- Srinivas S
10 Career Options for Commerce Students after 12th
Are you a student who just passed out of 12th? Are you a commerce student looking for a career option ahead? Well, it can be overwhelming to choose the right career path if you have not thought about it so far. Choosing a professional course is challenging, as your future depends on the course you opt for after 12th. In this blog, we will provide you with the 10 most valuable career options to pursue after 12th, along with details such as certifications, steps, roles, and responsibilities for each career.
Along with Science and Arts, commerce is considered as one of the best and most popular streams. It offers diverse career options such as B.com, Chartered Accountant, Company Secretary, etc. A multitude of colleges and training centers provide training to prepare you for these careers.
10 career options after 12th have been listed below:
Chartered Accountant (CA):
It is one of the highly sought-after careers. A Chartered Accountant manages the company’s financial concerns—audit, taxation, accounting, etc. At present, an experienced CA commands a high salary with job security. To become CA, one has to clear three stages of the CA examination conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). The whole process can take as long as 5 years.
Stage 1: CA Foundation
First, the candidate needs to pass 12th from a recognized college, and he or she should have secured 50% in the board examination if they wants to pursue CA. After that, the candidate has to clear the Common Proficiency Test (CPT) to appear for stage 2.
Stage 2: CA Intermediate
Only those who have cleared the CPT can proceed to study CA Intermediate. Both objective and subjective questions are present.. It includes 6 subjects, namely, which may be divided into two groups, with 3 papers in each group. A student needs to obtain at least 40% in each paper and 50% overall in any group to clear this exam.
Stage 3: CA Final
After passing CA Intermediate, the aspirant has to work for a firm, and complete the articleship in 2.5-3 years. Once this is done, he/she can attempt the CA final. This is similar to CA Intermediate but at a higher difficulty level..
There are multiple roles once you become Chartered Accountant. You can work as investment banker, internal auditor, external auditor, etc. The salary of a CA ranges from INR 6 lakh to INR 23 lakh.
Company Secretary (CS)
A Company Secretary is one of the most prestigious jobs. It is also a significant position in the company. They are responsible for maintaining the legal records, filing tax returns, maintaining good relationships with the shareholders, ensuring the compliance of the company, and advising the company in case of any legal matter.
Any candidate who has passed their 12th with 50% in any discipline except fine arts can apply for this course, which comes with a usual time period of 3-5 years. They easily earn from 5-20 lakhs per year. The job prospects for CS are very diverse. They can work as managing directors, chief administrative officers, or legal advisors, in corporate or legal fields.
Cost and Management Accountant (CMA)
By its very name, the Cost and Management Accountant tries to find ways and means of cutting down costs to make the company/organization profitable and efficient. They continuously analyze the finances of the organization and makes recommendations to the top management of the firm/company. As such, they help to make some important investment decisions.
To be a CMA, you must have a bachelor’s degree or any other equivalent degree in hand. Obtain two years of related experience in financial management or accounting management. Clear the two-stage exam and become certified. The cost and management accountant salary ranges from 7- 55 lakhs, depending on the experience.
Job opportunities for CMA include:
- Cost Accountant
- Management Accountant
- Chief Financial Officer
- Senior Accountant, etc.
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com.)
It is an undergraduate course with a duration of three years. Management, business, economics, accounting, banking, and finance are some of the specializations in Bachelor of Commerce course. To get admission to B.Com., one must have passed 12th grade in the Commerce stream. However, some colleges set a minimum cut-off to get into that particular course.
A B.Com. degree acts as a gateway for further degrees like MBA, M.Com., etc. A student with the B.Com. degree can pursue future options such as:
- Chartered Accountant
- Company Secretary
- Management Accountant
- Tax Consultant
- FinancialAnalyst
- Business Executive, and so on.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
It is an undergraduate, three-year course whose eligibility criterion is passing 12th in the Commerce stream. It provides the basic knowledge needed for business management and administration. Some of the core subjects in BBA include economics, marketing, finance, and human resource management.
After completing BBA, you can either do post work or seek a job in:
- Digital Marketing
- Chartered Accountant
- Banking
- Teaching
- Finance
- Company Secretary, etc.
Bachelor of Economics
It is an undergraduate course with economics as a major subject. It is a foundation for understanding the processes, complexities, and the economic system. Students are taught the important systems that drive the economy: supply and demand, production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services.
If analyzing trends in markets or understanding market behavior interests you, this could just turn out to be the right career choice.
Some specialized fields of study are:
- Financial Economics
- Law and Economics
- Microeconomics
- Macroeconomics, etc.
With a bachelor’s degree in economics, you can opt for various careers, like:
- Economist
- Financial Analyst
- Project Management Specialist
- Statistician
Law (LLB)
Students from all streams, including Science, Arts, Commerce and the Humanities, can pursue law after 12th. Integrated courses are available that combine law with other subjects. For example, Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Legislative Law (B.Com. LLB) combine law subjects like civil law and criminal law with commerce subjects like economics, statistics, etc.
