Fortune India
In 2025, students passing out 12th with science have a world of career options beyond the conventional paths. With rising demand in fields like aerospace, nanotech, defence, and food sciences, these careers offer strong job prospects, industry growth, and global relevance, driven by both government and private sector investments. Explore the list ahead.
Students can join the Defence Forces through NDA (after 12th) or CDS (after graduation), or opt for technical roles via exams like AFCAT and INET. For the Merchant Navy, students can pursue B.Sc. Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, or related courses through institutes like IMU or TMI. These fields offer structured, high-paying careers with opportunities in National Security, Global Shipping, Logistics, and Leadership roles at sea.
Pursue a B.Tech or B.Sc. in Aerospace Engineering, Avionics, or Aeronautics from institutes like IITs, IIST, or reputed private aviation academies. With the rise of civil aviation, expanding airline networks, and growing space missions by ISRO and private players like Skyroot, this field offers strong career prospects in ISRO, DRDO, HAL, private airlines, aircraft manufacturing, and space-tech startups.
Students can opt for a B.Tech or B.Sc. in Nanotechnology or related fields like Physics, Chemistry, or Materials Science, followed by M.Tech/M.Sc. specializations. Institutes like IITs, IISERs, NITs, and other private establishments offer strong programs. This field opens up careers in medical tech, electronics, energy, materials R&D, and roles in institutions like DRDO, BARC, CSIR, and private tech firms.
Consider a B.Tech or B.Sc. in Food Technology, Nutrition, or Dietetics through institutes like NIFTEM, CFTRI, or state agricultural universities. This field offers careers in the FMCG and health & wellness sectors, with roles in product development, quality control, and nutrition planning, as well as opportunities in regulatory bodies like FSSAI and startups focused on functional and fortified foods.
Students can pursue a B.Sc. or B.Tech in Agriculture, Environmental Science, or related fields through ICAR institutes, state agricultural universities, or other colleges offering environmental programs. With rising focus on climate change, sustainable farming, precision agriculture, and agri-tech startups, this path opens careers in agri-business, environmental consultancy, research, policy-making, and green-tech innovation.
Science students can also pursue B.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, or Biology with an integrated M.Sc. program and further enroll themselves in research via IITs, IISERs, NISER, ISRO, DRDO and BARC. This path provides career opportunities in academia, government R&D, scientific institutions and more.
Students interested in ocean and marine life can pursue a B.Sc. in Marine Biology or Oceanography, followed by an M.Sc. or integrated program through select institutions like NIO, IISc, or international universities. Career paths mainly lie in government-backed research, marine conservation, and global environmental organizations, though opportunities are limited due to fewer institutions and specialized research openings.