'Specialise in areas that you like'

Dear Sir,

I am a software engineer with 2.5 years experience. I have a BE degree in EC from VTU. I want to do MBA or MS (Consultancy Management) through correspondence. I have listed out colleges like BITS, SMU but as I will be travelling outside India on business trips yearly I fear it will affect my course and exams. Can you please suggest some good colleges/universities which offer correspondence MBA/MS (Consultancy Management) with online exam facility?

Also, how valuable is a correspondence MBA in the market?

Karthik

Dear Karthik,

If you have a good job that is giving you professional experience, and growth in your career, then a distance learning MBA programme from any good institution definitely carries weight. 

Generally, most such institutions offer flexibility in appearing for the exams, so narrow down your choice based on which one you feel is most suitable to you, and offers the subjects of your first choice.  Then discuss with them your business trips pattern, which at the most will slightly delay your completion of the course.

Dear Sir,

I have a diploma degree in polymer technology and am working in a private firm for the past three years. I am doing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration through distance education from Sikkim Manipal University. I want to pursue MBA but I am unable to decide which spécialisation to opt for. Please help.

Preetham

Dear Preetham,

Since you are completing BBA you would by now have an overview of different specialisations. Aim to get into a good college for your MBA, and then you will have time to select what you would like to specialise in. Decide based on what you are good at and will enjoy, rather than what field has more “scope”.

Dear Sir,

I am a 1st year B.Com student and am interested in becoming a Company Secretary. What should I do?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

You could have enrolled when you were in PUC itself, but it is still not too late. You have to enroll for and pass the Foundation exam conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (www.icsi.org). The local branch in Bangalore is at 3rd floor, Rear block, Sheriff Chambers, Cunningham Rd).  If you pass in the first attempt, you know that you have an aptitude for it, and then you can proceed to the Intermediate and final exams that will make you a qualified Company Secretary, who takes care of the legal, statutory and administrative aspects of large companies.

Dear Sir,

I am doing my 4th sem BE, Information Science stream. I want to know which of the two options is better, doing MS abroad or doing M.Tech in IISc or the IITs. I basically like R&D.
One aspect that hinders me to do MS abroad is its cost. And I don’t have any plans of settling abroad as such. However I am open to jobs that require me to work abroad, but no question of settling there.

GVA

Dear GVA,

Since you are not interested in settling abroad, and also do not wish to get into high expenses, an M.Tech from prestigious all-India institutions would serve your purpose of getting into Research and Development.  Later you may get opportunities to do short stints abroad and further broaden your horizons.

Prepare well and in advance for the GATE exam which is held in January/February every year, and to which you are eligible when you come to the final year of engineering.

The counsellor is the Chairman of Banjara Academy. E-mail your queries to dheducation@deccanherald.co.in or write to us at DH Education, Deccan Herald, No. 75, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bangalore- 560001.