I’m a second year BMM (bachelor of mass media) student keen on a career in sports management. What are my study options and career prospects?
Ashok Patil, Pune
A BMM degree is a good foundation for a career in sports management as it nurtures creativity, communication and organisational skills which are essential for success in this field. Good business acumen is an added advantage. While reading for your BMM degree, it’s advisable to intern with sports management companies during college vacations. Also, empower yourself with short diploma courses in accounts, finance and marketing, or a part-time diploma in sports management. After graduation, you may choose to sign up for a Masters in sports management abroad.
Job opportunities are aplenty in sports and event management companies who need qualified professionals to organise sports events/competitions. Following the huge success of tournaments like the Indian Premier League (cricket), the demand for sports management professionals in football, hockey, and at badminton is on the rise. Remuneration packages are attractive ab initio, with private companies and government pouring money into sports.
I’m a class XII student interested in a career in automobile engineering. What job opportunities are available in this field?
Rajan Narayan, Bangalore
With the exponential growth of the automotive industry in India, job opportunities in this sector are rising. You could consider signing up for a B.Tech degree programme in mechanical engineering followed by a Masters, which will give you a strong foundation. Students of automobile engineering also have career opportunities in automobile ancillaries, aerospace and management consulting companies. However, in the automobile manufacturing industry, engineers are typically employed in design, production, operations management and service activities.
I’m a class XI student interested in a career in astrophysics. Please advise.
Shashi Iyer, Chennai
Most recognised universities in India offer M.Sc/integrated M.Sc-Ph D programmes in astrophysics at the postgrad level. To qualify for a Masters programme in astrophysics, enroll in a B.Sc degree programme with physics, mathematics or applied physics or BE programmes in electronics, instrumentation, or computer sciences.
I’m planning to sign up for an MMS (Master of management studies) programme after completing my B.Com next year. Please suggest some specialisations I could choose, and other courses which will prepare me for a career in banking.
Daisy Irani, Mumbai
There are huge advancement opportunities in the banking and finance sectors. While reading for your MMS, it’s advisable to specialise in finance. Depending on the courses available at your chosen institute, sign up for additional programmes in banking, insurance, financial markets, and derivatives.
After completing my MBA in finance next year, what further qualifications can I acquire?
Karan Sethi, New Delhi
It depends on your career path and goals. If you prefer a career in academia, a Ph D in finance is the right choice. However, if you are planning to work in the financial sector, the most convenient option is to acquire additional professional qualifications concurrently — part-time or online. Some options are the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) course offered by the Financial Planning Standards Board, India (www.fpsbindia.org), for wealth managers, while for careers in investment banking, equity research, private equity or hedge funds or corporate finance, there are chartered financial analyst courses (www.cfainstitute.org). Moreover, you can equip yourself with short courses from the Bombay Stock Exchange (www.besindia.com), IIMs and ISB, Hyderabad, or the online programmes of the National Stock Exchange (www.nseindia.com) and Coursera (www.coursera.org).
Please suggest reputable colleges offering a degree in the culinary arts.
Amit Chatterjee, Kolkata
If you wish to qualify as a professional chef, sign up for a bachelor’s degree in catering technology or hotel management with specialisation in food production. You will need to clear an entrance examination conducted by the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology (NCHMCT), or other examinations conducted by institutes not affiliated with NCHMCT.
I’m currently enrolled in a life sciences Ph D programme. Is it advisable to sign up for an MBA through distance learning to improve my career prospects? What scope does a course in intellectual property rights (IPR) offer?
Nalini Raman, Bangalore
Both MBA and IPR courses will burnish your life sciences qualifications. If you aspire to take on a managerial role in a research or production unit, an MBA is helpful. If you wish to become a patent agent or an IPR specialist, a postgrad diploma in IPR/patent management/patent law is the best choice.
In India, career paths in IPR in the life sciences are uncertain. Nevertheless, there are numerous employment options in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.