After completing my bachelor of business administration (BBA) degree next year, I want to enroll in an MA/M.Sc programme in psychology. Do I need to write an entrance test to qualify for admission?
Shekhar Rao, Bangalore
According to UGC (University Grants Commission) rules, a Masters programme should be a continuation of the bachelor’s degree programme. Thus it will be difficult for you to switch tracks and pursue a full-time MA/M.Sc course in psychology. But you do have the option of signing up for a psychology postgrad degree through distance education. Some well-known open universities offering this option are IGNOU, Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University and Annamalai University.
I’m keen on a career in law. Which branch of law should I pursue — civil or criminal?
Mancini Das, Mumbai
It’s a common myth that law has only two branches: criminal and civil. This devalues the profession and fails to highlight the actual reach of the law in business and finance, the environment, society, education, international relations, maritime affairs, IPR and copyrights, the pharmaceutical industry, armed forces and human rights among other fields.
Of the estimated 70,000 students who qualify as lawyers every year, many utilise their knowledge of the law in diverse fields such as chartered accountancy, company secretaryship, cost and financial accounting, human resource development, legal reporting and social activism. Often the LLB degree is a stepping stone to promotion and better pay in the legal departments of government, public sector organisations, corporates, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies and consultancies.
I plan to sign up for an MBA degree programme next year. Will my career prospects improve if I choose management information systems (MIS) as my specialisation?
Sashi Ranjan, Chennai
Management information systems professionals are required to effectively and efficiently manage an organisation’s ICT (information communication technology) resources. Typically, they manage a network of IT workers to design and maintain computer systems. Today, MIS is incorporated into ERP and supply chain management software.
Several universities, notably Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University, Agra; Karnataka State Open University, Mysore, and Punjab University, Chandigarh, offer postgraduate degrees in MIS (regular/distance). However, your MBA programme will cover the basics of MIS, so you need not study it separately. Also, many business schools train students in statistics and analytics software.
I will complete my civil engineering degree next year. Should I follow it up with an M.Tech/ME in construction management or apply for an MBA degree as I’m interested in economics.
Ashoka Chawla, New Delhi
If you wish to study economics, an MBA degree programme in finance or MA (economics) is the better choice. Otherwise, choose an ME degree programme in construction management or civil engineering.
I’m a first year BMS student interested in simultaneously enroling in a professional course such as CMA (certified management accountant), CA (chartered accountancy), CS (company secretary), CWA (cost work accountancy) or CFA (chartered financial analyst). Please advise.
Nalini Shah, Ahmedabad
All these courses require a sound grasp of accounting concepts. Given that you have completed only your Plus Two and are currently a first year undergrad student, you should apply for admission into the foundation course of chartered accountancy, company secretary and ICWA (CMA).
I will complete my MBA next year. I am interested in a career in the hospitality industry. What are my prospects?
Anjali D’ Souza, Panjim
A career in the hospitality/hotel industry is rewarding and offers business management graduates a platform to utilise their training and management skills. In fact MBAs are generally preferred in sales and marketing, business development, and the brand building departments of hospitality companies. Opportunities in this industry are multiplying with an increasing number of international hotel chains planting their flags in India.
I’m an engineering graduate keen on joining the Indian Air Force (IAF). What are the eligibility requirements?
Srinivas Iyengar, Chennai
You need to write the Combined Defence Services Exam conducted by UPSC to qualify for entry into the IAF. Eligibility requirements are a bachelor’s degree in any field (with maths and physics in class XII) and age limit of 19-23 years. The exam is conducted twice a year (February and August). To qualify for training as a flying officer (pilot) through the short service commission, you need to acquire a B.Tech degree with a 60 percent-plus score. Watch out for notifications in the December and June issues of Employment News and prominent national dailies. Under the direct entry scheme (men and women), an aeronautical engineering degree with a score of 60 percent is the eligibility requirement for unmarried individuals in the age group 18-25. For details, visit www.careerairforce.nic.in.