After successfully finishing class 12 with arts subjects, students often wonder about the career prospects available to them. Myths about limited career opportunities in the arts field often leave them puzzled and alarmed. Therefore, it is important to discredit these myths and highlight the opportunities available to arts students in the fields of law, teaching, business management, journalism, and others. This article covers the courses arts students need to study and their corresponding career pathways to offer comprehensive guidance.
Understanding courses and career paths after class 12 arts
Let’s take a look at some of the courses and best career options after class 12 in the arts stream:
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
A Bachelor of Arts degree course is a three-year undergraduate programme offered to arts students after class 12. BA (Honours) programmes offer specialisation in a number of arts subjects, including English Literature, Sociology, Political Science, History, Journalism, and Psychology. The goal is to build the student’s knowledge and skills in the chosen subject specialisation. BA courses are designed to foster critical thinking, communication, analytical, and research skills among students, preparing them for a range of career options in the real world. BA graduates can pursue careers in the following fields after the course ends:
- Media and journalism
- Research
- Teaching
- Social work
- Business administration and HR
- Government jobs
Note: Additional training and degrees may be required for certain career pathways mentioned above.
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Bachelor of Business Administration or BBA is a popular 3-year undergraduate degree course that offers students a comprehensive understanding of the business world. Students enrolled in the course are taught business and management principles, covering aspects like marketing, finance, human resources, and organisational behaviour. BBA graduates can take up the following career options or pursue advanced studies in the field:
- Human resource specialist
- Retail manager
- PR specialist
- SAP consultant
- Project manager
- Entrepreneur
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
The Bachelor of Fine Arts course is focused on visual and performing arts. This 3-year programme is well-suited for students who have a passion for art, sculpture, dancing, drama, or any other visual art form. This degree programme is designed to focus on various creative skills, artistic techniques, and creative expression. BFA graduates can make a strong and lucrative career in various fields like design, illustration, and marketing. Here’s a list of career options available to BFA graduates:
- Professional artist
- Designer
- Teacher
- Art director
- Filmmaker
Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC)
A Bachelors degree in journalism and mass communication is a popular option for class 12 arts students. This three-year degree programme imparts knowledge of the various aspects of journalism and communication, including print journalism, broadcasting journalism, advertising, and public relations. If you wish to build a career in media or journalism, a BJMC degree is a prerequisite. The following career options are available to graduates in this in-demand field:
- Journalist
- News reporter
- News broadcaster
- PR specialist
- Media planner
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed)
Arts students who wish to build a career in education must complete a Bachelor of Education degree. This is a two-year vocational training programme that covers various educational theories and concepts like child psychology, classroom management, curriculum development, and assessment modes. The programme aims to help students develop the skills required for classroom teaching. Students can complete a B.Ed degree after a BA degree as well. Moreover, some universities have introduced a 4-year B.El.Ed(Bachelor of Elementary Education) course which is specifically designed to help students learn teaching methods for the elementary section. Job roles available to B.Ed graduates include:
- Government school teacher
- Private school teacher
- Teaching at coaching institutions and EdTech platforms
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelors of Law (BA + LLB)
Arts graduates interested in the growing legal domain can opt for an integrated law course that combines BA and LLB. This dual degree programme spans five years and is designed to provide students a holistic understanding of both arts and legal disciplines. The course includes various subjects like Sociology, Criminology, Administrative Law, Corporate Law, and Human Rights. Pursuing a BA+LLB course allows you to access the following careers:
- Human rights activist
- Private attorney
- Public prosecutor
- Corporate compliance officer
- Legal analyst
Bachelor of Design (B.Des)
B.Des is a three-year undergraduate programme that focuses on the principles of design. This degree programme allows students to specialise in various aspects like fashion design, graphic design, product design, interior design, animation, and others. Students learn technical skills and gain media exposure to prepare for real-world employment. The following careers are open to B.Des graduates:
- Graphic designer
- Fashion designer
- Interior designer
- UI/UX specialist
- Animation and VFX artist
Tips to choose a career in arts
Many students feel lost when determining the right course after class 12 arts. If you are feeling overwhelmed and confused, here’s a few tips you can use to streamline the selection process:
- Assess your academic strengths, interest areas, and skills. Select a UG course that best aligns with these factors.
- Conduct a thorough research of the various career prospects available within a study field. Learn about the popular roles, earning potential, and growth prospects within the industry to make an informed choice.
- Make sure to consider industry trends to future-proof your choices. For instance, since AI is changing employment conditions and job prospects, it is important to choose a course and career that will hold relevance in the coming years.
Conclusion
Choosing a career path after class 12 can be challenging for most students who are transitioning out of simple school life into the real world. The guide above summed up some of the best courses arts students can pursue after class 12 and the careers they can achieve. With the help of this comprehensive information and some guidance on course selection, arts students can rapidly reduce their choices. Students should know that attending respectable universities abroad increases their chances of getting a good job. Therefore, you can enrol in top universities abroad to pursue a BBA or BJMC degree with an affordable education loan from an NBFC. Most NBFCs provide comprehensive information about student loans to the general public through their online marketplaces and websites.