There are an increasing number of vocational courses offered by universities today. Vocational courses are professional skill-based courses which involve a lighter load of academic subjects and lean more towards the practical side. One of the biggest mistakes students make is following others and often, students don’t consider vocational courses or lack the requisite knowledge about careers in the field. Thinking outside the box is imperative when it comes to career planning. Here are several lucrative vocational career options.
1. MASS COMMUNICATION
The demand for Mass Communication services has increased manifold in the contemporary digital age. A professional Mass Communication course opens doors in film media, journalism, editing, publishing, script writing, fashion photography, art direction, sound mixing, public relations, advertising, media planning, broadcasting, production, event management. A keen interest in global affairs is crucial to a career in journalism or reporting. One should be familiar with the technical know-how in order to shoulder responsibility properly. The foremost thing is to grab opportunities and have practical knowledge of electronic media. Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi is the most highly regarded college in India in this field.
2. RETAIL MANAGEMENT
A lot of leading universities in India offer B.Voc. (Retail Management) course which is a job-oriented vocational training program. Retail Management is the process of procuring merchandise from material stores. Fashion Retail Management includes fashion marketing, retail buying and merchandising, fabric knowledge as well as brand, sales and customer relationship management.
3. BANKING SERVICES
The banking & finance sector is known to generate an ample amount of job opportunities. B.Voc. Banking aims to develop industry-specific skills in students. BBA in Banking & Finance is also a good option which develops skilled banking and finance professionals each year. The program covers finance, insurance, investment, risk management, computer application, IT and more. The sector is growing at a healthy pace in India and digitalisation has changed its face. You can find many job profiles like analyst, loan officer, investment banker etc. This is a great option especially if you have a knack for crunching numbers. A seasoned banker typically has experience in credit risk, credit approval, corporate/commercial banking, risk management, loan review, internal audit, loan work-out, deficit financing, debt capital and public accounting. There are government jobs in the sector too.
4. TRAVEL & TOURISM
The travel & tourism industry experienced a slight setback during the lockdown period of the pandemic but it is a fast-growing field experiencing unprecedented growth. The required skill set for candidates includes excellent communication skills, well-groomed personality, good administration and management skills, problem-solving skills, practical nature and software knowledge. Commerce background would be the advisable stream option but there is no bar for candidates from other streams. College options include Indian Institute of Tourism & Travel Management, under Ministry of Finance (IITTM), Christ University, Delhi University, Institutes of travel & tourism are available in every state. There are government jobs in the field too. Private sector firms like Expedia, Booking Holdings, American Express Global Business Travel are multinational companies in the sector with excellent perks and packages. For further studies, there are 6 specialisation options in Master’s. Certificate, diploma and bachelor’s courses are also offered.
5. HOTEL MANAGEMENT
There are Institutes of Hotel Management (IHM) all over the country as well as state government institutes of hotel management. Admission is entrance-test based. Typical Entrance test syllabus includes English, Mathematics, GK & Reasoning. IHM Aurangabad, run by the Taj group, is one of the prominent colleges. The Oberoi Centre of Learning & Development offers a hotel management course after 12th. Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland is the best college in the field of hospitality management globally. You can work in India for 3 years and then go abroad. You can move up the ranks and become a restaurant manager, hotel manager, vice president. You could also open up your own business and become a restaurateur.
6. DESIGN
Contrary to popular beliefs, designing is not restricted to fashion designing only. B.Des. offers specialisations in Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior & Furniture Design, Animation, Industrial Design, Jewellery Design, Leather Design, Textile Design, Ceramic & Glass Design, Fashion Communication Design, Knitwear, Kitchen & Web Design. Plenty of colleges like NIFT, Symbiosis, Istituto Marangoni, ISDI offer brilliant designing courses.
7. MODELLING
Modelling offers many avenues like Fashion (Editorial), Runway, Swimsuit, Commercial, Fitness, Glamour, Print etc. There are also Parts models who specialise in modeling their hands, arms, legs and feet. For instance, a hands model can book a job involving jewellery, nails and beauty care. This is definitely an area which can be explored.
8. EVENT MANAGEMENT
Being an Event Manager is a gruelling job and you will only be able to sustain in this line if you have the ability to work well under pressure. There is more to event management than what is portrayed in the Bollywood hit Band Baaja Baaraat. It involves a lot of slogging and working late hours, but it is fulfilling. Again, remember that this is only if you work well under stressful conditions, it’s not for the faint hearted. Corporate events are a major industry today. Sharp negotiation skills are a must.
9. YOGA
Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, SRM University Chennai, state universities, GGSIPU Delhi offer various Yoga courses. Yoga also has a large market abroad. University of Patanjali, Haridwar offers Bachelor in Naturopathy and Yogic Science (4.5 years + 1 year internship) as well as 1 year diploma courses. You could also opt for a 3 month diploma programme offered by a wide variety of institutes. Kundalini yoga and Vipassana meditation are used in the treatment of depression and anxiety issues. Face yoga, hot yoga and aerial yoga are some of the latest variations. Ramdev Baba has revolutionised the face of the yoga industry by helping propagate it internationally.
10. MAKEUP
Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University offers B.A. in Aesthetics & Beauty Therapy as well as a Diploma course in Cosmetology & Wellness. Star Academy by Aashmeen Munjal, Lakme Academy, Ambika Pillai and all the major make-up artists and academies offer make-up courses. Make-up and salon services are always in need, so if you are into beauty and wellness, this is a viable option. Jobs in the field also include salon and spa manager.
No matter what course you choose, keep in mind that if you excel in what you do, success will follow.
Written by: Arushi Sharma
