I’m a second year law student interested in making a career in cyber law. Which national law schools offer postgraduate programmes in cyber law?
Sreedhar Iyer, Chennai
The National Law School of India University, Bangalore; NLU, Bhopal, and Symbiosis Law School, Pune offer certificate/PG diploma programmes in cyber law. Job opportunities for cyber law professionals are abundant in IT consulting, e-commerce, financial services, insurance, manufacturing, and the BPO industry.
I’m keen on making a career in the tourism industry. Please suggest premier institutes in the UK which offer Masters and Ph D programmes in travel and tourism. What are the eligibility requirements for admission?
Priyanka Advani, Mumbai
The UK’s Exeter, Liverpool John Moores, Strathclyde and Surrey universities offer well-structured postgrad programmes in tourism development and policy and related fields. For postgrad study in the UK, students are required to clear IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Admissions are based on academic record, quality and quantity of work experience, referrals, personal statements of objectives and essays.
After completing my B.Tech (biotechnology) degree in 2017, I want to sign up for an M.Tech in the same subject. Is it a good idea to follow-up with an MBA in biotechnology?
Siddharth S, Bangalore
IIT-Kharagpur (www.iitkgp.ernet.in) and University of Hyderabad (www.uohyd.ernet.in) offer M.Tech programmes in biotechnology. Admission is based on applicants’ performance in the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) exam. The Common Biotechnology Entrance Examination conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (www.jnu.ac.in) also qualifies students for admission into the M.Tech (biotechnology) programmes offered by Anna University, Chennai (www.annauniv.edu), West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata (www.wbut.net), and other premier varsities. The minimum eligibility requirement for these programmes is 60 percent average in the B.Tech final examination.
Following up an M.Tech qualification with an MBA in biotechnology will lead you away from industrial research/consulting into management roles. A better option would be to sign up for an MBA in biotechnology after B.Tech, if you are interested in a management career in biotechnology businesses/organisations.
After completing my B.Com degree next year, I want to pursue a career in banking. Please advise.
Patricia D’Souza, Panjim
To apply for a position in a bank, you need to apply directly or through job websites, placement agents or recruitment advertisements and also clear their selection process. There is no particular course that will qualify you for a job in the banking sector. Pursuing a Masters programme and honing your employability skills will prepare you for a career in banking. You could also check out banking related courses offered by B-schools.
I’m planning on making a career as an actuary. Can I pursue a bachelor’s degree in engineering coterminously with a course in actuarial science? What are job opportunities for an actuary like?
Uday Kirloskar, Pune
Signing up for an actuarial science course simultaneously while pursuing engineering studies isn’t a good idea, as both are demanding programmes. First complete your engineering degree and then pursue your actuarial training preferably while working in an insurance firm. Alternatively, you could sign up for a bachelor’s degree programme in statistics and simultaneously take up an actuarial course through the Institute of Actuaries of India (www.actuariesindia.org). Moreover, please note that some universities offer a B.Sc degree in actuarial science. Actuaries work in a wide range of fields such as life insurance, pension funds, investments, government, academia, risk management, reinsurance companies and consultancies.
I’m a B.Com graduate interested in becoming a stockbroker. Which institutes offer courses in stockbroking?
Dinesh Mehta, Ahmedabad
You could sign up for short-term courses offered by the National Stock Exchange/Bombay Stock Exchange while simultaneously acquiring practical work experience by interning/working with a stockbroking firm or private stockbrokers. Signing up for a postgraduate degree in finance is another option.
What professional courses should I pursue alongside my B.Com degree to better my career prospects?
Sujoy Chatterjee, Kolkata
The B.Com curriculum allows you to explore an exhaustive list of specialisations depending on your interests and career goals. Most popular among them is chartered accountancy offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (www.icai.org.in). Other options are cost and management accountant courses offered by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (www.icmai.in) or company secretary courses offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (www.icsi.edu). Of late an increasing number of B.Com students are also enrolling in the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) programme conducted by the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (www.cimaglobal.com).