Dear Sir,

I am doing my BCA now. I would like to get into the Air Force. How do I proceed further after completing my BCA? I have a good background with regards to my academics, but I had taken up Commerce as my subject in my first and second PUC. I would like to know about the available career opportunities.

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

The Indian Air Force has many openings other than pilots.  They recruit air traffic controllers, logistics officers, education and law officers, administrators, accounts officers, engineers, psychologists, etc. The entry into these specialised fields is after acquiring the requisite graduate level qualifications in the respective field, and then appearing for the entrance exams conducted by the UPSC. Visit any Air Force Recruiting Office in major cities and discuss personally there, or log on to the web-site.

Dear Sir,

I am a 24-year-old residing in Bangalore. I finished my SSLC in 1997 and I couldn't complete my PU because of some personal problems. Now I am working in an IT firm where I don't need much technical skill and I am into marketing there. I need to continue my studies either in the marketing side or the technical side though marketing skills help a lot for my work. Can you suggest what I should choose for my further studies? I heard there are institutions offering management courses like M.Com on age basis.

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Firstly, all recognised universities in India have stopped offering direct post-graduate degrees, so do not be misled by private coaching centres who promise you M.Com or any other PG degree on age basis.

However,  all those who are above 18 years can directly apply for a three year degree course through the open university system by passing an entrance test.

Since you have experience in marketing and feel that acquiring further qualifications will enhance your career, you may enroll for a BBA.  Most open universities are in the process of announcing admissions right now.  After your BBA you can either take up MBA or a specialised PG course in marketing and allied fields.

Dear Sir,

I have just completed SSLC with a good rank. And I chose Biology instead of Computer Science for PUC because I have a good knowledge about computers. I want to be a Software  Engineer. Can I become one without taking Computer Science ? What is the different between the IT and IIT ?

Narsinha

Dear Narsinha,

You can definitely become a software engineer, or an engineer in any stream if you study Physics, Chemistry and Maths at your +2 level. The fourth subject i.e. biology, electronics, computers, etc becomes redundant.

Also, the computer science taught to you at the +2 level may give you a slightly extra knowledge, but it is also likely to be outdated by the time you finish your engineering. Be sure why you want to be a software engineer, what skills you have that will make you successful in this field, and then go ahead.

Dear Sir,

My daughter will begin her academic year of II PUC soon.  She has already enrolled for coaching classes and desires to do Dentistry.  I would like to know what should be her backup option if she does not get a dental seat. She is interested in science only.

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Since your daughter is interested specifically in science, she has done the right thing in choosing Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Home Science as her optionals for PUC.  Admission to Dentistry should not be very difficult if she is a fairly good student.

There has been a vast growth of dental colleges, and not too many applicants.  In fact this year in the first round of counselling for CET, a few dental seats remained vacant. Alternatively she may keep in mind the possibilities of choosing Nursing, Pharmacy, physiotherapy, speech and hearing, nutrition and dietetics, dialysis technology etc.