t's a crucial time for Class X students as they take their initial steps towards a college education.

According to career counsellors Niyati and Amrita from YoungBuzz, there are three things you must consider when choosing a stream of education -- Aptitude, Ability and Personality.

They also had many more suggestions and advice for Get Ahead readers:

Part I: Hot career options for Class X
Part II: B A, B Com, B Sc -- the eternal dilemma

• A career checklist for every student

spectrumtravels: I want to do an air ticketing course.

YoungBuzz counsellors: You could do an IATA course from IITC (Swiss Board) or a diploma in Travel and Tourism.

Pankaj: Hi, this is Pankaj. I have got 63.7 percent in SSC. Where should I go for my career?

YoungBuzz counsellors: It is very, very important for you to find out your area of interest.

You could look at getting into commerce, arts or vocational courses like ITI, Food Craft Institute, food technology and paint technology.

If you are creative and interested in design, you could look at a career in graphics, animation, fashion design, interior design, web design and photography.

• Want a career in PR? Follow these tips

krunal860: I am in my final B Com year. I want to know where I can do my MBA in finance or in a related field as a side course while I do my articleship. 

YoungBuzz counsellors: You could look at a part-time MBA from Welingkar's, NMIMS or a correspondence MBA course.

Mohanguru: If I am interested in fashion technology, what should I opt for in Class XII?

YoungBuzz counsellors: You could be from any stream.

You must have a good aesthetic sense, a portfolio of your past work, a good sense of colour, creativity and an eye for fashion.

• Top 5 career profiles from 2005

Sudam: I have passed SSC with 60%. Should I do engineering or medicine?

YoungBuzz counsellors: Assess your interest and abilities before choosing a course.

You need a high score for medicine and engineering.

Alternatively, look at BSc in IT or in computer science, BCA, medical courses like speech therapy, audiology, nursing or a lab technician programme.

Rajuv: My query goes to you once again. Can I pursue a chartered financial analyst course, though I am average in accountancy?

YoungBuzz counsellors: Do a correspondence course from the ICFAI University in Hyderabad. You could also look at an MS in banking/ insurance from the same institute.

• Want to work as cabin crew?

sethuraman: I have done my Bachelor's in engineering and am working as an HR manager in Dubai. Do you think an MBA from a good university in the UK would improve my career prospects?

YoungBuzz counsellors: It could enhance your prospects in the job market. Alternatively, if you are looking to grow in your present company, you could do a part-time or correspondence MBA.

raj: Hi, I am 23+. I am a B Com graduate. In the last four years, I have worked in call centres, real estate, recruitments and as an HR consultant, but I still haven't been able to figure out the right career.

YoungBuzz counsellors: You need to give an interest and personality test.

Visit a career counsellor from any of the career guidance companies.

• The route to being a pilot

blue_bear: I want to become a good minister and do something good for the society and the nation.

YoungBuzz counsellors: That's a noble vision.

You don't need to pursue any course to get into politics. However, you can opt for a BA in political science and then do your Master's in political science or international relations.

You could also try for the government services.

curious: What are the opportunities in mass media? What are the prospects?

YoungBuzz counsellors: Mass media is a very vast field.

You could look at TV/ film production, advertising, journalism, public relations, media research, animation, editing, script writing, RJ/ VJ/ newsreading, acting, etc

Explore your area of interest and pursue accordingly.

• How to become an architect

raj: Can you suggest a counsellor from a career guidance company. I am in Bangalore...

YoungBuzz counsellors: You could get in touch with Ambika at YoungBuzz in Bangalore at (0) 9341728552/ (0)9886066470.

manoj_teracom: I have completed my Intermediate with 45% marks. Please suggest a job-oriented course/ degree in Delhi [Images]/ NCR.

YoungBuzz counsellors: Hi Manoj, you could do courses from NIIT [Get Quote], Aptech, DOEACC or the Food Craft Institute.

You could also look at courses in food technology, fashion/ textile /interior design, photography, graphics and animation.

• Want to become an RJ?

shobhit: I am in much mental distress. I am in Class XII, with PCM subjects.

I have joined a coaching class for chemistry and am doing Brilliant Tutorials' postal course. 

I am not able to prepare for both the board exam and the IIT entrance test at the same time. I have not done well in Class XI as well. Please help me.

YoungBuzz counsellors: It is quite natural to feel tense and nervous. Exams are not the end of the world.

Take breaks between your study hours.

Go for a walk, talk to a friend. Just give it your best. If you are weak in a particular subject, get help right now. All the best!

Part I: Hot career options for Class X
Part II: Arts, Commerce or Science -- the eternal dilemma

YoungBuzz India Ltd is a career guidance and people development company which regularly conducts career guidance, personality and soft skill development programmes, customised for various age groups and needs. It has conducted programmes in over 100 cities, in more than six different languages for more than 300,000 individuals.