What Can I Do After B.Com?

A bachelor’s in commerce degree within the business faculty of a university

Author: Ahmed Makki
Ahmed Makki
Ahmed Makki
I hold a BBA in Banking and Finance from LIU and a Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Concordia university Canada. With 2+ years of experience in the asset management/financial services industry, I specialize as an AML Analyst. My skills include risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and financial analysis.
Reviewed By: Osman Ahmed
Osman Ahmed
Osman Ahmed
Investment Banking | Private Equity

Osman started his career as an investment banking analyst at Thomas Weisel Partners where he spent just over two years before moving into a growth equity investing role at Scale Venture Partners, focused on technology. He's currently a VP at KCK Group, the private equity arm of a middle eastern family office. Osman has a generalist industry focus on lower middle market growth equity and buyout transactions.

Osman holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Southern California and a Master of Business Administration with concentrations in Finance, Entrepreneurship, and Economics from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Last Updated:November 1, 2023

What Can I Do After B.Com?

When it comes to graduating, it's a different sensation. It's a life-changing step in any student's life where they will reach a point with many alternatives. 

Each alternative is different, leading them to a different path in life; hence, such a decision needs a lot of brainstorming and consideration.

At this point, your passion should lead you toward the paths you desire. As a graduate, you need to consider what you love to do in your career instead of being influenced by parents & friends. 

BCOM is a bachelor's in commerce degree within the business faculty of a university. When you graduate, you will have a wide variety of options to advance in your career.

Fields of work includes:

  • Accounting

  • Economics

  • Finance

  • Marketing

  • Business Technology Management

  • Management. (including HR, Hospitality, etc.)

The options are vast, giving the students liberty to pursue their desired roles.

Banking sector Opportunities

Banks are essential for the American economy and most economies worldwide. Usually, they represent 25% of the world economy, and 35% - 45% of a country's economy depends upon its size and capital power.

Banks provide services for businesses and individuals worldwide through solutions that can make their work more accessible, which helps boost the economy and trade between countries worldwide.

Banks are one of the core functions of the financial services industry, so it's no wonder that banks are one of the top financial employers. 

The following is a list of some of the major occupations in the banking industry.

Types of jobs in the banking sector 

Before considering working at a Bank, knowing the types of jobs available and their required qualifications is essential. You also need to understand the difference between commercial banking and retail banking. 

There are two types of banking in the business sector:

  • The Retail Bank is a bank that serves families and small businesses. 

  • Commercial banks serve large corporations and businesses. 

1. Bank clerk

Servicing customers through retail banking service counters. For many consumers, banks are the face of the industry. And for many job seekers, training to become a bank clerk is a great way to get started in banking. The following are some of the crucial skills and qualifications required for being a bank clerk:

  • Good communication skills and being a people person help. 

  • High school diplomas usually provide an adequate education. 

  • Computer skills are essential, and it is often necessary to pass a background check.

2. Loan Officer 

Loan officers are vital employees of commercial and retail banks and lending institutions. 

Top talent in this area is in constant demand. The lender oversees the process, helping clients and customers apply for credit, and deciding how much credit the customer is eligible for. 

It acts as a contact point and intermediary between the institution and the customer. 

Qualifications & Skills:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Finance

  • Good knowledge of the banking industry

  • CSC certification 

  • Computer skills are important in such positions

3. Private banking

It caters to the needs of high net worth clients with at least $10 million in financial assets. A career in this area requires at least a bachelor's degree and relevant industry experience. 

Investment banking: Investment bankers help clients raise funds for companies by structuring the issuance of securities such as stocks and bonds

They also advise companies considering M&A. Many of the largest commercial banks have an investment banking sector. This field is moving very fast and is very expensive. 

Banking qualifications: Be aware of the type of credentials your financial institution needs, or even if it is an option, the type of credentials that can increase your chances of getting the kind of banking you are looking for. 

Working in the banking sector will require some licenses to operate some positions, and these certifications differ from one country to the other.

Qualifications and skills:

  • Good communication skills 

  • Computer knowledge

  • Investment background and expertise to give advice

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance

Financial planning designations always look good on resumes, including those related to retirement planning, and also help with an investment management background. 

People who want to pursue a career in planning must get the certification first. And in such a competitive industry, they need to have an element that differentiates them from other candidates to reach high positions.

Accounting sector Careers

There are different accounting jobs, each with responsibilities, seniority, and expectations. 

Common to all accounting operations is the evaluation and interpretation of the financial activities of an individual or organization in some way. 

Accountants can help organize the financial information of midsize businesses, and tax auditors can focus on determining whether a company has paid the tax authorities (such as the state government or the IRS) the required amount. 

