After completing my B.Sc degree next year I want to sign up for a bachelor’s degree programme in library and information science (B.LISc). What are the job opportunities?
Geeta Kerkar, Pune
A B.LISc degree will open up a wide range of career options. You’ll become eligible to work in government and public libraries, universities and other academic institutions, information centres, museums and galleries, photo and film libraries, besides corporates and organisations with large information management requirements. With information management now fully digitised, you could also work in hi-tech areas such as systems analysis, database operations and management, printing and publishing, documentation, corporate consulting and information marketing.
What exams do I need to write to qualify for admission into a BBA (bachelor of business administration) degree programme of a US university?
Shekhar Iyer, Bangalore
For entry into any undergraduate degree programme in the US, you have to write the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) which assesses your verbal and quantitative abilities. You also need to submit proof of English language proficiency. American colleges accept TOEFL and IELTS test scores.
After completing class XII next year, should I enroll in a BBA degree programme?
Suresh Rajan, Chennai
Management and administration form the core of any business’ success story. Business management involves making use of a company’s available resources to manage and expand organisational operations and ensure efficient delivery of goods and services to clients. BBA is a good choice but it’s advisable to follow it up with an MBA degree/diploma programme to improve your career prospects.
I graduate in engineering next year and want to sign up for an MS or MBA degree programme abroad. What’s the difference between GMAT, GRE, CAT and GRE?
Rohit Bahl, New Delhi
An MS degree does not require applicants to have work experience but most MBA programmes abroad require minimum two years’ work experience. You need to write the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) only if you want to apply to a MS engineering or technical programme in the US.
GMAT (Graduate Management Aptitude Test) is mandatory for admission into postgrad business management programmes such as MBA, M.Sc in management etc. The CAT (Common Admission Test), conducted by the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), qualifies you for admission into postgrad management programmes offered by Indian B-schools. GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) is primarily written to qualify for engineering postgrad programmes of the IITs and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
I’m a Plus Two (science) student interested in qualifying as an epidemiologist. Please advise.
Rahul Bhattacharya, Kolkata
Epidemiologists collect and interpret data relating to diseases. Major breakthroughs in public health management are attributable to detailed epidemiological analyses of disease outbreaks. In India, epidemiologists traditionally have MBBS degrees with specialisation in preventive medicine.
Several government and private institutions offer postgrad courses to train epidemiologists. Among them: the Public Health Foundation of India’s Indian Institutes of Public Health; the National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi; National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai and the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai’s research and academic wing.
Besides serving as health officers and project coordinators in government agencies, epidemiologists have the opportunity to work with non-profits, research institutions, universities and international organisations such as WHO and UNICEF.
I’m a class XII science student interested in a career as a pathologist.
Christina D’Souza, Panjim
To qualify as a pathologist, you need to complete the MBBS study programme followed by a postgraduate degree in pathology. You need to write the common entrance test for admission into medical colleges. The future is very bright in this field.
After completing class X next year, I want to qualify as a forensic scientist or genetic engineer. What are the eligibility criteria for admission into these study programmes?
Rakesh Mehta, Ahmedabad
You’ll have to first complete your Plus Two in science. To become a forensic scientist, you need to also complete a B.Sc degree and then enroll in a M.Sc forensic science programme.
For a career in genetic engineering, a B.Sc or B.Tech (biotechnology) is ideal. Try to learn more about these careers and their demands and assess your capabilities and aptitude for them.
I’m in the final year of my BMM (bachelor of mass media) programme with a major in advertising. To secure a job in an advertising firm, do I need further qualifications?
Daisy Irani, Mumbai
To better your job prospects I suggest you sign up for a Masters with the Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad or Symbiosis Institute of Media & Communication, Pune, in your preferred area of advertising. Alternatively you could sign up for an MBA in marketing. You are unlikely to get a good break with a plain vanilla BMM degree.