I’m a B.Com student planning a career in chartered accountancy (CA). Would it be more rewarding to study CA together with CWA (cost and works accountants) or M.Com?
Deepak Shah, Ahmedabad
Pursuing an M.com degree together with CA or CWA is definitely a better option provided you can cope with the academic demands of both programmes. Check out www.icai.org and www.icwa.org for further information.
After acquiring an M.Sc (zoology) degree I’ve been working in a research laboratory but now I would like to study for an M.Phil/Ph D degree programme. Is it possible to acquire these degrees through distance learning?
Geeta Rao, Bangalore
You could explore the option of an M.Phil/Ph D programme through IGNOU for your choice of subject.
I’m an engineering graduate working in a software company for the past two years. I’m interested in pursuing a Masters programme in biotechnology. Please advise if I am eligible to apply for a course in biology.
Naresh Raghavan, Chennai
You could enroll in a bioinformatics postgraduate programme. Being interested in biology doesn’t mean you’d be suited to the demands of biotechnology. You need to make a informed decision after reading up about biotechnology, admission requirements of colleges and placement prospects.
I will complete my B.Com next year after which I want to sign up for a distance learning programme in company law offered by a British university. What’s the admission process?
Rahul Bhattacharjee, Kolkata
Company law is specific to each country. Therefore, it’s advisable for you to sign up for the company secretary programme which enables you to acquire a comprehensive understan-ding of company law in India. This is a correspondence course offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries, India.
In the UK, De Montford University and Northumbria University offer Masters in company law through distance learning. Moreover, you could pursue an LLB programme, in which company law is a component, through the University of London’s external programme. For details visit http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/prospective_students/undergraduate.
I plan to study for a bachelor’s degree in ayurveda (BAMS) after my Plus Two next year. What are the prospects in this field?
Seema Kelkar, Pune
For pursuing a research career in ayurveda, you need to at least acquire a Masters degree (MD in ayurveda) followed up with a Ph D. A research career in this field has bright prospects since alternate fields of medicine are becoming popular. You are likely to begin your career as a research executive and progress to the position of research head, depending on performance.
After completing Plus Two (science) next year, I would like to pursue a career in psychology. What are the eligibility requirements?
Rahul D’Souza, Panjim
Admission into bachelor’s degree programmes in psychology is on the basis of your academic performance in class XII. You are required to write entrance exams only at the postgraduate level. Meanwhile concentrate on your class XII exam and give it your best.
I’m a duly qualified company secretary (CS) with an M.Com degree. Currently, I’m in my second year LLB. I would like to teach as a part/full-time professor in a degree/junior college/management school for which I want to write NET/SET exam.
Daisy Irani, Mumbai
Details of the University Grants Commission’s National Eligibility Test (NET) are available on www.ugc. ac.in, and SET (State Eligibility Test) conducted by the Maharashtra govern-ment on www.unipune.ernet.in/set. You should have secured at least 55 percent in your M.Com (as a general candidate) degree to qualify to write NET/SET. The number of part-time assignments or visiting faculty positions you take up depends upon available options and your own flexibility. You could also apply for teaching positions in CS coaching centres, commerce colleges and busi-ness schools. After completing LLB, you’ll enjoy better job opportunities. You should also plan to acquire a Ph D if your main career goal is higher education teaching.
I’m an MBA working as a marketing manager in the corporate sector. However I’ve become a keen practitioner of yoga and meditation during the past few years and would like to be a part-time yoga instructor. Please advise.
Surjit Singh, Chandigarh
Since you are a yoga and meditation practitioner, you can start cond-ucting classes. First locate a place where you can take classes for a group of people and then advertise in the local papers, distribute handouts etc. This way you can choose the timing and group size as per your convenience. You can also make inquiries with schools/colleges if they would allow you to run yoga classes for their staff/students. Another option you could explore is 5-star hotels, which conduct meditation/yoga classes for tourists/guests on a regular basis, and pay well for services rendered.
I’m a hotel management graduate working with an airline for the past one year. To further my prospects I want to enroll in an MBA (marketing) or a Masters in hospitality and tourism degree programme.
Nalini Ramaswamy, Bangalore
I would recommend an mba or Masters in marketing rather than a speciality programme as it will restrict your prospects to a particular sector. An MBA diploma on the other hand widens the scope of work, giving you more choice. You are eligible to apply for the MBA and Masters programmes. A Masters in marketing does not require work experience. For an MBA diploma the more reputed B-schools tend to demand several years of work experience. Applications for postgr-aduate admissions must be sent about a year in advance.