Creativity is a prized trait in all fields

Q My daughter is a student of Class XII. She is studying pure science with computer science but she is not interested in studying engineering at all. She wants to take up a career that is interesting and allows her creativity an outlet. Can you tell us about a subject or course that she can pursue? It should lead to a well-paying job.

Shireen Sultana

Earlier, creativity was considered the domain of writers and painters alone but that is no more the case. These days creativity is valued even in the field of pure science since it leads to out-of-the-box thinking and innovation.

In today's world, creativity and innovation are highly-prized traits. Increasingly, companies all over the world are under constant pressure to provide "now new" solutions, for which constant innovation is required. So no matter which career she pursues, her creative abilities will stand her in good stead.

And if by being creative you also mean that she is good in drawing and sketching and can visualise spaces in three dimensions, she could consider exploring architectecture as a career. As an architect, she will get the opportunity to use her sketching skills - to draw up blueprints - and also her creativity to visualise and plan buildings.

Your daughter could also consider courses in industrial design or game development and programming or multi-media and animation. The advantage of these courses is that they require a balance of technical and creative skills. And, above all, they can lead to interesting careers.

Shivani Manchanda has master’s degrees in career counselling and child development. She has been counselling about opportunities in India and abroad since 1991. Mail questions to telegraphyou@gmail.com