Are you entering the final semester of your bachelor’s in Computer Applications? And do you have clarity on what to pursue next, a course, a job, or what? Well, BCA leads to several career paths that you can tread on, and become successful. However, sometimes having a lot of ways can confuse us and we end up scratching our heads.
BCA has become one of the prominent courses in recent years because of technological advancements and the role of computers in almost everything. There has been a surge in the number of applicants for the BCA course because of the high demands of employers seeking BCA graduates.
Before moving ahead and diving into the plethora of opportunities the BCA course promises, let’s understand the course details and answer the ‘What is BCA?’ question.
What is BCA?
BCA is a recognized undergraduate degree in computer applications. It is a 3-year long course that is further divided into 6 semesters focusing on different subjects directly or indirectly related to computers. The course majorly focuses on training students with the concepts of software development and coding through computer languages including but not limited to C++, Java, and Python.
By leveraging computer languages, students learn heavy concepts like Database Management, Web Development, and Game Development. BCA is a compact course that delves into software engineering without involving the intense mathematics of traditional Computer Science courses like B.Sc in Computer Science or B. Tech in CS and IT.
Decide a Career Option After BCA
BCA is a wonderful start to your career, but it alone cannot take you places. You must club skills or pursue courses post-BCA that will open multiple career options after BCA and will help you land your ideal job. Some of the prominent courses include Masters in Computer Application (MCA), Masters in Information Security Management, Masters in Business Administration ((MBA), and Masters in Data Science.
Although the above-mentioned courses will occupy most of your time, and require a full effort, there are short courses as well where you can flourish and find an opportunity. These courses focus on building niche skills like digital marketing, learning codes for a particular language, and cyber security. These skills also benefit students a lot, as they help in landing a job in less time compared to prominent degrees.
Software Developer Career Options After BCA
- Role: Majorly includes maintaining software applications through design and coding.
- Skills Needed: Proficiency in programming languages (Java, Python, C++, etc.), problem-solving, and software development tools.
- Average Salary: ₹3–6 LPA (entry-level)
You can become a software developer after studying BCA. However, you would need additional certificates and courses to establish yourself in the field. You would be required to write codes in multiple languages proficiently. You can earn up to 6 Lacs per annum initially, and this number increases with your experience and work portfolio in the field.
Web Developer Career Options After BCA
- Role: Curate websites and web applications and also responsible for their maintenance.
- Skills Needed: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, Angular, PHP, etc.
- Average Salary: ₹2.5–5 LPA
Becoming a web developer is also a wise choice after completing BCA. You would be required to master specific languages like HTML, CSS, and React. A Web developer handles the development of the UI/UX of the websites, meaning the user interface. Apart from that, the basic functioning of CMSs and updates on the website are also handled by them. Although the initial salary is not very competitive, you can climb your way up in no time as the demand for web developers is always in the market.
Data Analyst Career Options After BCA
- Role: Analyze and interpret data to help businesses make informed decisions.
- Skills Needed: Excel, SQL, Python, Tableau, Power BI.
- Average Salary: ₹4–8 LPA
Data Analysts have a major role in businesses, through their analysis, businesses are able to make informed decisions. Data analysts help businesses grow and generate revenue, which is why they have more scope and earn higher comparatively. You will not directly become a data analyst post-BCA, instead, you will need to pursue a distinct course to become a Data Analyst.
Mobile App Developer Career Options After BCA
- Role: Build and optimize apps for Android and iOS platforms.
- Skills Needed: Kotlin, Swift, Flutter, React Native.
- Average Salary: ₹4–7 LPA
You can also become a mobile app developer after finishing BCA, the profile requires you to learn and work on SDKs like Flutter and React Native. Flutter is an open-source framework provided by Google, hence, learning and mastering it is easy and can provide you an average salary of a minimum of 6 Lacs per annum. You can also freelance after learning the skill.
Cybersecurity Analyst Career Options After BCA
- Role: Protect systems, networks, and data from cyber threats.
- Skills Needed: Knowledge of firewalls, ethical hacking, and penetration testing.
- Average Salary: ₹5–8 LPA
Cybersecurity analysis is a prominent job in the technical world. You can become a cybersecurity professional if you focus on ethical hacking, and penetration hacking and have a good knowledge of firewalls. These skills are hard to master and you can’t polish them through your BCA course. You must practice the skills and you can help governments or private organizations protect their systems, networks, and data from cyber threats.
IT Support Specialist Career Options After BCA
- Role: Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues for clients or internal teams.
- Skills Needed: Problem-solving, hardware and software knowledge.
- Average Salary: ₹2–4 LPA
Becoming an IT Support Specialist is a relatively easy career opportunity compared to other jobs. It requires a basic understanding of the hardware and software of computers, and you must be able to solve technical issues encountered by your clients or teams.
