A random survey among college students would reveal startling aimlessness. A vast majority are blissfully unaware of what they want to be in life. They just drift like a rudderless boat. It is like boarding any train at a junction not knowing one’s destination. Precious time, youth and money are drained.

As one crosses the middle-school stage, one has to be at least dimly aware of the direction of life. A good many grope in the dark. In subtle ways teachers of all subjects could shed some light upon the vocational avenues of school disciplines. These are days of specialisation. Generalised education does not lead anywhere.

Are parents in a position to guide their wards? Only a few are wise in this regard. Quite unwittingly some do more harm than good. They are guided by societal expectations and monetary compensations rather than the student’s potential. By endeavouring to live up to the pious hopes and lofty expectations of parents, many a youngster would be in a quandary midstream.

Here is a profile of a goal-directed student: "Mr X was and above-average student at school. He had admiration for his teachers. They were not only proficient in the subjects that they taught, but were also humane and helpful. Evidently they enjoyed teaching. Soon after graduation, Mr X chose to join a college despite his parents suggestion that he would have brighter prospects in banking services.

But Mr X remained firm in his resolve to be a teacher. He did become a teacher. He never took his students for granted. Never did he to go his class unprepared. He was conscious of his responsibility of moulding and shaping the lives of his students. He had a sense of fulfilment. His earnings were moderate. But, he earned the goodwill of his pupils in abundant measure. He developed a bond with his students".

The foregoing description is a hypothetical case of a committed, conscientious teacher. An analysis would reveal the following characteristics:

(i) Goal-directed behaviour.

(ii) Emulation of models.

(iii) Sustained interest crystallised into a definite vocation.

(iv) A sense of fulfilment — job satisfaction.

(v) Realistic level of aspiration.

(vi) Self actualisation.

The goal an individual sets for oneself should be "attainable" and "meaningful". In this process one is guided by one’s "self-concept". It is an accurate, realistic perception of one’s potentialities as well as shortcomings. This awareness alone would help an individual with the true "self".

Such an individual would not be vacillating and enticed by the allurements of alternative goals. One would neither consider himself/herself lower or higher than his fellow humanbeings who have different goals. Upon attaining such a goal one tends to experience "fulfilment" and satisfaction. From the health point of view, such motivated individuals are likely to contribute to societal well-being.

Every individual has goals and he aspires to achieve this goal. In the course of achieving this goal he has some "expectations". The standard he wants to achieve in any task is described by psychologists as his "level of aspiration". It is closely related to "self-esteem".

Motivation and aspiration affect each other in their actual functioning. The young child has to be guided and helped in the process of setting a level of aspiration appropriate for him. Setting too high a goal beyond the potential abilities of an individual will have disturbing effects, providing a sense of frustration, which may completely disorganise the energy system.

Such experiences bring in negative reactions like feelings of inferiority or aggression.

A Computer Aided Design (CAD) is the tool support for designing aimed at specific applications in architecture, engineering, fashion, textile and accessory design, carpet design, automobiles, etc. Instead of making complex diagrams, designs, drawings, patterns and models painstakingly by hand, knowledge of CAD enables speedy and accurate execution of designing on computer with the help of specific packages specially designed for the purpose. It is ideal for those who have done mechanical engineering or architecture.

Before you even think of selecting the right institute, it is vital that you decide which industry you would like to join. Learning CAD without sufficient knowledge of a particular field of design is exactly like putting the cart before the horse. For instance, you must be sufficiently familiar with the fundamentals of engineering drawing, architectural draftsmanship or fashion designing to be able to use CAD as a designing tool. By itself it would serve little purpose. You will just end-up spending a whole lot of time and money and end up only as a CAD operator.

A Speech therapists diagnose and treat persons with speech, voice and fluency disorders while audiologists treat those with hearing and related disorders. Presently, there are very few speech therapists or audiologists in India while the requirement for these specialists far exceeds the supply. This means that there is excellent scope for those venturing into this field. Specialisation in Audiology & Speech Therapy is offered at the following institutions:

Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped (Univ of Mumbai), Bandra (W), Mumbai 400050 (BSc)

All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029 (BSc)

All India Institute of Speech & Hearing (Univ of Mysore), Mysore 570006 (BSc, MSc, PhD)

Institute of Health Sciences (Rajiv Gandhi Univ of Health Sciences), AB Shetty Circle, Mangalore 575001 (BSc, MSc)

Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Sector 12, Chandigarh 160012 (BSc - 3 yrs)

Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Porur, Chennai 600016.

Topiwala National Medical College (Maharashtra Univ of Health Sciences), Dr A L Nair Road, Mumbai 400008.

