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Scope of MA in Political Science: Top Ranking Jobs [For Freshers & Experienced]

Scope of MA in Political Science: Top Ranking Jobs [For Freshers & Experienced]

Updated on 19 March, 2024

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• 15 min read

Table of Contents

Why Pursue an M.A. in Political Science?
M.A. in Political Science: Scope and Employment Opportunities
Top MA Political Science Recruiters
Top Ranking Jobs for M.A. Political Science Candidates
Conclusion

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Political Science is an advanced-level, two-year postgraduate course. It focuses on imparting in-depth knowledge of the political system, political behavior, political theories, and political practice of national and international grounds. Apart from this, M.A. in Political Science also covers public affairs, government laws & policies, international relations, and historical & modern political systems. You will also have chances of getting good government jobs for MA political science degree.

When I embarked on my journey in political science, I often wondered about the MA Political Science scope and the possibilities it could unfold. Today, with years of experience in this dynamic field, I’m eager to shed light on the incredible opportunities it offers, both to freshers starting their careers and experienced professionals seeking growth.

As someone who has navigated through various roles and sectors within political science, I’ve come to realize the vast landscape it encompasses. It’s not just about books and theories; it’s about actively shaping the world we live in.

In this article, I’ll draw from my own experiences to guide you through the top-ranking jobs that MA in Political Science opens up, whether you’re stepping into this field with enthusiasm or aiming to take your career to the next level. Let’s explore the boundless potential and rewarding paths that await in the world of political science.

Learners receive an average Salary hike of 58% with the highest being up to 400%.

Why Pursue an M.A. in Political Science?

Political Science is a versatile and fortuitous liberal arts stream. As mentioned earlier, a Master’s degree in Political Science opens up new career possibilities before you. Below are three reasons why you should enroll in a postgraduate program in Political Science:

You develop skills like negotiation & communication skills, writing skills, generic and analytical reasoning, and public response management.
It equips you to choose from many promising careers such as law, education, journalism, politics, civil services, etc.
It prepares you to enter the national/international political scene as you will be well-versed with historical and current affairs.
Students who want to learn PG in Political Science i.e. MA in Political Science will also get a clear idea of different political concepts that can be helpful to prepare for civil service exams.

Who should do an M A Political Science?

MA Political Science is a versatile course that covers different kinds of topics about domestic politics, international politics, and other parts of world politics. You will also learn about different political theories, including western and Indian, which opens the door to many government jobs for MA political science. Here are some of the facts why you should pursue a PG in Political Science course.

While learning PG in Political Science, you will get an incentive to develop your analytical and critical thinking skills that will help the candidate’s intellectual insights about society and politics.

M A Political Science course offers specialization on various topics pertaining to politics and society, such as political doctrines, international law, community, political philosophy, and governance.
PG in Political Science can provide you with different kinds of elective courses so that you can choose and then specialize among the different subjects to get in-depth knowledge.
You will get more job opportunities in multiple sectors, including Universities, Administration, Campaigns, and other recognized sectors.

What are the required skills for a MA Political Science Course?

Chances of getting government jobs are more once you learn M.A. in Political science. Within two years, you will gain knowledge about politics and various aspects. You will also learn different aspects of society using various assignments and projects. In order to enjoy these benefits, you should have these important skills to understand the MA Political Science course:

Public Relation
Communication Skills
Analytical Reasoning
Data Skills

You must also have additional parameters that play an important role in successfully learning PG in Political Science.

Good communication skills
Management skills
Problem-solving skills
Analytical thinking
Goal-oriented
Ability to work under pressure
Inquisitive
Interpersonal skills

PG in Political Science Eligibility criteria

MA Political Science course is offered by many colleges and universities in India and overseas. Various colleges provide MA Political Science courses. Some of these are private, while others are government-funded colleges. The criteria for government colleges to study MA in Political Science are the same. However, the criteria for private colleges may differ from one to other. Here are the eligibility criteria for MA in Political Science:

You must have completed your graduate studies in Political Science from a recognized Indian university.
Candidates must have at least 50% marks in all three years combined to be eligible to get PG in Political Science.
You must have completed under graduation from a well-recognized University by UGC, i.e., the University Grant Commission.
Candidates who are applying for an MA in Political Science should complete all the courses in their undergraduate courses.
Students with a final degree can apply for MA Political Science course admission.
Candidates still in their final year of under graduation must complete all their final exams and should clear them with the final mark sheet before moving on toward PG in Political Science.
Students who do not have any final mark sheet or those who have failed any subject in their undergraduate course will not be eligible for MA Political Science admission.

M.A. in Political Science: Scope and Employment Opportunities

As a Political Science (M.A.) graduate, you will have access to some of the most respectable career options, such as:

1. Teaching

A career in academia is perfect for people who are passionate about teaching and grooming students on matters related to Political Science, Politics, and Polity. You can either be a school teacher or a lecturer/professor in colleges and universities. While teaching at the school level demands a B.Ed degree for teaching at the college/university level, you must clear the UGC NET examination.

