Dear Sir,
I am in my engineering first year. Is there any other course that I can take that will help me grow in my career?
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
If you feel that you have sufficient time to take up correspondence courses without hampering your engineering studies, you can get the prospectus of Indira Gandhi National Open University (www.ignou.ac.in), Annamalai University (annamalaiuniversity.ac.in), Karnataka State Open University (ksoumysore.org), etc and look up the various courses that are offered for those who have completed 10+2. Choose a course that will help you fulfill your long term goals viz. whether you wish to get into management (and if so, which area of management), creativity, design, communication, human behaviour, etc. There are innumerable courses available in diverse fields.  Choose based on your aptitude and interest.
Dear Sir,
I am doing my first year BCom in an evening college. From last year itself I started going for tuitions (accounts). Where can I get some important question papers of the previous exams so that I can practice well?
Ashwini
Dear Ashwini,
You are studying B.Com to become a Commerce and Accounts professional.  While it is good that you are taking up tuition in case you are weak in any subject, your basic aim should be to gain knowledge, and not just practice “important” question papers of previous years. In the competitive business world, employers are looking for skills and abilities, not whether you scored a few per cent extra in your degree. Try to understand each subject and each topic, and visualise how it can be applied to real life situations. Only then will you truly be able to rise fast in your career. 
Dear Sir,
I am doing BSc (biotech) in a college affiliated to DAVV University (in Indore). I have passed 1st year (2006) with a decent percentage, but I almost failed in the 2nd year (2007).
Can I change my university to IGNOU? Is it possible to get admission in the 2nd year of IGNOU’s degree course (any) this year ?
A reader
Dear Reader,
If you are struggling to pass even though you are attending regular college, then switching over to a correspondence course may not be a good idea. Many open universities do give lateral admission into 2nd year of the SAME degree course, provided your university has a similar syllabus. But it may be far more advisable to take proper coaching and complete your third year so that you can finish your graduation without any disruption.  Remember that you did get a decent percentage in 1st year, so it shows that you have the ability in you. After getting your degree you may change to some other career if you do not wish to pursue biotechnology. 
Dear Sir,
I have completed my PUC with PCMB combination.I have taken up MECS (Mathematics, Electronics and Computer Science) as my subjects in Vijaya College. I want to know whether it has a good scope in future? What are the job opportunities available?
Rakshitha
Dear Rakshitha,
A B.Sc in math, electronics and CS will lay the foundation for you to pursue a career in any of these three subjects. However, not being a professional course, by itself your B.Sc may not get you good job openings. If you can decide which of the subjects you like most and would like to go deeper in, you can take up some part-time extra courses in that field, and also plan to do a post graduate course that will qualify you for a good career. Alternatively, you can use your degree as a base to get into management, civil services, teaching, design, communications etc. depending on what you are good at. 
Dear Sir,
Could you suggest some institutes that offer distance mode education in Aeronautics/ Aerospace in India?
Sekhar
Dear Sekhar,
Aeronautical engineering is a very tempting and glamourous field, but it is also highly practical.  If you really wish to do well in this career, you will have to take up full time four year engineering course either in aeronautical engineering, or in mechanical, electrical, electronics, instrumentation, computer science, etc, since these engineers also are required in large numbers in the aero sector.  You can then specialise at the post-graduate level.
Dear Sir,
I am a BA graduate (Psychology, Computer applications, English literature). After my graduation I continued my studies in PGDCA. Now I would like to still continue my studies in MSc psychology. The college to which I have applied provides specialisation in clinical psychology, child psychology and industrial psychology. In which should I specialise?
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
The “specialisation” you mention are just elective subjects that give you an overview into each field of psychology. First ensure that you would like to definitely switch over from computer applications to psychology, since you have already done your PG Diploma in Computer Applications. Then you may enroll for M.Sc and in the first semester familiarise yourself with each of the optionals being offered. Also check out whether your interest lies in children, or in dealing with mentally ill (clinical) or in handling personnel and labour related issues (industrial). Before you complete your 2nd semester you will have a fair idea, and then you can opt for the subject of your choice.  Do keep in mind that you can change your field within psychology even after completing your M.Sc.