12 Best Career Options after M.Com: What to do After M.Com? [2024]

Updated on 19 February, 2024

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Career Options after M.Com

Summary

In this article, you will learn about the 12 Best Career Options after M.Com. Take a glimpse below.

  1. Enrol in an MBA Program
  2. Become a Chartered Accountant
  3. Consider doing the ACCA course
  4. Pursue Company Secretaryship
  5. Earn the CMA credential
  6. Complete the CFA course
  7. Obtain a CPA license
  8. Become an FRM-certified professional
  9. Crack the CFP exam
  10. Get into digital marketing
  11. Get CIB certified
  12. Pursue a career in teaching and research

Read the full article to know more details like Salary Range, career scope etc.

What to do after M.Com?

How many of you wonder which are all the best career options after M.Com? Master of Commerce (MCom) is a popular two-year postgraduate degree offered by several recognized universities in India. Its curriculum is a level up from the concepts that you learn about in a BCom program. Typically, students opt for an MCom qualification to delve deeper into the professional spheres of accounting, taxation, banking, finance, and insurance.

But choosing a career path from a variety of alternatives without any guidance can prove tricky. It is not easy to find high paying jobs for M.Com graduates if one has not chosen the right courses after M.Com. One has to know the list of all job opportunities after M.Com to select the right one.

You can also check out our free courses offered by upGrad in Management, Data Science, Machine Learning, Digital Marketing, and Technology. 

Learners receive an average Salary hike of 58% with the highest being up to 400%.

If you, too, are a young graduate and wondering what jobs to do after M.Com, this article is for you. As a commerce student, you get exposure to a plethora of business and management-related subjects. So, you would have gained the foundational knowledge upon which you can build a dynamic career. We have compiled a list of prospective work lines below that you can explore after attaining an MCom degree. 

Enrol on digital marketing programs and dive into the digital era.

Career Options After MCom

Below is a list of some great courses after M.Com job opportunities which you can choose.

1. Enroll in an MBA Program

MBA is the most popular course available for students & one of the best courses after M.Com, not just graduating from commerce but any other field. An MBA degree finds a place among the most preferred options among candidates who want to qualify for managerial positions and advance their careers. While studying MCom, you learn about business, economics, stock markets, accountancy, among other things. But when you pursue higher education in business administration, you also learn how to apply your technical know-how to solve problems and help organizations grow. 

After earning an M.Com, enrolling in an MBA program has several appealing advantages that make it a wise decision for both professional and personal development. Statistics reveal that the employability of Indian MBA graduates has increased to 60% in 2023. The jobs after M.Com added with an MBA give wider opportunities to the aspirant, for instance: 

1.Expanded Career Prospects

Managerial Roles: An MBA prepares you for managerial and leadership roles in a variety of industries by giving you the know-how to successfully manage teams and negotiate challenging business situations.

Versatility: An MBA gives you a broad skill set that allows you to choose a job that permits you to switch between different industries or roles.

2.Developing Leadership

Strategic Thinking: MBA programs place a strong emphasis on problem-solving, critical thinking, and strategic decision-making. These skills develop your capacity to assess situations and make well-informed managerial decisions.

Team Management: Mastering interpersonal skills, communication, and team management—all crucial components of good leadership—is the main emphasis of leadership courses in MBA programs.

Check out our programs  – MBA from Golden Gate UniversityMBA from Deakin Business SchoolPost Graduate Diploma in Management From BIMTECH

Most MBA programs follow a case study pedagogy to equip students with the critical thinking and decision-making capabilities. Nowadays, leading academic institutions are offering Global MBA degrees online on platforms like upGrad. These are accredited courses that allow you to continue your academic pursuits and get mentored by industry experts in a flexible learning environment. Additionally, you can specialize in a particular field such as business analytics, digital finance, and banking, etc. 

Looking to leverage your commerce background? Dive into the wide range of career options for commerce students and unlock the door to numerous opportunities that await you in the business world.

According to payscale, the average salary of MBA graduates is 7.2 LPA in India.

List of popular companies for MBA graduates:

Source

Read: 14 Best Career Options after B.Com: What to do After B.Com?

2. Become a Chartered Accountant

Chartered Accountancy or CA has proven to be one of the top-most career options after MCom. You are eligible to take the exam right after high school, but it demands dedicated preparation. After qualifying the three stages of CPT, IPCC, and Finals, you will need to complete an articleship of 2.5 years to practice professionally. Many talented CA graduates find employment in the ‘Big 4’ accounting firms—namely Deloitte, KPMG, EY, and PwC—earning an average annual salary of INR 8 lakh. CA is one of the best courses after M.Com for getting good jobs and salaries.

Average salary of CA graduates is Rs. 7.9 LPA in India

Top employers for CA graduates:

Source

Becoming a Chartered Accountant (CA) presents a number of noteworthy benefits and chances for career advancement. After M.Com job opportunities for a CA depends heavily on his skills. The following are strong arguments in favor of obtaining a CA certification after M.Com courses:

1.Domain-Specific Knowledge

Accounting Knowledge: Greater depth in accounting principles, taxation, auditing, and financial management is provided by the CA program, which offers specialized knowledge not covered by M.Com.

Practical Training: Articleship component of the CA program gives students hands-on experience in accounting, auditing, and taxation procedures in the real world, which boosts their employability.

2.Elevated Industry Need

Coveted Qualification: In the corporate, public, consulting, finance, and other sectors, the CA designation is highly valued and in demand.

Numerous Career Paths: Certified Public Accountants (CAs) can pursue a wide range of careers, from positions in senior finance in corporations to positions in Big 4 accounting firms.

3.Flexibility and Range

Worldwide Recognition: The CA credential is accepted around the world, opening doors to employment in international markets and conglomerates.

Different Roles: Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) have a wide range of career options, including roles in accounting, auditing, taxation, financial management, consulting, and advisory.

Curious about the most lucrative career paths in commerce? Explore our detailed guide on the highest paid jobs in India in commerce, and aim for a prosperous future in the business world.

salary of CA graduates Experience Wise

Experience Salary
1 Year ₹6.7 Lakh
2 Year ₹7.1 Lakh
3 Year ₹7.5 Lakh
4 Year ₹8.1 Lakh
5 Year ₹8.5 Lakh

Source:

3. Consider doing the ACCA course

If you wish to work in accounting and finance, you can also consider pursuing the ACCA Course (Chartered Certified Accountant) qualification provided by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) institute. The two-year course is highly valued in multinational corporations. But before you become an official ACCA member, you will also need to complete three years in a practical setting.

The minimum eligibility is a 10+2 educational qualification with at least a 65% aggregate score in Math, Accounts, and English and 50% in other subjects. So, many students from the commerce stream enroll in the program during their undergraduate studies only. But even if you are an MCom student, your sound understanding of accounting concepts will help you in clearing the exams. ACCA is one of the most preferred courses after M.Com.

Still wondering after M.Com which course is best? Enrolling in the ACCA program might be the best answer. With its many benefits, it will improve your professional prospects and fit in with your career goals. The following are compelling reasons to go after the ACCA certifications for your career after M.Com:

1.Recognition on a Global Scale

Global Acceptance: ACCA is respected and well-known throughout the world, providing employment opportunities in a number of nations and multinational companies.

International Accounting Standards: By providing you with knowledge in line with these standards, ACCA allows you to pursue career opportunities that transcend national boundaries.

2.All-encompassing Skill Set

Curriculum Variety: ACCA offers courses on financial accounting, management accounting, taxation, auditing, and strategic business management, among other accounting and finance subjects.

Practical Applications: The program places a strong emphasis on practical application, equipping you with the skills necessary to handle real-world situations and obstacles in accounting and finance roles.

Multinational companies have a high demand for the graduates of this course and pay a salary ranging from 5 to 16 lakhs.

Top companies hiring ACCA

Source

ACCA Salaries With Job Roles

Job Title Range Average
Accountant ₹172k – ₹729k ₹348,171
Chartered Accountant ₹364k – ₹2m ₹985,808
Finance Manager ₹197k – ₹2m ₹967,750
Auditor ₹300k – ₹2m ₹625,710
Associate Auditor ₹252k – ₹839k ₹398,739

Source:

4. Pursue Company Secretaryship

If you are wondering what to do after M.com for good job opportunities, Company Secretary (CS) is one of the many pivotal job roles in an organization. A Company Secretary (CS) looks after the legal compliance and regulatory requirements of public and private sector companies. The three stages of the CS course include a Foundation, Executive, and Professional. The candidates also have to undergo 15 months of practical training, after which they become an Associate CS and earn an ICSI membership. ICSI refers to the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, which is the only recognized body providing the CS course in the country, boasting of more than 62,000 members. 

