Dear Sir,
I am a first-year engineering student from Bangalore and I have taken up Information Science as my course of study. Is there a short-term course or workshop I can enrol for, which will boost my CV and help me in my further endeavours related to my branch?
XYZ
Dear XYZ,
It’s nice that you have made an entry into a promising field of engineering. It will take some time before you can be sure what specialisation and what career you may like to pursue after your degree, hence it may be better if you sharpen your basic skills right now, depending on where you feel you are lacking. Check out your spoken and written English language proficiency, review your presentation skills, develop your personality and grooming, and keep updating your general knowledge. If necessary pick up some general computer applications that are useful regardless of what career you take up.
After completing 4-5 semesters you may start narrowing down on your career goals, and then you may supplement by specific part-time courses that will add to your employability and skills.
Dear Sir,
I recently completed PUC II with a score of 89 per cent. I have written the CET exam but I am not satisfied with my performance. I have decided to take up Dentistry. Is there scope for this line of study? I am told that B.Sc Biotech also has good scope. What is your opinion of Forensic Science?
Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Please do not get carried away by “scope” since it keeps varying and you will be working in your chosen field for at least 40-50 years. For example, currently there is a surplus of dentists and fresh graduates are finding it difficult to get jobs or to start a new practice. But those who chose dentistry because they have the right aptitude, the kinesthetic (mind to body) skills, are good in Biology and Chemistry, have physical stamina and can use their hands for intricate procedures, are still very successful. The same applies for Biotechnology, which again is seeing a surplus due to the mad rush of the last decade.
There are many alternatives in the medical and para-medical fields, such as physiotherapy, veterinary, nursing, pharmacy, speech audiology, optometry, radiography to name a few. Ensure that you select a course that suits you and your skills, and you will always enjoy your work and be successful in it.
Dear Sir,
My son had secured 95 per cent at the SSLC exam. He is interested in Math (99 marks) and Science (92 marks) and we have enrolled him for IIT coaching in Hyderabad. After PUC, which course do you suggest he pursue? After IIT, what can he specialise in? How many entrance tests should he be preparing for? Could you give me more information about IIT?
Sujatha
Dear Sujatha,
There are 15 Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT’s) spread all over the country, offering approximately 10,000 seats at the undergraduate level for B.Tech and other courses.
Lakhs of students aspire for these limited seats and the competition is very high. Once your son completes his PUC/Intermediate, he will have to take the entrance exam, which is likely to be revised in 2013 or latest by 2014. Depending on his merit rank he will be allowed to choose which IIT and which branch of engineering he will be admitted to. Similarly there are almost 40 excellent engineering colleges under the AIEEE exam, and a few hundred very good colleges in states like Karnataka, Andhra, etc. Let your son do his best and appear for the relevant entrance exams. If he is admitted under the merit quota and if your family has a limited income, he will be entitled to scholarships etc which should bring down his fees to very manageable levels. Everything depends on how well he performs in the entrance exams.
Dear Sir,
I am in the second semester of a Mechanical Engineering degree but I do not wish to become a Mechanical engineer. I want to prepare for one of the competitive civil service exams. How should I go about pursuing what I want? What is the aggregate percentage cut off for these exams?
Nithin
Dear Nithin,
Getting into the civil services like IAS or KAS requires you to have a degree in any field from a recognised Indian university. In fact, many engineers have lately been successful in cracking the UPSC or KSPSC entrance exams as the four-year BE course sharpens your analytical and logical skills and builds your confidence. Hence if you are doing fairly well in your BE, it is advisable that you continue with the course and simultaneously prepare for the competitive exams by enhancing your general knowledge and current affairs, and also improving your presentation and communication skills. Think of dropping out of your B.E degree only if you are finding it very difficult and are not able to clear the exams.
