After completing my BA degree programme next year, I wish to pursue a career in design. I would like to know whether a specialisation in graphic or web design offers better career advan-cement. Please advise.
Ranjit Bhatia, Mumbai
Graphic design is the better choice as it is more versatile. As a graphic designer your work could involve layout and production of magazines, news-papers, journals, books, corporate reports and other publications. In addition, you could design promotional displays, logos, packaging and mark-eting brochures for products and services, and also design web pages and work in interactive media and multimedia projects. On the other hand, web design will restrict you to the design and development of websites for clients. Once you master graphic design, you could upgrade by signing up for a course in web design.
I will graduate in commerce next year. I’m interested in a career in events management. Please advise.
Nalini Raman, Chennai
Events management requires a flair for logistics and excellent communication skills. You could enroll in a three-year undergraduate degree programme in events management or sign up for a bachelor’s degree programme in mass media and top it with a diploma in events management. Both certifications are respected but an undergrad degree in mass media is preferable, as it will broaden your horizons and provide you with a sound foundation for a postgrad diploma in events management.
After acquiring a B.Sc in microbiology, I want to qualify as a virologist. Which institutes offer study programmes in virology and what are job opportunities like?
Ravi Krishnan, Bangalore
Among the most reputed institutions offering M.Sc degree programmes in virology are the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh (http://pgimer.nic.in); Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati (www.svuniversity. in); National Institute of Virology, Pune (http://icmr.nic.in/pinstitute/niv.htm); and University of Pune (www.unipune. ernet.in). You could opt for further studies in virology after graduating in microbiology. Career opportunities are in academic and industrial research (development of new drugs or vacci-nes), government and healthcare agencies, and teaching. Some virologists investigate disease outbreaks (epidemi-ologists) and work for government health departments or the World Health Organisation. Moreover, virologists can use their knowledge to pursue careers as science writers or reporters, in business, the pharmaceutical industry or patent law.
I’m a third year B.Sc student. I wish to study for a postgraduate degree programme at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Please advise about the courses offered and admission eligibility requirements.
Shilpa Puri, New Delhi
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai (a deemed university) offers full-time postgraduate degree programmes in social work, disability studies, human resources management and labour studies. Other subjects offered include globalisation and labour, social entrepreneurship, hospital administration, public health, economics and finance, public health in social epidemiology, habitat policy and practice etc.
For admission into these study programmes, you need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a recognised university. Moreover, you will need to write the TISS entrance exam held simultaneously in Ahmedabad, Bang-alore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandi-garh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyde-rabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Pune, Ranchi and Varanasi every December. For further details visit www.tiss.edu.
After completing my B.Sc (micro-biology) degree programme in 2015, I want to sign up for an MBA (biotechnology) degree offered by the University of Pune. Please advise.
Subhash Rane, Pune
MBA (biotechnology) is offered by the faculty of management sciences of the university. Students with bachelor’s/Masters degrees in science with biochemistry, biology, botany, chemistry, environmental sciences, genetics, life sciences, microbiology, zoology, agriculture, medical sciences, pharmacy, veterinary science, techn-ology, and engineering are eligible for admission. The university’s entrance exam for admission into the postgrad MBA programme is held in July.
I’m a computer engineer working in a government company. I’m keen on writing the Civil Services exams conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission). Please advise.
Surjit Singh, Chandigarh
You’re eligible to write the Civil Services Examination (general category) four times while you are between 21 and 30 years of age. Depen-ding on performance in this exam, you could be recruited into one of 25 services such as the Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Foreign Service, Indian Accounts Service etc. You are also eligible to write the Indian Forest Service Examination, conducted by UPSC. The first stage is a preliminary examination. Those who clear it qualify to write the main exam and also have to perform well in a personal interview. You can verify details of the various exams, eligibility criteria, examination pattern, syllabi etc on the UPSC website: www.upsc.gov.in. There are several guide books and many coaching institutes which help aspirants prepare for UPSC exams.
I’m a commerce graduate currently enrolled in the chartered financial analyst (CFA) programme of ICFAI University. What are my job prospects after graduation?
Dilip Chatterjee, Kolkata
Graduates with cfa qualification can look forward to working as finance professionals in corporate/financial services/banking sectors or establish an independent practice. Getting a job will require personal initiative, although the placement cell of ICFAI University may help with leads. If you acquire practical work experience while studying, you will be in an advantageous position in the jobs market. But you must appreciate that job opportunities will mainly be in the financial services sector.