Pursuing a career as a company secretary is one of the best courses after M.Com for the following reasons:

1.Harmonious Skill Set

Legal and Corporate Expertise: In addition to the financial expertise obtained from an M.Com, company secretaryships offer specific knowledge in corporate laws, governance, compliance, and secretarial practices.

Comprehensive Understanding: CS courses extend your knowledge beyond accounting and finance by covering legal, secretarial, and administrative topics.

2.Knowledge of Corporate Governance

Regulation Adherence: CS qualifications emphasize upholding corporate laws and governance practices, which equips you with the skills necessary to keep organizations compliant with laws and regulations.

Board Advisory Role: CS specialists frequently serve as counselors to the board of directors, offering advice on corporate strategy, legal issues, and compliance needs.

The salary range of CS in India ranges between Rs 4 – 10 LPA. According to PayScale the average salary of CS is Rs. 5.8 LPA.

Source

Company Secretary Salaries in India

Location Average Annual Salary
Bangalore ₹9.5 Lakhs
New Delhi ₹8 Lakhs
Mumbai ₹9.7 Lakhs
Kolkata ₹6.9 Lakhs
Hyderabad ₹9 Lakhs
Chennai ₹12.3 Lakhs

Source:

5. Earn the CMA credential

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) is a professional course requiring aspirants to complete two stages of examination and gain two years of work experience. This prestigious credential is offered by the IMA, an association based in the United States, and enjoys global recognition which made this one of the best courses after M.Com.

CMA-certified individuals are acknowledged for their expertise in two core areas – management accounting and financial management. They are expected to be knowledgeable in financial analysis, planning, control, and decision support. You will find that corporate recruiters prefer hiring CMA holders for such profiles. CMA is one of the preferred courses after M.Com.

If you are still wondering, ‘what can i do after M.Com?’, obtaining the Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential can greatly enhance your career prospects within the financial management industry. The following reasons show how:

1.Expertise in Management Accounting

Focused Expertise: The CMA gives you specialized knowledge in management accounting with a focus on cost control, performance assessment, and strategic financial management.

Decision-Making Skills: The main goal of CMA courses is to improve your capacity to make data-driven financial decisions, essential for the success of organizations.

2.Demand in the Industry and Professional Growth

High Demand: Because of their proficiency in cost management, strategic planning, and financial analysis, jobs after M.Com for CMA qualified professionals are in high demand.

Career Progression: CMA credentials open doors to senior managerial roles in accounting and finance departments, providing ample opportuniy for professional growth.

Average salary of CMA is Rs. 8.1 LPA in India

List of top employers for CPA

Source

Also read: Career options in science after graduation

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Salary in India

Location Average Annual Salary
Bangalore ₹4 Lakhs
Mumbai ₹ 3.6 Lakhs – ₹ 10.4 Lakhs
Kolkata ₹ 2.7 Lakhs – ₹ 3.5 Lakhs
Hyderabad ₹6 Lakhs
Chennai ₹10.5 Lakhs

Source:

6. Complete the CFA course

CFA is one of the best courses after MCom. CFA stands for the Chartered Financial Analyst program. Offered by the US-based CFA institute, it presents a great doorway into the world of investment and finance. The program covers topics related to financial analysis, bonds and derivatives, portfolio and investment management, etc. Once you are through with the three tiers of CFA, you can be hired by some of the top global financial firms, such as Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Royal Bank of Canada, and Morgan Stanley. 

Also, Check out online degree programs at upGrad.

To be eligible to take the Level-I exam, you should be in the final year of your undergraduate degree. Although the duration of the course is 2.5 years, it takes an average of four years to attain the tag of a CFA Charter. 

Are you still worried about which M.Com specialization is best after earning an M.Com? Take a look at the advantages CFA certification offers to make up your mind.

1.Comprehensive Financial Understanding

Extensive Curriculum: The CFA program offers a deep understanding of financial concepts by delving into financial analysis, investment management, portfolio management, ethics, and economics.

Quantitative Skills: It places a strong emphasis on quantitative analysis, giving you the tools you need to successfully assess and manage investment portfolios.

2.Emphasis on Investment and Portfolio Management

Specialized Knowledge: The CFA program prepares candidates for positions in investment banking, asset management, and financial planning by concentrating primarily on investment analysis, asset valuation, and portfolio management.

Risk Managerial Skills: The program strongly emphasizes risk assessment and management, which are essential in modern day intricate financial markets.

Average salary of Chartered Financial Analyst is Rs. 6.6 LPA

How the city you work affects your pay:

Source

Salary range of Chartered Financial Analyst in India

Job Roles Average Salary (INR) Top Location
Associate Financial Analyst ₹ 12,00,000 – 18,00,00 Mumbai, Bangalore
Private Banker ₹8,00,000 – 14,00,00 Mumbai, Delhi
Risk Manager ₹ 9,00,000 – 16,00,00 Mumbai, Delhi
Policy Associates ₹ 7,00,000 – 12,00,00 Delhi, Mumbai
Relationship Manager ₹ 6,00,000 – 9,00,00 Mumbai, Bangalore
Chief Executive Officer ₹ 21,00,000 – 35,00,00 Mumbai, Bangalore
Banking Relationship Manager ₹ 10,00,000 – 17,00,00 Mumbai, Delhi
Chartered Financial Analyst ₹ 17,00,000 – 25,00,00 Mumbai, Delhi
Corporate Affairs Manager ₹ 13,00,000 – 21,00,00 Mumbai, Delhi

Source:

Checkout: Highest Paying Commerce Jobs in India

7. Obtain a CPA license

One of the most prevalent career options after M.Com is the Certified Public Accountants certification. CPAs attain their designation from the American Institute of CPAs or AICPA. Individuals who possess a CPA license have an in-depth understanding of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and a robust accounting background. To acquire the certification, you will have to take a rigorous four-part exam. 

Now, let us understand what CPAs do in a company. Basically, they perform the financial statements auditing and attestation functions, helping investors know about the financial health of a firm. They also provide taxation and financial planning advice to individuals and organizations. 

CPA is one of the many courses you can pursue if you are looking for answers to which courses are available after M.Com. Earning a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license has many benefits and opportunities in accounting, finance, and auditing.

1.Professional Trust and Credibility

Credibility and Trustworthiness: Professional competence, adherence to high ethical standards, and a commitment to upholding financial integrity are all indicated by holding a CPA license.

Client Confidence: Because of their knowledge of finances and adherence to accounting rules, CPAs are frequently trusted by both employers and clients.

2.Practice privileges and regulatory requirements

Regulatory Requirements: To ensure adherence to legal standards, several jurisdictions mandate a CPA license for specific accounting and auditing roles.

Practice Privileges: Signing and certifying financial statements is a common privilege for CPAs, which strengthens their role in assurance and auditing services.

The average salary of CPAs in India is Rs. 6.9 LPA.

Source

8. Become an FRM certified professional

Still, need options for jobs after M.Com with a good salary? Risk Management is a thriving industry in today’s dynamic financial market. FRM is an excellent option for those looking for short-term courses. To earn the designation, you have to undergo a nine-month program facilitated by the Global Association of Risk Professionals or GARP. The examinations are conducted in two rounds, in May and November.

An FRM certification is an indicator of your ability to identify and analyze potential financial threats. As a financial risk manager, you can offer your services in diverse domains like credit and market risk, financial services, trading, sales and marketing. Payscale assesses the average salary of FRM professionals to be between 10 to 18 lakh per annum.

After M.Com, which course is best? In the field of risk management and finance, earning an M.Com grants you access to various benefits, one of which is becoming a certified Financial Risk Manager (FRM) professional. The following are strong arguments in favor of obtaining the FRM certification:

1.Proficiency in Risk Assessment

Comprehensive Understanding: Having earned an FRM certification gives one access to extensive knowledge of market, credit, operational, and liquidity risk as well as financial risk management.

Analytical Skills: FRM gives you the sophisticated quantitative abilities you need to recognize, evaluate, and control the many kinds of financial risks that businesses face.

