The professional courses are on rise. The ARTS, SCIENCE AND COMMERCE Streams are gradually being demarcated as the SCIENCE AND NON-SCIENCE streams.
Till the 1990s, there was a clear distinction between the professional courses that were open to science students, arts students and commerce students. When a student opted to pursue commerce, it was assumed that they were keen on pursuing either chartered accountancy (CA), cost and works accountancy (CWA) or the company secretary's (CS) course. An arts student clearly did not favor these commerce choices.
In the late 80s, National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) and National Law School of India University (NLSIU) at Bangalore were established. Hotel management started to grow in popularity as a professional course that students pursued after class 12. There was no clear indication of any stream of education that favored these choices. Looking back, this was probably the time, when the distinction between what science, commerce and arts students could pursue, started to fade.
While science did not lose its relevance for professional courses like engineering, health and agricultural sciences or pure science studies, the distinction between arts and commerce blurred. Hence, the student did not necessarily choose commerce because of interest in CA, CWA or CS, but as an exploration of his/ her interest and potential for commerce, with the reassurance that moving to arts would be no problem. Of course, in states like Maharashtra or Gujarat, where trade and commerce has always flourished, commerce was given great importance, not just for CA, CS, or CWA studies, but also for children of business families. Hence, a large proportion of students opt for commerce if they are not studying science, because they feel that this is more relevant. Also, awareness of the relevance and importance of arts is very low.
Skills required: There isn't much difference in the skills required for success in commerce or arts. Mathematics is offered in both streams, and would offer broader prospects to students of arts or commerce opting for it. Accounts are distinct to commerce and not taught in the arts stream. It demands numerical aptitude and a methodical approach, but the rest of the subjects offered in both arts and commerce require broadly the same set of skills. That is, you have potential for studying commerce or arts, if you have good reading and comprehension skills, are able to express yourself clearly, are organized, and can analyze and interpret data/ information, and have presentation skills.
After class 10+2: Students, who have completed class 10+2 with arts or commerce, may opt to train as a:
- Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) (www.icai.org)
- Cost and Works Accountant with the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI) (http://www.icwai.org/)
- Company Secretary with Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) (http://www.icsi.edu/)
The other professional course options are:
- The five-year integrated Law degree course
- The three- or four-year Hotel Management (or hotel and tourism management) degree course
- The integrated five-year foreign language course
- BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in fine arts/ applied art or an undergraduate program in design (BDes), fashion design or allied programs for students with drawing/ sketching talent.
- Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd or BPE) would be suitable for those involved in sports and athletics, and interested in physical education and sports careers
- Bachelor's degree in music/ dance for those with specific talent and interest in formal education for the performing arts
- Bachelor of Mass Media, BSc Animation, Bachelor of Management Studies/ Business Administration are open to commerce and arts students, but the commerce student also has the option of switching to arts after class 12.
- Students of Arts or Commerce, who have studied math till class 12, may opt for Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) or BSc IT, and could also opt for BA with Statistics or BA with Math.
- Alternately, unmarried male Indian nationals may apply for the National Defense Academy examination (http://www.upsc.gov.in/ has the details) for admission into the Army wing of the National Defense Academy for placement in the Indian Army.
- MBA/ MMS/ equivalent
- The three-year LLB
- MCA (for those who had studied math till class 12)
- Film editing/ direction/ cinematography/ allied programs
- Teaching
- Library and information science
- The dramatic arts
- Travel and tourism/ tourism administration,
- journalism, mass communication,
- public relations, advertising,
- social work, hospital
- health administration,
- Human resources management
- PM and IR,
- Charted Accountant
- Cost and Work Accountants
- Company Secretary
- MA in Economics and Development Studies, etc.
Entry into various services is open to arts and commerce graduates through the Civil Services Examination, Combined Defense Services Examination, CPO Assistant Commandant Exam, etc, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (www.upsc.gov.in), Combined Graduate Level Examination and other exams by the Staff Selection Commission (www.ssc.nic.in), and competitive examinations by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (http://mpsc.maharashtra.gov.in/english/dcm-New/index.php?departmentCode=0105.)
Always remember though, an informed decision after class 10, regarding the different streams of study or after class 12/ graduation is possible, when you are aware of the possibilities ahead, are objective about your academic abilities and personality strengths, and are willing to shortlist choices in line with your abilities and strengths. Success is not linked to courses and careers, but is dependent upon choosing options that suit your temperament and background.
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