Overview The advent of modern technology has made IT a blooming sector across the world. It’s hard to imagine anything without technology. And, while talking about computers and technology, the first career option that clicks in any everyone’s mind is MCA – Master of Computer Application. With the advancement of information technology on a regular basis, the demand of MCA graduates is growing exponentially. It is evident that any MCA graduate with proper skill sets in terms of analytical and language skills can easily find a job in the IT sector. Moreover, the demand for MCA graduates in international countries is also on rise now-a-days.
Starting Salary of a MCA Fresher
Starting salary of MCA candidates vary from individual to individual as it depends on the area of work and responsibilities of the employees along-with their talent and skill level. Usually, the entry level salary of a MCA graduate for different roles is listed below:
- App Developer: Rs.20,000-Rs.35,000
- IT Assistant: Rs.10, 000-Rs.20,000
- Hardware Engineer: Rs.15,000-Rs.25,000
- Software Engineer/ Developer: Rs.21,000-Rs.47,500
- Web designer and developer: Rs.25, 000-Rs.55,000
Average Salary of MCA Graduates – Experience Wise
The average salary package for MCA degree holders / experience wise as follows:
The average salary of MCA Graduates will also depend upon the designation they are holding. The average salary package of software developers will be entirely different from that of technical business analyst. Take a look at the following table to understand the average salary of MCA graduates according to different roles:
Experience | Salary per month |
For Fresher | Rs. 15,000 – Rs. 36,000 |
1 -3 years | Rs. 26,000 – Rs. 44,000 |
Above 5 years | Rs. 40,000 – Rs. 1,50,000 |
Avg. Salary for MCA in USA | $1500 – $3500 |
MCA Career Opportunities–Job Options
There are several areas of work in MCA, and depending upon your interest, passion and aptitude, you must choose the right career option. The different career options after doing MCA are as follows:
App Developer:
There is no denial of the fact that the whole world has now united into the zone of mobile apps. For every small product or service, you will find a mobile App. this has created huge demand for App developers. This role is primarily based on ideating, designing and building mobile application for iOS, Android, Blackberry and Windows platforms. Now-a-days, every company wants to promote and market their products and services through mobile apps. Therefore, you as an App developer can easily find a job in any organization, provided you have the right skill set and zeal to learn and stay updated with new market trends.
If you are good at analyzing the key issues and have great problem solving skills along-with decision making abilities, this profile of business analyst will suit you. The role of a business analyst is to track the technical and non-technical aspect of the respective business and suggest key changes accordingly. Being a MCA Graduate it is known thing that you have great data-crunching skills, however, if you blend it with your business and product management skills, you are bound to grow in this field.
Software Developer/Programmer/Engineer:
Mostly, every third MCA graduate prefers to work as a Software Developer. Software Developers are primarily involved in ideating, designing and maintaining the complex software systems. Their job is to provide IT services by observing and analyzing the clients need and designing the software system based on their requirement. This is a very challenging yet creative field, where you are expected to show your talent that goes beyond typical coding skills.
Troubleshooter:
Virtually, no company can sustain without a troubleshooter. A trobleshooter looks after the problems of computer hardware and software and makes the technology accessible to all those who require them. In a company, if any IT issue pops up, it is the job of a troubleshooter to fix it on time so that the projects are delivered on time. They also hold the responsibility of maintaining the resources required by software engineers and others. If you love taking challenges and have the knack to come up with a result oriented solutions every time you are assigned a task, this job role is perfect for you.
System Analyst:
The job of a System Analyst is to ideate and design innovative IT Solution modules to drive the respective business and increase efficiency. As a system analyst, you need to extensively study the current business, business processes and models in order to design better IT solution system in terms of software development for clients. They act as a key person between the clients and software developers.
Software Application Architect:
If you are good at visualization and imaginative skills, the role of Software Architect will be an ideal fit for you. Software Architects are involved in the process of making high-level decisions in design and architecture of IT products and services. The key responsibility area of work of a software application architect is to develop technical manuals and protocols such as tools, platforms and software coding standards. They are responsible for the smoothing running of several software architectural models.
Software Consultant:
Consultancy has emerged as a popular career option today. The job of a software consultant is to evaluate and analyze the business process and provide optimum software solutions and other relevant feedback to drive the business efficiency. Primarily, the objective of a software consultant is to provide cost-effective business solutions to enhance the sales process of a respective company. Importantly, this job provides complete financial freedom as you can start your own work in this profile.
Hardware Engineer:
The job a Hardware Engineer is to work with computer hardware system such as circuit boards, wires, hard disk, printers, computer chips, routers and keyboards. A hardware engineer must have the passion to take key challenges when it comes to the installation and testing of the computer system, ensuring that the system works in a hassle-free way. Hardware Engineers are also involved in the production and testing of hardware equipment.
Technical Writer:
If you have exceptional writing skills with sound technical skills, then you can opt for technical writing as your career option. For this, you must have the passion for latest technologies along-with love for gadgets and writing. Generally, a technical writer is responsible to write technical documents such as User Guides/Manuals, Product Descriptions, White Papers, Project Plans and Design Specifications.
Web Designer and Developer:
With the rise of internet and online marketing, the demand for web designing has grown multifold. A Web designer is responsible for ideating, designing and developing websites, depending upon the brief shared by clients. As a Web Designer, you should very imaginative and must have great visualization skills. You must have right creative sense towards colour, font style and layouts in order to design an appealing website. In addition, you should also have strong hold over software like Dreamweaver, CCS, Photoshop and Illustrator along-with sound knowledge of HTML and Flash.
Popular Cities for MCA Jobs
In India, the IT hubs where MCA graduates will easily find a job depending upon their expertise and skills are as follows:
- Bangalore
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Pune
Popular companies offering jobs to MCA Graduates:
Some of the reputed IT companies that are always in a lookout for talented MCA graduates are as follows:
- Wipro
- Infosys
- Infotech
- Sathyam Mahindra
- IBM
- HCL
- Tata Consultancy Services
- Accenture
- Capgemini
- Cognizant
These companies hire MCA graduates on the basis of their real-time work experience and skill sets. Therefore, if you have the right skill set in IT sector and have the passion to take tough market projects and deliver them in the stipulated time period, you are bound to grow multifold in this domain.
Important IT skills that you must have after doing MCA
In order to become a good programmer, you should have good command in computer programming languages like Java, C++, C, .Net and ASP.NET.
Those who are interested in the web designing field, they must have strong hold over languages like CSS, PHP, JavaScript and HTML.
If you are interested to work in the networking field, you must have strong hand in LINUX, SQL, etc. Also, you must get quick certifications in CCNP, CCNA and CCIE in order to grab the attention of potential recruiters.
Further study options after MCA
After completing MCA, You can do ME (Computer Science & Engineering).
If you wish continue your study after doing MCA, you can do ME (Computer Science & Engineering). The eligibility criterion to take admission to ME is M.C.A. (10+2+3+3 years pattern) or B.E. / B.Tech. For doing PhD after MCA, you need to have a MCA degree along-with a valid GATE score. The minimum and maximum duration to complete your PhD is 2 years and 5 years respectively. The top institutes for doing PhD in Computer science is as follows:
- Bengal Engineering and Science University (BESU), Kolkata
- Department of Computer Science, Banaras Hindu University (BHU)
- Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
- Indian Institute of Technology, Guwhati
- Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad
- Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur
- Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai
- National Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC)
- Symbiosis Institute Of Computer Studies & Research (SICSR), Pune