COIMBATORE: Choosing a suitable career that is both lucrative and interesting is a tricky proposition.

Meenakshi Vaidyanathan, the vice principal of a higher secondary CBSE school in the city said that every year a few students drop out of chosen courses.

Many of these students may have been forced to take certain subjects, either by parents or perhaps due to peer pressure. However, there are a few who opt for the courses themselves and then later drop out. This defies the usual logic that choosing an area of ones own interest is the key to success.

M Elango, head of the psychology department of PSG Arts and Science College said that a student's interest may not match his abilities.

"One may be interested in mechanical engineering because of his parents, the family or even the books or movies he watches. But this does not necessarily mean he or she may have the ability to be competent in the field," he notes.

Without the ability or what psychologists call 'aptitude' in any particular field, one may not be able to make much progress in the field even if opportunities are present, he said.

But how is it possible for an average person to identify an area of talent if like most of us, he or she has not shown talent in an area like music, writing or any particular area for that matter.

"Here is where most of us make a choice based on interest, which may have developed from books, family or otherwise," said Elango. He says there are psychologically proven tests which can help identify an area where he or she has talent.

There are different modules of aptitude tests which can assess abilities in verbal, technical, language as well as other areas. But the accuracy of such tests is questionable although T Srinivasan, a former psychology professor confirms that such tests are accurate. The results of such a test can be assessed only by a trained psychologist, he added. Moreover, this is a time-consuming exercise which may even cost a few thousands, he said.

B Selvaraj, an associate professor of psychology at the Government Arts College Coimbatore said that they can conduct such tests free of cost.

Though even those who are working can take the test to decide on a career change, he says they should be ideally taken after passing class 10 as one has to choose a stream after this. Anyone interested in taking the test can book an appointment with Selvaraj at 9442766594.