I’m a second year BE (electronics) student. After graduation I want to work with ISRO. Please advise.
Mani Iyer, Chennai
Focus on completing your engineering degree programme and aim for at least a first division. Visit www.isro.gov.in to know more about how graduates are recruited. Be prepared to face tough competition.
I’m a final year B.Com student interested in a career in investment banking. What educational qualifications do I need to qualify for a career in this field?
Anil Joseph, Bangalore
To qualify as an investment banker, you need to sign up for an MBA (finance), chartered accountancy or any other finance-related course after graduation. Several private institutions and deemed universities offer courses in finance/management.
I will complete my bachelor’s degree in interior design next year. Which reputed institutions offer Masters programmes in design?
Neena Patel, Ahmedabad
The top-ranked institutions offering postgraduate programmes in design are the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad; Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore; Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology University, Ahmedabad; and MIT Institute of Design, Pune.
I’m interested in a career in food technology and want to enroll with the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore. What are the eligibility requirements?
Nalini Rajan, Trivandrum
Admission notices for the M.Sc (food technology) degree programme of the University of Mysore at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore (www.cftri.org) are usually advertised in May. The eligibility requirement is a B.Sc with chemistry, or agriculture/engineering/technology with maths at the Plus Two or degree level. An entrance/aptitude test is usually held in Mysore and New Delhi in July.
After completing my B. Tech (biotech) degree in 2016, I want to write CSIR-NET (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Eligibility Test) as I’m very keen on teaching and research. Will I be eligible to write the exam?
Sunil Trivedi, New Delhi
CSIR has revised its study programmes to include chemical, earth, atmospheric and ocean, planetary, physical, and engineering sciences in its B.Sc (Hons), BS (four years), BE/B.Tech, B.Pharm, MBBS, integrated BS-MS and M.Sc degree programmes. To encourage engineering students to pursue Ph D and lectureships, CSIR has also introduced a sixth paper in engineering sciences common to all engineering disciplines. The sample paper and syllabus is uploaded on the CSIR website www.csirhrdg.res.in.
The minimum qualifying percentage is 55 percent for general category (50 percent for SC/ST) students. Only the top 15 percent candidates in the NET merit list for each subject and category (based on aggregate scores) will qualify and become eligible for lectureships.
After completing Plus Two I want to enroll in a five-year integrated LLB course. I’m keen on a career as a lawyer. Please advise.
Sujoy Chakravarty, Kolkata
You need to write law entrance exams such as CLAT, SET, ISAT-India exam, etc for admission into the five-year integrated law degree programme offered by several institutes/colleges to Plus Two school-leavers.
I’ve been learning German for the past few years while reading for a BA degree. I want to pursue a career as a German language interpreter. What are my prospects?
Shalini Lopez, Mumbai
Job openings for interpreters are typically in conferences, trade shows or as guides at tourist centres. Begin your career as an interpreter by doing informal or voluntary work and then sign up with agencies which provide freelance work, usually paid on an hourly basis. Interpreters can supplement their earnings by teaching the language in schools and also by giving private tuition.
However, as most Germans speak good to fluent English, the demand for German-English interpreters is limited. Ideally, you should consider using your language skills to work for companies doing business with Germany or international trade bodies, German multinationals and banks.
After completing my B.Sc (chemistry) next year, I want to press on for a Masters. Which institutes do you suggest?
Rahul D’Souza, Panjim
The best options are the IITs or Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. To qualify for admission, you need to write the GATE exam. You could also apply to the NITs and state universities of your choice.
I’m a final year B.Sc (maths) student. I also want a degree in architecture. Please advise.
Ravi Patil, Pune
You can apply for admission into the B.Arch (bachelor in architecture) five-year programme on the basis of your Plus Two and architecture aptitude test scores. If you read PCM in Plus Two, you are eligible for admission in B.Arch programmes though you won’t get any credit for your B.Sc degree. For further details, contact local engineering colleges or visit www.dte.org.in (website of Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra State).