The average annual salary for Political Science teachers and lecturers in India ranges between India is ₹3-5.2 LPA.

Finished 12th and pondering over the future? Unveil the multitude of career options after 12th arts to find a path that resonates with your passion and skills.

2. Journalism

Since a substantial portion of modern journalism covers politics and political matters, journalism is an excellent field for Political Science graduates. Having a thorough understanding of politics, political systems, and the national/international political environment makes Political Science graduates ideal candidates for roles like Political Journalist/Editor or Political Correspondents.

The average salary for Journalists in India is ₹361,472 LPA.

3. Law

While pursuing an M.A. course in Political Science, candidates develop and hone analytical, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. These skills are immensely valued in Law. However, to enter into Law, you need to complete a 3-year LLB course and clear the All India Bar examination administered by the Bar Council of India.

The average annual salary of Lawyers in India is ₹468,000 LPA.

Read: Career Opportunities: Corporate & Financial Law

4. Politics

Politics makes up a crucial aspect of every nation, and it is an obvious choice for Political Science students. After getting an M.A. degree in Political Science, you can start working under a Political leader or directly begin your political journey as a Politician/Political Analyst/Political Advisor.

Usually, Political leaders receive hefty monthly salaries along with numerous other benefits. For instance, Chief Ministers of different states make around ₹1.1-4.1 lakhs per month, whereas MPs earn ₹100,000 per month.

5. Civil Services

The Indian Civil Services is undoubtedly the most prestigious and respectable career choice for young aspirants. As for Political Science graduates, IAS (Indian Administrative Service) and IFS (Indian Foreign Services) are the two most popular choices.

Since the general science paper of both the preliminary and main exams of Civil Services contain several Political Science questions, Political Science students certainly have the edge over candidates from other streams.

The basic salary of Civil Servants in India ranges from ₹26,000-56,100 per month plus TA, DA, and HRA. The monthly salary can scale up to ₹2,50,000 per month for senior-level officers.

Graduated with a BA and considering your next move? Delve into career options after BA to explore diverse pathways that can lead to rewarding careers.

Top MA Political Science Recruiters

Throughout my career in the field of political science, I’ve witnessed the vast array of opportunities it offers. Here, I’ll share insights into some prominent sectors that have consistently sought the expertise of MA Political Science graduates.

Government Agencies: Having worked within civil services and policy analysis roles, I’ve experienced firsthand the significance of political science professionals in shaping government policies and initiatives.
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs): NGOs often require individuals well-versed in research and advocacy, making political science graduate’s valuable assets in the realm of social policy and change.
International Organizations: With a background in political science, one can venture into diplomacy and foreign affairs, contributing to global harmony through organizations like the United Nations.
Educational Institutions: Personally, I’ve found fulfillment in academia, where I’ve been an educator and academic researcher, nurturing young minds and contributing to political thought.
Media and Journalism: Political reporting and analysis have a profound impact on society. Graduates in this field can actively engage in shaping public opinion through journalism.
Public Policy Think Tanks: I’ve collaborated with think tanks on various projects, witnessing the immense influence policy researchers and analysts exert on shaping government decisions.
Legal Firms: The intersection of law and politics is a dynamic field. Political science graduates can excel in legal research, paralegal work, and public interest law.
Corporate Sector: Corporate social responsibility, public affairs, and regulatory compliance roles offer intriguing opportunities for political science professionals.
Market Research Companies: I’ve seen colleagues excel in roles involving political polling and opinion research, which are instrumental in gauging public sentiment.
Consulting Firms: Political consulting, public relations, and strategic communication are domains where political science expertise is highly valued.

In my journey, I’ve realized that MA Political Science graduates have the potential to make significant contributions to public policy, governance, and social change across these diverse career paths.

Top Ranking Jobs for M.A. Political Science Candidates

An M.A. in Political Science promises many high-paying job profiles, including:

1. Government Affairs Director

As the name suggests, Government Affairs Directors supervise and direct public relations team and manage policies related to local, state, and central government matters. They build and maintain beneficial relationships with relevant government agencies, committees, and legislative bodies.

They design corporate policies, strategies, and plans as per government laws and regulations. They examine how the new and updated government regulations affect businesses and offer befitting suggestions to help the company navigate through the changes.

The average salary of Government Affairs Directors in India is ₹812,400 LPA.

2. Political Consultant

Political Consultants have extensive knowledge of the political process. Their primary responsibility is to devise effective political strategies and campaigns for electoral candidates to influence voters and gain support from the majority.

Political Consultants also create favorable stories about political candidates to paint them in a positive light and influence their media image. Sometimes, they also conduct surveys to understand the inclinations and reactions of voters towards political candidates.

The average salary of Political Consultants in India is ₹777,922 LPA.