For students who have completed commerce in 12th standard, B.com LLB will be relatively easy due to the overlap of commerce subjects. Another option could be to complete a Bcom, BA, or BSc and later join any LLB program for 3 year the career prospects after doing LLB are wide, namely: corporate lawyer, criminal lawyer, civil lawyer, legal advisor, magistrate, judge, advocate, etc.
Hotel management
If your interest lies in hospitality businesses or if you are looking for options other than the common commerce subjects, hotel management is the best choice. A hotel management course is 3-years long and it teaches how to supervise and manage hotels and restaurants, along with equipping you with the skills necessary for a successful career. The salary depends on your experience level, place, and the course you have taken. It can range between 2-9 lakhs per year.
Some of the popular courses in Hospitality and Hotel Management include :
- BSc in Hospitality and Hotel Administration
- MBA in Hospitality
- Bachelor of Hotel Management
- Bachelor in Hotel Management and Catering Technology
- BA in Hotel Management
- BBA in Hospitality, Travel and Tourism
- BBA in Hotel Management
- Diploma in Hotel Management
The career options after graduating from these courses include:
- Hotel Manager
- Sales and Marketing Manager
- Restaurant Manager
- Chef
- Catering Manager
- Housekeeping
- Human Resources
Bachelor of Finance and Accounting (BFA)
This degree trains students to manage the finances and accounts of a company or organization. Students are taught about accounting, taxation, corporate finance, and auditions, which are necessary for financial management. It offers diverse career opportunities, like:
- Investment Banker
- Auditor
- Accountant
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Planner
- Stockbrokers
The salary can go as high as 55 LPA, depending on the company and experience.
Digital Marketing
The sector of digital marketing has been booming in recent years. Digital marketing refers to the promotion of products and services through digital means. With the rising number of active social media users and influence, digital marketing has increased multifold. You may major in either advertising, marketing, or business management to make a career in the field of digital marketing. Even if one is a graduate in any other stream, one can enter digital marketing through internships or online courses.
Good grip over English, strong communication skills, and creativity are some of the core skills that will aid in establishing a successful career. Depending on the experience and the company, the potential earnings range between 5-9 lakhs. Career opportunities in digital marketing include:
- Social Media Marketing
- SEO Content Writer
- Social Media Manager
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Content Marketing
- Copywriting
- SEO Manager
- Graphic Designing
- Video Editing
Conclusion
One of the main reasons Commerce stream is widely preferred is that it offers distinctly diversified career options. It is a window to many prestigious and highly remunerative job as a Chartered Accountant, Digital Marketer, Company Secretary, etc. Hence, choose the right career path that will suit your interests and skills. Before getting into any streams, research different career options in great detail and then choose one that gives you satisfaction and job security. Don’t worry if you are confused. It’s always possible to make a mid-career switch with the relevant skills.
FAQs
1. What is the best career option for commerce students?
The advantage of taking commerce as a stream in 12th is that it offers a diverse and multitude of career opportunities that are not just high-paying but also give you career satisfaction. Some important and most sought-after career paths include:
- Chartered Accountant
- Company Secretary
- Auditor
- Hotel Manager
- Investment Banker
- Business Analyst
- Lawyer
- Accountant
- Economist
2.How can I choose the right career path after 12th grade in commerce?
You can follow these tips to choose the right career path:
- List down various career paths in detail.
- Identify those that fit your interests, skills, and eligibility.
- Consider the time, resources, and patience you have to pursue them.
- Discuss with friends, mentors, seniors, and professionals or a career counselor who knows the field.
3.What are the highest-paying jobs for commerce graduates?
One of the reasons why the commerce stream is most desirable is because it offers high pay. If you are elevated to a decent position with good experience, the salary packages can go up to 55 lakhs to 1 crore annually. A few high-paying jobs include:
- Chartered Accountant
- Company Secretary
- Chief Financial Officer
- Management Accounting
- Financial Advisor
- Cost Accountant
- Investment Banker
- Marketing Manager
4.Can I switch from commerce to another field after 12th grade?
Yes, it is possible to switch and choose a different industry. Few colleges and universities offer such options. You can choose a degree in:
- Science: like information technology, biotechnology, etc.
- Design: like interior design, fashion design, etc.
- Law: You can do an integrated law degree.
- Hospitality: like hotel and catering management
- Humanities: like psychology, sociology, history, etc.
5.What additional skills should I develop for a successful commerce career?
Irrespective of the career path you choose, some skills are mandatory to establish a successful commerce career. They are:
- Communication
- Data Analysis
- Time Management
- Attention to Detail
- Customer
- Financial Knowledge
- Critical and Creative Thinking
- Financial Management
- Teamwork
- Marketing and Technical Skills