2.Practical Skills Relevant to the Industry

Real-World Application: Case studies, simulations, and hands-on exercises are all part of FRM programs, which give students practical experience managing actual financial risks.

Quantitative Techniques: Because FRM is centered around quantitative analysis, you can make use of advanced risk management models and tools.

After completing this course, your average salary range will be anywhere between Rs 10 – 18 LPA in India.

Top employers for Risk Manager in India

Source

9. Crack the CFP exam

One of the most popular career options after M.Com is doing CFP course. CFP is another short-term course that can help you find avenues in the finance and insurance sectors. Although the course duration is six months, you need to perform well in other parameters to practice as a Certified Financial Planner. These requirements include your educational performance, demonstrated work experience, and professional ethics. With a CFP certification, you can take up assignments in tax planning, insurance decisions, estate planning, investment management, retirement, etc.

If you are still looking for answers to which courses are available after M.Com, the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) course can be the best fit. Passing the CFP exam can be beneficial for a number of reasons.

1.Comprehensive Financial Planning Expertise

Comprehensive Understanding: A variety of topics related to financial planning are covered in CFP education, such as investments, risk management, insurance, taxes, retirement planning, estate planning, and risk management.

Client-Centric Approach: Earning a CFP gives you the tools to give thorough financial advice that is customized to meet the needs of each client.

2.Credibility as a Professional and Client Trust

Trusted Financial Advisor: Having a CFP certification shows clients that you are dedicated to upholding professional standards and ethical behavior, which fosters client confidence.

Comprehensive Financial Planning: Because CFP specialists are knowledgeable in a wide range of financial topics, clients frequently turn to them for all-encompassing financial advice.

Average salary of certified financial planners is Rs. 3.9 LPA in India

How it increases with years of experience:

Source

10. Get into digital marketing

For all the students who are wondering what to do after Mcom, If you are not interested in working in the realm of finance and accounting, deciding what to do after MCom can be challenging. It comes as no surprise that many commerce students choose creative occupations as well. One of these innovative pursuits includes digital marketing. It is a component of marketing that uses digital technologies to promote products and services. Modern-day businesses cannot neglect the power of the internet, and thus, this field has gained immense popularity in recent years. 

Also read, Career options in medical for non-commerce students

There are numerous digital marketing courses in the market, with their duration varying between 3 months and 11 months. The coursework emphasizes teaching topics like Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay Per Click (PPC), content marketing, social media management, marketing analytics, digital branding, etc. You can check out the online PG certification in digital marketing and communication by reputed institutes like MICA on upGrad. 

Knowledge of digital marketing can lead to a highly promising career in the current work environment where everyone, from corporate bigwigs to ad agencies and startups, is on the lookout for digital marketers and managers. According to Payscale, a digital marketing professional in India can earn a starting salary of around INR 5 lakh per annum. And digital marketing managers can get paid as high as 15 lakh per annum, depending on their job profile.

Check out digital marketing jobs.

How your pay increases with years of experience:

Source

Digital Marketer Salaries in India

Experience Salary
2 Year ₹5.0 Lakh
3 Year ₹5.8 Lakh
4 Year ₹7.0 Lakh
6 Year ₹8.3 Lakh
8 Year ₹9.7 Lakh
10 Year ₹10 Lakh & Above

Source:

11. Get CIB certified

CIB is short for Certificate in Investment Banking, a six-month course for graduates who want to raise capital for companies by selling equity and issuing debt. It is a globally recognized examination that tests whether you can employ systematic and strategic methods to establish the valuation of listed and unlisted companies. Determining the right valuation forms a crucial part of investment decisions relating to Initial Public Offerings, mergers, acquisitions, and other corporate actions. 

You can go for the CIB course right after your BCom. But having an MCom degree will make it easier for you to grasp the coursework, which contains themes of asset management, equity research, hedge funds, corporate finance strategy, and private wealth management. Payscale estimates an investment banking career can get you an average annual salary of INR 9.6 lakh in India. 

12. Pursue a career in teaching and research

If Business and Commerce interest you as academic disciplines, you can even enter the research field. A doctorate or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is awarded in majors like Finance, Statistics, Operations Research, Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, and many others. You can also look for a suitable program of study abroad provided that it meets your research interests. It is one of the best career options after MCom.

If you want to gain skills into various facets of business and trade through research, embarking on a PhD journey in one of these fields could be a desirable path. To initiate this journey, look for a suitable international research program aligned with your interests could be a fantastic initial step to know after M. Com which course is best.

Apart from JRF, there are a number of national and international fellowships available for students exhibiting high research aptitude in Commerce, Economics, and Management. If you want to become a university lecturer, studying your way to a Ph.D. degree is highly recommended. But if you are more inclined towards teaching school students, you can opt for the two-year B.Ed program. 

Here are some bonus jobs you can take after doing M.Com.

Candidates with an M.Com degree are prepared for careers as auditors, business analysts, company secretaries, consultants, tax accountants, finance officers, stock brokers, sales analysts, and economists. An M.Com graduate might also go for government exams to gain jobs in the public sector. Following are a few of the well-paying jobs after m.com with a high salary.

1. Cost Accountant

A cost accountant is a financial professional who analyses the expenses related to providing a service or producing it. A cost accountant’s main responsibilities include analysing a position and establishing a budget to make it profitable, as well as examining the total profit and loss statement. A cost accountant also accounts for the expenses related to administration, shipping, and production.

A person can pursue professional courses to gain a deeper knowledge of Cost and Management Accounting, even though the knowledge acquired during an M.Com degree course is likely to land them a solid position as a cost accountant.

Source:

2.Tax Consultant

Looking for post M.Com job opportunities? Become a Tax Consultant. A tax consultant or job in taxation centres on specialists assisting people with their tax-related questions and assisting them in both short- and long-term tax optimisation. The majority of tax advisors have degrees in law, accounting, finance, or a closely connected discipline. Understanding accounting theory, practise, and laws, as well as tax laws and financial management, are prerequisites for establishing a profession as a tax consultant.

One can work in a tax consulting firm with an M.Com degree, however, tax consulting organisations prefer people having an LLB degree to handle legal tax concerns.

Source:

3. Sales Analyst

After M.com courses, you can choose to become a sales analyst. A sales analyst is a specialist employed by a company to assess and pinpoint historical sales trends. By analysing market data, sales analysis will help businesses grow. Sales analysts provide a clearly defined plan in the form of weekly or monthly reports and offer it to the upper management and sales staff. A sales analyst’s duties also include conducting significant marketing campaigns and spotting emerging market trends in sales.

When analysing the flaws, a sales analyst reflects the supply chain, marketing, and manufacturing systems of the organisation. Candidates with an M. Com degree and a strong interest in sales and marketing are a perfect fit for the position of sales analyst. The M.Com degree holder has sufficient financial understanding to create an appropriate plan of action.

4. Investment Banker

After M.Com, there are many job opportunities on your way. One such option is Investment Banker. Investment bankers are experts who assist businesses, governments, and other entities in raising funds from a variety of sources. Investment bankers are the specialists that financial institutions hire to assess an organisation’s financial standing, capital requirements, and goals. The main responsibility of an investment banker is to serve as a liaison between entities that raise funds and those willing to make financial investments, in addition to outlining issues and offering potential solutions.

Source:

Wrapping up

The above is a list of some great career options after M.Com. We hope it will answer your question “What to do after M.Com?”. You can determine your interest based on your career choice that you would like to opt for after your graduation. For all young minds, wondering what to do after M.Com, you need to check the amount of time, the difficulty level, and the price of the course, before deciding which course to opt after your graduation. Any of the above best courses after M.Com are sure to land you a great job so that you can happily start your journey in the professional world.

Now that we have detailed a range of different career options after MCom, it would be relatively easy for you to locate your interests. So, gather some more information about your preferred choices and follow the path you desire!

Also Read: Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in India

Wrapping up

The above is a list of some great career options after M.Com. We hope it will answer your question What to do after M.Com?”. You can determine your interest based on your career choice that you would like to opt for after your graduation. For all young minds, wondering what to do after M.Com, you need to check the amount of time, the difficulty level, and the price of the course, before deciding which course to opt after your graduation. Any of the above best courses after M.Com are sure to land you a great job so that you can happily start your journey in the professional world.

Now that we have detailed a range of different career options after MCom, it would be relatively easy for you to locate your interests. So, gather some more information about your preferred choices and follow the path you desire!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What should you keep in mind while working on your final year project?

