Gauri Nagpal
After XII and after Graduation, a question that looms large on the mental horizon of students and parents alike is “Degree or Diploma”? There has been a tug of war going on between the two with the public opinion see sawing between the two. Over the past few years, however, diplomas have drawn in a lot of attention from students and educationists alike. Let us understand the reasons for the same and also take a look at some of the diplomas that pay off well.
Both degree and diploma are recognitions conferred to a person on the successful completion of an educational course. Degree and diplomas are words that are often used to describe accreditation by school, university of college. A diploma is a certificate that is issued by an institution, such as a university, college, or high school that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course. It also refers to the certification that is earned by completing professional/vocational courses such as Diploma in Electronics Engineering. An academic degree or simply a degree is often associated with award a person in recognition that the recipient has completed a particular course. Degrees that are commonly awarded are Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees.
There are some degree courses which have their own diploma opponents such as BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) is an undergraduate degree course while DBA (Diploma in Business Administration) is the diploma, MBA (Masters in Business Administration) is the post graduate degree course while PGDM (Post Graduate Diploma in Management) is a post graduate diploma course and BCA (Bachelor of Computer Applications) is also a undergraduate degree course while DCA (Diploma in Computer Applications) is a diploma course.
Routing for the Diploma
Course Curriculum is more ‘hands on’
The course curriculum in most diploma programs is up-to-date and at par with the industrial standards. Hence, you are not just taught theoretical subjects but are also given practical hands-on training in your core area of study. Hence the courses in diploma subjects teach you what is relevant to the career industry.
Makes you job ready
Diploma is small area of startup in any professional course. Many university degrees will focus on theory-based knowledge whereas vocational education gives you the opportunity to understand the skills you need while allowing you to put these skills into practice. This will enable you to jump straight into the workforce with all the necessary knowledge and capabilities.
In tune with the skill crunch
There is currently a shortage of vocational workers; the skill shortage in India ensures what you learn from earning a diploma is valuable to employers. Furthermore, within six months of finishing their training, the amount of vocational education and training graduates that were able to find work after their studies exceeded the amount of jobs found by bachelor degree graduates.
Companies hire Just in Time (JIT)
Diploma programs are beneficial to students coming from any industry. Today, industries do not want to spend time in training students and getting them equipped with the talents and the skills essential for their job. Most organizations expect employees to start performing on the first day of their job itself. Hence the advent of diploma programs which equips students with these necessary skills required to meet the job requirements in a particular industry. Also, there are many professions that really do not require a student to do a degree course. A diploma program can be enough to get these students a job. Examples of such courses are fashion designing, interior decoration, jewelry designing, travel and tourism, Radio jockeying, food and nutrition, photography, merchandising etc.
Less Time Consuming
Diploma program saves a lot of time. University degrees require a minimum three years of full time study, while diplomas need only two years at the very most. Most diplomas can be completed within a year. The amount of time you spend in schooling will be lessened, allowing you to enter the workforce and reap the benefits sooner. Another benefit of the program is that you can save on the cost because diploma programs are not as expensive as degree programs.
Flexible and self paced
Diplomas are offered in different study modes like distance learning, part time, full time etc, it is not just students but working professionals and housewives as well that can take up these courses. Most vocational education courses can be started at any time of the year because unlike degrees, they don’t necessarily have to follow a higher education calendar. Many can also be taken online. In addition, it is possible for you to finish a diploma part-time while you work.
Diplomas after XII
Diploma in Computer Applications
A diploma in computer application or DCA is open to students who have completed class 12 and are interested in computer programming and related fields. A two-year, full time programme it includes practical modules such as introduction to computers, principles of programming, programming language, database, word processing and spreadsheet, system analysis and design, project management, Unix operating system etc. Computer applications professionals design and develop software and computer applications, help implement and test software, and write instruction booklets for potential users of the software. Three possible careers in computer applications include computer programmer, software developer and computer systems analyst.
Colleges
* Delhi University, New Delhi.
* St. Xaviers College, Mumbai
* Gujarat Technical University, Ahmedabad
Diploma in Journalism
Today a journalism as a career stands not only for a prestigious profession but also for a challenging career option. Journalists play a key role in the growth of any nation. The core purpose of journalism is to inform, educate and enlighten the masses on various issues revolving them.
