MA stands for Master of Arts, a two-year postgraduate degree in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Liberal Arts. Whether you are inclined towards English, History, Philosophy, Political Science or Sociology, an MA opens numerous academic and career opportunities in each field. This degree can be pursued as a full-time course, a part-time course, correspondence, or distance learning.
If you are wondering after MA, which course is best, you are not alone. This is a common query among many MA graduates seeking clarity on the next step forward. Whether pursuing higher studies or entering the job market, an MA is an excellent academic choice for young aspirants.
In this article, we will explore some of the common doubts of students, after MA, which course is best for career growth or higher studies and also explore various after MA job opportunities available in different sectors such as media, education, research and more.
To secure admission for the MA course, the student must complete his/her undergraduate degree with a minimum of 55 per cent from a recognised university.
Building the relevant skills not only influences your academic performance but also boosts your chances of securing high-paying paying after MA job opportunities.
Excellent communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Organizational skills
Strategic planning
Research and analytical skills
Presentation skills
Some of the popular entrance exams for admission to MA programmes in India are listed below.
TISSNET | AUCET |
PU CET | JNUEE |
CPGET (OUCET) | IPU CET |
CUCET | MGU CAT |
TUEE | ITM NEST |
As the degree offers a wide range of specialisations, it is natural to wonder after MA which course is best. In the table given below, we have listed some of the popular specialisations available in India.
Chinese/Mandarin | |
Philosophy | |
History |
Many students often feel confused about “after MA job opportunities” and seek clarification on the future scope of the course. If you are one among them, the list below can help you explore some of the top career paths available after an MA degree.
Newspaper Columnist | |
Author/ Writer | |
Video Jockey | |
Subject Matter Expert | |
Sales Associate | |
Psychologist | |
Let us now look at some of the most popular career options after MA, along with their average salary packages in India.
Career | Average Salary |
Assistant Professor | Rs 5.8 Lakhs per annum |
Columnist | Rs 3 Lakhs per annum |
Photographer | Rs 3.7 Lakhs per annum |
Author/Writer | Rs 4.9 Lakhs per annum |
Video Jockey | Rs 3.6 Lakhs per annum |
Radio Jockey | Rs 4.1 Lakhs per annum |
Translator | Rs 4.2 Lakhs per annum |
Psychologist | Rs 3.8 Lakhs per annum |
Content Writer | Rs 3.8 Lakhs per annum |
Teacher | Rs 3 Lakhs per annum |
Social Worker | Rs 3 Lakhs per annum |
(Salary source: Ambitionbox)
Let us now look at these job profiles that candidates can pursue after completing an MA degree.
A Journalist investigates, collects, writes, reports, and publishes news stories for print media, broadcast or digital media. They require a specific set of skills to succeed in the field of journalism.
Journalist Skills:
Must have Interviewing and interpersonal skills
Strong communication and presentation skills
Researching, reporting, and writing skills
Average Salaries based on the different roles:
News Reporter: Rs 4.3 Lakhs per annum
News Anchor: Rs 22.7 Lakhs per annum
News Editor: Rs 11.3 Lakhs per annum
Photojournalist: Rs 3.4 lakhs per annum
(Salary source: Ambitionbox)
Assistant Professors work as entry-level academic staff in universities or colleges. Their responsibilities include researching, developing course content, and teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Essential skills for Assistant Professors:
Subject matter expertise
Research and Teaching Skills
Strong communication skills
Time management
Mentoring skills
Average Salaries based on the different roles:
Associate Professor: Rs 12.1 Lakhs per annum
Adjunct Professor: Rs 8.5 Lakhs per annum
Professor: Rs 15.9 lakhs per annum
(Salary source: Ambitionbox)
A Columnist writes regular opinion pieces or feature articles for newspapers, magazines or digital publications. They are mainly responsible for sharing insights, information of public interest and personal opinions with their readers. By analysing particular topics and providing suggestions, columnists build a dedicated readership for themselves.
