"A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power."

- Brain Tracy 

I remember students struggling with filling their course preferences in the NID form and this confusion is quite real. 

How does one decide which design domain is suitable to them? What are the chances of getting a placement in the chosen field of your interest? How do I select which course I would like to pursue and make my career in? Students who are preparing for design entrance exams currently generally ask these questions. In this article, we will discuss some of the key points you must keep in mind while selecting your course preferences. 

1.Choose what sparks your interest

Most of the time, students are not aware of their likes and dislikes in the design domain. They complain that they're not able to decide their preference and fill the form in hurry at the end.

"Bhai vo kaam karo jiss mein interest’s ho. Jabardasti ka kaam kisi ko bhi pasand nahi ata!" . Try to read books of your domain and increase your interest in watching documentaries. It will surely cultivate a sense of curiosity in you when you are going through your course syllabus. 

2. Analyze the scope before choosing your domain

Easier said than done, it requires a lot of time and experience to conclude this case. According to recent studies and design trends, UI/UX Design is a lucrative domain and your salary is directly proportional to the number of skills you have acquired regardless of the medium or any degree. This is the truth of the design industry. 

Every time you think and try to mine the internet for job opportunities, somewhere someone is getting a job in your domain already. You need to be active to excel in this field. There's no middle ground of hard work here but only ruthless competition. Adapt, upgrade and train yourself to do more than your capabilities. That's how you grow in life!

3. Get to know about your future job

Until and unless you do not expand your circle of communication with designers & seniors, you will not be able to get desired results. What I mean to say here is, to connect with as many design communities and leaders who are working in the industry. Try to read about them and follow people on social media so that you can look at their works at a glance. I can agree that it's easy to watch reels on Instagram which shows cute dogs and cats. However, think about it yourself...Is it beneficial for me in the long run? You will get the answer yourself because you already know it. 

4. Solve PYQs of your domain

"Jab tak purane papers solve nahi karoge tab tak pata kaise chalega ki exams mein actually aata kya hai?"

I'm trying to emphasize the fact that it's very necessary to solve the PYQs of your domain. It not only gives you an overall idea about the types of questions asked in exams but also gives you a hint of what is to be taught in your course. 

Lastly, have a positive mindset because that is what differentiates a winner from the crowd. No matter what is your choice in the design field, always try to love your work. Sometimes, putting yourself in the first place is good. Give yourself a treat whenever you achieve something. Design journey must be celebrated every day because there's always something new to learn from it.

Today you are learning about user experiences, tomorrow you might design a brand new product for these users which is going to skyrocket the market. You never know what's coming, so keep looking forward and never stop learning!

Hope this article helped you in an utter state of confusion. Go forth young designers, make your best choice. Thank you for reading! :)