Best Career Options You Can Pursue After MCA

If you’re looking for a post-graduate program that sharpens your skills in the field of computer science, programming, networking and other related areas, then the Master of Computer Applications is the ideal course for you. Using the well-balanced theoretical and practical knowledge imparted in the two years of the MCA degree, you can aspire towards a lucrative career in your chosen specialisation. While MCA has been specifically designed to meet the growing requirement in the IT industry, jobs after MCA are available across several other sectors such as Telecom, Healthcare, Financial Services, e-Commerce and many more. 

If you have opted for MCA as a post-graduation program or are planning to pursue it, being curious about the career opportunities after MCA is only natural. This article aims to inform you regarding the various job opportunities after MCA, expected salaries, cities offering the best jobs, etc. 

Scope of MCA: 

We live in a highly connected society with a heavy reliance on technology and technology-enabled services. This has become stronger in the aftermath of the global pandemic, making concepts like work from home, learn from home, online shopping, etc., an everyday routine - ‘the new normal. Considering that the MCA degree gives you the skills to set up virtual and physical networks, build online payment security gateways, develop web portals and mobile applications, among many other related aspects, it is not hard to envisage a wide and promising scope after an MCA degree.

While the MCA career options are vast and diverse, the course is equally demanding and exhaustive. An MCA is the natural, logical choice for completing their BCA degree program. However, this course is open to all people with a Bachelor's degree, meeting the minimum eligibility of scores and entrance tests (wherever applicable).To pursue it and truly excel in it, candidates need to have a technical bent of mind with a willingness to put in long hours as demanded by the course. An out-of-the-box thinking, analytical abilities and an aptitude for solving complex problems are just a few characteristics that can help you in this field of study. 

Factors to consider before taking up a job after MCA

Job opportunities after MCA are immense, undoubtedly. But the matter of your career, like any important decision in life, needs careful thinking and consideration of various factors. A common mistake young graduates make is focusing on the immediate job rather than considering their entire career path, on the whole. Your first job after MCA can lay the foundation of your professional life ahead, which is why you need to get it right. While exploring your potential employer, keep the following in mind:

• Company History: It is advisable to look for strong and stable brands that can reinforce your skills while giving your career a strong uplift.
• Industry Potential: MCA allows you to branch out in several sectors; researching the industry's future potential is a good way of future-proofing your career.
• Remuneration Package: Money, while important, should not be the only deciding criteria. You should also weigh other allowances, retiral options, tax-saving sops, medical insurance and HR-related benefits instead of only focussing on the monthly take-home pay.
• Work-life Balance: With more and more companies shifting towards flexible working models, it is valuable to understand the policies of your future employer with regards to job location, hours, holidays and vacation structure etc.
• Career Path: It is important to keep a medium-to-long-term horizon in mind. Knowing the areas you can branch out within the organisation (lateral movement), and the path of vertical progression into senior roles will be of value in a few years down the road.
• Your Personal Interest: This is often ignored, yet it is very important to stand out in your field. If you can combine your area of interest in your job role, such as software development, hardware engineering, database management, then you have a far greater chance of success as you will be playing to your strengths.

Career Options after MCA

As mentioned earlier, a wide range of MCA career options are available for you to choose from in private companies or even government undertakings. Let us take a quick look at some of these exciting career options for you to consider.

1. App Developer

If you choose to become an application developer, your role will be to develop smartphone applications that help the user daily. With many companies now moving towards taking their business online, this job is in high demand.

2. Web Designer

As businesses continue to go online, the need for digital marketing also increases. This opens up a lot of job opportunities after MCA in the field of UI/UX development, for which an MCA can play a very suitable role. If you have the relevant HTML, JavaScript, and Adobe Photoshop skills, you can ace this domain.

3. Software Programmer

A large number of MCA graduates are working in software programming. As a software developer, your role in this job would be to design, develop, and maintain software for enterprises. As an MCA, you provide IT services to clients. If your interest includes coding and testing programs, choosing this career would benefit you.

4. Cloud Architecture

In the 21st century, data has become a precious commodity. It helps companies drive their businesses. In years to come, cloud data storage will keep increasing due to the huge volumes of data in play for both businesses and personal use. Playing a cloud architect’s role will be in demand, and after MCA, it can become a lucrative career option for you.

5. Data Scientist

Of late, the demand for data science and analysts have been on the rise in India. After the United States, India stands second with a large number of job vacancies in this field. If you have a knack for algorithms, math, statistics, and machine learning, this field can be rewarding. This domain offers some of the highest-paying jobs after MCA.

6. Software Consultant

Software development consultancy refers to the process of analysing and recommending a suitable software solution for a particular business. Your role includes helping the enterprise improve its efficiency & providing feedback to make the operations run smoothly. It offers excellent job opportunities after MCA to enhance your skills and knowledge in the field of software development.

7. Ethical Hacking

This job involves accessing a system or network on request by the owner to find security flaws that can put them at risk of malicious hacking. This field offers career opportunities after MCA, primarily due to the massive number of online financial transactions and the need to ensure a secure channel.

Apart from these job roles in the private sector, you can also go for other career opportunities after MCA, such as

• Government Jobs

Many public sector undertakings such as Gas Authority of India Ltd. (GAIL), Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), Power Grid Corporation of India, etc. hire MCA graduates for the roles of programmer, analyst, consultant, or information technology officer.

• Higher Studies

Further studies are great if you want to polish your knowledge and skills and can also help prepare for senior-level jobs. After completing your master's degree, you can go for a Masters in Engineering (ME) Computer Science. You need a good Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) score for admission. Various renowned universities offer admission to computer science.

Salaries Offered to MCA Graduates

The salaries offered to MCA graduates are a combination of roles, the company’s pay scale, domain engaged in, etc. The table below lists the average salaries offered at a generalised level for various roles.

Posts	Average Salaries
App Developer	Between Rs. 4 to 15 lakhs per annum
Web Designer	Between Rs. 3 to 8.5 lakhs per annum
Software Programmer	About Rs. 9 lakhs per annum
Cloud Architect	About Rs. 13 lakhs per annum
Data Scientist	Between Rs. 5 to 17 lakhs per annum
Software Consultant	Up to Rs. 50,000 per month (part-time)
Ethical Hacking	Between Rs. 3 to 15 lakhs per annum
Manual Testing	About Rs. 5 lakhs per annum
Troubleshooter	Around Rs. 3.5 lakhs per annum
Government Jobs	Rs.35,000 - Rs.50,000 p.m. + allowances

Cities Offering The Best Jobs After MCA

There is a good demand for MCA graduates in India and most of the major cities have multiple opportunities across different domains. While Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India, offers the highest paying jobs after MCA for the freshers, other cities are not far behind. Below is the list of some major cities that offer employment post-MCA.

Cities	Average Salaries to freshers
Bengaluru	Rs. 6 lakhs
Gurugram	Rs. 5.8 lakhs
Pune	Rs. 5 lakhs
Hyderabad	Rs. 4.95 lakhs
Chennai	Rs. 4.5 lakhs
Mumbai	Rs. 4.4 lakhs

In Summation

So, as you can see, you can have a multitude of progressive and lucrative career options upon completing your MCA degree. However, it is important to pursue the stream that fits naturally with your abilities and interests. It is also imperative to carefully choose the college that can offer you the right combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience to give you a headstart in your career ahead.