Dear Sir,
I am 27 years old and have completed my MBBS, but I am not interested in this field. I want to do something in literature, perhaps take up writing. But I am confused on how to go about it after spending so many years in medicine. Please guide me. Also could you  mention universities in India and abroad which offer specialised courses in genetics?
Rachana

Dear Rachana,
You have completed your MBBS, and this professional course will be an asset regardless of what career you take up. Many qualified doctors are opting beyond clinical practice. But ensure that you do not enter into something this time that you are not interested in. Writing and genetics are wide apart, and you need to ask yourself which is your real choice, and whether you have potential in it.  It is possible to combine two skills and make a unique career – for example if you would like to be a writer, author, journalist or mass communicator writing about medical issues, you will have an edge over other writers who come from languages background. You may either take up a correspondence course (e.g. IGNOU offers a one year course known as Creative Writing in English), or even enroll for a regular post-graduation in journalism or mass communication. Before that, try your hand out at writing, and send your written material for publication, you will get an idea on how good you are.

Dear Sir,
I have completed two years of physiotherapy course. Due to some unavoidable personal problems I could not continue further. Now I am married and left alone at home. I want to do something in life. Could you please guide me on how I can finish my studies? Are there any good courses which I can do through correspondence which would fetch me a job?
Priyanka Mehta

Dear Priyanka,
Firstly ask yourself whether you would like to go deeper into physiotherapy or related para-medical fields.  There are short-term certificate courses in physiotherapy with which you can sharpen your skills, or you can become an apprentice to a qualified professional. Other related fields could be medical transcription, lifestyle and health management, nutrition and dietetics.  If you ensure that you acquire skills in a field where you have the intrinsic talent, then you can have a good career.  There are correspondence courses available through Open Universities in most of these fields, but you will have to acquire practical experience before you can expect a well-paid job.

Dear Sir,
I will be taking my SSLC exams this March. I am interested in environmental engineering. Which stream should I select in PUC — PCMB or PCMS? What courses should I choose for my career? Which are the colleges in India for environmental studies? Is my choice of selecting environmental engineering good? What are the various specialisations in environmental studies? Is there a good scope for environmental engineering in India in the future? Are there any web sites regarding this matter? If yes please mention them. Please mention the web sites through which I can enhance my choice in career even  better in the stream of environmental studies.
Shenron

Dear Shenron,
Environmental engineering is slowly but surely picking up in India, and employment now is available beyond government departments, in NGO’s, large factories and townships, equipment manufacturing units, etc. Many universities in the country offer this branch of study.  It will be advisable for you to study Biology with PCM so that you have a deeper understanding of botany and zoology, which are part of the environment. Once you complete your +2, you will have to sit for your State’s engineering entrance exam (CET)

Dear Sir,
My daughter is doing II PUC (Commerce), after which she intends to pursue a Bachelor of Hotel Management course. What is the scope of this field for girls? Which are the good institutions in Bangalore offering the course?
J  George

Dear George,
Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM) is a four year professional course, offering a good future to both boys and girls, who have the aptitude of social skills, dexterity of the hand, ability to work irregular hours, and good managerial ability. The three major hotel chains viz. Taj, Oberoi and Welcomgroup run the most popular colleges of hotel management in Aurangabad, Delhi and Manipal respectively. The government owned Institute of Hotel Management has four branch colleges including one in Bangalore. Bangalore also has many other colleges, and admission will depend on the percentage your daughter scores in PUC and also through entrance exam.  Students with any optionals in PUC are eligible.

Dear Sir,
I am in my third year of engineering and I have taken up Electronics and Communication. Though I have decided on doing a job after my course and am trying to get into campus recruitment, I am not completely satisfied with the idea of getting into a software company.  I want to do work related to the field that I have taken up and feel interested in jobs that will let me interact with people. I also feel more interested in subjects related to the Communication field, like radio. I have still not come to a conclusion. I am trying to find out, if not the best, atleast the most satisfying job because I feel attracted towards the idea.
T                

Dear T,
It is commendable that you are willing to stay away from the beaten track, and pursue your own passion of the communications field.  You may explore and try to get a job in your own field, even if it pays less than what the IT companies may offer through campus recruitment. You may also consider the possibility of doing a Masters in Mass Communication or Media, which would be a good combination of two interests and give you a unique advantage over others. 

Dear Sir,
 
I'm sure my query would benefit many having similar career plans as me. I'm currently a final semester student of B.Com in Bangalore. My career plans after I finish B.Com next year, are, to work in a reputed firm in the finance industry for 3-5 years and then do an executive MBA from a good institute. I have already been placed in a Fortune500 Investment Banking Co. Now, along with my job, I would like to do a PG course through distance learning and also gain some professional course relevant to my field, like SAP or CFA(from CFAI). Could you please advise me on my career, as regards the module in SAP & the CFA program (not ICFAI) and the no. of years' experience that is good before an MBA, etc.
Thank you
Faraz

Gaining experience will certainly help you take 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 do not 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.