Plan your higher studies

Dear Sir,
I have completed my Class 12 this year from National Institute of Open Schooling. But I am confused about further studies. I secured admission in a pharmacy college, but I am not sure whether that is the right course for me. I actually wanted to get into medical and have written NEET and JIPMER, but I am not sure if I’ll get through. My second option is either BSc Biotechnology or allied health sciences. I am also planning to take one year of medical coaching while doing one of these courses. At the same time, I am confused whether my interest is in medical or research. Please help me
decide.
Anusha P

Dear Anusha,
It is nice that you are exploring careers in healthcare, as it will give you immense satisfaction later in life. If you do get into MBBS, it will be a big step forward. Check out whether you are happier working by yourself, can focus for long hours, are a voracious reader, have patience and resilience towards delayed results, and if you have a passion for doing something meaningful for society in the long run. Then you may opt for research. However, if you are a people-person, enjoy interactions, have the ability to analyse results of your actions, a fairly good short-term memory, and ability to handle difficult interpersonal situation, then you can go for one of the paramedical fields such as dialysis, speech pathology & audiology, operation theatre technology, etc. Career prospects are fairly good in both areas, provided you select the field based on your interest and aptitude.

Dear Sir,
I am a BBM graduate willing to pursue MA in Economics. I want to know the scope for that subject and the best colleges available in India as well as abroad.
A student

Dear Student,
It will be better if you first set your long-term goals, what career and what lifestyle you would like to pursue and be happy in. This can be done by detailed self-introspection, or through aptitude testing and assessment. Once you know what field you are going to pursue, then you can decide the course, MA or any other, that will take you towards that goal. Economics is a limited but very challenging field for those who are passionate about it. You look beyond the business of an individual organisation, to understanding how money evolves, societies survive or prosper, and what planning needs to be done to balance supply and demand, etc. It has uses in international trade, econometrics, budgeting, gender studies, administration, public bodies etc. Though an average economist may not get as high a salary as a technocrat, in the long run it can be a very rewarding career. Some of the reputed institutions for Economics are ISEC Bangalore, Delhi School of Economics, Indira Gandhi Institute of Developmental Research Mumbai, Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics Pune, JNU Delhi, Presidency University Kolkata and BITs Pilani.

Dear Sir,
My son (of 19 years) completed his Diploma in Computer Science in the second attempt with 58% marks in May 2016. In July 2016, he wrote CET (Common Entrance Test) to get admission to third semester in BE (Computer Science) but cleared with 16000 ranking. Then he tried for BCA, but since he did not complete the diploma in the first attempt, he failed to get there too. Now I want the possible options for his further studies (if not BCA, what next) or computer courses that will open fair chances for his career. We are staying in a talukhead quarter 150 km away from Bengaluru. Please Help.
Tanuja

Dear Tanuja,
I can understand your deep concern for your son’s future. It appears that he is not very academically inclined, hence it may be better to get him into the practical world of computer science and give him an opportunity to learn on the job.  With his Diploma he will be able to get an entry level job (in the worst case he can even take up an unpaid internship) in a small company in the field of computers. Then, after identifying his strengths, he can take up short-term part-time courses. There is a wide range to choose from: design and animation, desktop publishing, financial accounting, software testing, SAP, to name a few. It may take some time before he starts earning well, but it will ensure that he has the necessary skills to do well in the long run.

Dear Sir,
I’m a second year BBA student. I would like to know if two years of preparation is better or one year of preparation is sufficient for CAT and GRE exams. Also, suggest some good coaching centres in Bengaluru to prepare for these exams.
A student

Dear Student,
CAT is an exam to get you a seat in the management colleges in India, and GRE is an exam to study postgraduation in the professional field abroad. Also, note that most good universities in countries like USA ask for a four year degree for admission in post-graduation. Hence, you are looking at completely different careers through these two exams. It will be better if you decide what your long-term goals are, and plan your higher studies accordingly. For example, it may not be advisable to attempt CAT and try for an MBA immediately after BBA, because you may not get into a reputed college, and your learning also will be limited. MBA is advised for you only after you gain work experience and have been able to narrow down your domain specialisation.

Dear Sir,
I just completed  Class 10. I love English. I am interested in writing poetry. I have written many poems. I want to make my career in literature. I also want to write and direct advertisements. Hence, I want to take up Arts in PU. Many people are of the opinion that Arts is only taken by students who have low marks. They also say that there is no scope for Arts subjects and that one can’t earn much by taking Arts. What stream should I take? And if Arts, which subjects should I take in Arts?
A student

Dear Student,
Even if it was true earlier, it is definitely not true today that only those who get low marks should take up Arts. Career opportunities in Arts, Social Sciences, Administration, Design, Law etc have increased significantly, and if you have a passion for language and literature, it is advisable that you take up Arts so that you can focus on your interests right from now and start learning and building up your skills. At the PU level, you will have to take the most suitable combination of subjects being offered by the college you are applying at.  Give importance to selecting a good college even if you have to take up one or two subjects that are not your first choice.

Dear Sir,
I have written my second PUC exams (Commerce – SEBA), the result of which is awaited. I’m willing to do a professional course i.e., CA along with BCom. I have heard about three professions i.e. CA, CS and ICWA For these professions, Accountancy is the main base and I am good at it. Can you please guide me which is the most preferred/best profession among the CA, CS, and ICWA. and also its scope, procedure and time span to accomplish the said professions. Also, let me kindly know about the good institutions and coaching classes with regard to your suggestion.
Namratha

If you are good in accountancy and have the necessary skills of concentration, sequential thinking, mathematical intelligence etc, then you can give first preference to CA.  You could have enrolled for the Common Proficiency Test (CPT) as soon as you started your PUC, but you can still go ahead.  It is held twice a year.  On completion of CPT you can proceed for the next stage which is called IPCC, complete a mandatory computer course, do an article-ship (internship) with a CA firm, and then clear the Finals.  The process takes a minimum of three years. Company Secretary (CS) and Cost and Works Accountancy (ICWA) follow a very similar pattern of qualifying.  More details are available on (www.icai.org). Institute of Chartered Accountants in their various branches themselves offer coaching for students who wish to get deeper guidance.

Dr Ali Khwaja is the founder and chairman of Banjara Academy, Bengaluru.

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