Can I do BCom without studying mathematics?
I am a Class 12 student in the commerce stream with math as a subject. I am not able to cope with the subject and find it very difficult. I have interest in accounts and business studies but not in economics. What would you advise me to pursue after Class 12? Should I go for BCom, bachelor of business administration (BBA) or bachelor of management studies (BMS)? I am also keen on a career in mass communication and journalism. —Amit Math as a subject is useful if you are looking ahead to a career in commerce and business, but is not always necessary, whether you take up BCom, BBA or BMS. There are many universities which offer the B Com degree where maths is not essential. Much depends on the kind of career you wish to get into. The BCom is a practical degree programme designed to provide students with the fundamental concepts of accountancy, business administration, finance, economics and industrial policies, and helps develop a wide range of accounting and managerial skills. After a BCom degree you can work with as banker, manager, financial consultant, accountant. You can also do CA, CWA, banking, and so on, where a knowledge and interest in accounting is important.
The BBA which is also sometimes called bachelor of business studies (BBS) and bachelor of business management (BBM) or bachelor of management studies (BMS) is a professional application oriented course which covers management concepts, fundamentals of marketing, human resource management and law. The degree also develops the student’s practical managerial skills, communication skills and business decision-making capabilites and provides practical experience of case studies, industry visits, presentations and summer placements. After the BBA you can start working directly in a particular field of management, or get into fields such as law, mass communication, hotel management, retail management and so on.
Both courses provide a good base of knowledge, irrespective of whether you have taken math or not, and your choice should depend on the career you wish to pursue after graduation.
Send your queries at hteducation@hindustantimes.com or to Career Counselling, HT Education, 1st floor, HT House, 18-20, KG Marg, New Delhi-110001. The columnist is director of Careers Smart, and author of the Penguin India Career Guides Vol 1 and 2