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STUDYING IN INDIA

Dear Sir,

Is it better to do ME or MBA? I would also like to know about tutorials for BE courses.

Vidyarth

Dear Vidyarth,

Most engineering students seem to face this dilemma. Ask yourself whether you are more of a management and leadership type of person, or a technical type. List out your qualities (e.g. for MBA: commercial acumen, interpersonal skills, proactive, risk taker, etc and for ME: mathe-logical thinking, research and quality consciousness, focus on technology, etc.) Once you identify your own strengths and weaknesses you will know which career is better for you. Also keep in mind that these are not the only avenues for engineers. You can get into project management, industrial design, civil or military services, quality assessment, and many other options.

Dear Sir,

I am a Colonel in the Indian Army presently undergoing the first semester of a regular two years Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management. Which specialisation should I choose during my MBA so that I am able to best leverage my 20 years experience of managing, controlling and commanding large resources of personnel and resources in the Army - for an appropriate placement at senior levels in the corporate sector. Though HR seems the most obvious choice, would Production & Operations Management have better scope for growth in the BPO sector? Please advice me as to which would be a better choice — HR or Services Operations Management with respect to financial remuneration and prospects for career growth.

Colonel Ajay Sharma

Dear Ajay Sharma,

Both HR and Operations have equally good scope in the BPO or any other sector. Hence your choice should be based on whether you are more comfortable and competent in handling people (note that civilians can be quite different from service personnel in their attitudes and thinking) or whether you are more the hands-on type of person who can efficiently handle materials, machines, resources and day-to-day activities. Your decision should be based on both your interest as well as competence in either of these areas.

Dear Sir

I am in my 5th semester, engineering course. After BE, I would like to do MBA. I have an aggregate of 57% (4th sem result not included). Is there any minimum marks requirement in graduation to enter MBA? When is the right time to start preparing for it? Is it better to work for a few years before joining MBA?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Most good colleges require a minimum of 50% in your graduation, but of course the selection is based on your performance in the entrance exam. The most popular one is run by IIMs and is known as CAT. Forms are being given currently in SBI branches, and the exam for 2006 entry is in November. MAT is held three times a year, and Karnataka also has PGCET and KMAT for admission to colleges of local universities. It is better to start preparing at least one year in advance, and to take proper coaching. There is no general answer as to whether it is better to work for a few years before taking up MBA, since it depends on your specific case.

Dear Sir,

Because of financial problems I had to take up a job after completing my PUC I. Now that we are doing better financially I want to continue my education. Can I join any correspondence course? Will that be equivalent to that of a regular PU? Can I write CET after that? What will the cost of doing the correspondence course be? Which good college gives this option? Which is a good tuition centre?

A reader

Dear Reader

There are many coaching centres in all cities offering guidance for you to appear for PUC II year as a private candidate. Select one that is most convenient. You will be eligible for CET if you have Science optionals. If you are not interested in a professional course, you are also eligible to do graduation through the Open University system and pursue BA, BSc, BBM, BCA etc.

Dear Sir,

I am a student of Std IX (ICSE). I am good at maths and science. I want to do my pilot training in the IAF after my 12th. What combination should I take in 12th? Do I have to take an entrance exam? Are there any conditions to join the IAF?

Varsha J

Dear Varsha,

Girls are currently being taken into the Indian Air Force only after graduation for Short Service Commission of 5+5 years. You need to take up Maths and Physics for your +2. Your entry will be finally based on a written exam, psychological testing, physical fitness and group discussion.

Dear Sir,

I didn’t complete my degree and I want to do some post graduate course. Is it possible to do without a degree?

Anupam

Dear Anupam,

All recognised Indian universities have stopped direct enrollment to post-graduate courses, without a degree. However, if you have finished one or two years of your degree, that will be taken into account if you wish to complete your degree through correspondence.

Dr Ali Khwaja

A counsellor, training and life skills coach, Dr Khwaja trains students in career and emotional issues. He is the chairman of Banjara Academy and Honorary Director of Helping Hand.

YOUR QUESTIONS

As we have a huge backlog of queries on studying in India yet to be answered, we request readers to allow at least three weeks’ time before they are answered in this column. You may send in your questions on studying in India to The Education Desk, c/o Deccan Herald, 75 MG Road, Bangalore - 560 001 or

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