This might appear obvious, but it is extremely important to choose the right topic. After all, you will be sinking a lot of hours into this project, and researching that topic exhaustively to be able to answer all the interviewers’ questions. Choose a project guide who has a certain degree of experience in the field. It’s a bonus if they have already published research papers before. Create a timeline before you begin working, and follow it to the letter. Implement and test your concept, and make sure it is watertight. Finally, do not compromise on the presentation and explanation. Explain things in a coherent, concise, and intuitive manner.

2. How can you make your project stand out from the rest?

Creating something truly unique that actually contributes to the development of a field, is always a good idea, and seldom goes unrecognized. You can also make your project stand out by going above and beyond with the presentation, by incorporating creative multimedia such as explanatory videos, graphics, or interactive mini-games to illustrate a concept. Supplement your research with expert interviews, hardware implementations, or computer models. Finally, do not shy away from expanding your scope of study slightly to other fields, if they are relevant to your project topic.

3. How important is the final year project to the hiring process?

The final year project gives students a chance to actually apply the theoretical knowledge they have gained through the course of their degree, to solve real-world problems. This practical experience is essential for them to join the workforce. The conception and execution of a project give recruiters an idea about your work ethic. They also develop an idea about your commitment to a task, creativity, and attention to detail, based on your answers when they ask you about the deeper technical aspects of your project. In a nutshell, your final year project is considered a comprehensive summary of your undergraduate study.

4. What is the difference between a Chartered Accountant and a Company Secretary?

Both CA and CS begin in the sphere of commerce but quickly diverge into two distinct segments. Chartered Accountants are experts who use their accounting abilities to reduce risks and losses, and maintain the accounts of corporations and companies. Company secretaries are specialists that advise a company's board of directors on management, administration, finance, accounting, taxation, and other topics. Chartered Accountants work across a variety of business domains such as audit, corporate taxes, financing, accounting, and so on to boost the financial performance of an organisation. The job of a Company Secretary entails providing guidance on business and company laws, resolving potential conflicts of interest, recommending a way of preparing financial statements, establishing a business strategy, and assisting in planning.

5. Who are Risk managers?

Risk managers are professionals who are experts in identifying probable causes of accidents or losses, recommending and putting in place preventative measures, and devising strategies to minimise costs and damage in the case of a loss, which may include the purchase of insurance. Risk managers also oversee the acquisition of insurance programs, claim and loss control operations, connections with third-party service providers such as brokers and insurers, and the preparation of loss analysis and budgets. They also identify risks, provide recommendations for solutions, put authorised plans in place, encourage loss prevention, maintain and monitor insurance processes, and administer security management guidelines.

6. What is the difference between CFA, CPA and CFP?

CPA, CFA, and CFP stand for Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Financial Analyst, and Certified Financial Planner, respectively. A public firm or a hedge fund would hire a CPA to manage their accounting needs. Independent auditing, often known as public accounting, necessitates the presence of a CPA licence. The CFA curriculum is quite comprehensive and maybe better defined as a Master's degree in finance with specialisations in accountancy, economics, analytical methods, and portfolio planning. The only one of the three that focuses on investment is the Certified Financial Planner, who is capable of developing and implementing financial strategies for investors.

7. What is the difference between a Chartered Accountant and a Company Secretary?

Both CA and CS begin in the sphere of commerce but quickly diverge into two distinct segments. Chartered Accountants are experts who use their accounting abilities to reduce risks and losses, and maintain the accounts of corporations and companies. Company secretaries are specialists that advise a company's board of directors on management, administration, finance, accounting, taxation, and other topics. Chartered Accountants work across a variety of business domains such as audit, corporate taxes, financing, accounting, and so on to boost the financial performance of an organisation. The job of a Company Secretary entails providing guidance on business and company laws, resolving potential conflicts of interest, recommending a way of preparing financial statements, establishing a business strategy, and assisting in planning.

8. Who are Risk managers?

Risk managers are professionals who are experts in identifying probable causes of accidents or losses, recommending and putting in place preventative measures, and devising strategies to minimise costs and damage in the case of a loss, which may include the purchase of insurance. Risk managers also oversee the acquisition of insurance programs, claim and loss control operations, connections with third-party service providers such as brokers and insurers, and the preparation of loss analysis and budgets. They also identify risks, provide recommendations for solutions, put authorised plans in place, encourage loss prevention, maintain and monitor insurance processes, and administer security management guidelines.

9. What is the difference between CFA, CPA and CFP?

CPA, CFA, and CFP stand for Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Financial Analyst, and Certified Financial Planner, respectively. A public firm or a hedge fund would hire a CPA to manage their accounting needs. Independent auditing, often known as public accounting, necessitates the presence of a CPA licence. The CFA curriculum is quite comprehensive and maybe better defined as a Master's degree in finance with specialisations in accountancy, economics, analytical methods, and portfolio planning. The only one of the three that focuses on investment is the Certified Financial Planner, who is capable of developing and implementing financial strategies for investors.

Did you find this article helpful?

Rahul Karthikeyan

He is working as Associate Director of Digital Marketing at upGrad. Apart from marketing he is a crazy and courageous traveler. He has traveled from Kashmir to Kanyakumari through his bike(bullet).

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India’s Education Sector needs a new Avatar, a Contemporary Approach

5.18K+

India’s Education Sector needs a new Avatar, a Contemporary Approach

This article was originally published in Economic Times. Everyone seems to be talking about disruption. Like “startup” and “funding”, “disruption” has become a part of our daily parlance and evinces a strong sentiment among entrepreneurial enthusiasts. We are seeing disruption across sectors and levels, all of which is helping us in reimagining the world around us. Education, meanwhile, is crying out for disruption but is going unheard. It is a sector that is brimming with opportunities and waiting to be tapped with an innovative approach. The Need of the Hour The question is, are our institutions and universities imparting knowledge for a world that does not exist anymore in its old avatar? And are all of us, especially our youth, becoming smarter learners? The answer for both these questions is a resounding “yes”. The Idea Called UpGrad: Why Education is Serious Business India has the largest college-age population in the world — close to a staggering 125 million — but it is startling to know that less than one in five of them is doing their post-secondary education. This means only 20% of college-age youngsters are doing their higher education as opposed to 90% in the US. Will India be able to achieve its gross domestic product (GDP) growth targets at this rate? No. Will we need to double our participation rates in higher education in the next five-ten years? Yes Can pure offline, brick-and-mortar college and university models fill this massive gap? Again, the answer is obvious. Look at the challenges. One, it takes four-eight years to set up one campus/university and at its peak it could cater to 5,000-10,000 students. Two, we need to have enough trainers and teachers to feed into these facilities, many of them in remote areas or away from cities. Three, the cumulative outlay at scale for private or public-private partnership (PPP) models to cater to the entire college-going population will be nothing short of $100 billion. Four, over half of this 125 million youngsters, I believe, will have compulsions to take up a job very early in life for socio-economic reasons and may not have the flexibility to go back to college after that. In this scenario, online education can be the big disruptor for India. Of course, there will be myriad challenges, but it offers exponential solutions: it can reach the remotest parts of India, aggregate the best faculty as everyone from the offline world can participate with much less demand on their time and lastly our youth can stay in their jobs while continuing to learn. Kushagra Saran’s Journey while Impacting Education Disruption in online education can be the answer to the gigantic challenge that India, called the youngest nation in the world, is facing. If we do not create equal opportunities and access to the best learning/upskilling/upgrading centres for our ambitious and aspiring youth, our demographic dividend can turn into a demographic debt. Skill India too has a goal to train over 400 million people by 2022 and this audacious outreach can be achieved only by radical disruptive thinking and bold execution. However, online will not succeed if it simply copies traditional teaching methodology. Online education should be more focused on professional education and post-graduation as those demographics look for flexibility and augmentation. For early years and K-12, brick-and-mortar schools will continue to play a big role in the holistic development of the child and online education will only be a supplement. Five-Year Plans For online education to be disruptive and for it to succeed, education will have to be thought through as a digitalfirst medium. Technology will have to be integrated to create a superior learning experience on the online platform. Online education has to move away from being a glorified content library; it has to involve peer-to-peer discussions, alumni chats, group studies and more. It has to shed its reputation of providing isolated, individual learning platforms and evolve into a social platform where you are not learning alone but studying together with a lot of individuals. Let’s come to terms with a few things. In the 21st century, what we learn will have less and less relevance after five years and hence there is a need for constant upgrade. Convergence of new forms of learning will be the fuel for and engine of economic growth. Universities need to develop programmes that are linked closely with employer demands. Otherwise, the results will be disastrous: while job seekers overspend on education programmes that are less likely to result in ideal employment opportunities, employers will be hiring poor fits. We need to change the mindsets of multiple stakeholders — academia, companies, students, young professionals and, most important, families — because how we learn and who we learn from have transformed. Our dependence on experts and figures of authority has diminished while our ability to learn from each other has spiralled dramatically. All I can say is, I wish I was back in college today. If you like to have one-to-one with industry experts, networking with hundreds of entrepreneurs, and bag a seed funding to start your idea, check Leadership & Management program
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by Ronnie Screwvala

