Best Professional Courses in India After 10th, 12th and Graduation

In a world driven by technology, students – after finishing higher secondary school or college – now have tons of options to join any professional courses of their choice. Some online professional courses can even be done online from the comfort of their own homes.

While courses may prepare you with an academic foundation, professional courses will help you develop particular and professional skills to make you job-ready. So, if you are looking to join a professional course after finishing high school, you have landed on the right page. In this article, we will highlight some of the best professional courses in India that you could join after completing high school and college.

How To Choose The Right Professional Course

We aim to help you find the right professional course by considering the following tips –

Know Why Do You Want To Study Further

When choosing a course, you should ask yourself why you want to study further. Is it just for a degree? Or do you want to enhance your skills? If you want to grow in the current field, you can choose a professional course related to that. However, if you are still confused, you can also reach out to your friends, family, teachers, and coworkers to discuss and consider their suggestions. If you are looking for a change in your career, you should research more about it, such as course type, duration, scope, etc., and choose what you would like to pursue in the long-term.

Understand The Field You Want To Work In

Before finalizing a course, ask yourself what field you want to work in. Understand the working culture of the respective field and once you gain the knowledge and in-depth insight, focus on the course that will help you grow in the future. Some of the popular courses that you can keep in mind are Medical, Nursery, Accountancy, Sciences, Information Technology, Agriculture, Computer Sciences, Psychology, and a lot more.

Focus On Your Interests

It is crucial to keep your interests in mind to know what you desire to study. You need to ask yourself if the chosen course is based on your interests and if it will help you in your career ahead. By answering these two points, you can help yourself choose the best career path for yourself.

Pay Attention To The Subjects Included In The Course

Have you thought about why subjects play a key role in the course? Every course has multiple subjects, so ensure that whatever course you choose matches your interest and the field. For example, if you are a medical student, you can choose to study anything related to medicines and more.

Write Down Your Strengths and Skills

Everybody has skill sets; just because you are not good at speaking does not mean you cannot achieve anything else. There are multiple fields and industries, and you can find a perfect fit for you. The best you can do for yourself is write down your skills and strengths, think of the best courses that match your interests, where you can thrive. Choose that, and follow your instincts!

List of Professional Courses After Graduation

In this face-paced world, an undergraduate degree alone is not enough to find good jobs that pay well. Moreover, one of the many reasons hiring managers fails to find suitable candidates is due to the lack of the right skill sets. It’s no wonder that many people opt for higher education or join professional courses after graduation.

Choosing the right professional certificate program will go a long way in helping you jump-start your career. Take a look at our top 5 picks of the best professional courses you could opt for.

1. Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is only getting bigger and better. Be it Social Media, SEO, or Business Analytics, having a professional certification in any of these will open a wide door for you in your professional life as demand for digital marketing professionals is high in this global market, especially after the social media boom. So, if you want to enhance your professional skills in digital marketing tech tools or social media marketing, among many others, this is the professional education course for you.

Course Type	Course Duration
Professional Certificate Course	3 Months to 1 Year
Diploma	1 to 2 Years
Postgraduate	2 Years

2. Data Science

Coined “sexiest job of the 21st century” by Harvard Business Review and considered one of the youngest professions, data science made its name in India after a decade in 2010 and is now among the highest paying jobs in India. To be a data scientist who collects, analyzes, and interprets large sets of structured and unstructured data, you would have to be proficient in programming languages such as Python, SAS, etc, and master analytical tools such as SQL, Spark, and Hadoop.

To know more, read the professional certification programs details mentioned below:

Course Type	Course Duration
Professional Certificate Course	3 to 6 Months
Diploma	1 Year
Postgraduate	2 Years

3. Master of Business Administration

If you dream of one day starting your own business or starting your career in a management-level job, then MBA is the right professional course for you because you will be taught how to make and manage finance and plan ahead, among many others. You can choose your specialization in fields such as Sales, Operations, Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, etc.

Course Type	Course Duration
Master of Business Administration	2 Years

4. Tourism And Hospitality

As one of the fastest-growing industries, tourism, and hospitality management course(s) will open many amazing and well-paying career opportunities for you. You can also get the opportunity to travel or even work abroad in some of the most esteemed hotels in the world. This is the perfect professional education course for those who want to travel and meet people from all across the globe.

