5 Career Planning Mistakes Commerce Students Must Avoid (and What to Do Instead)

Why Career Planning Is More Than Just Picking a Course

In today’s fast-paced world, making smart career choices isn’t optional, it’s essential. Commerce students in India face a flood of options: BCom, CA, CMA, ACCA, MBA, digital marketing, finance, data analytics, and more.

But here’s the truth:
Your qualification is only as powerful as your clarity.

Most students plan their careers backwards, driven by trends, family pressure, or fear of missing out. After working with hundreds of commerce students, I’ve identified patterns that often lead to wasted time, money, and energy.

Let’s break them down, and talk about what to do instead.

Mistake 1: Choosing a Course Without Knowing the Career It Leads To

Many students pick CA, ACCA, or MBA because “my cousin did it” or “it sounds good.” That’s like booking a flight without checking the destination.

What to do instead:

Reverse-engineer your career path. Ask yourself:

  • What kind of work excites me—audit, tax, finance, consulting?
  • What kind of lifestyle do I want—corporate, freelancing, travel-friendly, or academic?
  • What roles do professionals in that field actually perform?

Tip: Spend at least 30 minutes on LinkedIn browsing job descriptions. See where different qualifications lead in the real world.

Mistake 2: Confusing Certifications with Skills

Just because you’re pursuing ACCA doesn’t mean you’re job-ready. Recruiters hire skills, not just degrees.

“Pursuing XYZ” on your resume means very little if you cannot:

  • Analyse financial data
  • Use Excel or Power BI
  • Build meaningful reports
  • Communicate clearly

What to do instead:

Pair every qualification with 1–2 practical skills. For example:

  • B.Com + Excel + Tally
  • ACCA + Power BI + MIS reporting
  • CMA + GST filing + budgeting tools

Mistake 3: Waiting Until Final Year to “Figure It Out”

This is one of the most common career killers. Students spend 2–3 years completing a course but only start thinking about internships, resumes, or career direction in the final semester.

What to do instead:

Start building your career capital from day one.

  • 1st year: Explore – take free courses, attend webinars
  • 2nd year: Build – do small internships, freelance, volunteer
  • 3rd year: Polish – finalise your path, build a portfolio and resume

Bonus Tip: Even one month of practical work experience (real or shadow) provides more clarity than a full year of just thinking.

Mistake 4: Focusing Only on Academics and Ignoring Personal Branding

Good marks are important, but they’re not enough. In today’s competitive world, your LinkedIn profile, resume, and professional visibility matter just as much.

What to do instead:

  • Start treating your career like a brand.
  • Build a professional LinkedIn profile (not just your college bio)
  • Share your learning journey and insights
  • Join student communities on Telegram, Discord, or LinkedIn groups
  • Network with people who are already in your target career path

Pro Tip: One good LinkedIn post or a direct message conversation can often lead to an internship.

Mistake 5: Choosing Prestige Over Fit

Students often choose courses based on reputation (CA, MBA) without checking if the path truly fits their skills, strengths, or long-term goals.

What to do instead:

Select a path that matches your:

  • Strengths: Are you analytical, creative, or people-oriented?
  • Learning style: Can you handle theory-heavy subjects, or do you prefer practical learning?
  • Life goals: Do you want to study abroad, start early, or work in startups?

Tip: A course that energises you is far better than one that drains you—even if it has more prestige.

Final Thoughts: Be Curious, Not Confused

Career planning isn’t a one-time decision; it’s an ongoing process. But if you can avoid these five mistakes early, you’ll save yourself years of confusion and build a career that is both successful and meaningful.

Need Personalised Career Advice?

Book a 1:1 counselling session with us and get clarity on:

  • Which course is right for you
  • What skills to build (and how)
  • How to prepare for internships and jobs

Click here to book your free session.

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