Dear Sir,
After I finish B.Com next year I want to work in a reputed firm in the finance industry for 3-5 years and then do an executive MBA degree from a good institute. While working I would like to do a PG course through distance learning and also do some professional course relevant to my field, like SAP or CFA. Could you please advise me on my career, as regards the module in SAP and the CFA programme (not ICFAI) and the  experience that is good before an MBA, etc.
Faraz

Dear Faraz,
Gaining experience will certainly help you take a better career choice in the long run. You need to ensure two factors: (1) take up a job that actually gives you experience and exposure to different types of work, and not to be misled just by the brand name of the employer (2) keep your target firmly in mind and do not get so complacent once you start earning, that you do not come back for full-time higher studies.
It would be better if you first join your job and check out how hectic your daily schedule is. Do not take up a job that requires 24/7 work. When you are settled in your routine, you can decide whether you have time for a serious PG course through correspondence, or a practical skills-oriented course like SAP.

Dear Sir,
I am studying in 2nd year B.Sc with microbiology, chemistry and zoology. I chose the course because I was interested in life sciences but now I am not sure of a promising future in this field unless we do MS abroad. What is the criteria to get into research?
Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,
There are many opportunities in India too, in life sciences. Start narrowing down which subject holds the greatest interest for you, and then aim to do your post graduation from one of the national institutions such as Indian Institute of Science, IIT’s, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Central Food Research Technological Institute, National Institute of Nutrition, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, to name just a few.  Once you qualify from any of these institutes, you will not have to look back. Most of these institutes admit students through their own entrance exams. 

Dear Sir,
I would like to pursue a PG Diploma in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations or a Masters degree in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations. Could you give me a list of some good institutes / universities which offer the course through distance education mode?
A K Chandrasekhar, Orissa

Dear Chandrasekhar,
Both Masters degree and PG Diplomas in HR and Personnel Management are available at established institutions, and it will certainly help your career if you complete any of the courses. Some reputed institutes are: National Institute of Personnel Management, Blue Cross Chambers, Infantry Road Cross, Bangalore 560001, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, nmims@nmims.edu, Indira Gandhi National Open University, www.ignou.ac.in , Manipal University, www.manipalu.com.

Dear Sir,
I completed my Diploma in Mechanical Engineering two years ago and am now working for a BPO in Mysore. Is there any University, which provides distance education in BE or B.Tech? Please suggest the top one and let me know about its study centre in Bangalore or Mysore and the admission procedure.
Santhosh M

Dear Santhosh,
The established route for you would be to go for an AMIE which is equivalent to BE, and since you have completed your diploma, you will get lateral entry.  Contact the Institution of Engineers on Queens Road, Bangalore, or email them on ieiksc@dataone.in. Other options are to do your B.Tech (Civil/Mechanical) at Indira Gandhi National Open University. Their study centre is on 39th Cross, Jayanagar, Bangalore, and details can be had on website www.ignou.ac.in

Dear Sir,
I want to know about pilot training in India as well as abroad. I often hear that training in India is not up to the mark. Could you tell me how much the training would cost in Serbia, Florida, Arizona, Australia and other places? How much would it cost to join a company after doing my training? I also want to write the NDA exams.
Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,
It is a fact that pilot training is faster and more advanced in some of the Western countries. The most economical in India would be the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy at Rae Bareilly, since it is run by the government. Details can be had on www.igrua.gov.in.  Seats are limited and admission is difficult. Details of other flying training schools can be obtained from www.balpa.org, www.webindiaqwe.com/career/options/compilot, www.competitionmaster.com/pages/career.html

Getting through the NDA exam, which is held twice a year, and is open to those who have completed their 10+2 with Science subjects, is the only way you can be trained to become a pilot by joining military service.

Dear Sir,
My son wishes to do a degree in automobile engineering. What are the career prospects in automobile engineering in our country and also abroad?
He wishes to pursue a career in automobile designing. I have heard of IDEA Institute at Paris that offers courses in automobile designing. Can you provide me further details in this regard? Or is there any other specialisation that he can do in order to further his prospects?
Sowmyashree

Dear Sowmyashree,
The automobile sector is doing very well in India and abroad, and is likely to continue to do well. Your son may, after his +2 with Science, take up a BE or B.Tech either in Automobile engineering, or in basic subjects like Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Instrumentation, etc.  If he is a very creative person, he can consider post graduate studies in automobile design, preferably in Germany or USA.  While doing his +2 let him prepare well for entrance exams like IIT-JEE, AIEEE and CET so that he can get admission in a good college, which will be a great boost in securing admission in reputed institutions of automobile design.