5. Project Management

The demand for project managers – who plan, organize, execute and oversee projects for companies – is increasing because of the fast-growing business organizations. If you are someone who possesses good leadership and time-management skills and want handsome pay, give a project management development course a try.

Professional Courses After 12th

How lucky are we that we live in such a time when there are institutes that provide us with the tools to directly chase our dream jobs without going for higher studies after finishing high school?

If you are looking for the best professional courses after 12th in India, take a look at the list below.

1. Fashion Designing

If you are a creative person who wants to make a name for yourself in the world of fashion whilst making big bucks, then pursuing professional courses in fashion designing is the answer for you. Moreover, you can even start your own business or work abroad.

2. Hotel Management

47% of hotel management students complete their Bachelor’s to get a job as a hotel manager, while 28% of students do diploma courses and Professional certificate courses in Hotel management. You could choose from many job profiles from front desk executives to hostesses to hotel managers if you decide to take this path. Plus, if you aim for a good-paying job with amazing benefits and perks, many hotels offer healthcare packages, discounted travel rates, maternity leaves, etc.

3. Business Administration

BBA degree holders have a plethora of career options and to add even more into the mix, they could even opt for higher studies. If you choose this professional certificate program, you can choose from various rewarding career options that come with job stability and security in different sectors such as education, marketing, finance, sales, government, etc.

4. Journalism And Mass Communication

For the inquisitive and determined minds, joining a Journalism and Mass Communication course will open many doors for you. You can enhance your writing, researching, and communication skills and become a reporter, editor, radio jockey, or PR, photographer, graphic designer, among others.

5. Animation And Multimedia

Thanks to Animation, we can now enjoy movies such as Toy Story, Kung Fu Panda, Encanto, Frozen, just to name a few. You can channel the creative side of you and become an animator yourself by joining an Animation And Multimedia course or two after completing 12th commerce.

Professional Courses For Commerce Students

With almost everyone having the same qualifications and skill sets, landing your dream commerce stream jobs can be arduous. And, now that the job market has drastically changed due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the competition is much tougher. So, to stand out from the crowd and get ahead, it would be wisest if you choose a professional course after completing high school. Take a look at some of the top professional courses after 12th Commerce.

1. CA – Chartered Accountancy

Although the Professional Education course duration may be long, becoming a Chartered Accountant after completing the CA course would be worth it for those looking for high-paying jobs. This much-in-demand job is among the highest salary jobs for Commerce Students in India. To join this Professional Education course, you would have to sit for an entry-level national examination conducted by the ICAI twice a year.

Their primary roles and responsibilities include:

• Handling their client’s finances.
• Analyzing financial statements to advise the clients when making financial decisions.
• Ensuring the company’s statements are up to standard and legal, among many others.

Course Type	Course Duration
Chartered Accountancy	5 Years

2.CS – Company Secretary

To become a Company Secretary – a person who ensures the company stays in compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements – you can join the 8-month foundation course – Institute of Company Secretaries in India (ICSI), followed by the Intermediate Course and lastly, the Final Course.

During and after the completion of this Professional Education course, you will also have to go through a short-term professional training program.

Course Type	Course Duration
Company Secretary	1 Year Minimum

3. Financial Planning

If you are planning to go towards a career in finance, one of the best and most well-paying jobs after completing high school in India is to become a Certified Financial Planner. Through the Financial Planning course, which is offered by the Financial Planning Standards Board (FPSB), you will learn how to be proficient in making a strong and recurring financial planning framework.

4. Statistics

For the math and data experts, pursuing a professional course in Statistics just might be your calling. If interested, you could either go for a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Statistics, which is an undergraduate academic program that focuses on teaching students basic mathematics’ principles to collect and analyze insights from business data, or a Bachelor of Statistics, for which you will have to take an entrance examination.

