Dear Sir,
I am a BCA graduate. As I couldn’t get a job in the IT sector, I changed my field and pursued BEd. Currently, I am working as a computer teacher in a school and wish to take up a master’s degree. But I don’t know what field to choose. Can you help me out?
Loreen
Dear Loreen,
It is never advisable to change fields only because you do not get a job immediately. However, now that you have exposure to both the computer applications and education field, do evaluate calmly what type of career and lifestyle will suit you in the long run. Job opportunities will come in any field you choose, if you are good in your work and are determined to learn on the job by starting at entry level and progressing steadily. Do not take up a master’s degree till you decide what your long-term goals are, and once you select something you are passionate about, don’t get disappointed if you do not get a good job immediately. Be ready to even work as an intern or volunteer till you find the right opening.
Dear Sir,
I am currently in the fourth semester of mechanical engineering. I aspire to work in the field of aerospace. Is it possible to take up my higher studies in this field? Also, if I am choosing MS as an option, which college or country do I choose? Could you shed light on some good institutes, the duration of the courses and their scope? What kind of exams should I undertake?
Suhas
Dear Suhas,
It is heartening to see that you have narrowed down your area of interest and have the right aspiration to take up something you are passionate about. With this attitude you are likely to do well in your career. It is perfectly okay to take up higher studies in aerospace after a basic degree in mechanical engineering, since many mechanical engineers are needed in the aero sector. The most reputed institutions in India for MTech are the IITs, NITs, IISc, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology etc. You will have to appear for GATE when you come to final year. It is normally held from January 30 to February 7 and the last date to apply is usually October 1 of the previous year. Your scores are valid for three years. You can get more details on www.gate.iisc.ernet.in/.
Dear Sir,
My daughter will be completing Class 10 (CBSE) shortly. Although she does well in most of the subjects, she is weak in Mathematics. She is good in English and connects well with people and hence, wishes to pursue Arts. Could you enlighten us about the stream and its scope?
Ajith
Dear Ajith,
It is commendable that as a parent, you have a broad mind and are willing to explore what future path would be most suitable to your daughter based on her interests and skills. It is also commendable that she has identified her talent and is willing to go away from the beaten track to study Arts. In the past decade, arts has opened bright avenues that did not exist earlier. As a people-oriented person who is good in English, she can consider continuing in CBSE +2 with available Arts subjects and then selecting from various streams like mass communication, law, corporate communication, documentation, advertising, teaching and training, HRM, counselling, data analytics, market research, social work, NGO management, corporate social responsibility and civil services. If she can’t decide by the time she completes Class 12, she can opt for a degree course in liberal arts in a reputed all-India level institute and then decide on her specialisation. Ask her to prepare for entrance exams in advance when she comes to Class 12.
Dear Sir,
I am currently studying in Class 11 and wish to pursue Genetics and get into research field. But I couldn’t qualify in Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY) exam and I have only two attempts left. Other than Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, are there any colleges that are good for studies in Genetics in India? What are its career prospects? My family wants me to do Medicine. Can I still get into research after doing my MBBS?
Nidhi
Dear Nidhi,
Do try for the KVPY exam again, so that you can qualify and seek admission not only in IISc, but also in one of the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) or National Institutes of Science Education and Research (NISERs). Good courses are also being offered now by Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS Pilani), Sri Ramaswamy Memorial University (SRM University). The other option of doing MBBS first can also be considered. Take your decision based on whether you are purely a focused and hardcore research person or whether you would like to be in the field of Science applications, in which case a foundation through MBBS would be better.
Genetics will continue to grow steadily, but it is not one of the lucrative fields. You will need to be patient, consistent and after establishing your credibility, you can make a very rewarding career in research, teaching, product development, quality control, medical analytics, applied pharmacy, DNA testing, forensic and many other allied fields.