After I complete my bachelor’s degree programme in civil engineering next year, I plan to enroll in an MBA programme. Which subject should I choose as my specialisation for better career prospects?
Sumeet Arora, New Delhi
Ideally you should sign up for a Master’s in engineering as the long-term job options and career prospects are better. However, if you wish to switch from applying your technical skills as an engineer to the managerial track, an MBA programme is a good option. The first year of an MBA programme gives you an understanding of the various specialisations on offer. Thereafter you can choose your specialisation depending on your personality and aptitude. Other options could be to write the Engineering Services Examination for entry into the Central government’s engineering servi-ces or the Civil Services examination.
I am due to complete my M.Com degree programme in 2010. Since I’m interested in a career in the airline industry, would an IATA diploma help me secure a senior managerial position?
Nandini Sen, Kolkata
An IATA diploma won’t necessarily parachute you into a senior position in administration, customer services, or sales and marketing in civil aviation. Signing up for an MBA programme would be a better option. It will provide you a good grounding in business management which will equip you to zip up the corporate ladder.
I’m keen on entering an IIT after my Plus Two (science). What are their admission eligibility criteria?
Srinivas Iyer, Chennai
Topping the IIT Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) is the sole criterion of admission into India’s seven IITs. The programmes offered at the IITs include B.Tech, B.Arch, B.Des, B.Pharm, B.Tech dual degree, integrated M.Sc etc. Dates of the annual IIT-JEE are notified in leading newspapers every November, inviting applications from Plus Two school leavers. The IIT-JEE is held in April, soon after class XII examinations are over.
I’m a second year B.Com student interested in an MCA degree. Since I didn’t study maths in Plus Two, will I qualify for admission into the MCA degree programme?
Suresh Kumar, Bangalore
If you haven’t studied maths in class XII, MCA is not for you. However there are other options, including business management, law, cost accountancy and company secretary programmes. It’s best to choose a career which is in sync with your background, abilities and aptitude.
I’m a final year B.Pharm student. After graduation which is a better choice — MBA or M.Pharm?
Neena Raut, Pune
An M.Pharm degree offers you the chance of pursuing a career in research and development, quality control, and clinical research in the pharmaceutical and allied industries. On the other hand an MBA will qualify you for managerial positions in the pharmaceutical sector and other industries. You have to decide what’s best for you.
I want to sign up for a three-year law degree programme after I get my BA degree in 2010. Will I need to write an entrance exam?
Nina Dias, Panjim
Usually admission into three-year LLB postgrad programmes is on the basis of marks secured in your first degree programme. If there is an entrance exam, the college/university will provide the relevant information.
I want to enrol in a pilot training programme after Plus Two. Please advise.
Akash Gupta, New Delhi
You can start training to become a pilot immediately after passing Plus Two with physics and mathematics as optional subjects. However it would be advisable to complete an engineering degree programme first, as it would offer you a back-up qualification in case the demand for pilots declines. Also some airlines prefer to recruit pilots with engineering/science degrees. For instance Air India requires its cadet pilots to be engineering/science graduates.
I’m a class XI (science) student interested in enroling in a computer engineering degree programme. What are the requirements for entry into reputed institutions?
Rumi Patel, Mumbai
Computer engineering is offered as a four-year bachelor’s degree programme in engineering colleges. Getting admission into a reputed engineering college requires excellent grades in Plus Two and the MHT-CET exam conducted by the director, Medical Education and Research (www.dmer. org), Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra (www.dte.org.in). The MHT-CET exam is based on the Plus Two curriculum and it’s advisable to start preparing for this exam as soon as you finish class XI. A computer engineering degree offers exciting career prospects in the hardware and software sectors.
After my Plus Two (commerce), I wish to go abroad for higher studies. I’m keen on specialising in HR. What are the eligibility requirements? Which reputed universities offer programmes in HR and indicate their tuition fees.
Shalini Desai, Ahmedabad
All reputed universities/colleges in the US, UK and Australia require Indian students to furnish satisfactory IELTS or TOEFL exam scores. Moreover all American colleges require students to submit SAT I scores, while some selective colleges mandate SAT II as well.
Application procedures begin a year ahead. The ideal time to begin this process is September-January. Admissions are based on past academic records, referrals, statement of purpose, and IELTS or TOEFL test scores. Approximate annual costs for tuition, board and lodging range from Rs.10 lakh in Singapore, Rs.15 lakh in Australia, to Rs.18 lakh in UK, USA and Canada. However the total cost depends on the duration of your selected programme which could be 36 months in UK/Australia to 48 months in other countries. Most universities offer programmes in HR. Some of the better known universities are Warwick (UK); UC Berkeley, Cornell, Indiana (USA); Singapore Management University; and University of Melbourne, Sydney