Source

3. Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists handle the responsibility for maintaining and improving the reputation of a company or an organization. Their job is mainly media-centric. Thus, they work closely with media agencies and journalists to place favorable news and stories about their clients before the common mass.

Public Relations Specialists draft press releases, write blog posts, manage social media accounts, and organize press conferences and other events to attract media attention and promote their client. They are master negotiators and orators who are always up to date with the industry’s current affairs, policies, and laws.

The average salary of Public Relations Specialists in India is ₹600,000 LPA.

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Source

4. Political Scientist

Political Scientists focus on studying the origin, development, and operation of political systems around the world. They also learn and research political ideas and policies, political trends, and analyze governments. Their research usually pertains to the four core areas – political theory, national politics, comparative politics, and international relations.

While Political Scientists use qualitative methods to gather information from disparate sources, they use different quantitative methods to develop political theories. Political Scientists may sometimes don the role of a Policy Analyst for organizations with labor unions and political groups.

The average annual salary of Political Scientists in India is ₹600,000 LPA.

5. Intelligence Analyst

Intelligence Analysts are employed by high-level government intelligence agencies like the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Department of Criminal Intelligence, Directorate of Military Intelligence, Defence Intelligence Agency, Indian Political Intelligence Office, and National Investigation Agency, to name a few.

They closely study the behavior and actions of particular groups that are considered security threats, analyze leadership patterns in such groups, and gather information from multiple sources. Intelligence Analysts present their findings in detailed reports and brief to agency executive and political leaders.

The average annual salary of Intelligence Analysts in India is ₹570,000 LPA.

Source

6. Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts are primarily responsible for changing, adjusting, and implementing new public policies, laws, and regulations. They may either work under a government or for NGOs and for-profit companies.

Policy Analysts policy design a sound thesis and compelling draft arguments for/against adopting a particular policy or law. They may specialize in specific areas (corporate policy, public policy, energy policy, etc.), or they may focus on a government or organization’s general political functions.

The national average salary for Policy Analysts in India is ₹550,000 LPA.

Source

Must Read: Highest Paying Jobs in India

Conclusion

With my extensive experience in Political Science, I can assert its significance and the plethora of opportunities it offers. Political Science, as a discipline, delves into the intricate workings of governments, policies, and the political behavior of societies.

The scope of Political Science is remarkably diverse, encompassing a wide range of subjects, from the analysis of political ideologies, international relations, and public policy to the study of governance structures, political institutions, and the impact of political decisions on societies.

Given the vast scope of Political Science, individuals can specialize in areas that align with their career aspirations. Specializations within Political Science cover a broad spectrum, including political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public administration, and more.

For those considering a career in Political Science, the focus will be on understanding and analyzing political processes, policies, and systems, both at the national and international levels. Political Science equips you with the ability to critically assess political developments, make informed policy recommendations, and contribute to shaping the political landscape. The scope of MA Political Science is boundless, offering a fulfilling journey into the complexities of politics and governance.

We hope this helps!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the subjects in the MA Political Science course?

The MA Political Science course syllabus covers a variety of works and writers from English literature and optional areas to prepare students for work in many fields. This field sharpens students' thinking to deal with the daily challenges they experience at work, at school, and in other areas by using the concepts of Political Science. Political Theory, Public Administration, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Public Laws are the key subjects in this course. The elective subjects offered are Theory and Practice of Democracy, Democracy and Human Rights in India, Modern State in Comparative Perspective, Critical Traditions in Political Theory, and Development Process and Politics in India.

2. Is Political Science the same as Public Administration?

Political administration is mainly considered to be an offshoot of political science. In reality, it is a related concept to political science but has a distinct field. Where political science deals with the theoretical part of all the policies, politics, international affairs, and media which helps in running a province, political administration is a more practical course which applies the theoretical aspects of political science to the real world. Students studying public administration are prepared for administrative positions in the public and nonprofit sectors. Organisational management, conduct/ethics, and budgets are more important in public administration.

3. How do you know that you are the best fit for the role?

A Master’s in Political Science examines the root causes of all of human society's issues. Suppose you are interested in issues such as world peace, economic crises, globalisation, international commerce, and more, and want to use your knowledge to make a meaningful difference in society. In that case, Political Science is the course for you. A Master's degree can help you better grasp how governments work and interact, how government policies affect economic stability and growth, and how laws influence social and political development. You will be able to impact every element of our lives and contribute to the well-being of a nation with the aid of this degree, including education, employment, healthcare, and housing.

4. What are the subjects in the MA Political Science course?

5. Is Political Science the same as Public Administration?

6. How do you know that you are the best fit for the role?

Did you find this article helpful?

Sriram

Meet Sriram, an SEO executive and blog content marketing whiz. He has a knack for crafting compelling content that not only engages readers but also boosts website traffic and conversions. When he's not busy optimizing websites or brainstorming blog ideas, you can find him lost in fictional books that transport him to magical worlds full of dragons, wizards, and aliens.