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Online education across segments and students population is emerging as a popular option for individuals. Across age groups, online education is getting adopted. A segment where we at UpGrad feel that online adoption will be rapid, is the working professional segment. And there are multiple reasons for the same – from their ability to pay, their willingness to move up in their career etc. In this piece I want to touch upon a key trend that we are targeting – changing requirements of the industry and the need to continuously upgrade for working professionals. To give an example, a few decades ago – a farmer’s son would be a farmer; a carpenter’s son would be a carpenter. Things changed over time, and a farmer’s son started becoming an engineer. And in today’s world, an engineer goes through 5+ career shifts in his/her career span. There’ll Be A Billion-Plus Job-Seekers By 2050, So Get Yourself Skilled NOW! Marketing is not the way it used to be 10 years back. Payment is not the way it used to be 5 years back. Data analysis has undergone drastic changes. And in this digital age, the rate of this change is going to further accelerate. Industry will evolve rapidly, and as working professionals, each one of us has to keep up with this changing requirement. Industry is not going to wait for the individual to get upskilled or upgraded, and a large part of the onus will lie with the individual. Further, the rate at which the needs of the industries are changing; our current university system is not able to cope up. Therefore, individuals have to look for alternate options to add relevant skills to their portfolio. This is where online education comes into the fore. Professionals today do not have the flexibility of leaving their jobs and going to a school to learn new skills. Online education platforms are great options for these professionals who are looking to continuously upgrade, while continuing to stay in their jobs. Unlike offline education, online medium provides the advantage of being able to update the program curriculum and content regularly, and keep it relevant to the industry needs. Online medium also allows real-life problems to come to working professionals learning, where an individual can actually live the real-life situations in the form of case studies. Top 10 Essential Tools For Startup Business in India In the digital age, each individual will have to continuously upskill himself/ herself to stay relevant, and that would provide a large opportunity for edtech startups to create scale platforms. EdTech startups will have to look for opportunities where there is a significant demand supply gap, and look at providing right education programs. The biggest challenge in this will be the ability of edtech startups to design the program content for digital medium, rather than replicate what is being covered in the offline programs. Taking advantage of the digital channel will be key here. So for all edtech startups, keep your ears on the ground, and look for areas and skills that will allow you to build scale learning platform.
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by Mayank Kumar

20 Apr'16
Google I/O 2016 – Day 1 | Recap

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Google I/O 2016 – Day 1 | Recap

The most awaited Google I/O 2016 Conference was filled with announcements about improvements in current products and launch of some new products. In this article, we have summarized the biggest announcements from Day 1 of the conference. Google Allo Allo is Google’s new messaging app with resident chatbot. It has features like whisper/shout, expressive stickers, smart replies- which evolve with time and wide range of bot support especially the Google Assistant search bot. One of the most important features of Allo is that all its chats are encrypted but incognito mode offers end-to-end encryption and an option to send messages that self-destruct. Additionally, once you close a chat, the entire conversation is deleted forever. Google Duo Duo is Google’s mobile only companion app for Allo that helps in video calling. One of its special feature is ‘Knock Knock’ which lets users see the incoming video call feed before even answering the call. So, the receiving party can see who’s calling and where they are before they even pick up the call. Google Assistant Google takes search to the next level. Google Assistant supports “conversational understanding” to make search more natural and to better support voice searches. Google Home Home is built on the Chromecast standard, which lets it push media to other Cast-compatible speakers and screens, change temperature or lighting through Nest devices, and integrate with third party services. The entire experience is hands-free, powered entirely by voice. In fact, it doesn’t even have any buttons. Simple voice commands will control every aspect of the Home. Android N Android N comes with new features that include more control over notification size from different apps and a new picture-in-picture mode. Android N uses a new API called Vulkan that lets developers directly control a phone’s GPU for sharper 3D graphics. Android N will also download and install system updates automatically. The name of Android N has not yet been released. It is going to be selected through a crowdsourced contest. Google Daydream Google has a new VR platform built on top of Android N, and the new VR platform is called Google Daydream. It is an optimized virtual reality platform that aims to standardize the mobile-based VR experience. It also spans both software and hardware; Its biggest limitation is that it will be available only in new phones with special sensors and screen. Android Wear 2.0 Android Wear 2.0 can function independently of a smartphone. Apps no longer need a connected smartphone in order to function. Apps can function and even communicate without a phone, as long as the wearable device is connected to the internet via cellular or Wi-Fi. Users can also make data from any app show up on any watch face. Instant Apps One of the most interesting announcement was google Instant Apps. With Instant Apps, users can begin using an app instantly from right within the Google Play store without even having to download and install the app. As we can see, Google has made some big moves in the three hottest areas of tech – virtual reality, messaging, and smart assistants. However it would be interesting to see how these new products will compete with their competitors and how much of market share would they capture after their launch.
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by Dilip Guru

19 May'16
There’ll Be A Billion-Plus Job-Seekers By 2050, So Get Yourself Skilled NOW

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There’ll Be A Billion-Plus Job-Seekers By 2050, So Get Yourself Skilled NOW

This isn’t just a catchy headline meant to shock you, though that would be a justified reaction. If you are 25 years old, have graduated from a reputed institute in a traditional higher education discipline and are looking for a job, you may not be handed one on a platter any time soon. You may be cushioned within the famous Indian demographic that is supposed to yield a “dividend”, but unlike what you’ve been reading everywhere, this does not guarantee you employment. Between 1980 to 2010, 90% of world labour force growth occurred in developing countries and about 500 million new workers emerged in India and China alone (workers went from 260 million to 470 million in India, between this period). India, along with other developing counterparts, is all set to fuel 60% of the global growth in labour in the upcoming years. Keep in mind that enrolment in Indian higher education is only 24% right now. With India attaining almost universal elementary education and increased retention in secondary schools, the projected demand for higher education and jobs thereafter, will only escalate. By 2050, India will be home to more than a billion job seekers. This means providing jobs for over 12 million new entrants annually. There is also the challenge of finding jobs for the backlog, which reached 60 million by 2014. So isn’t this good news? India finally placed on the world map with a solid advantage where labour supply is concerned. Well, it may not all be good news. The new-age job-seeker must strive to acquire specific skill sets to be considered employable. Currently, only 43% of Indian youth are considered fully employable. Indian millennials are being touted as the future of jobs and the saviours of the working world. But this won’t hold true if in-demand skills are not imparted to the youth entering the workforce. The world of work is changing and industries are transforming. It’s a fact that we are moving towards a massive labour pool, but we are possibly riding a low-skill, low-wage cycle to get there. The country is on a trajectory that involves a surplus of millions of low-skill workers, whereas most nations, including India, will be increasingly demanding a high-skill workforce. Impacting Education: My Journey and UpGrad Most industries are replacing low-skill jobs with high-skill ones. Skills relating to upcoming technologies like cloud computing, social media, artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology, etc, are gaining immense relevance. Unfortunately, our education system is not preparing students well enough to enter the workforce as high-skill workers or equipping them with skills in the mentioned emerging domains. Gone are the days when just holding a graduate degree was enough to get employers to clamour to hire you. Education is not enough. The new-age job-seeker must strive to acquire specific skill sets to be considered employable. Currently, only 43% of Indian youth are considered fully employable. Gone are the days when just holding a graduate degree was enough to get employers to clamour to hire you. Education is not enough. The positive connotation associated with our demographic shift has been taken for granted and assigned the term “dividend.” But if we don’t strategically harness this change, we could very easily be faced with a demographic disaster. We don’t want to be stuck in a situation where we have too many job-seekers with inadequate skills, and therefore not enough jobs for them. India is moving workers out of farm jobs at a very fast rate, and this will only add to the burden of providing jobs in other sectors. We need a wake-up call and more concerted efforts towards large-scale skill development and training. We may have a situation of too few high-skill workers and not enough jobs for medium- or low-skill workers. This needs to be rectified by adjusting the education and skilling system to ready ourselves for the jobs of tomorrow. UpGrad develops various programs such as Digital Marketing Certification Program, and Product Management Certification Program in collaboration with IIIT Bangalore, specially designed for working professionals looking to up-skill themselves.  Check out the free courses.
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by Mayank Kumar

