The biggest challenge for a student passing inter or plus two is the choice of further study. The enclosed sketch represents the options and preparation needs.

ENVIRONMENT:
Career opportunities generate from the environment or the world around us. They depend mainly upon the requirements or demands of the people or society. At different periods of time, they keep changing. For example, there was heavy demand for Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineers in the early decades after independence (1950-80) as India was building its infrastructure- roads, bridges, power plants, dams and basic industries.

After that period the demand shifted to more peripheral fields like electronics, computers, communication, aeronautics, architecture and I.T. These changes also created a plethora of job opportunities in unconventional fields like travel, tourism, entertainment, hotels, retailing, real estate, healthcare, journalism/media, financial services and Technicians for computers, automobiles and electronic appliances. The qualifications and skill requirement in these recent careers is different from the conventional Engineering, Medicine, Law or Teaching. Similarly, due to Globalization and entry of M.N.C’s, new management jobs with high remunerations have emerged, which are different from the earlier Government jobs.

QUALIFICATIONS:
The conventional graduate courses like B.A.,B.Com, B.Sc., provide general basis for further specialized courses but cannot offer directly bright career opportunities. Similarly, even normal B.E./ B.Tech. or M.B.B.S., even after 4 to 5 years of study are unable to offer challenging careers unless further post-graduate studies like M.Tech, M.S. or M.D. are done. Obviously, these are costly and time-consuming options, not within the reach of many.
For those who look for quicker, cheaper alternatives, many Diploma courses are available in government as well as private Training Institutions. Later , when financially better equipped, they can study further Degree courses, of shorter duration, if interested.

The notion that one has to get a qualification only from a government approved university is slowly changing. Many  private organizations offer career for qualified students from other than “recognized” Institutions , if they provide them suitable candidates.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
Acquiring qualification alone is not sufficient
in the present competitive environment to get good career opportunities.
The other considerations are -
Soft Skills:
Communication, Presentation, Leadership and Team work. These are developed only by proper training  and practice.
This is specially needed for students from towns or rural background, and those from economically weaker sections.

Character / Personality:
Aptitude ( specific liking, zeal / enthusiasm for the job),
Attitude (behaviour towards others around)
Creativity ( initiative and raising above normal or expected)

Most of the above though evolved in people through the early
Years of upbringing in family, can be modified , refined and developed by proper guidance and practice.