After completing my Plus Two (science) in 2014, I want to enroll in a design degree programme. Please advise me.
Bhaskar Rao, Chennai
The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, offers seven undergraduate and 17 postgraduate degree programmes. Specialisations include industrial, communication, textile, lifestyle accessories, apparel, IT and retail design. The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), with 15 centres countrywide, also offers degree programmes in design. Other premier institutes include MIT Institute of Design, Pune; MS University, Baroda; Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune; Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore; Department of Industrial Design, School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi; D J Academy of Design, Coimbatore etc. Admission is on the basis of entrance exams conducted by each design school.
Which reputed institutes offer study programmes in automobile and auto-motive products design?
Vikas Desai, Ahmedabad
Among the prominent schools for automobile and auto products design are the Industrial Design Centres (IDCs) of four IITs; National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad; MIT Institute of Design, Pune; and Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore. All these schools stipulate stringent admission criteria involving a written exam, studio test and interview. Postgraduates in automobile and auto products design are in great demand with starting salaries pegged at Rs.6-14 lakh per year.
I’m in class XII (science) and keen on a career in microbiology. What are the job options and prospects in this field?
Sunita Rajan, Bangalore
Microbiology is offered at three levels — undergrad, postgrad and doctoral. Students with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology can work in science and pathology labs. Microb-iology postgraduates are usually empl-oyed in the pharmaceutical industry, dairy, breweries, distilleries, etc, or can press on for a Ph D. Students who complete their doctoral programmes become eligible for teaching or post-doctoral research with excellent fellowship and contingency grants offered by agencies such as UGC, CSIR, ICMR etc.
With a number of micro-speciali-sations available and growing demand for qualified microbiologists, graduates can expect fast career growth.
I’m enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme in mass communication. What job opportunities are available in radio journalism?
Deepa Mehra, New Delhi
With 839 new FM channels slated for auction in the near future, radio offers great career opportunities. A typical radio station is divided into four departments — creative, activation, marketing and sales. The creative dep-artment dealing with programme cont-ent, is manned by RJs (radio jockeys), producers and scriptwriters. The producer is responsible for story ideas and works closely with scriptwriters.
Music is an important element in radio. Those with a keen ear for music and melody are needed as music managers and sound engineers. In addition, as in any other media organ-isation, there are jobs for researchers and marketing professionals.
I’m in the final year of my bachelor of chemical technology undergrad degree programme. Please advise if chemical technology is an elective in GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering).
Rahul Fonseca, Bangalore
Admission into postgraduate courses with scholarships/assistantships in engineering/technology/architecture and pharmacy requires students to clear GATE. Some colleges/institutes specify GATE as a mandatory qualification even for full-fee paying students. Chemical engineering is a paper in GATE. The GATE notification appears in September and the exam is usually held in February. For further details see www.iitkgp.ernet.in/-gate.
After completing my B.Com in 2014, I’m keen on pursuing an MBA degree in the US. Can I write the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) in India and GMAT (Graduate Manage-ment Aptitude Test) in the US?
Akash Sehgal, Mumbai
Most universities in the US require applicants with at least 16 years of education (17 years in some cases). Indian students fulfill this requirement by pursuing the first year of an M.Com or any other postgrad degree progr-amme. Moreover, two-four years of work experience is required of students. The tests to be taken before applying to US B-schools are GMAT and TOEFL. Don’t consider enrolling in universities which accept you without a GMAT score and invite you to their campus and then ask you to write the GMAT. Such univer-sities may not be recognised and you could end up paying huge tuition fees and remain jobless after graduation.
I’ll complete my BCA (bachelor of computer applications) degree next year, after which I want to pursue an MCA (Master of computer applications) via the distance learning mode. Will an MCA degree from IGNOU be accepted for a government job?
Sandeep Patil, Pune
Your MCA degree will be accepted generally. But some employer organisations disqualify distance educ-ation graduates. For most government jobs, there’s usually a competitive exam. Your credibility in the general job market depends upon the quality of your academic performance, relevant work experience (internships/assignments/projects) and how well you do in the interview. All distance education programmes with UGC-AICTE-DEC approval enjoy the same credibility as traditional degree programmes.
I’ve been working in a BPO for the past three years. Now I’m keen on pursuing an MBA degree. Should I pursue a part-time or distance learning MBA programme?
Rima Chatterjee, Kolkata
An MBA degree improves and diversifies your employability prospects. However although a distance education or part-time MBA will add value to your CV, it won’t offer campus recruitment. Opt for a part-time MBA from a local B-school if you can juggle your work schedule to fit in with your classes. Otherwise, go for a distance education MBA programme from a UGC-DEC-AICTE-approved varsity.