Master of Computer Applications (MCA) is one of the high-rated professional degree courses available today! This is because after earning an MCA degree from a reputed Institute, there are a plethora of job opportunities available in the market.

The true dilemma begins after earning an MCA degree. It has such a wide scope in the government as well as private sectors that students get confused about which path to follow, whether to go for Software Engineering, Web Development, or Hardware and Networking.

What is MCA?

Master of Computer Applications is a three-year Professional Master Degree program in Computer Science. The objective behind MCA is to equip students with the latest technologies, tools, and applications in IT and to meet the ever-growing requirement of IT professionals.

MCA students need to study:

• Financial Management,
• Accounting,
• Mathematics,
• Programming Languages like C, Java, and ASP.Net,
• Web Development, and
• Database Management System (DBMS) among other things.

Top Companies Hiring MCA Graduates

MCA post graduates are hired both by Government agencies like NTPC, GAIL, BHEL, etc and private IT companies like Accenture, Infosys, Wipro, TCS, Cognizant, IBM, American Express, HCL, HP and so on.

As a fresher, an MCA professional can expect anything around INR 2.4 to 3.4 lakhs, and with experience, the sky is the limit! With some years of experience, a Software Engineer can become a Lead, an Analyst, a Project Manager, a General Manager and so on.

Initially, MCA students are given a few weeks of training on the job before they get started on LIVE projects. They need to work in different roles and areas in the beginning and then gradually specialize in a specific field.

Career Opportunities after MCA

After getting an MCA degree, one can enter any of the following fields:

1. Software Developer/Programmer/Engineer:

Software Developers are responsible for designing, installing, testing and maintaining the software systems. They provide IT services by analyzing the client’s needs and designing the system to meet those requirements. It is a very creative field that goes beyond the usual job of coding.

A good programmer should have good knowledge of coding, debugging and the software development life cycle.

2. Trouble-shooter:

Troubleshooters are the lifeline of any organization. They make sure that the technology (hardware and software) is easily accessible to all those who require them. If any issue comes up, trouble-shooters take charge of resolving it so that the projects are delivered on time. They also maintain the resources required by software developers and others.

Every company requires one or more troubleshooters who can maintain the systems, handle repairs and solve technical problems.

3. System Analyst:

A system analyst is responsible to design innovative IT solutions to drive businesses and increase efficiency. Their role is to study the current business situation, business processes and models, and design better IT solutions in terms of software for their clients. They are a bridge between the software developers and the clients.

The highest-paid system analysts are ones with experience in cloud computing, network security and mobile application development.

4. Software Application Architect:

The role of a Software Architect is to make high-level decisions in the Architecture and Design of IT products or services. He/she develops technical guidelines and protocols such as software coding standards, tools and platforms. They make use of several software architectural models to get their job done.

If you are interested in this field, the MCA specialization in Software Development might be your best bet.

5. Software Consultant:

Consultancy is a very popular career option today. A software consultant is responsible for evaluating a business and its processes and providing software solutions and other feedback to drive business efficiency. He can be self-employed or work for a consultancy firm. His objective is to provide cost-effective solutions to enhance sales and business growth.

Most MCA graduates gain some years of work experience before they move on to becoming software consultants.

6. Hardware Engineer:

Hardware engineers love working with computer hardware such as hard disks, wires, circuit boards, computer chips, printers, keyboards, routers, and so on. They like the challenges of installing and testing the systems, making sure that the internet works smoothly. They are also engaged in the production and testing of hardware equipment.

Hardware engineering, though not as popular as software engineering, is most suited to candidates who are good at problem-solving and hardware troubleshooting.

7. Technical Writer:

Technical writing is a good blend of technology and your creative writing skills. If you have a passion for the latest technologies and gadgets, and at the same time you love writing, then technical writing is a great career option for you. A technical writer needs to write technical documents such as product descriptions, user guides/manuals, design specifications, white papers, project plans, and so on.

MCA graduates make ideal technical writers as they have the know-how of the technical side of things along with good writing skills.

8. Systems Developer/Engineer:

Systems developers are involved in writing codes and designing programs for operating systems and other software. They work towards increasing efficiency and suggest further growth and development. They can specialize in hardware or in software depending upon their interests.

A systems developer’s job role is a little different than a software developer’s in that they are responsible for creating and maintaining the infrastructure as well as creating software for that infrastructure that supports other software applications. For example, they create hardware and operating systems which software developers use as a base for the creation and upkeep of software applications.

System developers often collaborate with hardware engineers and do lower-level programming tasks, such as writing device drivers or optimizing system performance. Software developers work more with project managers and business analysts and work on higher-level programming tasks, such as designing user interfaces or developing business logic.

