I’m in third year B.Com and want to qualify as an air cargo officer. Please advise.
Raul Fernandes, Panjim
Cargo handling is one of the services offered by the Airports Authority of India (www.airportsindia. org.in). AAI undertakes design, development and construction of cargo terminals and also supervises management and operations. After graduation you could apply for a job in an airline’s cargo division or become a cargo agent. The IATA cargo and dangerous goods training programme (http://www.iata.org/training/cargo) trains students in all aspects of air cargo handling and shipping.
I’m in third year B.Sc and wish to pursue an M.Sc either in biotechnology or biochemistry. Is there an entrance exam for M.Sc?
Nalini Rao, Mumbai
The Common Biotechnology Entrance Examination conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (www.jnu.ac.in) is held in 34 centres across India. Mumbai University also offers an M.Sc programme in biotechnology as well as biochemistry. Biotechnology graduates enjoy good career prospects. However, you need to decide what vocation you want to pursue after completion of your M.Sc degree programme and act accordingly. If you are serious about a career in research and/or academia (teaching), press on to write a Ph D thesis.
After completing my MA (economics) next year, I want to study for an MBA in human resources or import-export. Which discipline and colleges would you recommend?
Nandini Iyer, Bangalore
Both specialisations offer promising career prospects. The quality of campus placements depends to a great extent on the reputation of the business school from where you graduate. To enjoy the best placement options in a premier business school you should be in the top 10-20 percent of your graduating batch. At the national level the best B-schools are the six Indian Institutes of Management, XLRI (Jamshedpur), and Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (Mumbai).
I’m in second year B.Sc. After graduation I want to sign up for an MBA programme with a British university. But I understand to secure admission I need three years work experience. What kind work experience do I need to furnish?
Sunil Puri, New Delhi
Most foreign business schools require students applying for their MBA programmes to have two-four years work experience. B-schools don’t specify the nature of work experience required, but working in the corporate world is the best bet.
B-schools’ admission committees will assess your work experience based on career progression, leadership qualities demonstrated and ability to work in a team. You should also have strong communication skills. Ideally, choose the kind of work that suits your temperament and aptitude.
You could also plan to write the joint entrance exam (CAT) for admission into reputed Indian business schools which could lead to direct campus placement. International business schools may not necessarily offer placements to citizens of other countries.
I would like to enroll in an aviation school abroad after completing class XII next year. Please recommend some reputed schools in the US and advise on their eligibility requirements.
Raj Bhatia, Ahmedabad
The minimum academic qualification required to apply for a CPL (commercial pilot licence) is a Plus Two certificate with physics and mathematics. You may also be required to write the TOEFL exam and submit a medical examination report. Delta Connection Academy in Florida and the American School of Aviation, California are reputed flying schools. Visit www.iflyasa.com for more information.
I’m a class XII (science) student interested in pursuing a career in pharmacy. What are the eligibility criteria for admission into pharmacy colleges?
Meher Irani, Mumbai
The eligibility requirement for admission into the standard four-year bachelor of pharmacy study programme is a Plus Two (physics, chemistry and biology or maths) certificate with a minimum 50 percent average. There’s also a diploma course in pharmacy offered after class XII. Further details for both types of programmes and names of pharmacy colleges are available at www.dte.org.in.
Will my career prospects improve if I study for a BE degree before doing an MBA?
Dilip Mukherjee, Kolkata
HRD managers in it companies tend to prefer engineering graduates, so it is possible a bright engineering graduate with an MBA will get attractive job offers. However any and every engineering graduate who has an MBA won’t necessarily be offered a fat pay packet. If you feel you have an interest and capability for engineering studies, go ahead. It is, however, unrealistic to presume that an engineering degree before an MBA will result in a remuneration bonanza.
I’m a maths wizard and after class XII (science) would like to major in maths. Please advise on job prospects for maths postgraduates.
Subhash Kelkar, Pune
To access the best job opportunities you should complete a Master’s (following a major in maths at the bachelor’s level) and then press on for a Ph D. Excellent career options are available in research and teaching institutions, technical institutions and various universities. Many financial services companies, data processing, testing and research centres of multinational companies also aggressively recruit mathematicians. Students trained in pure mathematics are also favourites of software, insurance, market research, education, and securities and banking companies.
Applied mathematicians use theories and techniques to formulate and solve problems in business, physical and social sciences. Some mathematicians, known as cryptanalysts, analyse and decipher encryption codes devised for political, military intelligence and financial information gathering purposes.