20 Jun'16
Only 25% Of Indian Graduates Are Employable, And The Solution Is Obvious

6.57K+

Only 25% Of Indian Graduates Are Employable, And The Solution Is Obvious

Co-authored by: Apoorva Shankar, Business Development Associate, UpGrad The world today has enhanced productivity requirements. Due to this, the demand for highly skilled labour is growing. China and India are set to drive this demand. Globally, the share of low-skill jobs is likely to decline from 74% of employment in 2010 to 62% by 2020. On the other hand, the shortage of highly skilled workers with a tertiary level of education is expected to reach 18 million by 2020, globally. But due to its demographic dividend, India will have a labour surplus of 47 million by 2020. However, this surplus may only be of low-skilled labour. And while the demand for highly skilled labour is increasing, the supply isn’t quite keeping up. The challenge, as well as opportunity, that India faces is how to train such a large reserve of labour and convert low skills to high skills. One solution that immediately comes to mind is providing higher education for all. But at present only 24% of those meant to be participating in higher education, are actually enrolled. Plus, traditional college or university pedagogy has been increasingly criticized for being outdated and irrelevant to the jobs market. If you attended school or college in India, you will have first-hand experience of the ills that plague the system. Some of the reasons for this are: Absence of a customized or personalized approach to education (necessary as different students have different needs and learning capabilities). Restricted resources due to not-for-profit nature of educational institutes and over-regulation. Lack of technology infrastructure. Poor teaching quality. Lack of skills-based learning. Low focus on research and development. Minimal partnerships with industry/foreign academia. Outdated curricula not reflecting requirements of a dynamic market environment. Skill-intensive industries are expected to contribute more than 90% of India’s GDP by 2030. The opportunity is staring at us in the face. Only about 25% of Indian graduates are considered employable by the organized sector. Further, 48% of Indian employers said they were having difficulty in filling jobs, in 2012. Despite employers expressing difficulty in finding employable candidates, in 2009-10 the unemployment rates in India were higher for those who were more educated (graduates had more difficulty finding jobs than secondary or primary level graduates). [b_color background=”#EDFF3D”] Also Read – Technology will surely kill some jobs, but not all of them [/b_color] So Indian education, in its current form, hasn’t proved to be enough training for the incoming workforce. The numbers also prove that just completing higher education in any field is not all it takes anymore. This pinch is being increasingly felt as the world of jobs is turning upside down; which is why we need skill training. Skill-intensive industries are expected to contribute more than 90% of India’s GDP by 2030. The opportunity is staring at us in the face. It’s not just about the potential but also the responsibility we are tasked with — restoring balance to the global supply of labour. The country needs to invest in skill development and training for a large chunk of its population. Exploiting sheer numbers is therefore one major reason to skill our workers. Secondly, the demand for advanced skill-sets in emerging areas is growing. Knowledge-intensive roles such as finance, business, etc, and those related to information technology and entrepreneurship are gaining momentum. The reality that these skills must be acquired will take root for more and more individuals, including drop-outs from the mainstream education system and those who have completed such education. Currently, the actual supply of these workers falls drastically short of matching growing demand. Hence, the gaps in domain knowledge are another reason to scale up the skilling. You are likely to be at a disadvantage, in terms of skill training and thereby employability, when compared to someone your age in China, USA, South Korea… In China about 47% of the workforce has received some kind of skill training, 52% in USA, 68% in UK, 75% in Germany, 80% in Japan and 96% in South Korea. Comparatively, only about 10% of the Indian workforce received such training in 2008. India is seventh in the category of countries facing maximum difficulty in filling jobs, i.e., 58% difficulty, where the global average is 38%. These figures reflect that just belonging to the young Indian demographic is not enough. You are likely to be at a disadvantage, in terms of skill training and thereby employability, when compared to someone your age in China, USA, South Korea etc. To address these imbalances, India needs unprecedented increase in both education and job creation. At this point, there is no guaranteed advantage for India in the contest for high-skill talent. It will be dependent on skilling. Considering the state of higher education and the skill upgrade required to be carried out in the future, the process will not just be about learning for professionals, but rather unlearning and re-learning.
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by Mayank Kumar

13 Jul'16
7 reasons to watch UpGrad Talks today

5.19K+

7 reasons to watch UpGrad Talks today

There is really no secret sauce for success. Provided you have had the opportunity to view the exclusive online tete-e-tete sessions brought to you by UpGrad Talks. With an amazing roster of world-class speakers, some from the top 1000 companies of India such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Sky, Coca Cola, JP Morgan, JWT to start-up poster children such as RedBus, Snadeal, Ola & Zivame and many more, Upgrad Talks provides insights into their formulae for success. The talks also share deep learning from situations that didn’t work out and many valuable nuggets of honest, down-to-earth and practical advice from successful entrepreneurs, experts and industry leaders. While some lip service has been paid to new-age technologies and skill sets, and the evolution of industries because of these, a deeper understanding of what this signifies is missing. Upgrad Talks intends to fill this gap by bringing together thought-leaders from different walks of life and raising the level of discourse in this area, as they share their experiences. Here are the top reasons why you must visit talks.upgrad.com today and make it your daily source of insights and motivation: Get Inspired Inspiration can come from many different sources. You may get inspired when you see a problem that needs a solution, which you are able to ideate, or get inspired when you hear stories of adversity being overcome by sheer willpower. Rarely does the simple existence of wealth inspire us. It may motivate us to work harder, but inspiration stems from a deeper place that needs real stories. Upgrad Talks are stories from the folks who have lived these stories, first hand. Not only does hearing someone’s complete story of challenges, thought process and subsequent outcome inspire, it also gives birth to new ideas and provides impetus to grow in your own space.  Moreover, inspiration also stems from well-put statements such as, ‘attitude will sail you through,’ by Harit Nagpal, CEO of Tata Sky. A key benefit of listening to industry leaders is that it also inspires us to think. ‘What we think, we become,’ is a quote by Buddha that sums up this well. Go ahead, face challenges It does not matter if you are a startup or an established financial organization; challenges, big or small, exist in every level of most businesses. Challenges faced, strategized and overcome is the rite of passage for almost everyone. Not only do Upgrad Talks cover challenges faced by leading industry veterans, it also covers it from various stages of businesses along with discussion of the solutions that helped overcome them. Upgrad Talks speakers’ discuss challenges faced by businesses in different spaces, which makes these talks an interesting listen. Furthermore, is quite motivating to hear the candid conversations of business leaders. So what is the common thought on challenges in the Upgrad Talks? No challenge is too big. It also strengthens the belief that challenges help you grow and become stronger and develops a sense of confidence to take on the next big challenge. Learn from influencers People who can motivate are great influencers. To hear success stories at Upgrad Talks, which have been driven by deep-rooted passion as well as courage of conviction can be a great influence on most people. It is likely to help you push yourself to greater heights and also follow your dreams a bit more diligently. To quote Snapdeal’s Kunal Bahl, ‘ there is a fine line between stubbornness and persistence.’ Upgrad Talks is likely to help you define the lines as an excellent selection of influencers talk also about the key soft skills required to make it a significant mark on the industry that you belong to. Mentoring As you listen to entrepreneurs, business leaders and experts on models that have worked, one can also start drawing parallels to one’s one business or profession. Mentoring of this kind is both subtle and effective as it helps you choose some key takeaways from the shared experiences that are most relevant to you. Follow the series to get premium access to the best mentors in the country as they talk about education, the emerging digital age and its impact on businesses, talent shortages and advice to youngsters. A bit of crystal gazing In the series of Upgrad Talks, one is likely to come across a vast amount of business knowledge which has been converted into digestible insights that can also help you choose the next steps in your career. Speakers’ at Upgrad Talks share their business mantras and what the future is likely to be.  This is crystal gazing of the finest variety and yet another reason to tune into the talks. A healthy dash of optimism One of the unique selling points of the Upgrad Talks is that they also brings out the combined optimism in business from key industry leaders. Apart from that one can learn what is next in the industry, and explore potential future opportunities in the workspace. The upbeat and positive nature of these talks makes them a must-listen. Easily available online Just in case you were wondering how far you would need to travel to listen to such a wide range of speakers, you can breath easy. Upgrad Talks are delivered online and you can listen to them at your own convenience. All you need to do is to long onto talks.upgrad.com and you can access high quality, pre-recorded sessions online. Upgrad is making content richer, bigger and better as it kicks off with 15+ talks delivered by entrepreneurs, experts & business leaders.  You definitely do not want to miss out on the educational transformation that UpGrad is fuelling in partnership with some of the greatest minds. Remember, one can never stop learning. So, if you always aspired to hear great advice and insights from the top Indian business leaders on how you can grow your business, choose a career goal or get inspired, do take a look at Upgrad Talks. They are truly the voices that impact. Join us today and be a part of it at talks.upgrad.com.
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by Omkar Pradhan