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Only 25% Of Indian Graduates Are Employable, And The Solution Is Obvious

Co-authored by: Apoorva Shankar, Business Development Associate, UpGrad The world today has enhanced productivity requirements. Due to this, the demand for highly skilled labour is growing. China and India are set to drive this demand. Globally, the share of low-skill jobs is likely to decline from 74% of employment in 2010 to 62% by 2020. On the other hand, the shortage of highly skilled workers with a tertiary level of education is expected to reach 18 million by 2020, globally. But due to its demographic dividend, India will have a labour surplus of 47 million by 2020. However, this surplus may only be of low-skilled labour. And while the demand for highly skilled labour is increasing, the supply isn’t quite keeping up. The challenge, as well as opportunity, that India faces is how to train such a large reserve of labour and convert low skills to high skills. One solution that immediately comes to mind is providing higher education for all. But at present only 24% of those meant to be participating in higher education, are actually enrolled. Plus, traditional college or university pedagogy has been increasingly criticized for being outdated and irrelevant to the jobs market. If you attended school or college in India, you will have first-hand experience of the ills that plague the system. Some of the reasons for this are: Absence of a customized or personalized approach to education (necessary as different students have different needs and learning capabilities). Restricted resources due to not-for-profit nature of educational institutes and over-regulation. Lack of technology infrastructure. Poor teaching quality. Lack of skills-based learning. Low focus on research and development. Minimal partnerships with industry/foreign academia. Outdated curricula not reflecting requirements of a dynamic market environment. Skill-intensive industries are expected to contribute more than 90% of India’s GDP by 2030. The opportunity is staring at us in the face. Only about 25% of Indian graduates are considered employable by the organized sector. Further, 48% of Indian employers said they were having difficulty in filling jobs, in 2012. Despite employers expressing difficulty in finding employable candidates, in 2009-10 the unemployment rates in India were higher for those who were more educated (graduates had more difficulty finding jobs than secondary or primary level graduates). [b_color background=”#EDFF3D”] Also Read – Technology will surely kill some jobs, but not all of them [/b_color] So Indian education, in its current form, hasn’t proved to be enough training for the incoming workforce. The numbers also prove that just completing higher education in any field is not all it takes anymore. This pinch is being increasingly felt as the world of jobs is turning upside down; which is why we need skill training. Skill-intensive industries are expected to contribute more than 90% of India’s GDP by 2030. The opportunity is staring at us in the face. It’s not just about the potential but also the responsibility we are tasked with — restoring balance to the global supply of labour. The country needs to invest in skill development and training for a large chunk of its population. Exploiting sheer numbers is therefore one major reason to skill our workers. Secondly, the demand for advanced skill-sets in emerging areas is growing. Knowledge-intensive roles such as finance, business, etc, and those related to information technology and entrepreneurship are gaining momentum. The reality that these skills must be acquired will take root for more and more individuals, including drop-outs from the mainstream education system and those who have completed such education. Currently, the actual supply of these workers falls drastically short of matching growing demand. Hence, the gaps in domain knowledge are another reason to scale up the skilling. You are likely to be at a disadvantage, in terms of skill training and thereby employability, when compared to someone your age in China, USA, South Korea… In China about 47% of the workforce has received some kind of skill training, 52% in USA, 68% in UK, 75% in Germany, 80% in Japan and 96% in South Korea. Comparatively, only about 10% of the Indian workforce received such training in 2008. India is seventh in the category of countries facing maximum difficulty in filling jobs, i.e., 58% difficulty, where the global average is 38%. These figures reflect that just belonging to the young Indian demographic is not enough. You are likely to be at a disadvantage, in terms of skill training and thereby employability, when compared to someone your age in China, USA, South Korea etc. To address these imbalances, India needs unprecedented increase in both education and job creation. At this point, there is no guaranteed advantage for India in the contest for high-skill talent. It will be dependent on skilling. Considering the state of higher education and the skill upgrade required to be carried out in the future, the process will not just be about learning for professionals, but rather unlearning and re-learning.