The primary responsibilities vary widely from position to position, but all focus on the interpretation and analysis of financial information. 

Common accountants include chartered accountants, budget analysts, accounts payables, tax accountants, and court accountants. 

Just as these positions can change, so do the educational and professional requirements needed to secure one of these jobs. 

Court accountants may require additional qualifications such as a legal minor or background, but no budget analyst. However, this budget analyst may benefit from a high degree that tax auditors in the same field do not have, such as a master's in management degree in analytics. 

Switching between accounting roles is impractical, if not impossible, because each role has different responsibilities and requirements. 

Ambitious and current accounting professionals need to determine which aspects of accounting to pursue and understand the requirements and responsibilities of each role. 

Accounting does more than track purchases and expenses. Capital and assets, and liabilities are also considered throughout the accounting process. 

Accountants are essential to this process as they navigate complex financial resources and provide analysis and insights to clients, employers, and large organizations.

These are the most popular accounting job: 

Finance sector Paths

There are several benefits associated with working in the financial sector. First, financial jobs are often highly paid. But professionals often need to have specific educational qualifications and skills. 

Pursuing a financial career offers several opportunities for progress.

Finance job types

The types include:

  1. Corporate Finance: Many employers are looking for someone they can trust, experience, and compete with. It focuses on capital budgeting, capital structure, and capital management.

  2. Financial planning and advice: Financial consulting or planning is another interesting type of Finance. Such positions aim to help people navigate the finance world personally.

  3. Investment professionals: They are primarily intermediaries. They help match individuals and businesses in need with investors who can provide them with resources.

  4. Qualified investment professionals: They are essential in the financial sector, as many individuals and companies choose to invest their funds on the advice of investment companies and independent brokers.

  5. Investment advisers: Investment advisers and bankers must also obtain a professional license. This position focuses on advising what to invest in.

  6. Insurance professionals are intermediaries providing clients with a wide variety of insurance products. As a result, the insurance industry is thriving today, and agencies are constantly looking for suitable candidates to fill their positions.

Pursuing further education after b.com

Almost any master's degree can improve career prospects. Competition for the most coveted jobs is more intense than ever. A master's degree will help you in acquiring highly desirable skills.

At work, specific skills can help you with a master's degree. However, the Graduate Business Administration course goes one step further. Focusing on your business shows your commitment to your career.

A master's degree is considered the differentiator in the business world; it shows whether you will advance in your career or remain in the same position.

You are taught different skills from a management perspective to operations and strategy, which will help you gain an overview of how businesses work.

A Master's degree has a wide variety of options depending on your specialization. Usually, an MBA is Known as a general degree since it's different from a specialized one.

Master's degrees in other disciplines are an excellent opportunity to pursue the subjects you are passionate about and are often appreciated in the workplace. 

However, this cannot conflict with the fact that the time you devote to studying for a business master's is the time you commit yourself to the direct preparation of your profession. 

You show not only your ambitions but also your spontaneous nature.

Professional development Options

Career development refers to continuing education and career training after an individual enters the employment market to develop new skills, keep up with current trends, and improve their careers.

Professionals need to participate in continuing education and learning. Sometimes as a requirement to sustain a job or to maintain a license, designation, or certification. 

In such cases, this area may have specific Continuing Education (CE) or Continuing Professional Development (CPE) requirements that an accredited Continuing Education provider must complete. 

In addition to continuing education, career development may refer to various educational or training opportunities related to a worker's job. Professional development will help your employer as well as you. 

By providing the opportunity to learn, hone your skills and keep up with industry trends, professionals need to increase their value while contributing to their organization's overall value. 

The career development and training opportunities offer many other benefits to young and experienced professionals.

Those who are willing to seek these learning opportunities will benefit most. Professional development builds trust and trust. Increasing the expertise of professionals through professional development will also increase their confidence in their work.

Professional qualifications, certifications, and designations (most of which are accessible and available online) also provide an easy way to add value to professionals.

Recently with the world shifting towards data and technology, here are some skills that you need to work on:

  • Machine learning python

  • SQL 

  • Excel VBA

  • Power BI 

  • Stata

  • Spss 

These skills can be taken online through educational websites that certify you when finishing each course and are required in the business sector.

Professionals with the right skills to seek and utilize continuing education opportunities are more affordable than those without. In addition, professional development may offer networking opportunities.

When you decide to make a difference or are ready to move up in your career, the network of professionals and relationships you've built can help. In addition, professional development keeps professionals informed of industry trends.

For professionals who want to completely switch their careers or make a difference within the industry, the new skills acquired through professional development will open new doors to their fields and enter new industries.

Authored & Researched by Ahmed Makki | Linkedin

Reviewed and Edited by Sakshi Uradi | LinkedIn

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