I’m interested in a career in military engineering after completing class XII (science) next year. Apart from the Army Institute of Technology (AIT), Pune, which other institutions offer courses in military engineering?
Amit Patil, Pune
Admission into the AIT is restricted to children of army personnel. You could instead try for entry into the technical cadre of the army. To qualify for admission, you need to begin with a three-year pre-commission training (phase I) programme at the College of Military Engineering, Pune; Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow, or the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, Secunderabad. After four years of education and training, successful candidates are commissioned as lieutenants and are required to complete a year-long post-commission training (phase II) at one of the three said institutions. Successful candidates are awarded an engineering degree and permanent commission in the Indian army.
After completing class XII (science) next year, I wish to pursue a career in the merchant navy. Which institutes in India offer training for the merchant navy?
Raul Braganza, Panjim
If you have read physics, chemistry, mathematics (PCM) and English in class XII, you can apply for courses in nautical science and marine engineering which can lead to careers in the merchant navy.
Every institution stipulates its own selection procedure. Admission into the three-year B.Sc (nautical science) programme offered by T.S. Chanakya, Navi Mumbai; four-year marine engineering programme of the Marine Engineering & Research Institute (MERI), Kolkata; and the three-year polyvalent B.Sc (maritime sciences) degree programme of MERI, Mumbai is open to candidates who have cleared Plus Two with PCM. Moreover, candidates should have normal vision of 6/6 for each eye separately, with MERI allowing glasses upto plus or minus 2.5. Defective colour vision is a disqualification for all three programmes.
Other institutions such as the Tolani Maritime Institute, Pune (www.tolani.edu), Don Bosco Maritime Academy, Mumbai (www.donboscotech.com), R.L Institute of Nautical Sciences, Madurai (www.rlinstitutes.com) stipulate their own admission processes but basic educational requirements and physical standards are common.
After completing class XII, I want to pursue a course in logistics. Please advise.
Suresh Raghavan, Chennai
You could enroll in either a BBA/BBM/B.Com in logistics and shipping or a diploma/advanced diploma in logistics and transport/logistics management undergrad programmes, the duration of which varies from six months to three years. Contact preferred institutes for their application procedures.
Can I prepare for the civil services and engineering exams simultaneously?
Nirmala Rao, Bangalore
A graduate in any stream in the 21-30 age group is eligible to write the Union Public Service Commission’s Civil Services Examination (CSE). Your graduation subjects don’t limit you to subject choices for CSE. Visit www.upsc.gov.in for a complete outline of the exam, subject choices, syllabus, etc.
You can start preparing for CSE while enrolled in an engineering undergrad programme or immediately thereafter — several study guides, correspondence courses and classroom coaching options are available. It’s advisable to prepare for the General Studies paper of CSE while in your final year.
The first stage of CSE is a preliminary examination. Those who clear it qualify to write the main exam, and also have to perform well in a personal interview.
I’m a final year B.Com (accounts and finance) student and want to enroll for an MBA in finance at IIM-Ahmedabad. What’s the admission procedure?
Siddharth Singh, New Delhi
Admission into IIM-A is on the basis of performance in the Common Admission Test (CAT) followed by a group discussion and personal interview. Final selection takes into account your academic record, work experience (if any) and extra-curricular activities. It’s not mandatory to decide on your choice of specialisation before enrollment in the MBA programme. It’s advisable to appreciate the demands of various specialisations in the first year, and then make your choice.
A B.Com with accounts and finance does not provide a professional base in accounting as a career, but will add weightage to your application for junior management positions in finance departments.
I’m a brilliant science student keen on a career with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Ravi Nair, Trivandrum
ISRO prefers to employ brilliant students who have completed their Masters in computers, mathematics, aeronautics, IT, physics, telecommunications etc. Visit the ISRO website to acquire an understanding about its lines of business.
After completing my MA (counseling psychology) in 2015, what are my job options?
Shalini Mehta, Ahmedabad
An MA in counseling psychology can help you land jobs in education institutes, mental health clinics, hospitals, counseling organisations, and NGOs among others.