by Mayank Kumar

13 Jul'16

5.2K+

7 reasons to watch UpGrad Talks today

There is really no secret sauce for success. Provided you have had the opportunity to view the exclusive online tete-e-tete sessions brought to you by UpGrad Talks. With an amazing roster of world-class speakers, some from the top 1000 companies of India such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Sky, Coca Cola, JP Morgan, JWT to start-up poster children such as RedBus, Snadeal, Ola & Zivame and many more, Upgrad Talks provides insights into their formulae for success. The talks also share deep learning from situations that didn’t work out and many valuable nuggets of honest, down-to-earth and practical advice from successful entrepreneurs, experts and industry leaders. While some lip service has been paid to new-age technologies and skill sets, and the evolution of industries because of these, a deeper understanding of what this signifies is missing. Upgrad Talks intends to fill this gap by bringing together thought-leaders from different walks of life and raising the level of discourse in this area, as they share their experiences. Here are the top reasons why you must visit talks.upgrad.com today and make it your daily source of insights and motivation: Get Inspired Inspiration can come from many different sources. You may get inspired when you see a problem that needs a solution, which you are able to ideate, or get inspired when you hear stories of adversity being overcome by sheer willpower. Rarely does the simple existence of wealth inspire us. It may motivate us to work harder, but inspiration stems from a deeper place that needs real stories. Upgrad Talks are stories from the folks who have lived these stories, first hand. Not only does hearing someone’s complete story of challenges, thought process and subsequent outcome inspire, it also gives birth to new ideas and provides impetus to grow in your own space. Moreover, inspiration also stems from well-put statements such as, ‘attitude will sail you through,’ by Harit Nagpal, CEO of Tata Sky. A key benefit of listening to industry leaders is that it also inspires us to think. ‘What we think, we become,’ is a quote by Buddha that sums up this well. Go ahead, face challenges It does not matter if you are a startup or an established financial organization; challenges, big or small, exist in every level of most businesses. Challenges faced, strategized and overcome is the rite of passage for almost everyone. Not only do Upgrad Talks cover challenges faced by leading industry veterans, it also covers it from various stages of businesses along with discussion of the solutions that helped overcome them. Upgrad Talks speakers’ discuss challenges faced by businesses in different spaces, which makes these talks an interesting listen. Furthermore, is quite motivating to hear the candid conversations of business leaders. So what is the common thought on challenges in the Upgrad Talks? No challenge is too big. It also strengthens the belief that challenges help you grow and become stronger and develops a sense of confidence to take on the next big challenge. Learn from influencers People who can motivate are great influencers. To hear success stories at Upgrad Talks, which have been driven by deep-rooted passion as well as courage of conviction can be a great influence on most people. It is likely to help you push yourself to greater heights and also follow your dreams a bit more diligently. To quote Snapdeal’s Kunal Bahl, ‘ there is a fine line between stubbornness and persistence.’ Upgrad Talks is likely to help you define the lines as an excellent selection of influencers talk also about the key soft skills required to make it a significant mark on the industry that you belong to. Mentoring As you listen to entrepreneurs, business leaders and experts on models that have worked, one can also start drawing parallels to one’s one business or profession. Mentoring of this kind is both subtle and effective as it helps you choose some key takeaways from the shared experiences that are most relevant to you. Follow the series to get premium access to the best mentors in the country as they talk about education, the emerging digital age and its impact on businesses, talent shortages and advice to youngsters. A bit of crystal gazing In the series of Upgrad Talks, one is likely to come across a vast amount of business knowledge which has been converted into digestible insights that can also help you choose the next steps in your career. Speakers’ at Upgrad Talks share their business mantras and what the future is likely to be. This is crystal gazing of the finest variety and yet another reason to tune into the talks. A healthy dash of optimism One of the unique selling points of the Upgrad Talks is that they also brings out the combined optimism in business from key industry leaders. Apart from that one can learn what is next in the industry, and explore potential future opportunities in the workspace. The upbeat and positive nature of these talks makes them a must-listen. Easily available online Just in case you were wondering how far you would need to travel to listen to such a wide range of speakers, you can breath easy. Upgrad Talks are delivered online and you can listen to them at your own convenience. All you need to do is to long onto talks.upgrad.com and you can access high quality, pre-recorded sessions online. Upgrad is making content richer, bigger and better as it kicks off with 15+ talks delivered by entrepreneurs, experts & business leaders. You definitely do not want to miss out on the educational transformation that UpGrad is fuelling in partnership with some of the greatest minds. Remember, one can never stop learning. So, if you always aspired to hear great advice and insights from the top Indian business leaders on how you can grow your business, choose a career goal or get inspired, do take a look at Upgrad Talks. They are truly the voices that impact. Join us today and be a part of it at talks.upgrad.com.