Course Type	Course Duration
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Statistics	3 Years
Bachelor of Statistics	3 – 4 Years

5. Tally

A tally (Transactions Allowed in a Linear Line Yards) course is where you will get to learn accounting software. This software helps small and mid-level businesses in making GST and TDS calculations and inventory management among many others.

Course Type	Course Duration
Professional Certification Course	2 to 4 Months
Diploma Course	1 to 2 Years

Professional Courses For Science Students

From medicine to IT to aviation, among others, the field of Science offers its students many career pathways. Take a look at some of the trending top Professional Courses after 12th Science.

1. Data Science

The world of data science is booming rapidly in this modern era. Once you complete a professional course in data science, as a data scientist you will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting big amounts of data. Learning data science will open many doors to being at the top of your career.

2. Medicine and Surgery

When we were young, when asked what we wanted to be when we grew up, one of the most common answers was ‘Doctor’. So, if you still want to become a doctor, MBBS, which is one of the most popular professional courses after 12th Science, is the course for you. Just ensure that you are well-prepared for the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) exam to get a seat for MBBS.

3. Nursing

If you are looking for a rewarding career concentrated on helping others and saving lives, then pursuing a Nursing course will take you to a job meant for you, a nurse. For a professional degree course like Bachelor of Science in Nursing, you may have to take an entrance examination in the university or college.

4. Architecture

If you’ve ever dreamt of designing your own home or a well-known building, architecture is the course for you. Through this professional degree course, you will get to learn how to work on building designs and prepare the blueprint of the construction, among many others.

5. Engineering

The field of engineering offers its students more than 55 specializations to pursue, such as Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Marine Engineering, just to name a few.

Course Type	Course Duration
Diploma Courses	3 Years
Bachelor Degree	4 Years

Apply for Engineering Jobs in India

List of Jobs In India after Professional Degree Courses

In this competitive job market, it is wise to know which career path best suits you to land the best jobs in India. And to do that, you need to upskill yourself by joining professional courses like the ones we’ve mentioned earlier.

For instance, let’s say you want to be a Project Manager for a top-notch company. To do that, getting a Project Management certificate will make it easier for you to bag your dream job.

Here is a list of some of the top jobs in India you can apply for after completing professional degree courses.

1. Human Resource Manager

A Human Resources Manager is a person who screens, hires, trains, and oversees new staff for a company. He/she serves as a link between the heads/executives and the employees of the company.

Skills required:

• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills
• Leadership skills
• Conflict resolution skills
• Negotiating skills
• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations
• Basic computer skills
• Patience
• Understanding
• Knowledge of Human Resources Information Software (HRIS)
• Teamwork

Course: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management

2. Web Developer

A web developer is a programmer whose responsibilities include programming code that will dictate how a website functions.

Skills Required:

• Expertise in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
• Strong grasp of UX design
• Problem-solving skills
• Analytical thinking
• Back-end basics
• Search engine optimization

Course: Bachelor’s degree in Web development or Computer application related field 

Apply for Web Developer Jobs in India

3. Tech Support Engineer

As a technical support engineer, you will be responsible for researching, diagnosing, troubleshooting, and resolving customer issues with the help of different systems, software, and hardware.

Skills Required:

• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Decision-making skills
• Interpersonal skills
• IT skills
• Proficiency in developing, enhancing, and supporting application systems.

Course: Degree in Computer science, electrical engineering, or related field

Apply for Tech Support Engineer Jobs in India

4. Staff Nurse

If you are looking for a rewarding career, becoming a staff nurse will allow you to care for the sick. After graduating from the nursing program, you will give high-quality care to patients while working closely with doctors. You will help in the patient’s recovery by following the instructions given by the doctor.

Skills Required:

• Communication skills
• People skills
• Detail-oriented
• Patience
• Dedication
• Time management skills
• Organizational skills
• Ability to stay calm and focused under pressure
• Knowledge of CPR and first-aid
• Adaptability
• Physical and mental stamina
• Teamwork

Course: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) and/or Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife Course (ANM)

5. Data Scientist

If you are after one of the highest-paying tech jobs in India, a career in data science is what you need to pursue. As a data scientist, you will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting large sets of structured and unstructured data.

