JOIN USDear Sir,
I am a third year MBBS student from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. I wish to do IAS after completing my MBBS. Should I pursue for a career in IAS or should I continue in the medical field? Many of my friends say that if I become an IAS officer, I would have to work under politicians, which I am not too comfortable with. Moreover, many say it is difficult to clear IAS if one is in the medical field, and once I become an IAS officer, I can’t practise as a doctor. If I have to do MD or MS, which is the better country to do it? Can I pursue MD or MS after joining IAS or vice versa?
A student
Dear Student,
In the past few years, many doctors have become IAS officers, and they are people who have a passion to serve the country through public service. Hence, they do not mind working with politicians and public. Other than the possibility of being posted for some time in health department (where also they will be doing administrative work), they do have to give up practicing medicine. It is true that Civil Service selection is highly competitive and only about a 100 candidates are finally selected for IAS out of many lakhs who apply. You can apply for IAS until the age of 30 years. But keep in mind that half-hearted attempts do not generally get success; only those who work with total commitment stand a chance of being selected. If you are not keen on working in public service, then you can aspire for higher studies in Medicine. If you are hardworking, you can get merit seat for MD/MS in India itself since medical studies in India are recognised as one of the best in the world.
Dear Sir,
I am currently studying second PUC in Bengaluru with Statistics, Economics, Business and Accounts as my subjects. I would love to gain my undergraduate degree in interior designing. Is there an entrance exam for this? What’s the percentage required to join such courses? I am also interested in nature and would love to do something in the environmental field but I don’t have sufficient information to take the right decision. Kindly help me out.
A student
Dear Student,
Commerce students are eligible to apply for a BSc in interior design, or even Bachelor of Design (BDes) courses now, which are being offered by innumerable good colleges in Bengaluru and elsewhere. Most colleges have their own aptitude test, and admission will not be very difficult, if you have a creative mind. However, it may be difficult for you to get admission in Environmental Sciences since you have been a student of Commerce. Once you come to final year of whichever degree course you choose, then you can start exploring how to go abroad for higher studies, and also which field of design you would like to specialise in.
Dear Sir,
I have recently cleared PUC I and wish to pursue my career in the field of Economics and join Reserve Bank of India (RBI). What should I opt after PUC II?
A student
Dear Student,
Many reputed universities all over India offer degree and post graduate courses in Economics. Some of the reputed ones offering higher education are: Institute of Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru; Delhi School of Economics; Indira Gandhi Institute of Developmental Research, Mumbai; Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune; Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi; Presidency University, Kolkata; South Asian University, Delhi. BITs Pilani has an integrated MSc. Basic degree courses (BA/BSc) in Economics are offered by many reputed universities such as Bangalore University, Christ University and Jain University. Apart from these colleges, you can aslo take a look at Indian School of Business and Finance, Bengaluru (www.isbf.edu); Symbiosis School of Economics, Pune (www.sse.ac.in & www.set-test.org); Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Puttaparthi (www.sssihl.edu.in) and NMIMS University, Mumbai (www.nmims.edu). Selection in RBI is based on their own test and interview process, and there are many more organisations that recruit economists.
Dear Sir,
I am a B Com final year student from Chitradurga. I am an average student in studies but my dreams are bigger. I like to do my MBA in IIM. Could you please shed light on the courses and colleges available?
Raji Nayak
Dear Raji,
It is good to have big dreams as you will then put in greater and more persistent efforts. At this stage, get a wider exposure to the world of work and to general knowledge by all possible ways. Brush up your language and presentation skills, your ability to be assertive and face interviews. When you complete your BCom, try and get a job in a middle-level company, where you have an opportunity to work in different departments and get hands-on experience.
After having put in at least 1 or 2 years of varied job experience, preferably in a bigger city, start preparing for the CAT (Common Aptitude Test) exam, for which you need any graduation with minimum 50% marks. It is generally held in November every year. Details are available on www.iimcat.ac.in, www.iimb.ernet.in. Be aware that it takes rigorous study, since there are little more than 3,000 seats in all the IIMs put together and more than 2 lakh candidates apply.
Dear Sir,
I have just completed PUC II. I am highly interested in Physics and score well too. I aspire to get into teaching, but I am confused about what course I should pick up now: Engineering or pure Science. What would you suggest?
Shreyank K
Dear Shreyank,
It depends entirely on your aptitude and interest as both fields now have very challenging and rewarding career opportunities. If you are the type of person who can focus steadily for hours, do continuous and sometimes repetitive work, have a curious mind to learn and explore beyond the textbooks, and would enjoy a lifestyle working within closed doors of labs without much of people-interaction, then you can aim for pure Science. The most reputed institutions for pure sciences are IISc, IISERs and NISERs, and of course the IITs, NITs, BITs etc.
If on the other hand, you like working with people, are an applications-oriented person, enjoy variety, can take decisions and implement them quickly, then a career in Engineering and technology would suit you most, and you can start off with a basic Engineering degree. Also, even after an Engineering degree you can opt for specialisation in Sciences through higher studies.