Think carefully before you choose

Dear sir,

I have an engineering degree in Industrial & Production from Visveswaraya Technological University, Karnataka. My aggregate is 60 per cent. I have worked as a service supervisor at India Garage, Mysore for two years. I want to join the automotive industry (R & D or services). I am planning to do MTech in Automotive Technology. Have I made the right choice? Should I pursue a Post Diploma (not Postgraduate Diploma) at Annamalai University, which is a two-year, correspondence course?
Ajay

Dear Ajay,
Vellore Institute of Technology is a reputed university and you can join their programme if you are satisfied with the syllabus. Since you have two years of work experience, this is the right time to do an MTech and enhance your qualifications.A post-diploma course is for those who do not have a degree but a diploma. A correspondence course is good for someone who is fully occupied at work and cannot attend regular classes. If you can take off two years, it is better that you do a full-time programme.

Dear Sir,
My son has completed engineering (ECE) this year and has been offered a job offer at Robert Bosch as an associate software engineer with a three-year bond. He wants to pursue an MS in the same line after work. Can he study MS through a distance learning programme?
D Vasavan

Dear Vasavan,
MS through distance learning is not available in India but if your son does not have long work hours and has time to study, he can join an evening college for an Master’s course. It will be ideal if he completes the bond and then prepares to pursue a Master’s degree in a reputed institution like IIT, IISc  or abroad. In these three years, he will be able to narrow down on his area of specialisation as well.

Dear Sir,
I am currently in the fifth semester of an engineering degree in Electronics & Communication. My aggregate is 79 per cent. Should I work or study further? Would it be a good idea to pursue a PhD? What should I do?
Anusha

Dear Anusha,
By now you should have decided whether you want to pursue a career in a core technology subject or management studies. Once you make up your mind, you can start narrowing down your options. You can pursue a PhD only after completing a Master’s programme. If you are not able to decide upon your area of specialisation, I suggest you work for a year to think it over.  But if you have, now is the time to start preparing systematically.

Dear Sir,
I am in Class 10. I want to become a Chartered Accountant. I want to take up commerce at the PUC level. What are the subjects to be included? Which subjects should I focus on?
Jyothi F

Dear Jyothi,
The best option would be a combination of maths, economics, business studies and accountancy (the last two are compulsory in PUC Commerce). As soon as you start I PUC, you will be eligible to register for the Common Proficiency Test (CPT), which is a preliminary exam for CA. You may prepare for CPT as soon as you finish PUC.  

Dear Sir,
I am a Class 10 student studying in a CBSE school in Bangalore. I am an average student and I want to pursue a degree in Hotel Management. Which are the top Hospitality Management institutes in India? Will I have to prepare for an entrance test for this?  
Aishwarya

Dear Aishwarya,
After Class 10, you can only do a certificate course in Hotel Management. You can take up courses in bakery, catering, housekeeping but jobs  will be at the supervisory level. It will be better if you complete Class 12 and then join a college for a degree or Diploma in Hotel Management. The more well-known colleges have their own entrance exams, while others emphasise on Class 12 scores.