After completing my B.Com degree programme next year, I want to apply for an MBA degree programme in the US or UK. Please advise.
Avinash Raghavan, Bangalore
To qualify for admission into an MBA degree programme in the US or UK, you need minimum two years work experience. Therefore you should start working immediately after graduation and also write the GMAT. Your GMAT score is valid for five years and is required to be submitted for admission into B-schools abroad.
I want to pursue a course in human resource development (HRD) after completing my BA (psychology) next year. What are my employment prospects?
Dipika Shah, Ahmedabad
You have many options. You could sign up for an MBA/MMS diploma programme with specialisation in HRD after graduation. Postgraduates in psychology are also needed by HR divisions of corporates so you could sign up for an MA in psychology. With the right skills and training, a career in HRD offers good prospects.
I’m a second year BA student interested in a career as a flight purser. What qualifications are required?
Shashi Iyer, Chennai
Flight pursers in Air India or Indian Airlines must be unmarried male graduates or diploma holders in hotel management and catering technology from institutes affiliated with the National Council of Hotel Management and Catering Technology, or a hotel management graduate of a recognised Indian university. The upper age limit is 24 years and minimum height should be 165 cm. For private airlines, the minimum qualifications required are Plus Two; age limit of 27 years and 170-182 cm height. Eyesight should be good, a minimum 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other. All airlines prefer well-groomed candidates fluent in English and one or more Indian languages.
After completing Plus Two (science) next year, I’m interested in pursuing a career in biotechnology. I plan to graduate in Mumbai and enroll for postgraduation in the US. Should I sign up for a B.Sc or B.Tech degree in biotechnology?
Mario Vaz, Mumbai
Since admission into a Masters degree programme in the US requires 16 years of formal education, it’s advisable for you to apply for a four-year B.Tech study programme. A B.Tech degree qualifies you for admission immediately while a three-year B.Sc degree needs to be followed up with an M.Sc to qualify for admission into postgrad degree programmes in the US.
I’m a Plus Two (science) student keen on a career in medicine. In case I don’t get admission into a medical college, which specialisation associated with medicine should I opt for in B.Sc?
Amy D’Souza, Panjim
Closest to medicine are pharmacy and biotechnology which offer good prospects. You may also want to consider microbiology, life sciences, genetics, and zoology. However, it’s advisable to acquire a Masters degree for a good career trajectory.
I’m a second year computer engineering student interested in graphic design. Which institutes offer courses in graphic design?
Neeraj Desai, Mumbai
After completion of your computer engineering degree programme, you could sign up for the Master of design and visual communication programme offered by IIT-Mumbai. The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad also offers undergrad and postgraduate design study programmes. For admission into NID’s postgraduate diploma programmes in new media/software and user interface design/information and digital design, you need a B.Tech in computer engineering. You could also pursue a four-year BFA/applied art study programme at the J.J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai.
I want to sign up for a BE (mechanical engineering) degree after completing Plus Two. Is this a good career option?
Dilip Chatterjee, Kolkata
Mechanical engineering is a broad discipline encompassing several engineering domains. Mechanical engineers research, develop, design, manufacture and test tools, engines, machines and other mechanical devices. As a mechanical engineer, you could work in production, operations, maintenance or technical sales. But most mechanical engineering jobs are in manufacturing, though you could switch to administration and management.
By virtue of being trained as a jack-of-all-trades, a mechanical engineer’s skills find application in just about every field of technology including space research, oil exploration and refining as well as in the technical wings of the armed forces.
You can widen your opportunities by specialising in mechatronics, aeronautical, automobile or marine engineering at the postgrad level.
I will complete my BMS (bachelor of management science) degree next year. Would it be advisable for me to work for a while or sign up for an M.Com or MBA degree?
Avantika Rane, Pune
There’s no need to work immediately after graduation. You should opt for an MBA/PGDM programme which qualifies you for administrative roles in business organisations. However, an M.Com degree will give you deeper knowledge of accounting and finance, which will help you bag jobs in accounting departments of companies and banks.