What to Do if You Have a Low Score in NEET: Alternative Career Options

 

Another very important test, also known as NEET, is conducted every year for the representatives of the Indian medical fraternity who want to be treated with respect. In India, it can be witnessed that there is a need for doctors in plenty, and this leads to hefty competition never encountered before. Regrettably, because of the number of seats that are available, not so many students pass the required marking and know how to clear the NEET exam.

This article understands the pressure and disappointment of getting a lower NEET score and how that translates in real life. But fret not! This shall not be the end of any new beginning for you. There are many rich careers that are non-clinical or outside the medical field that can be explored. Here are a few of them. 

Exploring Career Paths Without NEET

1. Allied Health Sciences

Apart from doctors, the healthcare industry relies on a dedicated group of allied health care specialists. These professionals are essential in diagnosis, treatment, and care. Some examples of allied health science branches are:

• Radiology Technology

Schedules physician on examinations undertaken, including X-rays, ultrasounds, scans, and MRIs. They also take care of the image quality and the position of the patient so that the diagnosis is as accurate as possible. Radiology technologists offer clinical services in hospitals, medical facilities, diagnostic imaging centers and clinics.

• Medical Laboratory Technology

Conduct examinations on blood tissue and other samples in order to identify diseases. Medics investigate the identity of germs, the nature of blood malfunctions and other facts that may assist the physician in diagnosing an illness. Medical laboratory technicians are employed in hospitals, research laboratories, and diagnostic facilities.

2. Physiotherapy

Restore the movement of patients and alleviate pain through movement of the body and other physical methods. Physiotherapists concentrate on patients recovering from injuries, surgery, and chronic diseases. Physiotherapy also treats the pain associated with arthritis, pain related to neurological disorders, as well as pain associated with other conditions. Physiotherapists work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, sports facilities, and private practice.

These courses are often less demanding than MBBS, and most of them guarantee satisfactory employment after completion. Such courses enable one to engage actively in patient care and see the fruits of his or her efforts.

3. Paramedical Courses

Emergency medical technicians are among the most important discoverers of the emergency medical systems. During the ‘golden hour’ before patients reach a hospital, they provide vital treatment to the patients. They triage patients, give CPR and other treatments necessary in emergency cases and transport them to hospitals when stable. These professionals provide the health responders in the field of medical ambulances, at the scene of accidents and during certain conditions in hospitals.

While the length of paramedic programs is shorter, they pose less of a challenge concerning the educational qualifications required for one to be admitted. Thus, it is suitable for those who wish to be in the healthcare system as soon as possible and be able to effect change in emergency scenarios.

4. Pharmaceutical Sciences

In tedious ways, pharmaceutical companies make medicines to restore the health of sick and worthy people. Career prospects in this area include the following drug discovery:

• Drug Development

Create and test medications for an array of diseases. In this area, researchers examine new classes of drugs, carry out preclinical studies, and conduct clinical trials on novel drugs for safety and effectiveness.

• Pharmaceutical Composition Laboratory Research

Investigate the safety and effects of the right pharmaceutical products. People in this field might be concentrating on drug interaction and side effects or studies of the long-term effects of drug therapy on patients.

• Pharmacy Practice

Provide medicines to the patients and counsel them about the medicines. Pharmacists are in a position to explain to patients the appropriate quantity to take, the adverse effects of the medication, and possible adverse effects on other drugs. They may be employed in drug outlets, health institutions, and outpatient clinics.

5. Public Health

Public health encompasses the efforts of populations working to prevent disease, encourage healthy behaviour, and preserve the health of people in general. There is a scope in this discipline to help make the society a healthier one by:

• Planning and evaluating health programs. This could entail promoting immunization, educating people on healthy habits, or undertaking health surveillance.

• Participating in the health needs of the population. Public health workers are most often engaged in the communities to determine and meet the needs of the people regarding health.

• Creating and promoting public health legislation. They can push for such regulation that allows people to live healthy lifestyles as well as increase health care opportunities.

• Working in the public health field, you really have a chance to change the world of many ordinary people. You will advocate against epidemic diseases, ensure the population is well informed on health standards, and influence legislation in favor of the health sector.

6. Advanced Courses in Health Care

The healthcare industry is very broad and extends its domains even beyond conventional clinical practice. For example, you can consider looking into biotechnology.

• Biotechnology

Use biological principles for the creation/development of new technologies in the fields of healthcare, agriculture, and other industries. Biotechnologists work on the development of new medicines, prevention therapies, gene technologies, needle therapies, and diagnostics.

• Veterinary Science

Provide medical care for domestic and wild animals, hence also addressing public health issues. Veterinarians have the interest, training, and resources to prevent, evaluate, diagnose, and treat animal diseases, perform surgery, and promote animal health and welfare. They also reduce the risk of transmission of diseases passed on from animals to humans.

• Agricultural Science

Add some public health benefits through addressing food safety and security issues. Agricultural scientists develop new varieties of plants or genetically improve existing ones as well as enhance the food available.

7. Research and Academics

If you are interested in the advancements of science, research degrees such as biology, chemistry, or physics-related degrees might be an option for you when aiming to do a postgraduate in health care. To do the above, you:

• Join research teams based at universities, government institutes, or private centers.

• Produce written works based on research you have completed or participated in.

• Train and support the next generations of scientists.

Scientific research careers make it possible for you to explore particular areas of science even further, expanding the frontiers of knowledge and perhaps even altering the future state of health care.

Direct Admission through NRI and Management Quota

NEET remains the most commonly accepted entrance test for Indian medical colleges; however, some want to go to a medical college with a low score in the NEET. 

• NRI Quota

Some medical colleges offer a limited number of seats for non-resident Indians and persons of Indian origin. More fees and more conditions apply to these seats.

• Management Quota

In private medical colleges, a limited number of seats are reserved under the management quota. These seats are filled without considering the NEET score, but the fees charged are very high.