As a school student, you might believe that the stream you pick in your 12th will significantly narrow down the amount of careers open to you. While this would’ve been true once upon a time, thankfully, the modern career world has evolved beyond this point. Today, old careers have transformed and require new skills and specialisations to thrive in. Similarly, new career options have also popped up which require a mix of skills to do well in. The good news is, as a commerce student, you will have plenty of career options to choose from, so making an informed choice is vital. And this blog will guide you to options both traditional and new, so read on to discover the best career options available to you as a commerce student!
1. Chartered Accountants
Chartered Accountants, certified by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, is a highly sought after career for commerce students. CAs are expert accounting professionals authorised to handle a business’s accounting and tax-related matters. This involves tasks such as filing tax returns, auditing financial statements and business practices, maintaining investment records, and preparing and reviewing financial reports and documents.
While it is an extremely challenging field to break into, this profession is also one of the highest-paying professions in the country. Comprising various levels, the professional course is administered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India for students who have completed their class 12th in commerce. A B. Com in accounting would be the first place to start this career path.
2. Investment Banking
An extremely popular choice with big companies involved, Investment banking is a fascinating and in-demand profession not only in India but all over the world. When it comes to growing the financial assets of clients or organisations, investment bankers must make informed decisions. Their primary responsibilities include raising capital from various sources for the company’s general operations as well as handling mergers and acquisitions. Qualifications like CFA or an MBA in Finance and Banking can get you started on this career path.
3. Company Secretary (CS)
The Company Secretary career is an increasingly popular career for students who are interested in theoretical law within the corporate realm. Legal prospects and agreements within companies are the responsibilities of CS professionals. Over time, they can easily advance to senior positions in corporations and large firms due to their critical role. The Institute of Company Secretaries of India administers the CS or Company Secretary course (ICSI).
4. Cost and Management Accountant (CMA)
CMA, like CA and CS, is an internationally accredited professional course for commerce and accounting professionals. CMA is a valuable course for commerce students that is offered by The Institute of Cost Accountants of India and is designed to shape them into future business leaders. CMAs provide professional services in investment planning, profit management, and overall managerial decision-making in businesses such as manufacturing and service industries.
5. Lawyer/Advocate
Law, as one of the most prestigious careers in the country, offers a massive scope for commerce students with numerous lucrative career employment options depending on specialisation. Students can study subjects such as Family Law, Constitutional Law, Property Law, Corporate Law, Administrative Law, and so on, depending on their area of interest. Lawyers can find work in major corporations, government agencies, and law firms, or they can start their own practice. Integrated Corporate Law is a well-known legal specialisation that includes the guidelines, practises, and rules that govern the formation and operation of corporate firms.
To break into the field, students must first clear the CLAT (Common Law Admission Test), followed by graduation in the LLB (Bachelor of Law) course from universities governed by the Bar Council of India.
6. Actuary
Actuarial Science is a new, challenging, but lucrative profession that analyses financial risks in the insurance and finance fields using statistics and mathematics. Actuaries assist in defining the financial impact of uncertain future events, which is important for insurance companies, and pension funds in determining the funds necessary to pay claims. For example, studying the mortality rates of people of a certain age can help insurance companies determine when to pay out a life insurance policy. Actuaries also work in sectors like banking and healthcare to analyse financial liabilities and reduce risk costs.
To get started, students must graduate in Maths, Statistics with Actuarial Science or B.Com. They must also pass the Actuarial Common Entrance Test (ACET) and clear all 15 stages, following which, the student will be recognised as a member of the Institute of Actuaries of India.
7. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
IFinancial planning is regarded as one of the best career options in the field of commerce and is well-suited for students interested in financial management. A Financial Planner is responsible for ensuring the client’s financial security and can specialise in any of the following areas: Investment Planning, Retirement and Tax Planning, Risk Management, and Estate Planning.
This globally recognised professional course is administered and supervised by the Financial Planning Standards Board India (FPSB). Two options exist for students to become a CFP: Regular and Challenge. Regular candidates must have completed their 10+2 exams and must pass five exams covering all six modules of the certification programme. A challenge candidate must be a CA/Intermediate level, CS, LLB, or PhD, among others, and they only need to pass the fifth exam, Advanced Financial Planning, to be certified.
8. Bank Probationary Officer (PO)
The position of Probationary Officer in the banking sector is highly sought after and is an excellent career choice for commerce students. A Bank PO is responsible for a variety of roles and responsibilities, including managing customer complaints, supervising employees in the clerical post, and managing cash flows, loans, mortgages, and finances. Traditionally regarded as a stable career, one can advance within the sector to achieve managerial positions.
A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is necessary to be eligible for this position. Candidates must also clear exams conducted every year by government and private banks to secure this job role.
9. Bachelor Of Economics
If Economics was one of your favourite subjects, then a bachelor’s degree in Economics can open up alternative career paths for you! A bachelor’s in economics can be an appealing option for students who want to gain knowledge and skills in understanding the subject’s fundamental concepts and principles. This course covers microeconomics and macroeconomics, econometrics, statistics, economic history, political economy, and other economic subjects, making it a very potent starting point for some of the best job options in the business.
While not a career in itself, a degree in economics will allow a student to explore a diverse range of lucrative career options. Job opportunities include careers as a Banker, Market Analyst, Investment Administrator, Economist, and many other interesting options worth exploring.
10. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
With scores of students looking to pursue an MBA, the popularity of this course in India cannot be understated or ignored. However, this 3-year course holds immense value for students looking to gain expertise and knowledge in corporate operations, principles of business administration, and management training and is a common requirement for high-level management positions in organisations and companies.
Students completing BBA will also have the option of pursuing a wide range of possible careers such as marketing, financial, or human resource management. Other options include varying careers such as business consultant, investment banking, product manager, or even starting their business ventures.
Conclusion
While this blog does list 10 careers, commerce students must remember their choices aren’t limited to just these options. If you are a creative student, options like journalism, marketing, and many others also exist in the corporate field. As always, the right answer lies in exploring the career landscape and knowing where your interests and passions lie. It is important that you love what you do because that’s the only way you can make a living out of it.
And if you are a commerce student confused about what you can do or what’s right for you, just head to the ProTeen website and register today! ProTeen provides personalized guidance that covers everything a young student needs to navigate the modern career world. From helping you discover your true strengths to finding the right career fit for you, and even guiding you to the best colleges available, ProTeen and our career experts are on hand to resolve any queries and guide you to your dream career!
Comments are closed here.