by Omkar Pradhan

06 Aug'16

5.37K+

Evolving online education: Learning Together

Technologies in online learning have been making promises since early 20th century. From radio to present day MOOCs, multiple new technologies were seen as silver bullet in revolutionising education. These promises were indeed laudable, to make education accessible to everyone, affordable for everyone and more effective. Yet, the same history of unmet expectations has been repeated every time*. Although a lot has happened over the past decade in terms of growth and expansion of online education, there are many challenges yet to be solved before we can say online learning has truly arrived. We, at UpGrad, believe the following three challenges are the biggest hurdles to the success of online education. Isolation: Online learning is solitary experience Acceptability: Online learning’s validity in the Job Market Not Engaging: Interplay of distractions and motivations in learning online The dismally low completion rates and high failure rates are reflection of these challenges [1]. Our goal at UpGrad is to fight these challenges and provide an unmatched learning experience for the working professionals. We believe, with the flexibility of online learning, every working professional can “UpGrade” himself without going back to full-time formal education. Hence, we need to to make online learning mainstream. In this article we would be sharing how are setting the online learning as a ‘Social Experience’ for our students, ie the first of the three mentioned challenges. In 2000s, internet surfing was mainly an individual experience and on the other hand, in 2016 almost all of internet time is a social experience. We do not feel alone in 2016 version of internet. We believe online education will have much higher engagement and completion rates once it becomes a social experience. An average student’s e-learning journey is an individual experience making him/her feel isolated. Learners move through the course with limited interactions with both their instructor and classmates. We at UpGrad, are building a new learning platform specifically designed keeping our students and their needs in mind. We believe this would be key to provide the kind of engagement levels the students deserve. The perception of social presence (or lack of) is a big concern among students and teachers in online learning. Teachers develop courses in isolation and the students take the courses in isolation. Researchers have found strong correlation between the sense of social presence facilitated by the course and student’s perceived learning [3,4,5]. Also there is good re correlation between withdrawal in the course and student’s perceived lack of social interaction and instructor presence [3]. Lack of social interaction in e-learning increases the distraction, since a learner would look for social interaction elsewhere which is usually Twitter, Whatsapp or Facebook. If there is another learner doing the same course in my apartment building, there are limited chances that I would know about him. As learners of online courses, we are oblivious of everyone else’s presence except few replies on the discussion forum. They do form Facebook groups or Whatsapp groups organically, yet the whole online learning format ends up being mostly a solo experience. Here are the steps we are taking at UpGrad in making our online programs a social experience.: Profiles : The first step in ‘social’ e-learning is knowing your classmates. We have learner profiles with education and work history along with other details. Almost everyone is encouraged to fill in their full profile along with a descriptive ‘bio’ section. There are multiple points where learners are nudged to click on the profiles. To improve discoverability of relevant profiles we not only leverage cohort social graph but also use interest graph, performance graph, complementary skills graphs. Combined with other semi random** algorithms like who was recently online, learners bump into each other in interesting ways. In the first month of Data Analytics Program, an average engaged learner viewed peer profiles 110 times. Discussions: We have a discussion forum which is contextual and relevant to the course content. We designed it from the ground up to involve learners during the course. They help each other, solve doubts, ask questions, have healthy debates on the forum. Only when there is no consensus a Teaching Assistant gets involved in clearing the doubts. Last 3 months data shows that on a daily basis 50% of the students who are engaged on the platform, also engaged actively on the discussion forum. As most professionals have different backgrounds, sharing of experiences on the forum is much valuable to everyone in the cohort. We have seen learners fall into three buckets on the forum. First is the majority producers, the top 30% of forum content producers are responsible for around 70% of the discussions. The next 50% do the rest of 30% of the content but continue to voice their opinions through upvotes. Rest of the 20% are mere observers. These numbers are highly encouraging and we will be investing more time in finding out how student-student social interactions can help in overall engagement. Figure 1: Forum topic distribution in one of our programs. Share in the pie is (questions * votes) for each topic. Bigger share of the pie is a proxy for doubts. This lead us to start live sessions on those topics. Thought Leader AMAs: Initiating and maintaining engagement on the forum is hard. To set the ball rolling, we started the discussion forum for a new cohort with getting a thought leader to do an AMA on the platform. This way not only the students got a product onboarding experience but also the social expectation was set amongst the peers. In some months, the total content creation during AMAs ended up around 20% of the total cumulative content. We also observed a side benefit of starting the program with thought leader – that learners are more helpful, behave with more civility and show much more respect for each other. This is not very unusual because it is known that a group’s eventual social dynamics are very much impacted by behaviour in initial few days. In a way, it sets the trend which follows upto the end of the course. We also explored bringing in external motivations to see how does it impact on engagement levels. At times, there were small gifts for top forum contributors and at times we included forum participation in the grading. Our primary observations show that this is to be used cautiously. We are working on establishing a balance between extrinsic and intrinsic motivations for social involvement. Facebook Groups: For all cohorts we have Facebook groups for students apart from the platform discussion forum. We were not very confident how much our forum will be used for non academic discussions and generic social sharing. However, we found more and more discussions of generic nature and sharing of articles & blogs also started happening on the forum. Hence facebook group ended up becoming redundant. We are thinking of doing away with a cohort’s facebook group with this expanded use of discussion forum In summary, having a strong sense of community within the students is a big predictor of learning outcomes. This has been researched multiple times [7, 8]. Our platform’s usage data of course progress and social interaction activity strongly confirms this research. At a time, a learner who is socially engaged on our platform has usually completed 4 times (Figure 2) course materials than a learner who does not participate in social discussions. This high correlation has been repeated across multiple cohorts. Figure 2: At a snapshot of time course completion rates for learners active on forum vs non active. Apart from the student isolation e-learning content creators and facilitators tend to work in isolation, reflecting and sharing of best practices is minimal[6]. We at UpGrad are aware of this problem, and making sure different program teams collaborate and share solutions to common problems. We do not have complete solution to isolation in learning yet. We as a company are focussed on solving this problem, we are testing out few ideas and are willing to share the results with the community. With these changes we are expecting online learning experience to be more engaging, more involving and eventually pushing up the low completion rates of online learning. These are early days of online education and we have miles to go. Bibliography [1] http://collegequarterly.ca/2007-vol10-num03-summer/rolfe.html [2] Online Social Networks as Formal Learning Environments: Learner Experiences and Activities, The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, Vol 13, No 1 (2012) [3] Tello SF (2007). An analysis of student persistence in online education. International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education [4] Herbert, M. (2006). Staying the course: A study in online student satisfaction and retention. Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration, 9(4). [5] Morris, T. A. (2009). Anytime/anywhere online learning: Does it remove barriers for adult learners. In T.Kidd (Ed.), Online education and adult learning: New frontiers for teaching practices. Hershey, PA:IGI Global. [6] Duncan, H & Barnett J (2009) Learning to teach online. [7] Kaulback, B (2015). Learning Together : Community and Network from the perspective of designers of online learning. (Doctoral dissertation) [8] Bernard, R. M., Abrami, P. C., Borokhovski, E., Wade, C. A., Tamim, R. M., Surkes, M. A., & Bethel, E. C. (2009). A meta-analysis of three types of interaction treatments in distance education. Review of Educational Research, 79(3), 1243–1289.

