What are your plans for college, kids?

Dear Sir,

I am a B.Sc student writing my final semester exam this month. I am very interested in Journalism and want to take it up full-time. Will it be good for me if I shift from Science to Journalism at this stage? What are the possible post graduate combinations available in this field? Are there any institutions which offer this course through correspondence?

I will not be able to take it up as a full-time course as I will have to find work to support my family financially as soon as I complete my graduate degree.

Aspiring Student

Dear Aspiring Student,

You can certainly shift from Science to Journalism, and maybe even specialise in reporting on scientific issues if you wish.  Most good journalism courses are at the PG level, and science graduates are eligible to apply.  It would have been nice if you could at least spend a year doing a PG Diploma in Mass Communication full time, to give you hands-on experience.

The other alternative would be to take up a distance learning PG course from institutions such as Karnataka State Open University (www.ksoumysore.com) or Symbiosis (www.simc.edu), but you must back it up with work experience.

Try to land a job in a media or publishing firm, and start writing and sending articles to various publications as a freelancer.

Dear Sir,

I’ve completed my PUC II Karnataka State Board exams in the Science stream (PCMB). I  wish to pursue a BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics. I would like information on what the course entails, colleges that offer the course and scope. I would like to study in Bangalore.

Nishchita

Dear Nishchita,

This is a steadily-growing and meaningful field. As a nutritionist, you can find employment in hospitals, hostels, sports enterprises, hotels, old-age homes, food manufacturers, etc.  B.Sc in Nutrition is available in many colleges in Bangalore, including VHD Home Science (adjacent to Maharani’s), Mount Carmel, Institute of Hotel Management (ihmbangalore.kar.nic.in). Shorter courses are available in private institutes like VLCC (www.vlccinstitute.com).  There are good opportunities for specialisation at the post graduate level too, if you wish to go for higher studies in the field.

Dear Sir,

I have completed my PUC II in Commerce and I am confused about which course to pursue. I want to become an entrepreneur and I love doing practical things. Can you help me find a course or field that I am best suited for? I have considered pursuing a BBA-MBA (International Business) dual degree at Amity University. Is that a smart choice?

Student

Dear Student,

Entrepreneurship really cannot be taught.  It has to be in your blood, and you should have the instinct for it, “street-smartness” and an ability to handle people and money.  The best way to learn how to become a businessman is to gain experience in a small organisation where you get exposure to all the work and departments there.  However, a basic degree like BBM/BBA can lay a good foundation, and you can do it in any of the reputed colleges in your city, while sharpening your commercial acumen, exploring business ideas, and spending time in the practical world.

Dear Sir,

I just completed my Class 12 exams in Science. I have decided not to sit for CET. I am confused as to what to do next. My options are: become a nutritionist or study physiotherapy. Of the two, which one has more scope?

XYZ

Dear XYZ,

Just because you are not appearing for CET does not mean that your choices are  limited. Other than engineering and medicine, all other fields are open to you.  Think carefully before you take the plunge. For physiotherapy, you need to have strong kinesthetic (mind’s control over the body) skills, while for nutrition you should be more scientific oriented, be good in chemistry and have substantial exposure to good cooking.

Dear Sir,

I am a II PUC student (for the academic year 2012-13). I recently came to know that the Indian government has decided to launch an all India engineering entrance exam called ISEET. Is this true? If yes, what are the details of this test?

Karthik

Dear Karthik,

It is still in a fluid stage and we will have to wait for the final announcement from the government first. Whether it is definitely going through in 2013, is still unknown. Hence, I will not be able to provide you with the details on pattern, syllabus etc. 

As a PUC student, it will be useful if you can look up the portions of Science and Math covered in CBSE that is not being taught to you, and thus keep yourself updated in case an all-India exam is held.

Dear Sir,

I am studying in Class 11 under the CBSE Board (physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer). I got a 91.7 per cent aggregate in Class 10 (ICSE). I want to become an astronaut. Can you tell me what I must do to achieve my goal? What courses should I take? Which are the exams to write?

Ramya

Dear Ramya,

Becoming an astronaut is not a career choice. Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma was a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force when he was selected to go once into space, and then continued his career in the Air Force.  Aeronautical engineers and others working in NASA are selectively trained to undergo space flight, sometimes only once in their lifetime, sometimes repeatedly, but they all go back to their work after their space sojourn. You may explore getting into the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (www.iist.ac.in) through their ISAT entrance exam, become an expert in Aerospace, and then aspire to fly into space one day.

Dear Sir,

I have just completed my PUC II exams. I am an average student and I have a great desire to get into Animation as a professional, but my parents wish me to take up a stream of engineering full-time while pursuing animation on the side. Is it possible to do so?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Since you believe you are an average student, check out your aptitude towards engineering and note the rank you obtain in CET. You will have to rate your overall capacity to study hard for eight semesters to complete a degree in engineering. If you can do it, you will be at a great advantage getting into animation (or any other computer-related design field) with a strong technical background.

If you are a highly creative person who is not good at Math, Physics etc., with an exploratory mind, then you may take up a degree course in Visual Communication, which is offered by many institutions such as NICC or Jain University at Bangalore, Loyola College in Chennai, Symbiosis, DSK and MIT in Pune, etc. If you are just not able to decide between the two, then you can undergo an aptitude test to find out your strengths and skills. 

Dr Ali Khwaja is the chairman of Banjara Academy. Send your queries to ‘Studying in India’, Education, Deccan Herald, 75, M G Road, Bangalore- 560001 or email it to [e-mail]