I want to sign up for a BMS (bachelor of management studies) degree programme. What entrance exams do I need to write and what are my job prospects after graduation?
Cyrus Irani, Mumbai
BMS entrance exam notifications are advertised in prominent newspapers while other details of the exam are usually contained in the information bulletin (prospectus) of colleges/institutes. The entrance test is usually of the objective type, designed to assess students’ proficiency in the English language, quantitative maths (class X level) and reasoning abilities. A BMS degree provides an excellent foundation for further busi-ness studies. Job prospects for BMS graduates are also good with a growing number of companies recruiting them into junior management.
After acquiring a B.Tech degree in 2012 I want to enrol in an M.Tech study programme in nano technology. Which institutions offer this option?
Nikhil Rajan, Chennai
Among the institutions offering postgraduate programmes in nanotechnology are Punjab University, Chandigarh; Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal; Satyabhama University, Chennai; University of Madras, Chennai; Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology, Chennai; the IITs; Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; Amity University, Noida; Jadavpur University, Kolkata; Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar; Amrita Centre for Nanosciences, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi; Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore; Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore; University of Rajasthan at Jaipur; Andhra University; University of Madras; University of Pune and University of Hyderabad.
You have to decide which of these institutions best suits your profile and aspirations.
After completing my B.Com I want to pursue an M.Com degree programme. Is this a good idea or should I opt for chartered accountancy or an MBA (finance) programme?
Nalini Rao, Bangalore
If you want to work as a finance professional, it would be advisable to choose chartered accountancy (www.icwai.org) rather than opt for an M.Com degree programme which prepares you for teaching and research. Chartered accountancy/cost accoun-tancy/MBA finance/MA/M.Sc (economics) or M.Sc (financial economics) or Master of finance and control are programmes you could shortlist. Admission notifications of prominent institutions offering these programmes are published in local dailies or you could visit www.bub.ernet.in for leads on Bangalore University courses. Also please note that several B-schools in Bangalore offer MBA in finance.
To qualify for admission into an M.Tech degree programme what entrance exams do I need to write?
Anil Chatterjee, Kolkata
GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is the most widely accepted entrance exam for admission into ME/M.Tech programmes and most engineering/technology institutions countrywide admit students on the basis of GATE scores. All NITs, IITs, premier state-level engineering colleges, Manipal University, and BITS Pilani offer excellent M.Tech study programmes. Although BITS Pilani and Manipal University conduct their own entrance tests for admission into postgrad engineering programmes, they also give weightage to GATE scores. GATE is notified in September every year and the exam is conducted the following February.
After completing my BE (chemical engineering) should I enrol in an MBA or M.Tech degree programme in chemical engineering?
Neena Seth, Ahmedabad
You should make your decision according to your future work aspirations. An M.Tech will qualify you for production/manufacturing jobs while MBA graduates are usually inducted into managerial positions. A Masters in chemical engineering will help you gain in-depth knowledge about the production of chemicals and related by-products across a spectrum of industries from paints, pharmaceuticals to industrial fuels. You could also explore branching into allied fields such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, environmental sciences, mineral proces-sing, material sciences, petrochemical plants, pharmaceuticals, synthetic fibres, petroleum refining plants etc.
I’m a second year BE (telecommuni-cations) student. What are my career prospects after graduation? Should I enrol for an M.Sc in computer science?
Dinesh Chawla, New Delhi
Telecom graduates have excellent job opportunities. My advice is you stick with this specialisation. However if you want to study computer science at the Masters level, you’ll need supplementary tutoring in the subject before you are accepted into a postgrad degree programme.
I will be graduating next year in the humanities. Should I pursue a career in advertising or marketing there-after? I’m a creative individual with good analytical skills and have a strong interest in brand conceptualisation.
Geeta Fonseca, Mumbai
It isn’t necessary to make this choice at this early stage. First begin work and acquire first-hand experience of advertising and marketing. Subsequently after working for at least two years, explore the idea of signing up for an MBA in communications management.
I complete my Masters in pharmacy this year and want to sign up for an MBA (pharmaceutical management) degree programme through distance education. Please advise
Satish Sule, Pune
Although a few institutions offer pharmaceutical management as a specialisation in the MBA programme, they are all full-time courses. However, several institutes do offer part-time postgrad diploma courses in pharma-ceutical marketing which may not suit your profile. Instead I recommend you pursue a correspondence course in management while working professionally. Ideally, the nature of your job should be managerial or supervisory so that your management education through distance learning adds value to your work experience.