Game Developer Career Options After BCA
- Role: Design and create video games.
- Skills Needed: Game engines (Unity, Unreal), C++, graphics design.
- Average Salary: ₹4–10 LPA
Game developers can also be very successful based on their skills. In fact, AAA game developers earn millions. However, it takes a lot of time to become a AAA game developer. You can start working on game engines like Unity and Unreal, once you are well-versed in building game mechanics, you can easily earn anything between 4 to 10 Lacs in a year, even through freelancing.
Digital Marketer Career Options After BCA
- Role: Use digital tools to promote businesses online.
- Skills Needed: SEO, social media marketing, Google Ads.
- Average Salary: ₹3–6 LPA
The role of a digital marketer involves boosting a site’s traffic and making it visible in the SERP. The basic skills that you will learn in this course will be SEO, social media marketing, and Google Ads.
Animator Career Options After BCA
- Role: Design and make animated videos.
- Skills Needed: Maya, Blender, Max.
- Average Salary: ₹4–7 LPA
An animator helps websites build their animated videos. They can also work in media houses and work in films or game studios to design animated characters. It is a highly-paying job because good animators are hard to find. If you want to become an animator you can join Skilwaala’s free animation course to kick-start your career.
Six Best Post-Graduate Courses After BCA
If you wish to study further after BCA and are confused about which course is best after BCA, we will list the names of courses that you can pursue. These courses are compatible with BCA and can boost your job opportunities once you finish them.
1. Master in Computer Application (MCA)
A post-graduate program usually pursued after BCA, a Master in Computer Applications is a 2 /3 year-long course that delves into the depths of computer science, software development, and complex IT concepts. Complex programming languages, application development, database management, networking, and emerging technologies are some of the key focus areas of the course.
Career Prospects after Masters in Computer Application:
- Software Developer/Engineer
- Web Developer
- Database Administrator
- System Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Cloud Architect
- AI/ML Engineer
Salary Range:
- Entry-Level: ₹4–7 LPA
- Mid-Level: ₹8–15 LPA
- Senior-Level: ₹20–30+ LPA
2. Master in Computer Management (MCM)
A perfect course designed to bridge the gap between business management and technology, MCM also is a 2-year long postgraduate program. Apart from unraveling complex computer concepts, the course tackles information systems and business strategies.
Career Prospects after Master in Computer Management
- IT Manager
- Project Manager (IT)
- System Analyst
- Software Product Manager
- Business Analyst
- ERP Consultant
Salary Range:
- Entry-Level: ₹4–6 LPA
- Mid-Level: ₹8–12 LPA
- Senior-Level: ₹15–25+ LPA
3. Master in Information Management
Master in Information Management is another postgraduate program that helps students learn the intricacies of management and information optimization inside organizations. Technology is combined with data analytics, and management principles and trains professionals to handle large-scale data management.
Career Prospects after Master in Information Management
- Information Systems Manager
- IT Consultant
- Business Analyst
- Data Governance Officer
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Salary Range:
- Entry-Level: ₹5–8 LPA
- Mid-Level: ₹10–20 LPA
- Senior-Level: ₹25–40+ LPA
4. Master in Information Security Management
You must be wondering who handles the safety of all the data of an organization. Well, professionals holding a Master’s in Information Security Management do that nasty work. These professionals take care of cybersecurity and ward off any potential data leak threat to the company.
Career Prospects after Master in Information Security Management
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Ethical Hacker
- Information Security Manager
- Security Architect
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
Salary Range:
- Entry-Level: ₹5–10 LPA
- Mid-Level: ₹12–20 LPA
- Senior-Level: ₹30–50+ LPA
5. Master in Data Science
Master in Data Science trains students to analyze vast datasets and based on that make healthy decisions for an organization. The syllabus of the Master in Data Science revolves around machine learning, statistical modeling, data visualization, big data technologies, and artificial intelligence. Students also get well-versed with tools like Python, R, and SQL.
Career Prospects after Master in Data Science
- Data Scientist
- Machine Learning Engineer
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Big Data Engineer
- AI Specialist
Salary Range:
- Entry-Level: ₹8–12 LPA
- Mid-Level: ₹15–25 LPA
- Senior-Level: ₹30–50+ LPA
6. Master in Business Administration
MBA is one of the most prestigious courses that one can pursue. Not just BCA graduates, but other students from other fields also opt for an MBA in high numbers. The course teaches entrepreneurial skills and develops leadership skills in students.