by Ankit Mittal

08 Aug'16

898.95K+

Skill deprivation: Education alone won’t guarantee a job, in-demand skills need of hour

If you are 25 years old, hold a degree in a traditional arts discipline from a well-regarded institute and are looking for a job, you may not be handed one on a platter any time soon. You may be cushioned within the famous Indian demographic that is supposed to yield a ‘dividend,’ but unlike what you’ve been reading everywhere, this does not guarantee you employment. Between 1980 to 2010, 90% of world labour force growth occurred in developing countries and about 500 million new workers emerged in India and China alone (workers went from 260 million to 470 million in India, between this period). India is all set to power most of global growth in labour in the coming years. Enrolment in Indian higher education is 24% right now. With India attaining almost universal elementary education, and increased retention in secondary schools, the projected demand for higher education and jobs will only escalate. India has finally been placed on the world map with a solid advantage where labour supply is concerned. Impacting Education: My Journey and UpGrad It’s not all good news though. Indian millennials are being touted as the future of jobs and the saviours of the working world. But this won’t hold true if in-demand skills are not imparted to the youth entering the workforce. The world of work is changing and industries are transforming. It’s a fact that we are moving towards a massive labour pool, but we are possibly riding a low-skill, low-wage cycle to get there. The country is on a trajectory that involves a surplus of millions of low-skill workers, whereas most nations, including India, will be demanding high-skill workers more and more. Most industries are replacing low-skill jobs with high-skill ones. Skills relating to upcoming technologies in advanced areas – think AI, robotics, data science and mining – are gaining immense relevance. Unfortunately, our education system is not preparing students well enough to enter the workforce as high-skill workers nor equipping them with skills in emerging domains. Curricula is outdated and pedagogy poorly-developed. Gone are the days when just holding a graduate degree was enough to get employers to clamour to hire you. Education is not enough. The new-age job-seeker must strive to acquire specific skill sets to be considered employable (currently only 43% of Indian youth are considered fully employable). This applies to all sectors of the economy, as most industries and businesses are adopting new-age technologies and going digital within most functions. There’ll Be A Billion-Plus Job-Seekers By 2050! The positive connotation associated with our demographic shift has been taken for granted and assigned the term ‘dividend.’ But if we don’t strategically harness this change, we could easily be faced with a demographic disaster. We don’t want to be stuck in a situation where we have too many job-seekers with inadequate skills, and therefore not enough jobs for them. India is moving workers out of farm jobs at a very fast rate, and this will only add to the burden of providing jobs in other sectors. Realising this, even the government has begun focusing on skill development and training. Creating an entirely new Ministry and launching the Skill India Mission are clear indications of this. Another sign that skill training is gaining momentum is reflected in the growth of the Indian education and skills industry at an average rate of 13% over four years. From Rs 1.21 trillion in 2008 to Rs 2.35 trillion in 2012. However, these measures have not been enough to successfully skill India’s young. Only 2% of the Indian workforce has received some kind of formal skills training so far, and 8% have received informal training. Comparatively, 47% of China’s workforce is skill trained, 52% in USA, 68% in UK, 75% in Germany, 80% in Japan and 96% in South Korea. Almost half of Indian employers find it difficult to fill jobs and a similar proportion of employed youth suffer from some degree of skill deprivation. By 2050, India will be home to more than a billion jobseekers. This means providing jobs for over 12 million new entrants annually. There is also the challenge of finding jobs for the backlog, which reached 60 million by 2014. The pace of accretion to the labour market will keep increasing, given our demographic profile and declining age-dependency ratio. Our working age population (15-64 years) will peak in 2050 and till then pressures for jobs will only become worse. We need a wake-up call and more concerted efforts towards large-scale skill development and training. We may have a situation of too few high-skill workers and not enough jobs for medium or low-skill workers. This needs to be rectified by adjusting the education and skilling system to ready ourselves for the jobs of tomorrow. Article Source: http://www.firstpost.com/business/skill-deprivation-education-alone-wont-guarantee-a-job-in-demand-skills-need-of-hour-3020568.html

