I’m a class XII (science) student keen on studying aerospace engineering. Which institutes offer this study programme and what are my career prospects after graduation?
Nikhil Narayan, Chennai
Among the few colleges in India which offer aeronautical engineer-ing are: Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh (www.pec.ac.in); Anna University, Chennai (www.anna univ.edu); Jawaharlal Nehru Techno-logical University, Hyderabad (www. jntu.ac.in); Sardar Patel Institute of Technology, Valsad; Hindustan College of Engineering, Chennai; Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Secunder-abad; Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (www.iist.ac.in), among others.
The IITs also offer aerospace engineering study programmes. But to be admitted into any of them, you’ll have to clear the IIT-JEE (joint entrance exam) and AIEE (All India Engineering Examination) for PEC, Chandigarh. The other colleges conduct their own entrance examinations. Keep track of their admission ads in the press for more details. Aeronautical engineers work with government, in the aviation and defence sectors. Career prospects are excellent since it’s a niche branch of engineering.
After completing my B.Tech (biotech-nology) degree, I want to enrol in an M.Tech programme. Which institutes do you recommend, and should I sign up for an MBA programme in biotech-nology after completing M.Tech?
Jay Walia, Bangalore
Among the prestigious institutions offering M.Tech in biotechnology are IIT-Kharagpur (www.iitkgp.ernet.in) and University of Hyderabad (www. uohyd.ernet.in). Admission into both these institutions is based on GATE scores. The common biotechnology entrance examination conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (www.jnu.ac.in) is used for admission into M.Tech (biotechnology) progra-mmes offered by Anna University, Chennai (www.annauniv.edu) and West Bengal University of Technology, Kolkata (www.wbut.net). The same exam will also qualify you to apply for M.Sc (biotechnology) programmes offered by premier universities across the country. Please note you need to average at least 60 percent in your bachelor’s degree to become eligible for admission into an M.Tech (biotechnology) study programme.
About reading for an MBA in biotechnology after M.Tech, availing this option will qualify you for general management jobs. It’s advisable to pursue an MBA degree in biotech-nology only if you are interested in a management career in the biotech sector. However, some US universities do offer MS biotechnology programmes with the option of management electives.
I complete my bachelor’s degree in electronics and communication in 2012 but I’m keen on making a career either in advertising or marketing. Please suggest universities abroad which offer a Masters degree in advertising. Thereafter I want to acquire an MBA in marketing. Please advise.
Stella Fernandes, Panjim
A Masters degree programme in advertising requires training and/or experience and may not be appropriate for you. A marketing and management study programme in universities which accept students from any discipline is a better option. Aston, Southampton and Middlesex univer-sities in the UK offer a one-year Masters degree programme in marketing to graduates of all hues and stripes. After a few years of work experience, you could sign up for an MBA in marketing.
I’m a class XII (science) student interested in psychology, English literature, philosophy and human relations. What’s the difference between psychiatry and psychology? I want to consider a career in psychiatry too but have not opted for biology in my class XII.
Neena Sabharwal, Mumbai
To qualify as a psychiatrist, you need to first complete an MBBS degree and hence your subjects of interest are not in sync with your chosen profession. Psychology is the study of human behaviour and psychologists apply understanding of people and their behaviour to help solve mental and emotional problems. You can best pursue psychology after class XII by enroling in a bachelor of arts programme. In some universities, psychology is offered as a science discipline but not in Mumbai. After graduation, persist with a Masters degree in the subject followed by a Ph D for excellent career prospects.
I’m a class XII (science) student interested in a career in computational geometry. What career prospects does this discipline offer?
Suresh Rane, Pune
In computer science, computational geometry is the study of algorithms to solve problems stated in geometric terms. Applications are in the areas of computer graphics, computer vision, information retrieval, AD/CAM, manufacturing, robot motion planning, geographic information systems, integrated circuit design, statistics, computational biology, medicine and machine learning.
I’m studying law. Since I don’t intend to practice law, please suggest courses which will complement my legal studies and improve my job prospects.
Shalini Singh, Mumbai
All lawyers don’t practice in courtrooms. You could work in the corporate sector not necessarily handling legal responsibilities but using your legal knowledge.
You could also write the civil services exam (www.upsc.gov.in), or work in the area of social welfare with NGOs or advisory and counseling centres. Another option would be legal clerking for a law firm, law libraries, legal publishing (editorial and marketing), computer-based information systems for lawyers, legal journalism and management consultancy.
Teaching in law colleges may require a higher degree such as LLM. However, even with LLB, you could teach law in various undergraduate programmes including business administration, commerce etc. Human resource develop-ment departments, consulting companies as also recruitment agencies could also be your prospective employers. Your legal knowledge, research/analytical, problem-solving, communication, negotiation and logical skills will be an asset in any career you choose.