- IT Manager
- Product Manager
- Business Analyst
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Tech Consultant
- Entrepreneur
Salary Range:
- Entry-Level: ₹6–10 LPA
- Mid-Level: ₹12–18 LPA
- Senior-Level: ₹25–40+ LPA
Course | Focus Area | Entry-Level Salary | Mid-Level Salary | Senior-Level Salary |
MCA | Programming, Development | ₹4–7 LPA | ₹8–15 LPA | ₹20–30+ LPA |
MCA | Programming, Development | ₹4–7 LPA | ₹8–15 LPA | ₹20–30+ LPA |
MCM | IT Management & Systems | ₹4–6 LPA | ₹8–12 LPA | ₹15–25+ LPA |
Master in Information Management | Information Systems Strategy | ₹5–8 LPA | ₹10–20 LPA | ₹25–40+ LPA |
Master in Info Security Mgmt | Cybersecurity & Data Protection | ₹5–10 LPA | ₹12–20 LPA | ₹30–50+ LPA |
Master in Data Science | Analytics, ML, AI | ₹8–12 LPA | ₹15–25 LPA | ₹30–50+ LPA |
MBA | Management & Leadership | ₹6–10 LPA | ₹12–18 LPA | ₹25–40+ LPA |
Future Scope of Job After BCA In India
The Bachelor of Computer Applications is counted among the best qualifications in India because of the increasing demand for IT professionals. The rapidly growing tech industry seeks qualified bachelors in Computer Applications. Let’s talk about the future job scope and career opportunities of this course.
The IT sector is booming in India with several companies looking forward to setting up their camps in this country. With the growth of technology, professionals are also required, hence, BCA promises a good future. Moreover, many other fields have opened up their way for BCA graduates like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, blockchain technology, Data Science, and Big Data along with Augmented and Virtual Reality.
In fact, you can also have a stable career in a non-technical field. The future scope of jobs after BCA in India also includes Digital Marketing, Business Analyst, IT Sales and Marketing, and Content Writing. These jobs do not require you to be a hardcore technical person, you can survive these fields easily with basic technological understanding.
Short-term Courses After BCA
Short-term courses can help you propel your career, there are many short-term course options once you are done with your BCA course.
Web Development
You can complete a course on Web Development in less than 6 months. Through web development, you will learn languages like HTML, CSS, and Javascript. Popular frameworks like React.js, Angular, and Vue.js are also taught in this course. You can become a backend or a frontend developer post this course.
Data Science and Analytics
Learning Data Science and Analytics can extend from 6 to 12 months. This course also makes you proficient in Python. Data Visualization (Tableau, Power BI), Machine Learning Basics, and Big Data Tools are also some of the concepts you will learn from the Data Science and Analytics course.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity can also be learned post-BCA. Concepts like Ethical Hacking, Network Security, Penetration Testing, and Cryptography are covered briefly in this course. Being a professional ethical hacker is a white-collar job and holds prominence in the world of technology.
Game/Mobile App Developer
You can also do a course on game or mobile app development. You will get to know the different game engines like Unity, Unreal Engine, and Godot. 2D and 3D game design. However, in the mobile app development course, you will learn Java and Kotlin for Android app development; and Swift for developing apps for iOS. Flutter and React Native are used for developing cross-platform apps, this knowledge also comes in handy in mobile game development.
There are other courses as well which can give plenty of job opportunities if you club it with your BCA degree.
- Digital Marketing
- Cloud Computing
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- UI/UX Design
- Blockchain Technology
- Full-Stack Development
- DevOps
Certification Courses
You can also pursue certification courses after BCA. Some of the prominent certificate courses are as follows:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- Google IT Support Professional Certificate
- Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Conclusion
The job scope after BCA is flourishing due to the surge in technological industries. BCA is one of the right ways to get yourself immersed in the world of technology. You must continuously upgrade your skills and stay updated with emerging tech trends to feel more inclusive in your profession. By upgrading your skills and adding feathers to your cap you can unlock exciting career opportunities and earn competitive salaries.
In this ever-evolving era, learning has become a tough job, especially with tons of institutions selling mediocre content online. However, if you join a BCA internship that holds potential, you can achieve wonders. Having said that, Skill Waala is one of the prominent centers where you can learn and become an intern, as they have a tie-up with BR Softech, an industry-leading IT development solutions company. They are currently running an offer where they are training students for free and providing jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) is a technical degree that extends for a period of 3 years. It majorly focuses on computer science, software development, coding, and IT-related fields.
Ans: Yes, BCA can be a great choice given you are interested in technology and computers. The degree offers a wide range of career opportunities in India and abroad in IT, software development, or computer science.
Ans: Although some universities accept applications that do not have mathematics in their 12th, it is considered important to have a basic understanding of the concepts of mathematics to have an edge in the logical aspect of coding.
Ans: Software Developer, Data Analyst, Web Developer, Mobile App Developer, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Digital Marketer are some of the popular career options that a BCA graduate can opt for.
Ans: The current trends in technology include AI/ML, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Blockchain, and Game Development. These are some of the viable fields where you can put your foot in.