kinds of programs, requirements etc. to be able to choose the most suitable course. For instance, US universities allow you to do double major or major-minor in subjects of your choice and explore your academic interests.

To have a clearer view,

Join a summer course in your preferred college

Thoroughly review college websites

Connect with students and alumni of targeted schools

Get a distinct idea about the geography specific requirements while deciding on your course plan. Learn about your academic route to determine your career goal and firmly follow the track.

Select right fit colleges &courses: If you have your heart set on study abroad, you must be harbouring a special liking for a certain institution. In fact, it’s great to aspire to be a part of an esteemed institution. That will act as your motivation all through. However, ask yourself why you want to join this one over any other? Consider the following points to judge what fits you best:

Do I want a flexible curriculum or a prescribed format?

Is the teaching style in sync with my learning style?

Am I comfortable in a large class or do I learn better in a small group?

Will I get opportunities to engage in activities outside of academics?

Will I feel lost in too much diversity on-campus or do I want to opt for a smaller campus?

Is financial aid important?

Does the career placement statistics align with my goals?

This is not an exhaustive list, so jot down your reasons and queries. Based on your findings and objectives take your call. In between, do not forget to counsel your family and friends. Plan early, prepare thoroughly and give it your best shot. Study abroad is a once in a life time experience, so make the most of your educational journey. Best of luck!