After I complete my Plus Two (science) next year, I want to take up a career in healthcare/biosciences. Should I sign up for an undergraduate programme in bio-medical engineering, biotech-nology or pharmacy? Please advise.
Sunita Rao, Bangalore
Instead of getting confused with alternatives, you must first under-stand the nature of work associated with these study programmes. There-after, evaluate your strengths and aptitudes. A bachelor’s degree in all these disciplines should be supple-mented with postgraduate qualifications to improve career prospects.
I’m keen on a career in multimedia after getting my B.Com degree in 2014. Please suggest reputed institutions offering multimedia courses.
Siddharth Iyer, Chennai
Multimedia is a generic term for technology which integrates video, audio, text, illustrations, graphics, photographs, and animation, and has become increasingly popular with commercial artists, graphic designers, animation specialists etc. It has appli-cations in a large number of professions such as advertising, publishing, print and electronic media, including telev-ision and internet as well as architecture, entertainment and marketing.
An essential prerequisite for excelling in these professions is creativity. Hence a background in commercial art or graphic design is desirable. While there are many institutes offering training and certification in multimedia programmes, they merely provide multimedia software training. They neither offer education in the fundamentals of design nor campus placement.
I’m a class XI (commerce) student keen on pursuing an undergrad degree abroad. Please enlighten me on the approximate cost of education in the US, UK and Singapore.
Mario Vaz, Mumbai
An undergraduate degree in the US costs anywhere from $30,000 to $60,000 (Rs.18-37 lakh) per year; in the UK costs vary between £15,000-23,000 (Rs.15-23 lakh) annually, whereas in Singapore undergrad education costs S$20,000-30,000 (Rs.10-15 lakh). However please note that scholarships and financial aid often reduce these fees.
I want to pursue an MBBS degree abroad. What are my options?
Sunil Kumar, Bangalore
It’s advisable to pursue an MBBS degree in the country where you wish to practice. If you want to practice in India, it’s better to sign up for an MBBS programme in India. However if you insist on studying abroad, Singapore and Australia are good choices. Two reputed schools in Singapore which offer MBBS are the National University of Singapore’s Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Nanyang Technological University’s Lee Kong Chian (LKC) School of Medicine. LKC conducts an entrance test (Biomedical Admissions Test) administered by Cambridge Assessment. The selection interviews are held in April and the admission offer is made between April-June. Please note that NUS requires excellent grades in Plus Two.
After completing my B.Com next year, should I sign up for an MBA degree or acquire work experience and then pursue an MBA?
Amit Verma, New Delhi
In my opinion you should complete your MBA programme without a break in your studies. For most students, MBA is the final degree and studying for two years after B.Com will help you complete your academics in one go. Equipped with an MBA, you can venture into the corporate world. However there are plenty of people who believe that work experience prior to signing up for an MBA is advantageous. If you choose the latter option, ensure that you acquire at least two-three years of industry experience.
I’m a first year B.Com student and unsure about my career plans. I’m weak in accounts so chartered accoun-tancy is ruled out. Would it be advisable to write public sector bank exams?
Nalini Raman, Trivandrum
A banking job will be more suitable. Be prepared to write objective type tests of arithmetic/numerical aptitude, reasoning ability and questions which assess general awareness and English proficiency. Banking apart, you could also explore professional education options in customer services, marketing and public relations or pursue prof-essional courses in advertising, public relations, retail management, law, social work, travel and tourism etc.
I’m a class XII (commerce) student. I want to know more about the BBA (bachelor of business administration) programme. Will it help me get into the best B-schools? Alternatively should I sign up for B.Com? Which degree has more value?
Sudhir Mehta, Mumbai
The BBA degree programmes of the Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies, Pune (symbibba@vsnl.net) and BMS (bachelor of management studies) offered by the University of Mumbai (www.mu.ac.in) are similar. The degrees awarded will be helpful in B-school, although not necessary. Select-ing BBA/BMS or B.Com depends upon your situation and priorities. BBA/BMS are usually self-financing programmes which will cost you more. On the other hand, B.Com helps students who have family businesses and is suitable for careers in chartered/costs accountancy and as company secretaries. Neither degree is equivalent to a professional study programme.
How rewarding is a career in events management? I’m currently a Plus Two student.
Daisy Irani, Mumbai
The events management industry is very organised and professional. From managing events such as corporate promotions, award functions, music concerts et al, events manage-ment requires a flair for logistics apart from good communication skills. Ideally you should first acquire a bachelor’s degree in events management or a degree in mass media, and top it up with a diploma in events management. Both have equal standing as far as job opportunities are concerned.
Acquiring a degree in mass media is preferable, as it broadens your horizons and will be useful when you read for a postgrad diploma in events management as well as in the workplace. Self-employment is also an option.