With the results of the board exams already out and the Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) results due in June, most of the students who have appeared for the board exams must be wondering which programme they should opt for and what opportunities will be available through it. The most preferred DU competition in commerce and humanities streams has around 600,000 applications for less than 100,000 seats. Even getting admission in the second best college is tough, with a score of 95th percentile or above required to secure a seat. Hence, students are now taking steps towards admission in open universities and upskilling.
Traditional higher education is often intentionally exclusionary – with barriers such as entrance exams, scrutiny of academic records, interviews and geographic mobility that make it inaccessible to many. The Open University steps in as a solution to this problem.
India has over 15 open universities, including Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Dr BR Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU), Tamil Nadu Open University, Delhi University School of Open Learning and Jamia Millia Islamia Centre for Distance and Open Learning.
According to a report by the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), our country alone has 17 open universities and 220 dual-mode institutions, each of which serves as a beacon of accessibility and flexibility in higher education.
Thanks to advances in technology and innovative learning platforms, students can now complete their undergraduate courses from virtually anywhere in the world.
The Open University epitomizes the democratization of education, providing learners with access to quality education tailored to their individual needs. This inclusiveness opens doors to students who may have been left behind by traditional educational institutions. Its dynamic design has increased its relevance and adoption, especially in the current post-COVID-19 era. According to the EPW Research Foundation, Open University enrolments have grown from 3.15 million in 2012 to 4.57 million in 2022, indicating its growing popularity amongst the youth of India.
But the Open University is only one piece of the puzzle. Skills courses, especially in areas such as digital marketing, are becoming increasingly important in today's job market. These courses offer practical, hands-on learning experiences, helping individuals gain the expertise they need to succeed in their chosen field.
Digital marketing, in particular, has emerged as a strategic asset for businesses across industries, resulting in an increased demand for skilled professionals who can navigate the digital space adeptly. This is not to downplay the role of full-time professional courses such as BCom and MBA, but rather to provide tools that complement these courses. Let's take a peek at some key roles that students can explore in digital marketing.
Digital marketing experts or consultants
These professionals are responsible for creating and implementing digital marketing strategies to increase brand awareness, boost website traffic, and generate leads. Roles include SEO specialists, social media managers, email marketers, digital advertising specialists, etc. Once you've established yourself as a digital marketer, you can become a consultant and coach businesses to achieve their goals.
Content Creator
Content creation is at the core of digital marketing as it is essential for building brand identity, establishing thought leadership and engaging target audiences. Students with strong writing, design and multimedia skills can pursue a career as a content creator, creating compelling and compelling content for websites, blogs, social media platforms and email campaigns.
Marketing Analyst
Students with strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of digital marketing metrics can pursue careers as marketing analysts providing valuable insights to help optimize marketing campaigns, measure ROI, and identify emerging trends.
Influencer or Affiliate Marketer
With the rise of social media and influencer marketing, students who have a strong online presence and can create compelling content can work with brands and explore careers as influencers or affiliate marketers.
The above list is just a small part of the wide range of promising career paths that courses like Digital Marketing offer to individuals. For those who have just completed their schooling, the Open University offers a wealth of courses to choose from, which, when supplemented with specialized specialization courses, can effectively prepare you for the job market.
Things to consider before registering
– It is important to take a practical approach before enrolling in any course. Take your time to thoroughly review the course content to ensure that it matches your interests and the objectives you want to pursue.
– Whatever your interest, whether it’s developing innovative digital marketing strategies, creating compelling content, venturing into entrepreneurship or exploring insightful data analysis, there’s a path out there for you to succeed.
– Remember – it all depends on your motivation, goals and dedication.
(Gargi Rawat is an assistant professor at IIM Kashipur and Aditya Kulashri is a postdoctoral researcher at IIM Calcutta)
