THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING A BCA | UPDATED 2019
In the 1990’s with the advent of globalization computers grew in prominence and slowly started to replace the paper and files in offices. It brought down the cost to quite an extent. The domain is growing at a rapid pace. In this age of Computers and everything being digitalized, knowledge about machines is very important. It helps the person have a distinct advantage over the others who do not know much about Computer Applications. BCA is a popular course and considered as one of the standard choice for students who wish to be a part of computer applications graduate community. The course content is designed so as to include the basic architecture of computer and various specialized subjects like networking, database, etc. in order to introduce different horizons of computer application. Bachelor of Computer Applications is a course that is tailored for students aspiring to excel in the field of computers. If the student is inclined towards computer related subjects and studies or even if he is not really interested in computers but does have a quick thinking mind that can analyze the situation at hand and apply concepts towards solving them, then this is the course for them. Subjects and Concepts studied in B.C.A are at par with subjects to be Engineers study in their Engineering syllabus. B.C.A programs are generally of 3 year i.e., 6 semester duration leading to a Graduate degree in Bachelor of Computer Application. What is bachelor of computer applications (BCA)? Bachelor in Computer Applications (BCA) is a three year undergraduate degree course which is divided into six semesters. It is equivalent to the Bachelor in Technology (B.Tech) course pursed by many students these days. Students are taught subjects which are related to the field of technological applications and are highly in demand in today’s practical work culture. Skills Required for Admission to BCA: Admission to both BCA and MCA can be obtained on the basis of entrance exams in most of the colleges in India. While having Mathematics as a subject in graduation or at the school level is a must, there are no other set eligibility criteria. Though having a science background helps in grasping the concepts faster. Being a technical field, a logical bent of mind along with adaptability to the working environment are some of the other pre-requisites in this field. Subjects of study:- B.C.A students are introduced to Computer Fundamentals & Programming Concepts as these are the basic skills they build upon later. Most B.C.A courses involve learning and mastering various programming languages as Practical Labs assignments are also a part of the course. Some of the common subjects studied would be:- Data and File Structure Using C, D.B.M.S., Digital Electronics and Computer Organization, Computer Oriented Statistical & Optimization Methods, Operating System, Computer System Architecture & Assembly Language, Production & Operations Management, Computer Oriented Financial Management, Data Communication Networks, Computer Graphics, Object Oriented Design and Programming in C++, Software Engineering, Programming in Visual BASIC, Information Systems: Analysis, Design & Implementation, Client Server Technology, Multimedia and Applications. Skills to be learnt Students who opt for a Bachelor in Computer Applications (BCA) often imbibe abilities and knowledge not only about Computer and Information Technology but also regarding communication, organization and management. One also gets to gain knowledge of programming languages such as Java, C++, HML, SQL, etc. Information about various computer applications and latest developments in IT and communication systems is also provided. Career Options after BCA: Chief Information Officer Computer Programmer Computer Scientist Computer Support Service Specialist Computer Systems Analyst Database Administrator Information Systems Manager Software Developer Software Publisher Systems Administrator Teacher & Lecturer Start-up of one’s own business Media, Print and Publishing Houses Job opportunities Bachelor in Computer Applications (BCA) gives a number of opportunities to individuals to go ahead and shine in their lives. The opportunities available for people doing BCA are galore. A few of them include being employed as a Software Programmer, a System and Network Administrator, a Web Designer, Faculty for Computer Science and Communication Technology in schools and colleges, etc. The range of opportunities in the Information Technology (IT) sector is also enormous. Some of them are creative while others are highly technical. Future scope Those who have completed their BCA (Bachelor in Computer Applications) have an added advantage if they work in some organization for a few years and then do their MCA (Masters in Computer Applications). After completing their masters, one becomes an expert in that particular field. It gives them a distinctive gain over the other students. Line of business Opportunities:- The range of careers in Computer and IT related fields are immense. Some are creative and some are highly technical. Much of the work involves lateral thinking and problem solving. The careers opportunities can be broadly categorized under Computer programmers, Software Developers, Web Designers/Developers, Business/System analysts, System operators, Training professionals, Customer/help desk/Technical support executives or Team Leads, Technicians and even Sales professionals in Computer application based companies. After successful completion of B.C.A, one can also opt for post graduate courses such as M.C.A or M.B.A in Information Technology. Remuneration for B.C.A degree holders is generally attractive as jobs may be related to the IT/ITES based industries. Salary:- Being an ally of the IT industry, the job opportunities and salary perks are subject to the IT market needs and conditions. The work culture and ethics are also very similar. Remuneration for B.C.A graduates depends on the skill set candidates can offer to their prospective companies. While some companies may be willing to pick up freshers and train them to suit their technological needs, others may expect students to possess prior industry exposure either in terms of experience or in terms of additional programming knowledge and abilities. Consequently, candidates who make the effort to pick up skills which are not limited to their syllabus will be suitably rewarded. Employment prospects in India There are a lot of employment openings in India for a student of MCA and BCA. It is often advisable to have work experience after doing BCA and before enrolling for MCA as the range for a good position in a good company widens if the person has significant work experience along with the essential skill sets. The courses stress on making the student well-known with technical languages at the bachelor’s level and by taking a specialization at the Master’s level the student strengthens his foundation. After getting the compulsory educational qualifications, a person can look for job opportunities in the fields of software developer, web designer, systems management, etc. The job of a software engineer has many levels in the hierarchy and encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. Usually, employment in this sector is generated depending on their systems requirements. in the smaller organizations, where systems are not very intricate, a few software engineers can often manage the whole system; while in the larger organizations, a proper systems department is usually formed with specialists working in it. These specialists center on precise areas and are chosen as the software architects, design engineer, java developer, quality assurance engineer, etc. A variety of responsibilities are delegated to an IT professional including the job to develop new software to relieve the working environment; amalgamating new software within the existing systems; testing the viability of the fresh software; support, maintain and document software functionality and also to ensure that the software is user-friendly for others working on it. Though the work remains basically the same, as a person grows on the management ladder, along with taking care of the systems, the responsibility also becomes to supervise those working under him/her. Apart from taking a managerial position or working in a company, a software professional can be a specialist in any of the core languages and can become a consultant in that field too. This gives the person the liberty to exercise his will on his time. With a steep increase in the internet penetration in the country, jobs involving web services are becoming a popular option. Technical writers are in demand and earn good packages too. Conclusion The degrees of BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) and MCA (Masters in Computer Applications) often gives the student a distinctive lead in the turf of Information Technology. It will offer them a separate upper hand over the others in the field. It can land one either with a job or a startup business that they always wished for or one that they had their eye on for a long time. As such, those students who have a serious inclination towards computers and computer applications should definitely opt for a Bachelors of Computer Application course. It will not only open several job options in various fields for them but will also give their career that very essential push. Computers and applications are the favor of the season. If the student does go for this line of study, he will be overwhelmed by the job options that come his way. Hence, in today’s world, a degree like that of BCA is of the utmost importance. It equips students will skills that are most relevant and highly valued in the market today and opens before them an array of opportunities.