06 Aug'16
Evolving online education: Learning Together

5.36K+

Evolving online education: Learning Together

Technologies in online learning have been making promises since early 20th century. From radio to present day MOOCs,  multiple new technologies were seen as silver bullet in revolutionising education. These promises were indeed laudable, to make education accessible to everyone, affordable for everyone and more effective. Yet, the same history of unmet expectations has been repeated every time*. Although a lot has happened over the past decade in terms of growth and expansion of online education, there are many challenges yet to be solved before we can say online learning has truly arrived. We, at UpGrad, believe the following three challenges are the biggest hurdles to the success of online education. Isolation: Online learning is solitary experience   Acceptability: Online learning’s validity in the Job Market   Not Engaging: Interplay of distractions and motivations in learning online The dismally low completion rates and high failure rates are reflection of these challenges [1]. Our goal at UpGrad is to fight these challenges and provide an unmatched learning experience for the working professionals. We believe, with the flexibility of online learning, every working professional can “UpGrade” himself without going back to full-time formal education. Hence, we need to to make online learning mainstream. In this article we would be sharing how are setting the online learning as a ‘Social Experience’ for our students, ie the first of the three mentioned challenges. In 2000s, internet surfing was mainly an individual experience and on the other hand, in 2016 almost all of internet time is a social experience. We do not feel alone in 2016 version of internet. We believe online education will have much higher engagement and completion rates once it becomes a social experience. An average student’s e-learning journey is an individual experience making him/her feel isolated. Learners move through the course with limited interactions with both their instructor and classmates. We at UpGrad, are building a new learning platform specifically designed keeping our students and their needs in mind. We believe this would be key to provide the kind of engagement levels the students deserve. The perception of social presence (or lack of) is a big concern among students and teachers in online learning. Teachers develop courses in isolation and the students take the courses in isolation. Researchers have found strong correlation between the sense of social presence facilitated by the course and student’s perceived learning [3,4,5]. Also there is good re correlation between withdrawal in the course and student’s perceived lack of social interaction and instructor presence [3]. Lack of social interaction in e-learning increases the distraction, since a learner would look for social interaction elsewhere which is usually Twitter, Whatsapp or Facebook. If there is another learner doing the same course in my apartment building, there are limited chances that I would know about him. As learners of online courses, we are oblivious of everyone else’s presence except few replies on the discussion forum. They do form Facebook groups or Whatsapp groups organically, yet the whole online learning format ends up being mostly a solo experience. Here are the steps we are taking at UpGrad in making our online programs a social experience.: Profiles : The first step in ‘social’ e-learning is knowing your classmates. We have learner profiles with education and work history along with other details. Almost everyone is encouraged to fill in their full profile along with a descriptive ‘bio’ section. There are multiple points where learners are nudged to click on the profiles. To improve discoverability of relevant profiles we not only leverage cohort social graph but also use interest graph, performance graph, complementary skills graphs. Combined with other semi random** algorithms like who was recently online, learners bump into each other in interesting ways. In the first month of Data Analytics Program, an average engaged learner viewed peer profiles 110 times. Discussions: We have a discussion forum which is contextual and relevant to the course content. We designed it from the ground up to involve learners during the course. They help each other, solve doubts, ask questions, have healthy debates on the forum. Only when there is no consensus a Teaching Assistant gets involved in clearing the doubts. Last 3 months data shows that on a daily basis 50% of the students who are engaged on the platform, also engaged actively on the discussion forum. As most professionals have different backgrounds, sharing of experiences on the forum is much valuable to everyone in the cohort. We have seen learners fall into three buckets on the forum. First is the majority producers, the top 30% of forum content producers are responsible for around 70% of the discussions. The next 50% do the rest of 30% of the content but continue to voice their opinions through upvotes. Rest of the 20% are mere observers. These numbers are highly encouraging and we will be investing more time in finding out how student-student social interactions can help in overall engagement. Figure 1: Forum topic distribution in one of our programs. Share in the pie is (questions * votes) for each topic. Bigger share of the pie is a proxy for doubts. This lead us to start live sessions on those topics. Thought Leader AMAs: Initiating and maintaining engagement on the forum is hard. To set the ball rolling, we started the discussion forum for a new cohort with getting a thought leader to do an AMA on the platform. This way not only the students got a product onboarding experience but also the social expectation was set amongst the peers. In some months, the total content creation during AMAs ended up around 20% of the total cumulative content. We also observed a side benefit of starting the program with thought leader – that learners are more helpful, behave with more civility and show much more respect for each other. This is not very unusual because it is known that a group’s eventual social dynamics are very much impacted by behaviour in initial few days. In a way, it sets the trend which follows upto the end of the course. We also explored bringing in external motivations to see how does it impact on engagement levels. At times, there were small gifts for top forum contributors and at times we included forum participation in the grading. Our primary observations show that this is to be used cautiously. We are working on establishing a balance between extrinsic and intrinsic motivations for social involvement. Facebook Groups: For all cohorts we have Facebook groups for students apart from the platform discussion forum. We were not very confident how much our forum will be used for non academic discussions and generic social sharing. However, we found more and more discussions of generic nature and sharing of articles & blogs also started happening on the forum. Hence facebook group ended up becoming redundant. We are thinking of doing away with a cohort’s facebook group with this expanded use of discussion forum In summary, having a strong sense of community within the students is a big predictor of learning outcomes. This has been researched multiple times [7, 8]. Our platform’s usage data of course progress and social interaction activity strongly confirms this research. At a time, a learner who is socially engaged on our platform has usually completed 4 times (Figure 2) course materials than a learner who does not participate in social discussions. This high correlation has been repeated across multiple cohorts. Figure 2: At a snapshot of time course completion rates for learners active on forum vs non active. Apart from the student isolation e-learning content creators and facilitators tend to work in isolation, reflecting and sharing of best practices is minimal[6]. We at UpGrad are aware of this problem, and making sure different program teams collaborate and share solutions to common problems. We do not have complete solution to isolation in learning yet. We as a company are focussed on solving this problem, we are testing out few ideas and are willing to share the results with the community. With these changes we are expecting online learning experience to be more engaging, more involving and eventually pushing up the low completion rates of online learning. These are early days of online education and we have miles to go. Bibliography [1] http://collegequarterly.ca/2007-vol10-num03-summer/rolfe.html [2] Online Social Networks as Formal Learning Environments: Learner Experiences and Activities, The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, Vol 13, No 1 (2012) [3] Tello SF (2007). An analysis of student persistence in online education. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education [4] Herbert, M. (2006). Staying the course: A study in online student satisfaction and retention. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 9(4). [5] Morris, T. A. (2009). Anytime/anywhere online learning: Does it remove barriers for adult learners. In T.Kidd (Ed.), Online education and adult learning: New frontiers for teaching practices. Hershey, PA:IGI Global. [6] Duncan, H & Barnett J (2009) Learning to teach online. [7] Kaulback, B (2015). Learning Together : Community and Network from the perspective of designers of online learning. (Doctoral dissertation) [8] Bernard, R. M., Abrami, P. C., Borokhovski, E., Wade, C. A., Tamim, R. M., Surkes, M. A., & Bethel, E. C. (2009). A meta-analysis of three types of interaction treatments in distance education. Review of Educational Research, 79(3), 1243–1289.
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by Ankit Mittal

