There has always been a long debate on academic degrees vs professional degrees, which one to choose after 12th. People would tell you that after passing your public exams for the twelfth grade, you can start enjoying your life. On the day of your results, though, the true struggle will begin as you must select the stream that will determine the course of your life. There will be dozens of courses, some of which you may find bewildering. It’s possible for multiple streams to look the same, and you won’t be able to distinguish them. Let’s focus on the two main types of advanced degrees —academic and professional. Opting between these two is frequently confused by people. A bachelor’s degree is comparable to an academic degree, while an engineering degree can be considered professional. Let’s attempt to address the query of which path is optimal to take following the 12th.

Academic degree

The name says it all. Academic degrees will be the courses designed specifically to groom you in a subject rather than prepare you for a job. Be it arts, science, or commerce, you will be studying the processes and concepts of the field instead of practical training. So, you would gain fundamental knowledge of your bachelor’s degree subject. You can pursue a Master’s degree in the same or a related field afterwards. You would not get placed in a practical job. You would never be hired for a real-world position. But you can get opportunities in the streams like research and analysis, teaching, off-field jobs, and much more.

Advantages

There are several ways you can change your job path. Less practical exposure and relatively easy subjects and courses will be offered. You would become an expert in your field since you would be pursuing both degrees consecutively.

Disadvantages

A bachelor’s degree will not be able to fetch you a very good employment opportunity. It will be difficult to get a high-paying job after that; a master’s degree is required. There would be less practical exposure for you.

Professional Courses

• You can enrol in professional courses like engineering, MBBS, etc., if you’re more interested in learning about modern technology practically than in delving deeply into the academic realm. If you are talented after earning your bachelor’s degree, you will likely be hired for a high-paying position. But rather than focusing on ideas, you would need to focus on the practical aspects of the courses. In addition, when it comes to academic vs professional degrees, a professional degree will have a syllabus that would be more tiresome and take longer.

Advantages

You will be paid a respectable income if you have the necessary abilities. Higher education completion is not necessary. In addition to learning from books, you would have hands-on experience resolving issues in the actual world.

Disadvantages

There will be fewer possibilities for you to change your employment path. To succeed, you must possess exceptional skills in your field.

In summary

Do not let the conflict of choosing an academic degree versus a professional degree consume you. You are in charge of selecting your area of interest.

But when making the most significant decision of your life, it is necessary to be aware of the options and have a forward-thinking perspective.