Institute scape
* Pearl Academy, Mumbai, offering Diploma in Journalism
* MET Institute of Mass Media, Mumbai, offering Diploma in Multimedia Journalism
* Amity University, Noida, offering Diploma in Journalism
Diploma in Fashion Design
Fashion designing is one of the most lucrative, appealing, glamorous and exciting career option. If you have a penchant for creativity, style and originality, a career in fashion designing is the one tailor made for you.
Institute scape
* Pearl Academy, Mumbai, offering Diploma in Fashion Designing
* Asian Academy of Film & Television, Noida, offering Diploma in Fashion Designing
* International Institute of Fashion Designing, Bangalore, offering Diploma in Fashion Designing
Diploma in Business Administration
Business Administration has become prominent with the rapid growth of industrialization which made the industries think of a scientific approach towards business. As a result, a large number of business schools have come up rapidly all over the world, and a diploma in Business Administration has become the norm.
Institute scape
* All India Institute of Management Studies, Chennai, offering Diploma in Business Administration
* Education Institute of Management and Engineering Studies, New Delhi, offering Diploma in Business Administration
* National Institute of Management, Mumbai, offering Diploma in Business Administration
Diploma in Engineering
There are so many branches available in engineering; it is difficult to choose the best one. Almost every branch in the engineering course has got good scope in the specified or related field. Only thing needed for fetching good opportunity is excellent academics and skills in the particular branch.
Institute Scape
* Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, offering Diploma in Engineering
* DPG Institute of Technology and Management, Gurgaon, offering Diploma in Engineering
* Rayat Bahra University, Mohali, offering Diploma in Engineering
Diploma in Agriculture
As the name suggests, this Diploma course focuses on the discipline of agriculture. Agricultural practices have evolved over time. Earlier, we used to rely less on technology and more on manual labour.With time, technology has advanced. It has influenced our agricultural practices too! We now rely on agricultural machinery, fertilizers, pesticides and concepts of biology to boost our agricultural productivity. It deals with the various forms of technology (machinery, chemicals, seeds etc) that helps us improve agricultural productivity.
Institute Scape
* Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, offering one year Diploma in Agricultural Journalism.
* Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phoole University, Jaipur , offering Diploma in Agriculture
* The Gandhigram Rural Institute, Tamilnadu, offering Diploma in Agriculture
* Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad, offering Diploma in Agriculture
Diploma in Information Technology
If you have a Science background, you can opt for computer management or hardware systems in their career options. They can go for computer applications, .Net, CCNA, CCNE, software, hardware and networking, system administration, internet security, ethical hacking, embedded systems, IT, computer programming, users of various computer language programming like java, MySQL etc.
Institute Scape
* Amity Directorate of Distance and Online Education, Amity University, Noida, offering Diploma in Information Technology
* Government Polytechnic, Bandra East, Mumbai, offering Diploma in Information Technology
* Swami Vivekanand Group of Institutes, Chandigarh, offering Diploma in Information Technology
Diploma in Financial Accounting
A course designed for students looking to make a career in the field of accountancy and taxation. With practical on computer accounting makes you job ready. A Diploma in Financial Accounting enables students to work in the public and the private sectors, auditing, management, accounting, taxation, and business.
Institute Scape:
* Indian School of Business Management & Administration, Visakhapatnam, offering Advance Diploma in Banking, Finance & Insurance
* Indian School of Business and Finance, New Delhi, offering Diploma in Finance
* Times and Trends Academy, Pune, offering Diploma in Accounting and Finance
Diploma in Home Science
Home Science may be defined as the study required to develop home or family life within a changing society by taking the help of scientific knowledge and methods.
The subjects involved in making Home Science a wonderful learning tool for better-living are PCB, hygiene, rural development, community living, art, food, clothing, textiles and home management etc. The duration varies from institute to institute( 1-3 years).
Institute scape
* Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad.
* Gujarat Technological University, Gujarat, offering Diploma in Home Science
* Indira Gandhi Polytechnic for Women, New Delhi, offering Diploma in Home Science
Summing up
It makes most sense for those students to take up a diploma who are in need of a job early on in their careers and are looking to gain the skills for the same. Some students also take up a diplomabecause they do not want to get into the segment that appears for the gruelling Entrance Exams. Therefore, if you wish to fast forward your career and increase your chances of getting a job, you should be going the diploma route.
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