08 Aug'16
Skill deprivation: Education alone won’t guarantee a job, in-demand skills need of hour

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Skill deprivation: Education alone won’t guarantee a job, in-demand skills need of hour

If you are 25 years old, hold a degree in a traditional arts discipline from a well-regarded institute and are looking for a job, you may not be handed one on a platter any time soon. You may be cushioned within the famous Indian demographic that is supposed to yield a ‘dividend,’ but unlike what you’ve been reading everywhere, this does not guarantee you employment. Between 1980 to 2010, 90% of world labour force growth occurred in developing countries and about 500 million new workers emerged in India and China alone (workers went from 260 million to 470 million in India, between this period). India is all set to power most of global growth in labour in the coming years. Enrolment in Indian higher education is 24% right now. With India attaining almost universal elementary education, and increased retention in secondary schools, the projected demand for higher education and jobs will only escalate. India has finally been placed on the world map with a solid advantage where labour supply is concerned. Impacting Education: My Journey and UpGrad It’s not all good news though. Indian millennials are being touted as the future of jobs and the saviours of the working world. But this won’t hold true if in-demand skills are not imparted to the youth entering the workforce. The world of work is changing and industries are transforming. It’s a fact that we are moving towards a massive labour pool, but we are possibly riding a low-skill, low-wage cycle to get there. The country is on a trajectory that involves a surplus of millions of low-skill workers, whereas most nations, including India, will be demanding high-skill workers more and more. Most industries are replacing low-skill jobs with high-skill ones. Skills relating to upcoming technologies in advanced areas – think AI, robotics, data science and mining – are gaining immense relevance. Unfortunately, our education system is not preparing students well enough to enter the workforce as high-skill workers nor equipping them with skills in emerging domains. Curricula is outdated and pedagogy poorly-developed. Gone are the days when just holding a graduate degree was enough to get employers to clamour to hire you. Education is not enough. The new-age job-seeker must strive to acquire specific skill sets to be considered employable (currently only 43% of Indian youth are considered fully employable). This applies to all sectors of the economy, as most industries and businesses are adopting new-age technologies and going digital within most functions. There’ll Be A Billion-Plus Job-Seekers By 2050! The positive connotation associated with our demographic shift has been taken for granted and assigned the term ‘dividend.’ But if we don’t strategically harness this change, we could easily be faced with a demographic disaster. We don’t want to be stuck in a situation where we have too many job-seekers with inadequate skills, and therefore not enough jobs for them. India is moving workers out of farm jobs at a very fast rate, and this will only add to the burden of providing jobs in other sectors. Realising this, even the government has begun focusing on skill development and training. Creating an entirely new Ministry and launching the Skill India Mission are clear indications of this. Another sign that skill training is gaining momentum is reflected in the growth of the Indian education and skills industry at an average rate of 13% over four years. From Rs 1.21 trillion in 2008 to Rs 2.35 trillion in 2012. However, these measures have not been enough to successfully skill India’s young. Only 2% of the Indian workforce has received some kind of formal skills training so far, and 8% have received informal training. Comparatively, 47% of China’s workforce is skill trained, 52% in USA, 68% in UK, 75% in Germany, 80% in Japan and 96% in South Korea. Almost half of Indian employers find it difficult to fill jobs and a similar proportion of employed youth suffer from some degree of skill deprivation. By 2050, India will be home to more than a billion jobseekers. This means providing jobs for over 12 million new entrants annually. There is also the challenge of finding jobs for the backlog, which reached 60 million by 2014. The pace of accretion to the labour market will keep increasing, given our demographic profile and declining age-dependency ratio. Our working age population (15-64 years) will peak in 2050 and till then pressures for jobs will only become worse. We need a wake-up call and more concerted efforts towards large-scale skill development and training. We may have a situation of too few high-skill workers and not enough jobs for medium or low-skill workers. This needs to be rectified by adjusting the education and skilling system to ready ourselves for the jobs of tomorrow. Article Source: http://www.firstpost.com/business/skill-deprivation-education-alone-wont-guarantee-a-job-in-demand-skills-need-of-hour-3020568.html
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by Apoorva Shankar

08 Nov'16
Why The Growth Of Higher Education In India Hinges On The Private Sector

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Why The Growth Of Higher Education In India Hinges On The Private Sector

For the sake of simplicity, let’s say that the public sector’s role in education can be identified as a three-fold one. Firstly, it is tasked with universalizing access to education. Its next responsibility would be to regulate the sector and finally, to ensure quality education for all. In the context of the access provider role, estimates show that just in terms of physical infrastructure, more than a US $100 billion spends would be required in higher education alone, to double enrollment, from where it stands today (24%). Where regulation is concerned, bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC) and other higher education regulators are in-charge but leave much to be desired in terms of quality checks and monitoring, accreditation, etc. In fact, the UGC merely acts as a grants disbursing body now for universities and colleges, rather than a regulator. This is despite the fact that about 16% of the Ministry’s budget (2016-17) was allocated to UGC. Regarding quality, the government struggles to set standards and measure outcomes. Accreditation in the country is irregular and sub-optimal. In addition, unlike school education, where a certain level of learning outcomes may be gauged, this is difficult to do in higher education – especially assessing employability of a student post completing such education. So is there a role the government should prioritise? Further, because the government is entrusted with these roles, does it necessarily mean that they are its exclusive mandate? Or should the government act as an enabler and allow external participation if it means better execution and a higher success rate? The education and training industry is extremely large today and has strong further growth potential. With total educational spending of $2.7 trillion, the industry accounted for about 4.25% of the world’s GDP in 2010. In India alone, the spending on education and skilling has touched approximately Rs 74,000 crore. This may seem like a daunting figure but is still not sufficient. India spends about 4% of its GDP on all of education (about 1% on higher education), whereas globally the minimum recommended expenditure on education is 6% of GDP. Most of the public expenditure on higher education is used upon salaries and maintaining existing institutions, leaving very little to be spent on curriculum, research, and technology. However, spending on education still has enormous scaling to do and this is where the private sector comes in. Private players will have opportunities from rising demand in segments not well covered by the public education system (like adult education and vocational training). They bring in additional capital and are able to make huge investments, especially when government spending is insufficient and results in substantial infrastructure and investment deficit. For instance, the government had set a target of achieving a 30% enrolment ratio in higher education by 2020. The enrolment ratio currently is 24%. Judging by historical trends, and the current pace of rising enrolments, this target seems difficult to achieve. We may need a better, plan to succeed. Plus, the demand for higher education is only set to accelerate with growing population, higher enrolment as well as retention of students in schools. The private sector could play a crucial role in plugging these gaps and matching demand. In fact, it is already capturing the market in a big way, as can be seen in the adjacent graph. Enrolment in, and share of, private higher education institutions has surpassed that of government institutions (data as on 2013). Even the online education market in India expected to grow to US $40 billion by as soon as 2017. Unlike the education sector, which is legally mandated to operate on a not-for-profit basis, for-profit skill training institutes can be set up. This, coupled with initiatives of the National Skill Development Corporation, has encouraged the private sector to set up vocational training institutes. Corporate interest has also increased in the skill development space because of the benefits that accrue to businesses themselves, in the form of adequately trained manpower as a ready pool for future hiring. Majority of institutions offering professional disciplines are now in the private sector. There is a tendency of the public sector to view the private sector’s involvement in the education space with scepticism. But the private sector is necessary because of its ability to match industry demand for superior skilled manpower. It supplements infrastructure, facilities, technology and pedagogy and has an added advantage of escaping bureaucratic control and retaining autonomy to a large extent. Private players often collaborate with reputed international universities for faculty and other benefits which can be attractive to prospective students. They are also heavily investing in research-based education. As consumers of skilled manpower as well, the private sector is in a position to understand what type of skill training is to be imparted, and eventually benefit from it. This makes skill-training more efficient and effective. All three education-related roles of the government are equally important. However, while regulation should remain outside the purview of the private sector, nothing should stop them from assisting the public sector in maximising enrolments and improving quality of education. Public needs to work with private and create a level-playing field, in order to uplift the overall quality of education. Article Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.in/mayank-kumar/why-the-growth-of-higher-education-in-india-hinges-on-the-privat/
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by Apoorva Shankar

08 Nov'16