Check if you have the right traits for your course

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Dear Sir,

I am 31 years old and am a postgraduate in biochemistry. I took a break for four years from 2017 and now I am thinking of getting into Project Management. I read and hear about it everywhere as a promising field of work. I am planning to take up a few short-term courses before pursuing this path. However, I am also a bit apprehensive as this is a completely new field. Can you please guide me through this

Srilakshmi

Dear Srilakshmi,

Being from biosciences will not be a disadvantage if you wish to get into project management. Do check out whether you have the right traits i.e. leadership, eye for detail, ability to multi-task, quick in picking up new issues and problem-solving – and then go ahead. To go higher in this field you will need either an MBA from a reputed institution or a certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) from PMI (details on pmi.org.in). Once you qualify, try to get into organisations that are working in life sciences, ecology, environment, or sustainable development, where you will have an edge. Any short-term course may give you an entry into the field but may not be enough to go up the ladder.

Dear Sir,

I am studying in Class 9 (CBSE). My ambition is to become a Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force. Which branch of science should I choose after Class 10?

Kuldeep

Dear Kuldeep,

You can join the Indian Air Force either by giving the exam for National Defence Academy after your 12th standard with Maths, Physics and Chemistry. Selection is very tough and you will have to take whichever branch of the military is allotted to you based on your merit rank. If you do not get selected, you can do your graduation in any field (for the flying branch you should be from the science or engineering stream) and then appear for the Combined Defence Services Exam or the AFCAT exam. All these are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (See websites www.upsc.gov.in, careerairforce.nic.in). You will join as a Flying Officer, and then get promoted to Flight Lieutenant, Squadron Leader and Wing Commander. These ranks are common whether you are a pilot, an admin officer or in any other branch of the Indian Air Force.

Dear Sir,

I love coding, electronics, computer science and physics. However, I had to take PCMB in PUC. But I want to pursue my favourite subjects in future. Will I be able to join ISRO with the current qualification?

A Student

Dear Student,

You can certainly get into aerospace, computer science or electronics engineering with your current subjects. You are eligible to appear for JEE and the state CET, through which depending on your ranking you will be allowed to join a specific college and can select the branch of your choice. ISRO has promoted the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (iist.ac.in) offering courses in Aerospace Engineering. Admission is through JEE-Advanced. If you qualify from that institute you are likely to get absorbed in ISRO. Having studied biology will not be a disadvantage in any way.