Essential skills for a Columnist:
Strong writing skills
Research skills
Creativity and critical thinking
Niche expertise
Different types of Columnists:
Advice Columnist
Gossip Columnist
Sports Columnist
Sports Columnist
Political Columnist
Metropolitan Columnist
Outdoors Columnist
Average Salary of a columnist: Rs 3 Lakhs
(Salary source: Ambitionbox)
A Photographer is someone who captures events, people and scenes. Their work mainly includes photographing pictures and also editing them. Photographers can specialise in various areas of photography.
Different types of photography:
Portrait and Lifestyle photography
Travel and Event Photography
Wedding Photography
Fashion Photography
Average Salary of a Photographer: Rs 3.7 Lakhs
(Salary source: Ambitionbox)
A Video Jockey is someone who hosts entertainment and music programs. It is one of the most fun and exciting after MA job opportunities. This job role does not require a formal degree; a diploma certificate in media is sufficient.
Video Jockey Skills:
Interpersonal and Networking Skills
Lighting design and Animation skills
Video editing and mixing skills
Average Salary of a Video Jockey: Rs 3.6 Lakhs per annum
(Salary source: Ambitionbox)
A translator is responsible for converting written text from one language to another. Their work includes translating, managing work schedules, and meeting deadlines and can be employed in publishing, embassies and multinational companies.
Translator Skills:
Proficiency in two or more languages
Communication and writing skills
Computer-assisted translation (CAT) Tools
Organizing skills
Average Salary of a translator: Rs 4.2 Lakhs per annum
(Salary source: Ambitionbox)
A Psychologist assists and treats mental health conditions using psychotherapy. They work in various fields such as Hospitals and clinics, schools, counselling centers, and community organisations.
Psychologist Skills:
Must have communication and critical thinking ability
Qualitative and quantitative research
Must have skills of problem-solving and patience
Organisational and emotional stability
Average Salary of a Psychologist: Rs 3.8 Lakhs per annum
(Salary source: Ambitionbox)
A Content Writer is a professional who writes creative, engaging and informative articles, blogs and social media content. Their work involves thorough research, target audience analysis and writing in a clear and concise manner.
Content Writer Skills:
Research ability and SEO knowledge
Creativity and originality
Writing skills and grammar proficiency
Average Salary of a Content Writer: Rs 3.8 Lakhs per annum
(Salary source: Ambitionbox)
A Social Worker is a skilled professional who helps people and communities to lead better lives. They work in hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centres and Community development organisations.
Social Worker Skills:
Communication and active listening skills
Leadership and critical thinking skills
Organisational and problem-solving skills
Emotional intelligence
Empathy
Average Salary of a Social Worker: Rs 3 Lakhs per annum
(Salary source: Ambitionbox)
An MA degree leads to a plethora of rewarding career opportunities in fields like media, education, writing, social work and psychology. If you are still wondering, after MA, which course is best for the future or exploring after MA job opportunities, this article will help you make a wise decision. There is no perfect recipe to build a successful career. The key to a satisfying career is in choosing the right career path that resonates with your interests and skills. With the right planning and dedication, your MA degree can lead you to the perfect and lucrative career journey.
Assistant Professor with a master's degree with at least 55% of marks obtained in master's degree and must also pass competitive exams like UGC NET, UGC SET, or CISR NET.
French, German Hindi, Spanish, Chinese/Mandarin, Greek, Latin, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Literature, Social work, Anthropology, Religious studies, Library and Information Science, Archaeology, Linguistics, History, Sociology, Rural Studies.
You must have passed the undergraduate course with a valid percentage of marks.
To build a successful career after an MA degree, you can choose from a variety of career paths based on your interests and skills. Some of the popular career paths include,
Journalist
Content Writer
Psychologist
Social Worker
Lecturer, and more
You can also go for higher education opportunities such as a PhD or B.Ed to enhance your employability.