Know your strengths

Studying abroad

Dear Madam,
I am studying in Class XI and am interested in film-making. I would like to learn film-making abroad. Would you provide me with information about learning film-making abroad? I already have two scripts ready with me on which I have been working for the past one year.
Nakul M S

Dear Nakul,
Ask yourself some serious questions -Is your interest in film making for knowledge, hobby or full time career? If it is about career, then - What does it take to be a filmmaker? What do you know in film making? How do you prepare yourself? Creativity, desire, motivation, focus, sensitivity, self discipline, patience and determination are a few of the necessary attributes you must have to become involved in the art of film making. In addition, you must be a unique communicator. To begin, get yourself assessed by a professional in the field to find out your talent and aptitude.  If you have high aptitude, then get some hands-on experience/ internships, back it up with a short term course and then plunge into the industry with a good course in a reputed institution either in India or abroad (see websites http://www.bestindiaedu.com/career-courses/film-making.html, http://filmschools.4filmmaking.com/film-making-courses.html, http://www.goabroad.com/study-abroad/search/filmmaking/study-abroad-1, etc).
Best Wishes

Dear Madam,
I am 33 year old and have finished BA (regular) and MBA (HRM) as correspondence course from Annamallai University. My passion is to become a good HR person. I want to do a PhD in HRM. Could you suggest me some foreign and Indian universities offering PhD in HRM as correspondence? Will corporate companies hire PhD candidates? Is it good to do a PhD in HRM and will MBA (HRM) as correspondence help me to do a PhD?
Achala Prasad

Dear Achala,
Prerequisite to most PhD enrollment is to hold a Masters degree which you already possess. You need to be clear about the reasons enthusing you to do a PhD. If it makes sense to you in terms of significance, learning, career enhancement etc, then you are on the right track. A PhD degree will get you respectability and value in academic or research sector, but not necessarily in the corporate world.
Portals http://education-portal.com/universities_offering_phd_distance_education.html and http://www.uniguru.co.in/studyabroad/phd/study-university-courses/human-resources-management-courses/distance-online/i/aj./all/1/programs.html (for foreign studies) and Adhyapak.com: Distance Education - PhD Courses, Distance Learning Colleges in India for PhD | Study places will help you identify PhD through distance mode. You need to check out the authenticity of the university chosen to study by looking at the accreditation of the university.
Good luck

Dear Madam,
I am a student of final year engineering in Electrical and Electronics stream. I am interested in film making and would like to go to NYU, but the admission there requires a sample of our work and I do not know how or what to do for that. My peers are opting mostly for GATE, GRE and exams like that or for a job. But I am not interested in either. Practically thinking these two are the better options and I am torn in between the two. I do not know if my parents will approve of it either. Please tell me what to do and if there are any other film institutes in India which offer film making course.
A student
 
Dear Student,
First of all convince yourself with choice of career path – hard core technical/people related / creative, by following your strengths  and then matching  with your  interest and passion. Being fully aware of family background and feasibility try to convince your parents about the career growth and prospects and how you are going to be successful.
If you opt for film making as career, there is no doubt about NYU as a distinguished university in that field. As you have found out, a creative portfolio is a prerequisite in NYU and most other reputed institutions. There are a few good film making institutes in India too, which can help you realise your ambition.  To name a  few: Film and Television Institute of India - Pune,  Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute - Kolkata, Whistling Woods International - Mumbai, Center for Research in Art of Film and Television - Delhi, Asian Academy of Film and Television - Noida, etc. Website http://www.infinitecourses.com/Top-Film-Institutes-In-India.aspx will list some good film institutes. The relevant websites will also give you information about admission criteria.
Best Wishes

Dear Madam,
I am a 3rd year Engineering student. My discipline is E&C. I want to pursue masters in the field of Telecommunication in UK. So, I checked the websites of different universities of UK offering this course and found that the eligibility to take admission is either by TOEFL, GRE or IELTS. But they also say that admission can be done for those students whose score in  language English is above 70 in Class XII, of which my score is 78 (Karnataka state board not CBSE). My CGPA till date is 8.5 out of 10. So, I would like to ask you whether I am eligible for admissions in UK. Do universities in UK adopt these types of procedures?
A confused student

Dear student,
Each course and school In UK has different admission criteria. Colleges and universities will look at your qualifications to see if you meet those standards, but they will also be looking at your overall suitability for the course. English language proficiency is very important for you to study in UK. If English is not your first language, you will be required to successfully complete one of the following - An English preparatory program/TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)/ IELTS (International English Language Testing System)/ English language GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) grade C or above, etc. As you have thought now is the time for you to make best out of remaining one year and work methodically towards your dream and long term goal after knowing your strengths or aptitude.
Best Wishes

Dear Madam,
I am doing my final year in BE (Electrical & Electronics) currently in 7th sem, in Bangalore. I am planning to pursue my MS in USA, I couldn’t write my GRE for fall intake, so I am planning to get into spring intake. Could you please help me selecting my dates for GRE for spring intake? Please provide me the pros of spring intake in US. I would also like you to suggest your opinions on my decision.
A student
 
Dear Student,
You have same chance and resources that every student will have who apply in fall semester, except that the intake is higher in fall. You need to check if the particular university is offering spring admission.
Spring classes begin in January. For most universities spring admission in US is in the previous August. Hence, by July you must have your GRE and TOEFL scores so that you can start short listing Universities and start applying.  Selecting dates for GRE and TOEFL should purely depend on your preparation. Website www.ets.org/gre will help you to have more details on test and test dates.


Dr Malini works as a career counsellor and has a PhD in Human Development.
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