A data scientist’s role combines computer science, math, and statistics. After interpreting results, they model the data, make inferences, analyze customer and market trends, and accordingly make solutions for the companies

Skills Required:

• Statistical analysis
• Technical skills
• Programming skills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Communication skills
• Structured thinking
• Intellectual curiosity
• Machine learning
• Data Visualization

Course: Bachelors in Computer Science, Statistics or Mathematics and Data Science Certification 

6. Chartered Accountants (CA)

The demand for Chartered Accountants (CA) is relatively high in almost every country by finance companies, banks, auditing or legal firms, etc. As a CA, your responsibilities would include managing the finances of their organizations by handling money management and providing financial advice.

Skills Required:

• Communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Basic knowledge of the ins and outs of business
• Interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills
• Time management]
• Methodical approach
• IT skills
• Analytical skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Numeracy
• Leadership skills
• Teamwork
• Presentation skills

Course: Degree in Chartered Accountancy

7. Hotel Manager

As a hotel manager, you will manage hotel employees, oversee its daily operation, and ensure guests enjoy their stay. Your responsibilities would also include maintaining records of expenses, budgets, and funds, training and managing hotel employees, and handling customer complaints and queries, among many others.

Skills Required: 

• Communication skills
• Budgeting skills
• People skills
• Leadership skills
• Numeracy
• Attention to detail
• Organizational skills
• Team building
• Customer service skills
• Business skills
• Decision-making skills
• Friendly and positive personality
• Patience
• Professionalism

Course: Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management

8. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

As a Certified Financial Planner, you would have to ensure that your client’s financial wants and goals are met by creating a financial plan for them. You would be evaluating their financial documents, such as their income, tax, expenses, and liabilities.

Skills Required:

• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Business development skills
• Research skills
• Analytical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Risk assessment
• Ability to handle stress and work under pressure
• Finance skills
• Accounting abilities

Course: Certificate in Financial Planning 

List of Jobs in India after Professional Courses

While there are many jobs in India, it is wise to pursue a career where your interest lies. Professional courses help them land the right jobs. Take a look at some of the best jobs in India after completion of professional courses.

Let’s begin.

1. Content Writer

As more and more businesses are moving online, the demand for content writers is quite high these days. And the best part is, as long as you are an imaginative and creative person who has good writing skills and strong command of the English or Hindi language (depending on the requirement), you can kick start your career as a content writer.

As a content writer, you’d have to use your artistry to build compelling content for a company’s website and social media accounts.

Skills Required:

• Communication skills
• Writing skills
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Creativity
• Time management
• Editing skills
• Originality
• Adaptability
• Technical skills
• Research skills
• Ability to stay updated with the latest trends

Course: Certificates of SEO and Content or Creative Writing 

2. Graphic Designer

If you are an artistic and creative person, as a graphic designer, you will get to visualize and create graphics such as photos, logos, illustrations, etc using computer software for your clients. So, joining a graphic designing certificate or diploma course could be the right move for your professional life.

Skills Required:

• Communication skills
• Basic computer skills
• IT skills especially with designing and editing software
• Creativity and innovation
• Time management skills
• Organisational skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to keep up with the latest trends in the job market.

Course: Diploma in Graphic Design

Apply for Graphic Designer Jobs in India

3. Fashion Designer

For those who are into fashion and its latest trends, becoming a fashion designer will allow you to create many masterpieces of your own. As a fashion designer, you will get to outline, design, and create clothing, accessories, and footwear.

Skills Required:

• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Creativity
• Attention to detail
• Artistic ability
• Knowledge of fashion and design trends and styles
• Sewing and drawing skills
• Sense of style
• Time management skills
• Understanding of fabrics and materials
• Teamwork
• Detail-Oriented
• Flexibility

Course: A diploma in Fashion Designing

4. Product Photographer

As a product photographer, the photos you take of products will be shared on social media platforms and websites to influence consumers’ purchasing decisions. This can help in increasing conversion rates and sales for brands.

