Preparing for one’s career is an important thing, and the sooner you prepare, the better. Class 12 commerce students can already begin considering their professional careers and planning the same. Whether it is a career in finance or a career in marketing, you must be sensitive to shifting industry demands and acquire skills that are vital to excel. This article is a guide on how you can prepare for a career in commerce to gain access to lucrative jobs and growth opportunities.
1. Evaluate the career opportunities available
With a commerce degree, you have a vast range of career options at your disposal. You can opt to specialize in financial and accounting processes or try one of the cutting-edge areas that consist of business analytics and e-commerce. Research the eligibility and growth opportunities for each area. You can look over this list of popular career options available to commerce students for better reference:
- Finance and Banking – You can create lucrative careers in investment banking, financial planning, risk management, and insurance.
- Accounting and Taxation – Career roles are in the fields of auditing, taxation, forensic accounting, and statutory compliance.
- Business and Management – You can find jobs in corporate strategy, human resource management, and marketing. These roles demand effective leadership and decision-making abilities.
- Entrepreneurship and Startups – Commerce students can start businesses in e-commerce, retail, financial consulting, and digital services.
- Rising Fields – You can also consider jobs in digital marketing, e-commerce management, business analytics, and fintech spaces, which are currently growing at a fast pace.
2. Choose the right undergraduate course
Once you have figured out your career path, you can focus on identifying the right courses to gain the knowledge and expertise needed in the field. You can choose from a range of degree programmes and professional courses depending on your selected career. Let’s have a look at some of the course options and what they cover:
- Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com): A B.Com degree covers topics like accounting, taxation, corporate finance, and business laws. A B.Com degree opens doors to various career roles like financial analyst, tax consultant, and business consultant.
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA): BBA education educates students in business management, marketing, and entrepreneurship concepts. It equips them for a business manager, operations manager, and entrepreneur role.
- Bachelor of Economics (B.Econ): B.Econ teaches students about economic policy, market analysis, and financial research with the expectation to work in career roles that include policy advisor, economist analyst, and market strategist.
- Bachelor of Banking and Insurance (BBI): This undergraduate course specializes in banking laws and risk analysis, leading to professions such as banking PO, risk analyst, and financial consultant.
3. Develop skills needed to succeed
A degree in commerce is not enough to gain employment and grow in your career. You also have to hone certain skills. For instance, employers look for applicants who have analytical and problem-solving skills to sufficiently assess and solve problems. Similarly, commerce graduates working as business development consultants, financial planners, and analysts need financial literacy skills.
These abilities assist them in evaluating balance sheets, financial statements, and other important documents to provide guidance for decision-making. Likewise, proficiency in data handling is also anticipated from commerce graduates. Knowledge of tools such as Excel, Tally, and QuickBooks is essential for auditors, accountants, and advisors.
Employers also search for good communication skills in commerce graduates. Because consultants and analysts need to present their strategies and findings as reports and presentations, good communication is an essential skill in the field. You can take part in workshops, enroll in online courses, and use practical assignments to develop these skills.
4. Prepare for competitive exams
Most commerce courses involve qualifying entrance exams. For example, becoming a chartered accountant involves passing the CA exam conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in India (ICAI). In the same manner, you must pass the CS Executive Entrance Test to become a Company Secretary. Other than that, colleges and universities may also have entrance tests for B.Com and BBA degrees.
When you choose a course, make sure to check its eligibility requirements and entrance test details. Most courses provide detailed exam curriculum outlining the topics to be covered. You should start preparing for the exam as soon as you know the syllabus. Various online platforms like Udemy also offer study guidance on competitive exams like the ICAI CA exam. You can enrol in such classes to better prepare for these tests.
5. Participate in internship programmes for practical experience
To build a strong career in commerce, you must gain practical experience. You must be able to apply the academic knowledge learnt in courses to the practical world. Internship programmes offer great opportunities for such practical application. Apart from helping you gain industry exposure, they also help you build a professional network.
Based on your areas of interest for a career and specialization, you can start hunting for summer internships in different industries. For instance, if you would like to opt for a banking and finance profession, you may choose internships in private banking, consultancies, and investment companies. For accounting career pursuits, you can opt for apprenticeships with tax consultants and CAs in order to learn GST filing and audits practically. You may utilize sites such as Internshala and LinkedIn to look for the appropriate internship opportunities according to your career path.
6. Establish a network and industry relations
Career growth hinges on professional networking. The professional lives of business students can be networked by:
- Membership in Professional Organizations – Joining ICAI (in the event of CA), ICSI (in the event of CS), or CFA Institute promotes career development.
- Participating in Webinars and Industry Conferences – Interacting with industry experts gives an idea about market trends and career prospects.
- Using LinkedIn for Networking – Networking with alumni, mentors, and professionals assists in discovering employment opportunities and internships.
7. Explore higher education options and certifications
Postgraduate studies and certifications enhance career opportunities and enable students to specialize in an area of interest. You can acquire more skills by taking online courses on Coursera, Udemy, and SWAYAM. Depending on your selected career path, you may pursue:
- MBA (Finance, Marketing, HR) – Provides corporate management leadership positions.
- M.Com – Offers advanced study in accounting, taxation, and corporate finance.
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) – A recognized international certification in investment management.
- Financial Risk Manager (FRM) – Specializes in risk management for banks and investment houses.
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP) – Specializes in money management and financial planning.
Summing it up
Preparation for a career in commerce after 12th requires choosing the appropriate academic stream, acquiring industry-specific skills, and acquiring practical experience. With scope in finance, management, entrepreneurship, and e-commerce, students of commerce have various career options to pursue. Numerous students find career prospects in NBFC, where they can engage in financial planning, risk analysis, and credit management. Moreover, the emergence of online marketplace has also opened up new job opportunities in e-commerce management, digital marketing, and supply chain analytics. Through education, professional development, and flexibility, commerce students can establish a lucrative career in India’s changing commerce sector.