Gauri Chabbra
Two roads diverged in a wood…
These immortal verses of Robert Frost resonate in our minds when we think of career options that look similar but diverge after a certain point causing a dilemma.
One such dilemma comes between choosing BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) or B.Sc (IT). Both courses catering to the job opportunities in the information Technology sector, there are subtle differences between the two.
Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)
BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application) is three year undergraduate program for the students who want to carve a niche for themselves in the field of computer science. This program consists of six semesters each with duration of six months. In the sixth semester you need to go in for an Industrial Training in an organization four to six weeks.
As far as the content is concerned, you would be studying various areas of computer science, programming, database design, software engineering, networks and information systems. The linear path it prepares you for is pursuing a postgraduate research degree or employment in any variety of roles in organizations that require expert professionals, who can apply computer science principles to lift businesses, streamline their processes and use technology to solve their real life problems.
BCA has a professional focus as far as content and pedagogy is concerned. The admission to most colleges is based on an entrance test, the eligibility for most is 50% or above in XII with Mathematics as a compulsory subject.
In case you take up Information Practices as an option in your XII, it would be an added advantage.You can go for an MCA or you can directly apply for an M.Tech, after you complete your BCA.For M. Tech, you will have to clear the GATE.
B. Sc IT is a different course altogether. It is also a three year undergraduate course having computer science as background for those who want to specialize in information system and management. The main aim is to prepare students who have good knowledge of theory of core subjects like operating system, data base, data structure.
It is an academic discipline. You need to have Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at the XII level for being eligible for this program. At the under graduation level, Chemistry is replaced by Computer Science.You can pursue courses like M.Sc or MCA. You can even pursue an M.Tech, after you complete your M.Sc, if the M.Sc degree is recognized by UGC or AIU. For M.Tech you can appear for the GATE examination conducted by the IITs or check individual universities which conduct their own entrance exam.
Forking Career Options:
BCA offers you a roadmap that again has inroads. Students involved in BCA are provided with such academic base that leads them to advanced career in Computer Applications. To land in a good job, you need to pursue MCA/M.TechYou may take the job of a software developer. Depending upon the programming languages you are comfortable with, you can be a Java developer, dot net developer, or a PHP developer. For those who are interested in Quality Assurance, you can follow the route of a Quality Analyst. Those who are interested in interactions with clients and can think from the end user’s perspective can carve a niche for themselves as BA (Business Analysts) and later on graduate to Project Managers.
B.ScIThas a different focus altogether. It focuses less on programming languages and more on the mathematical and theoretical foundations of computing. The linear path after this program is a post-graduation, ie MCA, MSc IT or an MBA. Depending upon your choice of Post-graduation subject you can choose your career. In case you go in for M.Sc Mathematics or Physics, you can go in for Research or teaching line. Or if you go in for M.Sc IT, you can take up software development as a career option.
Which Course is better?
Dainish Hingwe, Executive Director, Technossus Software Services says,”B.C.A and B.Sc. IT, both are technical courses that can provide better job opportunities in the field of Computer application or Information technology.
If you want to make a career in Software development BCA is a better option. In case you want to broad base yourself in Physics and Mathematics too B.Sc. ITis best. It is also good for those students who want to see their career in Management, teaching or database field. Most of the B.Sc. IT students prefer to go Postgraduate Management Degree MBA and use IT knowledge as additional skill set in management field”.
Some Certifications to enhance employability:
Project Management Professional (PMP)
The Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) credential is recognized as the most important certification for project managers and would increase your employability. The certification demonstrates that you have not only the experience but also the education to successfully lead and direct projects. The PMP credential is for experienced project management professionals, as the qualifications and testing for this certification are rigorous, as are the required continuing education requirements. All of these factors ensure that the PMP credential is widely respected. The PMP experience and exam requirements focus on five process groups: Initiating, Planning, Executing, Controlling, and Closing.
MCP:
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) is a professional certification given by Microsoft. Individual certificates are awarded during the passage of one or more tests. The MCP program itself is designed for IT professionals and developers.These series of techniques for MC (Microsoft Certified) code contains a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), Microsoft Certified Master (MCM), Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA), Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS). You need to recertify yourself almost every 3 years in order to stay current.
MCSD (Microsoft Certified Solution Developer):
Information Technology is a dynamic field. In case you wish to remain current and improve enhance your employability, you can go in for Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) credentialthat is the highest level of certification program offered by Microsoft. It focuses on the ability to design and build application solutions that may include integrating multiple technologies and may span multiple versions of a single technology.To meet certification requirements, a person must pass three tracks; MCSD Windows Store Apps, MCSD Web App, MCSD Application Life Cycle Management.However, in order to stay current, you need to do a recertification after every two years.
MCITP (Data Base Administrator):
The MCITP certification validates that you are capable of deploying, building, designing, optimizing, and operating technologies for a particular job role. MCITP certifications builds on the technical proficiency measured in the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications. In order to earn the MCITP: Database Administrator you must first pass the Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist certification in SQL Server 2008. You will have knowledge of SQL Server instances and database solutions, database server security solutions, high availability databases, backup and recovery solutions, monitoring strategies, database management and maintenance strategies, and data distribution strategies.
Earning a certification will enhance your employability; however, it does not guarantee that you will walk into a higher paying job. Certification counts, but employers look at several factors, including experience.
Therefore, for whether you take the first road or the second, team it up with certifications and experience to step up to success.
For queries contact gauri_nagpal @yahoo.com
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