In today's competitive world, it seems acquiring multiple degrees has become the need of the hour. Many students opting for specialisation are not very sure of withstanding this competitive world on the basis of a degree alone. They feel additional qualification will help them gain an edge over the competition.
Several students opting for Chartered Accountancy (CA) course feel that, despite the brand image of a CA in the market, they would fail to make their presence felt in the industry on the basis of that degree alone.
"Opting for specialisation is purely a personal choice of a student. Most of the students opt for specialisation for growing in a particular field," said Niren Nagri, chairman of Ahmedabad branch of Institute of Chartered Accountant of India (ICAI).
Today many students are opting for higher studies along with pursuing a degree in CA. Experienced CAs who have been in the field for a long time feel that in today's world, when students have better opportunities for higher studies, they should utilise it. "It not only adds value to their career opportunity, but also gives them a better start as a fresher than what they would get as a CA fresher."
"Today, where businesses have changed and the industry works on demand and supply, the concept of value-addition has become important. Students therefore opt for multi-speciality courses that help them in the job market," said Durgesh Buch, past president of ICAI.
With the increasing competition, many who are pursuing a degree in CA are also opting for MBA, CFA, CS, LLB and other specialised courses, as they feel that a specialised course along with an additional degree can help them move faster in the organisational hierarchy.
Devika Kumar, a final year CA student who has already passed first level of US CFA said, "This is an era of multiple degrees, and so I opted for CFA which gives me an edge over my other counterparts."
Another CA final year student, Archana Maheshwari, echoing Devika's view said, "When we have time and competency, we should utilise it to the best of our capability, to establish a base for ourselves in the industry.”
