NEET is the dream of a successful medical career for an estimated lakhs of Indian students every year. However, after results are announced and the excitement from the exam is over, many students don’t know what to do with their lives.

They may be confused about their counseling status, unsure as to which course they want to take, or stressed about not realizing the many possibilities available to them after NEET.

The time after you take NEET is very significant. The decisions you make during this time can determine your career path for the next few years. While many students think that all they should do is to pursue an MBBS degree, the truth is that there are many different types of courses and careers that are available to students today in the expanding health care industry.

Health care services in India are rapidly expanding due to increased awareness of health care, new technologies being developed, improvement in building hospitals, and an increased demand for health care professionals. Due to the continued growth, students today can choose from numerous career options in health-related fields, including medicine and medicine-related fields, diagnostic and therapeutic fields, research, pharmacy, biotechnology and patient care services.

Understanding the NEET Counseling Process

The admission process for medical colleges begins once the NEET results have been published. The counseling round is the most important part of this process because it determines which colleges and courses the students will get into, based on their individual preferences as well as their NEET scores.

There are multiple organizations responsible for conducting admissions at all levels (i.e., state and national), which can lead to confusion among the students about the following issues:

• How to fill in choices
• How seats are allotted
• How state quotas work
• How all-India quotas work
• Mop-up rounds

Many students end up missing out on great opportunities just because they didn’t understand the process of counseling correctly due to a lack of guidance.

The NEET Counseling process is usually dependent on the following criteria:

• NEET scores/ranks
• Reservation categories
• Domicile status
• College choices
•  Seat availability

A student who is informed about his/her options throughout the counseling process will usually make a better decision than a student who becomes frantic once they receive their results.

Counseling is much more than receiving admission into one particular course; it is also about selecting a college/course that will help you achieve your long-term goals. Therefore, it is incredibly important to conduct thorough research before going to counseling to help set yourself up for success when pursuing a medical career.

MBBS: The Most Popular Medical Career Path

After taking the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, an MBBS Degree is considered to be the top choice among aspiring physicians and healthcare practitioners. This program prepares medical students for a career in the field and provides ample opportunities for practice in Hospitals, Health related facilities, direct or indirect involvement in the healthcare delivery process and have numerous opportunities for providing specialized medical services.

Students working toward completing their MBBS will be exposed to a variety of Clinical and Practical learning experiences that include:

• Clinical Exposure
• Internships in Hospital Settings;
• Learning about Caring for Patients;
• Physical Exam and Diagnosis

Once a student has completed the MBBS Degree they can further specialize in a variety of specific areas, including, but not limited to: 

• Cardiology
• Pediatrics
• Dermatology
• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Surgery

While there continues to be a tremendous amount of competition to obtain an MBBS Seat in India, students need to recognize that being successful in a Healthcare Career doesn’t always require one to have an MBBS Degree and that there are numerous additional careers that exist in the healthcare field that provide equal, or better, than average opportunities for professional advancement, financial success, and job satisfaction.

BDS and Careers in Dentistry

The BDS Degree also gives students another great opportunity after completing the NEET(7) test, and as people become increasingly aware of Dental treatments, Cosmetic Dentistry and Oral Health Care, Dentistry has grown in popularity(7)

Some careers can continue to be developed when the students have achieved a graduation in Dentistry:

• Dental Clinic
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Orthopedics
• Oral Health Care Facilities
• Hospital Dentistry(8)

Some advanced fields of dentistry have developed in today’s Health Care System, including:

• Smile Design
• Dental Implants
• Cosmetics

Qualified dentists are forecasted to continue to be needed as Health Care Awareness grows, in both Urban & Emerging Health Care Economies(6)

Alternative Medicine Courses After NEET

Today, a growing number of students are looking at alternative medicine systems since holistic healthcare approaches are becoming ever more popular. Courses such as BAMS, BHMS and BUMS provide pathways into traditional healthcare systems based on a preventive and wellness-focused care model.

By taking these courses, students can later work in:

• Clinics
• Wellness centres
• Healthcare institutions
• Research organisations

The growth in popularity of alternative medicine is still continuing because many people would like to have balanced healthcare solutions, focused on long-term wellness and preventative care. Students will also be able to have an opportunity to create their own independent practice after they have completed the required education and training.

Nursing and Allied Healthcare Careers

The healthcare sector cannot function properly without nurses and allied health professionals because nurses and allied health professionals provide necessary services to assist doctors and provide direct patient care.

