Q I am a Class XI student of humanities. I am passionate about both English and economics. I am a keen participant in elocutions and many of my articles have been published in newspapers. What should I take up in college so that along with my passions my future too is secure?

There are several professions where strong communication skills are an advantage. Studying English can lead you to a career in academics. You could also follow up your bachelor’s with a Tesol (Teaching English As a Second Language) qualification.

Economics is a good option only if you have a strong interest in quantitative fields. But studying economics without being good in maths can be limiting, especially if you want to move into finance. Marketing is another profession you might find suitable. It is possible to do an MBA after a BA in English. Development studies, law and international relations are some other options where verbal skills are useful. My suggestion would be to talk to people in these professions and ask them about their lifestyle and the challenges they face. That will help you choose.

If you wish to keep a large range of options open, study English in your first degree and decide upon your master’s while you are in the second year of graduation. Since you are still at school, try out some other subjects as well such as psychology or political science, and then take a final decision.