Every year, thousands of arts students complete their Class 12 education and enter college. If you're one of them, you're likely wondering which course will help you build a successful career. Studying arts opens doors to diverse fields such as law, journalism, and business administration.
Explore the following career paths you can pursue after completing Class 12:
Journalism and Mass Communication
A career in journalism and mass communication involves reporting news, editing, and creating content for various media platforms. If you excel in research, have strong writing and communication skills, and are comfortable speaking in public, journalism could be a good fit for you. Depending on your skills and interests, you can work in print, broadcast, or digital media.
Industry Outlook: By the fiscal year 2027, India's media market is projected to grow at an annual rate of over 8%, creating opportunities for roles such as journalist, news anchor, and television producer.
Recommended Courses:
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism
- Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media
- Master's in Journalism and Mass Media
- Diploma in Media Studies
- Estimated Annual Salary: Up to Rs 6 lakh
Law
The Indian legal services sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.28% between 2025 and 2030, reaching $3.37 billion (approximately Rs 29,000 crore). This growth is likely to increase job opportunities in the legal field.
To become a lawyer, you must complete an LLB programme after Class 12 and pass the Bar Council of India's exam. You can specialise in criminal, corporate, or civil law. An LLB degree also qualifies you to work as an in-house lawyer for law firms, consulting firms, or businesses. Beyond being a lawyer, you could also work as a legal consultant or advisor.
Recommended Courses:
- Bachelor of Legislative Law (LLB)
- Master of Laws (LLM)
- Estimated Annual Salary: Up to Rs 12 lakh
Hotel Management
According to a 2024 report by Axis Securities, India's hospitality sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.5% over the next three years. This growth makes hotel management an attractive career option for arts graduates.
The hospitality industry involves managing hotels, restaurants, and tourism-related businesses. Strong communication, customer service, and leadership skills are valuable assets in this field. Career opportunities include roles such as travel consultant, hotel manager, customer service executive, and concierge manager.
Recommended Courses:
- Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM)
- Master's in Hotel Management
- Diploma in Hotel Management
Estimated Annual Salary: Varies by role; a hotel manager can earn up to Rs 10 lakh per year.
Graphic Designing
Graphic designing is a promising field for arts students. Graphic designers create visual concepts and designs for branding, promotional campaigns, and product launches. As a graphic designer, you'll translate a brand's vision into templates, brochures, logos, and images.
For instance, a brand might hire you to design graphics for its online marketplace to showcase new offers. Proficiency in design tools like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, and Sketch is crucial. With changing market trends and increased consumer spending, brands will continue to need skilled graphic designers, making this a viable career choice.
Recommended Courses:
- Bachelor of Design (B.Des)
- Master's in Design (M.Des)
- Certificate Course in Graphic Design
- Estimated Annual Salary: Up to Rs 7 lakh
Business Administration
If you possess analytical, management, and leadership skills, a career in business administration could be a viable option. A BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) degree covers various business and management aspects, including accounting, marketing, finance, human resources, and operations management.
Career options in this field include technical analyst, brand manager, human resource manager, and operations analyst.
Recommended Courses:
- Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Diploma in Business Administration
Estimated Annual Salary: Varies by role; a business analyst can earn up to Rs 17 lakh per year.
Teaching
Teachers remain the cornerstone of India's education system. If you have excellent communication skills, a thoughtful approach, and a passion for imparting knowledge, teaching could be the right career for you.
As a teacher, you will clarify concepts and ideas according to the curriculum, monitor students' progress, provide feedback, and participate in parent-teacher meetings. You can specialise in specific subjects and teaching levels based on your expertise. Higher qualifications like an MPhil or PhD can open up opportunities as an assistant professor in colleges and universities.
Recommended Courses:
- Bachelor of Education (BEd)
- Master's in Education (MEd)
- Diploma in Educational Psychology
- Estimated Annual Salary: Up to Rs 5.7 lakh
Fashion Designing
If you are creative and have a flair for style, fashion designing might be a good fit for you. This field offers the chance to design clothes, accessories, and footwear. Fashion designers oversee every step of the design process, from sketching and material selection to sewing and finalising garments.
You can also explore roles such as fashion consultant, costume designer, or fashion stylist. The fashion industry offers endless opportunities to work in both domestic and international markets.
Recommended Courses:
- Bachelor of Design (BDes)
- Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design
- Diploma in Textile Design
- Estimated Annual Salary: Up to Rs 7.5 lakh