Anyone who may not be able to gain admission to an MBBS program should not be discouraged by this because there are many excellent job prospects available. The healthcare industries currently have excellent job opportunities in:

• Nursing
• Physiotherapy
• Radiologic Technology
• Medical Laboratory Technology
• Rehabilitation Sciences

After completing NEET, some popular options include:

• BSc – Nursing
• Bachelor of Physiotherapy
• Medical Lab Technology
• Radiology & Imaging Technology
• Occupational Therapy

There is a highly regarded status associated with these health careers, and due to the continued demand for skilled professionals to fill positions in hospitals and healthcare facilities, there will continue to be growth in these professions.

Health workers in these fields typically work:

• At a hospital
• At a diagnostic lab
• In a rehab facility
• In an emergency room
• In a health-related startup

There are many reasons to believe that the healthcare industry will create a lot of new jobs from now on.

Pharmacy and Biotechnology Opportunities

A variety of courses including B.Pharm and Biotechnology are available for students interested in medicine, healthcare innovation, medical research and the pharmaceutical industry. The Indian Pharmaceutical Industry is now one of the largest healthcare industries in the world. Thereby, there are hence avenues for students completing Degrees in Pharmacy or Biotechnology, including:

• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Research Laboratories
• Drug Development Organizations
• Clinical Research Industries
• Health Product Companies

Biotechnology is also increasingly critical to modern day healthcare systems due to the growing reliance on scientific innovation, genetic research, medical technology and healthcare advances in today’s day and age; therefore, Students thinking about pursuing a career in research can begin exploring the Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industries as excellent opportunities.

Choosing the Right Course After NEET

Many students make a huge mistake when applying for medical, dental, or veterinary colleges after taking the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET). The most common course of action is to apply based solely on current trends or peer choices (others). However, students should consider their careers based on their:

• Interests
• Strengths
• Aptitude
• Goals
• Learning styles
• Future jobs

A student with a sincere interest in physiotherapy, biotechnology, etc., is likely to build and have a more successful and fulfilling career than a student who applied for medical school because they feel social pressure.

Also, before making a final decision regarding their admission, students should thoroughly research their college’s:

• Facilities
• Internships
• Hands-on experience
• Career advancement
• Job placement support

To succeed in the healthcare field, students must have the motivation to continue advancing within the profession through hard work and successful communication skills with others (and themselves). Therefore, when students select their future career paths, they should be as interested and motivated as possible!

Importance of Career Guidance After NEET

Career choices in the health care field can be overwhelming to students and their parents. Students need good career counseling to help them learn about the different options available to them and how to make informed choices based on their interests and future plans.

Examples of the kinds of things that can benefit from professional career counselling include:

• Clear understanding of their career options
• Reduced confusion during the application process/transition to college
• Exploration of current-day health care professions
• Creating a long-term educational plan

Students that get career counselling usually have a more confident and realistic approach to their course selection and college application process.

Career counselling can also help parents to understand that there are multiple ways to be successful in the field of health care other than an MBBS.

Future Scope of Healthcare Careers

Globally and in India, the healthcare industry continues to be one of the fastest-growing industries. The ever-increasing population and increased awareness of the importance of healthcare, as well as the advancements in technology, have created an ever-increasing need for qualified professionals working in this field due to developments in medical infrastructure.

Some of the industries where individuals can grow their careers as qualified professionals in the healthcare sector include:

• Hospitals
• Research Facilities
• New Healthcare Companies
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Government Sponsored Healthcare Facilities
• Global Healthcare Organizations

The future for jobs and education in the field of healthcare will remain very abundant for students who desire to work hard, become a better version of themselves, and continue to learn and develop new skills.

Final Thoughts

Pursuing an MBBS after passing NEET is not the only thing this journey is about. It’s about determining what field of healthcare is the right fit for you based on your interests, talents, and goals. The healthcare industry continues to expand, offering many different employment options across many different areas besides traditional medicine.

No matter which field you decide to go into – whether it is MBBS, BDS, nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy, biomedicine or allied healthcare – all that you achieve will depend on how much commitment you show, how you learn through experience, and how committed you are to lifelong skill development.

When you prepare properly, are aware of what’s available, and have support with guidance and counseling services, you can take the next step to working as a healthcare professional after taking NEET. As you reach these milestones, getting assistance from online resources such as The Counseling Cafe can help you understand the differences between the available options and help you make an informed decision regarding your education.

Yes, healthcare industries are expected to continue growing rapidly in the coming years./su_spoiler]