by Apoorva Shankar

08 Nov'16

5.13K+

Why The Growth Of Higher Education In India Hinges On The Private Sector

For the sake of simplicity, let’s say that the public sector’s role in education can be identified as a three-fold one. Firstly, it is tasked with universalizing access to education. Its next responsibility would be to regulate the sector and finally, to ensure quality education for all. In the context of the access provider role, estimates show that just in terms of physical infrastructure, more than a US $100 billion spends would be required in higher education alone, to double enrollment, from where it stands today (24%). Where regulation is concerned, bodies such as the University Grants Commission (UGC) and other higher education regulators are in-charge but leave much to be desired in terms of quality checks and monitoring, accreditation, etc. In fact, the UGC merely acts as a grants disbursing body now for universities and colleges, rather than a regulator. This is despite the fact that about 16% of the Ministry’s budget (2016-17) was allocated to UGC. Regarding quality, the government struggles to set standards and measure outcomes. Accreditation in the country is irregular and sub-optimal. In addition, unlike school education, where a certain level of learning outcomes may be gauged, this is difficult to do in higher education – especially assessing employability of a student post completing such education. So is there a role the government should prioritise? Further, because the government is entrusted with these roles, does it necessarily mean that they are its exclusive mandate? Or should the government act as an enabler and allow external participation if it means better execution and a higher success rate? The education and training industry is extremely large today and has strong further growth potential. With total educational spending of $2.7 trillion, the industry accounted for about 4.25% of the world’s GDP in 2010. In India alone, the spending on education and skilling has touched approximately Rs 74,000 crore. This may seem like a daunting figure but is still not sufficient. India spends about 4% of its GDP on all of education (about 1% on higher education), whereas globally the minimum recommended expenditure on education is 6% of GDP. Most of the public expenditure on higher education is used upon salaries and maintaining existing institutions, leaving very little to be spent on curriculum, research, and technology. However, spending on education still has enormous scaling to do and this is where the private sector comes in. Private players will have opportunities from rising demand in segments not well covered by the public education system (like adult education and vocational training). They bring in additional capital and are able to make huge investments, especially when government spending is insufficient and results in substantial infrastructure and investment deficit. For instance, the government had set a target of achieving a 30% enrolment ratio in higher education by 2020. The enrolment ratio currently is 24%. Judging by historical trends, and the current pace of rising enrolments, this target seems difficult to achieve. We may need a better, plan to succeed. Plus, the demand for higher education is only set to accelerate with growing population, higher enrolment as well as retention of students in schools. The private sector could play a crucial role in plugging these gaps and matching demand. In fact, it is already capturing the market in a big way, as can be seen in the adjacent graph. Enrolment in, and share of, private higher education institutions has surpassed that of government institutions (data as on 2013). Even the online education market in India expected to grow to US $40 billion by as soon as 2017. Unlike the education sector, which is legally mandated to operate on a not-for-profit basis, for-profit skill training institutes can be set up. This, coupled with initiatives of the National Skill Development Corporation, has encouraged the private sector to set up vocational training institutes. Corporate interest has also increased in the skill development space because of the benefits that accrue to businesses themselves, in the form of adequately trained manpower as a ready pool for future hiring. Majority of institutions offering professional disciplines are now in the private sector. There is a tendency of the public sector to view the private sector’s involvement in the education space with scepticism. But the private sector is necessary because of its ability to match industry demand for superior skilled manpower. It supplements infrastructure, facilities, technology and pedagogy and has an added advantage of escaping bureaucratic control and retaining autonomy to a large extent. Private players often collaborate with reputed international universities for faculty and other benefits which can be attractive to prospective students. They are also heavily investing in research-based education. As consumers of skilled manpower as well, the private sector is in a position to understand what type of skill training is to be imparted, and eventually benefit from it. This makes skill-training more efficient and effective. All three education-related roles of the government are equally important. However, while regulation should remain outside the purview of the private sector, nothing should stop them from assisting the public sector in maximising enrolments and improving quality of education. Public needs to work with private and create a level-playing field, in order to uplift the overall quality of education. Article Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.in/mayank-kumar/why-the-growth-of-higher-education-in-india-hinges-on-the-privat/

by Apoorva Shankar

08 Nov'16