Skills Required:

• Communication skills
• Technical photography skills
• Attention to detail
• Proficiency in Photoshop
• Artistic skills
• Time management skills
• Networking skills
• Patience

Course: Certificate or diploma in photography

5. Reporter

As a reporter, you will work for a news agency or broadcasting organisation and collect and submit news to them. Some of your responsibilities would include gathering news, researching it thoroughly through different sources, writing about it, and submitting it to your supervisors.

Skills Required: 

• Communication skills
• Writing skills
• Editing skills
• Research skills
• Logical reasoning
• Digital literacy
• Objectivity
• Persistence
• Investigating skills
• Inquisitiveness
• Courage and boldness

Course: Diploma in Journalism or its related field

6. Animator

Among the many responsibilities of an Animator, using various animation techniques and software such as Autodesk Maya (3D) and Animate CC (2D) to manipulate and move pictures is one of them. Some popular roles in an animation studio are Animators (2D, 3D, Keyframe, and Character), Image Editor, Compositors, Special Effect Artists, Digital Ink, and Paint Artists, Image Editors, Texture Artists, Storyboard Artists, Layout Artists, etc.

Skills Required:

• Attention to details
• Creativity/Imagination
• Drawing skills
• Teamwork
• Ability to work long hours when required
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Communication skills
• Presentation skills
• Patience
• Knowledge of CAD
• Computer skills

Course: Certificate or diploma in Animation or its related fields. 

7. Language Translator

Companies are always looking for opportunities to expand their businesses globally. For instance, English is neither the first nor the second language for countries like Japan and Korea. Therefore the need for a translator or interpreter in such countries is relatively high. Moreover, many Japanese companies such as Maruti Suzuki, Honda, Sony, Panasonic, and others have branches in India. Likewise, Indian companies such as HCL Technologies, OYO, Sun Pharma, and others have their presence in Japan. So, suppose you choose to learn Japanese. In that case, you can learn via institutions like AKAL Japanese Academy, which will help you get the opportunity to work in India or Japan as a translator.

Skills Required:

• Communication skills
• Advanced language knowledge
• Interpersonal skills
• Writing skills
• Cultural knowledge
• Research skills

Course: A certificate from a language school (online or offline). 

8. Hostess

As a hostess in a restaurant, you will be responsible for taking reservations, greeting guests, taking them to their seats, and ensuring that they have a good dining experience.

Skills Required

• Communication skills
• Organisational skills
• Customer service skills
• Multitasking skills
• Patience
• Teamwork
• People skills
• Meticulousness
• Attention to detail
• Basic math
• Flexibility

Course: A certificate in hospitality management program

FAQs

Q1: How can I choose the best professional course?

Ans: To select the best professional course, you must understand industry trends, know your interests, match your skills, do research on different fields, talk to a consultant, and start gaining information regarding the college.

Q2: What is the meaning of professional courses?

Ans: Professional courses are a type of education that is amended according to the industry trends. It is highly about professional advancement, skill development, self-improvement, and more.

Q3: Name some of the top professional courses after graduation.

Ans: Here is the list of top ten professional courses after graduation:

• Masters in Data Science or Machine Learning
• PG Diploma in Management (PGDM)
• MTech
• MBA – Masters in Business Administration
• PGD in Hotel Management
• Business Accounting and Taxation
• Certification in Finance and Accounting (CFA)
• PG Diploma in Digital Marketing or Business Analytics Courses
• PGPM
• Project Management

Q4: What are the eligibility criteria for the professional courses?

Ans: The minimum eligibility criteria for the professional courses include that the student needs to pass at least class 10th or 12th standard with a minimum of 40% to 50% aggregate in all the subjects. However, the eligibility criteria also depend on your college and course.

Q5: What is the duration of the professional degree courses?

Ans: The duration of the professional degree courses depends on the courses. However, most of the diploma courses last between 1 month to 6 months, whereas degree courses last between 3 to 5 years.

Q6: What is the difference between diploma courses and degree courses?

Ans: Here is the fundamental difference between the diploma and degree courses:

Bagging a job, as long as you have the qualifications, is not as hard as advertised. However, finding a job that meets your interests and skillsets will help in making your professional life more comfortable and enjoyable. We hope this article helps you in pursuing the right professional course to land your dream job.

We will leave you here with our best wishes.