I’m in the first year of my mechanical engineering degree programme. What are the job opportunities in India and abroad?
Ravi Nair, Chennai
Mechanical engineers can work in production, maintenance, management as well as research and development. Some provide engineer-ing services as consultants in research, design or testing of technologies. There are numerous employment opportunities in India and abroad. However, it’s a better idea to work in India with established companies to gain exper-ience before applying for assignments abroad.
After graduation I would like to pursue a course in hospitality management. Please advise if it’s a good choice.
Sheila Rajan, Bangalore
I suggest you enroll in a two-year MBA programme instead. You could precede this by working in the hospitality sector for a couple of years after graduation to assess whether this sector is in sync with your aptitude. Work experience is always given weightage during admission into MBA programmes.
After completing Plus Two, I want to enroll in a three-year bachelor of fine arts programme with specialisation in photography. What are the career options available in this field?
Geeta Narayan, Bangalore
Photographers can find jobs with newspapers, magazines, advertising agencies, studios, or specialise in fields such as fashion, portraiture, medical/industrial/scientific photography etc or freelance. The Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (www.jntu.ac.in) offers a Masters in fine arts part-time programme in photography and visual communication. Other universities also offer similar programmes.
I’m interested in heritage management and want to sign up for a study programme in museology after I complete my Plus Two (arts) this year. Please advise on study options and job opportunities.
Satish Jain, New Delhi
Museology is the systematic study of managing the various opera-tions of a museum. Museums are devoted to the preservation of antiquities, history and culture of past eras. So the starting point of a career in museology is interest in history.
Study programmes in museology comprise two-year Masters degree programmes or postgraduate diploma programmes of one-year duration. Begin with enroling in a BA programme in any branch of humanities beyond history, such as history of art, anthropology or heritage management. To apply for the MA (museology) programme offered by the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology (Deemed University), Janpath, New Delhi 110011, you need at least 50 percent average in your bachelor’s degree in the subjects mentioned above. Knowledge of one classical or foreign language is an added advantage. The Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management, 18 A Satsang Vihar Marg, Qutb Institutional Area, New Delhi 110007 (www.dihrm.org) also offers a Master of archaeology and heritage management, and Master in conservation, preser-vation and heritage management degree programmes.
I am exploring a career in the merchant navy after completing class XII (science) in 2013. Which institutes offer degree programmes in maritime studies?
Navin Kerkar, Pune
The Indian Maritime University (www.imu.tn.nic.in) has a number of affiliated colleges which offer maritime study programmes. Visit the website to learn about the admission schedule and eligibility requirements. Students who secure minimum qualif-ying marks for ranking (MQMR) in IIT-JEE are eligible to apply for the B.Sc (nautical science) programme offered by the TS Chanakya, Navi Mumbai; B.Tech (marine engineering) of the Marine Engineering and Research Institute, Kolkata and National Maritime Academy, Chennai; B.Sc (maritime science) offered by Marine Engineering Research Institute, Mumbai and B.Tech (naval architecture and ocean engin-eering) at its Visakhapatnam campus.
Which colleges in India offer a postgraduate degree in journalism and what are their admission require-ments?
Neerja Dalal, Mumbai
Several universities across the country offer postgraduate progra-mmes in journalism while some autonomous colleges/institutions offer diplomas. University of Mumbai, department of communication and journalism; University of Pune; AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; Times School of Journalism, Delhi and Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi are among the popular instit-utions. There isn’t any fixed syllabus for the entrance exam. The overall requirement is good general knowledge including current affairs, excellent writing and communication skills, and English language proficiency.
I want to enroll in an MS (biotech) programme abroad. Which country offers the best programmes in this field?
Neeraj Bajaj, Ahmedabad
The UK and US are ideal countries to pursue postgraduate biotech programmes. Universities in the US require 16 years of education to qualify for admission into a postgraduate degree programme. GRE and TOEFL test scores are also required. UK universities accept students with 15 years of education and require TOEFL/IELTS scores. Check out the programmes offered by North-Eastern University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Johns Hopkins University in the US and Aston and Cambridge universities in the UK, on the internet.
How rewarding is a career of an actuary? After getting my B.Com degree in 2013, I want to enroll in a course offered by the Institute of Actuaries of India.
Dilip Roy, Kolkata
Actuaries work in insurance and wider fields of risk management. Qualifying as a fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India requires aptitude, hard work, perseverance and determi-nation. So those who qualify are a select few and command high salaries. Assess your aptitude and suitability for this career before making a decision.