21-05-2025
Civil Services, psychology, social work: What arts students aim for in a turbulent field
ALSO BY KAVYAA MASURKAR
With the commencement of the admission process for junior colleges in Maharashtra and increasing challenges like the rise of generative AI and a difficult job market, many students opting for Arts are not just following their passion, but also have clear plans about their future paths after junior college.
Aarush Jadhav, who scored 79.36%, has applied for admission in the Arts stream at Fergusson College, said, 'I always had a creative side and enjoyed subjects like history and literature more than science or maths. Scoring 79.36% gave me confidence that I can do well in what I actually enjoy. That's why I've decided to try to get Arts at Fergusson College. I've heard a lot about how good the faculty and campus are. In future, I want to prepare for UPSC because civil services really inspire me. I feel Arts will help me build a strong base for subjects like polity, history, and economics. Right now, I just want to explore different areas in the arts and see where my interest grows deeper.'
Soham Pawar, who achieved an impressive 87% in SSC, has applied to Symbiosis Junior College for Arts. He believes this path aligns with his interests and future goals, he said 'I got 87% in my SSC boards and I'm really happy with that. I have always loved understanding how society works, how people think, and I enjoy debates and discussions. So Arts felt like the right path for me. I've applied to Symbiosis Junior College because it has a good environment and gives exposure to different extracurriculars too. I plan to pursue psychology in the future, and I'm thinking of preparing for CLAT as well, to keep the option of law open. I believe Arts gives you space to think and grow, not just academically but also personally.'
Ayush Pawar, who scored 84.67%, has taken Arts at Pratibha Junior College in Chinchwad. He sees Arts as the right choice for his interest in civil services, said 'My percentage is 84.67% and I've chosen to go for Arts at Pratibha Junior College in Chinchwad. I chose this college because it's close to home and has good teachers in the Arts section. I have always enjoyed reading about history, current affairs, and different cultures. I'm thinking of doing a BA in Political Science later and also preparing for MPSC. I want to become a government officer. Arts will help me get a strong grip on the subjects required for competitive exams. I know some people still question why students with good marks take Arts, but I believe it's not about marks – it's about interest and future goals.'
Another student, Meera Kulkarni, who scored 82.45%, is also joining Fergusson College for Arts. She has a passion for writing and aims to enter the media industry, said 'I scored 82.45% in my SSC exams, and I'm really excited to start my journey in Arts at Fergusson College. I chose Fergusson because of its reputation in Arts education and the variety of subjects they offer. I want to major in English Literature and eventually get into journalism or content writing. I'm also planning to give entrance exams for mass communication courses after 12th. I love expressing myself through writing, and Arts will give me that foundation. More than anything, I'm looking forward to learning things that actually interest me.'
Rohan Deshmukh, who scored 80.8%, has opted for the Arts stream at MIT Junior College. His interest lies in understanding society and working in fields like teaching or social work, said 'With 80.8% in SSC, I decided to go for Arts at MIT Junior College. MIT has a good mix of academics and activities, which I think is important. I'm very passionate about sociology and want to understand how societies function. My plan is to pursue a career in social work or even teaching. I also want to prepare for competitive exams like NET or even UPSC later. I think Arts gives you that broader perspective and develops your thinking. My parents supported my decision and I'm confident I made the right choice.'