9. Web Designer and Developer:

A Web Designer/Developer is responsible for designing and developing websites. He/she should have a very creative bend of mind with good colour sense and an eye for font styles. They should also be well-versed in software to develop and maintain websites such as HTML, Dreamweaver, CSS, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash and so on.

A website designer is responsible for the overall look, feel and design of a website while a website developer is responsible for coding, developing and maintaining the website.

10. Starting a new venture:

After completing MCA, one can also start his/her own venture after getting some experience in the field of interest. For instance, you can start a computer education firm or an IT solution company or a hardware-related start-up.

Many MCA graduates start a business or freelance as software developers, web designers or technical writers. This is a great way to make use of your skills and also pursue something you are passionate about.

Starting one’s own venture is not an easy task but it can be very rewarding if you put in the effort and dedication required. Moreover, there are government initiatives that support entrepreneurs by providing seed capital and other resources.

Starting Salary for MCA Freshers

Starting salary for MCA candidates is not the same for everyone. It depends on the field and the responsibilities of the employee. For example, freshers who work as:

• App Developers may earn INR 20,000 to 35,000 per month
• Software Engineer or Developer may earn INR 21,000 to 47,500 per month
• Hardware Engineer may earn INR 15,000 to 25,000 per month
• Web designer and Developer may earn INR 25,000 to 55,000 per month
• IT Assistant may earn INR INR 10,000 to 20,000 per month

Experience-wise Average Salary for an MCA Graduate

The salary for candidates who hold a degree in Master of Computer Applications will depend upon the designation they are holding. For example, a Sr. Software Engineer or a Developer or Programmer may be entitled to receive a salary ranging between INR 4,25,000 to 6,50,000 per year.

The average salary package for MCA degree holders experience-wise is as follows:

Experience	Salary Per Month
For freshers	INR 10,000 to 35,000
1-3 years of experience	INR 25,000 to 45,000
Experience above 5 years	INR 40,000 to 1,50,000
Avg. salary for MCA in the USA	$1,500 to $3,000

Benefits of Pursuing MCA

1. A decent pay scale: There are many colleges in India that offer MCA for post-graduation and only a few of those understand the important subjects that are needed to be taught. A good college determines your future job opportunities.

MCA degree holders from a good college can be sure of a bright career ahead of them with a stable and satisfactory pay scale. However, this factor totally depends on the kind of knowledge you gain at the college and how you put it to use.

2. Lucrative opportunities: An MCA degree will open many doors for young professionals. Any individual who holds a professional master’s degree in computer application can get ample numbers of job offers in both government and the private sector.

Studying for a master’s degree in a highly specified course will always ensure better opportunities for the candidate.

3. Scope outside India: Doing MCA from a recognized university opens various career paths not only within the country but also outside. Innovation is a never-ending journey and this would require skilled IT professionals all the time, which is one of the biggest advantages of pursuing MCA.

4. Value in the industry: The IT sector will always give more priority to professionals who hold a master’s degree in computer application over short-term certifications.

A person who holds an MCA degree can execute various tasks such as software development, database management, designing applications on both the web and mobile, etc.

Organizations prefer hiring one skillful individual who can do various tasks rather than hiring a few different employees for small individual tasks.

5. Gain knowledge: In today’s world, it is very important to gain knowledge about modern technology since this will help in understanding the changes in modern innovation. MCA course does not only educate students but also provides them with strong analytical and logical knowledge which helps them to become skillful and confident individuals for tomorrow.

Top 10 MCA Colleges in India

The top MCA institutes in India are:

• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee
• National Institute of Technology (NIT), Trichy
• College of Engineering (Anna University) – Guindy (CEG), Chennai
• Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai
• Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal
• Vellore Institute of Technology – VIT University, Vellore
• School of Management Sciences (SMS), Varanasi
• Harcourt Butler Technological University (HBTU), Kanpur
• JNTU College of Engineering, Kakinada
• Loyola College, Chennai

You can also consider doing MCA from SMS Varanasi which is an autonomous college approved by AICTE. The program is affiliated with Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (APJ AKTU), Lucknow. SMS is one of the top B-schools in India and offers many workshops that can increase your employability considerably.

Conclusion

MCA is a program that offers excellent job opportunities and career prospects, especially if you choose to pursue it from one of the best institutes in India.

The scope of the course has grown in recent years due to the demand for skilled professionals in IT and related fields. With so many lucrative opportunities available, an MCA degree can surely help you make your mark in the industry.