Which B-schools offer an MBA in telecom management? I complete my engineering degree in 2011.
Sandeep Desai, Pune
Though job opportunities for telecom management graduates are good, you should spread your net wider by enroling in a general MBA programme supplemented with a short-term course in telecom management. This will qualify you for jobs not just in the telecom sector but other industries too. Among the institutes offering telecom management are Amity Institute of Telecom Technology and Management, Delhi (www.amity.edu/aittm/webbro-chure.asp); Department of Management Studies, Delhi (www.iitd.ac.in); Symbi-osis Institute of Telecom Management, Pune (www.sitm.ac.in); MIT School of Telecom Management, Pune (www. mitsot.ac.in) and International Institute of Information Technology, Pune (www.isquareit.ac.in).
I’m in class XI (science) and interested in pursuing a career in computer graphics. Please advise.
Deepak Rao, Bangalore
If you have a talent for drawing and sketching, you could start by acquiring an undergraduate degree in communication or animation film design. The National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad is one of the country’s premier institutes in this field and offers undergraduate and postgrad study programmes. You could also apply for the B.Sc (animation) programme offered by BIT, Mesra (www.bitmesra.ac.in); Manipal University, Manipal (www. manipal.edu); IGNOU (in collaboration with MAAC, www.ignou.ac.in); Manon-maniam Sundaranar University in alliance with Arena Animation (www.arena-multimedia.com or www.msuniversity.org.in) etc.
Alternatively you could enrol in a computer science/electronics/communi-cation engineering or allied degree programme and follow it up with a diploma course in animation and graphics.
I’m reading for a Masters in political science, first year. What career opportunities are available to me after postgraduation?
Siddharth Sen, Kolkata
A postgraduate degree qualifies you to do research, work in think tanks and teach in colleges and university. You can also write the civil services examination to join the Indian Administrative Service/Indian Foreign Service or other public services, and/or pursue a career in politics, journalism etc. Higher studies options after post- graduation could be in law/library science, defence and strategic studies, international relations, social work, public administration, mass communi-cation, etc. Another option is an MBA in development management.
I’m a first year engineering student and plan to acquire an MBA degree from a US university. Is it necessary to write GMAT and TOEFL exams to qualify for admission?
Sumati Gidronia, Bhilai
Most top B-schools in the us and abroad require students to have at least three years of work experience and acceptable GMAT and TOEFL/IELTS scores. Moreover it might be better to apply to reputed B-schools around the world rather than restrict your options to the US. The London Business School, UK, Stanford Business School and Columbia University, USA, the Melbourne Business School, Australia and NUS, Singapore are among the most reputed B-schools offering the MBA programme. See www.ft.com for a listing of top B-schools worldwide.
I’m a B.Com graduate working as an accounts executive in a private company. To improve my prospects I want to do a CPA (certified public accountant) or CFA (certified financial analyst) course. Which course has a better reputation?
Navin Shah, Ahmedabad
The CPA certification programme is restricted to accounts while CFA course covers the gamut of financial services. However in terms of industry recognition and societal respect, chartered accountancy and cost and works accountancy are the most desirable qualifications. But if you are unable to pursue these study progra-mmes for any reason, the CFA qualification is the best option. Another alternative is an MBA (distance/ part-time) degree programme, which will give you a wider choice of employment options.
I’m working as an accounts professional after being awarded an M.Com degree by the University of Mumbai in 2008. I’m very keen on acquiring an LLB degree. But will a law degree qualify me for a job in the legal profession?
Vinay Advani, Mumbai
If you study full-time for an LLB degree, you qualify for employment in the corporate sector or in a law firm. However to practice at the bar, you need to acquire an LLB from a law college recognised by the Bar Council of India. Moreover, you can acquire a bachelor of general law or bachelor of academic law degree through distance education. This will enhance your knowledge of law but not give you professional status or improve your career prospects. The National Law School of India University, Bangalore (www.nls.ac.in) offers the following programmes through distance education: a two-year Master of business laws; one-year PG diploma in human rights law, medical law and ethics, environmental and intellectual property rights law.
Given your background in accounts, a good option for you would be to qualify as a company secretary or cost or chartered accountant through distance education while continuing your job. This would be more meaningful as you will be acquiring a professional qualification which will help improve your advancement prospects.
How good is the power engineering course offered by the National Power Training Institute at Faridabad?
Sunil Puri, New Delhi
The National Power Training Institute (NPTI) has the distinction of having launched the country’s first-ever four-year B.Tech degree programme in power at its Northern Region Institute, Badarpur, New Delhi on September 5, 2001. Against the backdrop of accentu-ating power shortages countrywide, career prospects in this industry are good. The institute and its study programme are highly reputed and if you get admission, you’ll be numbered among the fortunate few.