University of Mumbai, MG Road, Fort, Mumbai 400032 (BSc)

A physiotherapist has to undergo 3 years of study and six months of internship in a recognized institute or hospital. Some courses are now of 41/2 years duration. Employment opportunities are good, as almost all hospitals, government or private, require physiotherapists. Some institutes offering training in this field are:

Institute for the Physically Handicapped, New Delhi 110002 (2 yr diploma in Prosthetics & Orthopaedics Engineering)

National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, Kolkata 700090 (BSc in Physiotherapy)

National Institute for Rehabilitation Training & Research, Cuttack 754010 (BSc in Physiotherapy)

All India Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Mumbai 400034 (BSc in Prosthetics & Orthopaedics)

For most of these courses the eligibility requirement is 10+2 in Sciences with Biology and a minimum of 50% marks. There is a written entrance test for admission to most institutes. The courses are generally 3 years long followed by an internship period of about 6 months.

Before applying for admission to any institution, do ensure that it is recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).

Fortnightly Quiz-129

1. In which year was Maharaja Ranjit Singh coronated?

— Tarun Sharma

Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar Univ of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Solan 173230 (HP).

May 21 (1) (a) BSc Horticulture (4 yrs) (b) BSc Forestry (5 yrs)

Jun 25 (2) MBA Agribusiness

Jul 7 (3) Master's Program :

Horticulture: Biotech, Entomology & Apiculture, Floriculture & Landscaping, Fruit Breeding & Genetic Resources, Mycology & Plant Pathology, Pomology, Postharvest Tech, Veg Crops

Forestry: Agri Eco, Agri Stat, Agroforestry, Forest Products, Microbiol, Silviculture, Soil Sc & Water Mgt, Tree Improvement & Genetic Resources.

Elig:

For (1) (a): 10+2 or equiv with eng, phy, chem & bio/maths agri (50% agg).

(b): 10+2 with Eng and vocational course in horticulture/food preservation & food processing (50% agg).

For (2): All Graduates II div (55% agg).

For (3): BSc Forestry/Horticulture/Agriculture (55% agg). Graduates in Animal Husbandry/Economics also eligible for Agro Forestry & Agri Eco.

Appln F: Send DD for Rs. 200/- ( Rs. 500/- for MBA), payable at State Bank of Patiala, Nauni (Code 279)/U.Co Bank, Nauni (Code 969) favouring "Comptroller" at above address.

Apr 30 Madurai Kamaraj Univ, D/o Distance Educn, Univ Bldgs, Palkalainagar, Madurai 625021.

E-mail: ddemku@md3.vsnl.net.in

1) IT

MCA (3 yrs), MCA (Lateral Entry, Direct 2nd yr) BCA(Regular/Open, 3 yrs), PGDCA (1-yr), PG Dip in E-Comm, Dip in Info Tech (1-yr)

2) Professional Courses:

MBA (3 yrs); MBM (2 yrs); MLM (2 yrs); MTM (2 yrs); MA (Advt & PR; Journalism & Masscom, 2 yrs); MLISc (1-yr); BLISc (1-yr); BGL (2 yrs)

3) Regular Courses (3 yrs):

BA (Hist; Eco; Pol Sc; Social Sc; Eng/Tam Lit); BSc (Maths); BCom; BBA

4) PG Courses (2 yrs):

MA (Hist; Eco; Pol Sc; Public Admin; Eng/Tam Lit; Gandhian Thought; Philosophy & Relig; Sociology); MSc (Maths); MCom.

5) MPhil Courses (2 yrs):

Tamil; Eng; Hist; Eco; Comm; Pol Sc; Public Admin; Labour Studies; Enterepreneurship; Educn; Maths; Gandhian Thought; Sociology

6) Open University System (Under Age Rule):

(a) Introductory Course (above 14 yrs)

(b) Pre-Foundation Course

(c) Degree Courses (3 yrs)

BA (Hist; Eco; Pol Sc; Social Sc; Eng/Tam Lit); BSc (Maths); BCom; BBA; BCA.

(d) PG Courses (2 yrs):

MA (Hist; Eco; Pol Sc; Public Admin; Eng/Tam Lit; Gandhian Thought; Philosophy & Relig; Sociol; Labour Mgt); MCom

7) PG Dip (1-yr)

Mgmt, Journ & Mass Comm, Mktg Mgt.(Personnel Mgmt & Industrial Rel,

2 yrs)

8) Diploma (1-yr): Labour Law & Admn Law; Astrology; Saiva Siddhantha

9) Certificate Course (3 mth): Lib Sc.

Appln Form: Send DD For Rs. 280/- (for MBA, MCA & DLP), Rs. 130/- for MPhil & BCA, Rs. 80/- (for rest), favouring "Program Officer" to the above address

Jun 15 Indira Gandhi National Open Univ, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068.

Certificate in Rural Surgery (CRS) (1-yr)

Elig: MBBS with PG degree/Dip or equiv in General Surgery, Orthopaedics or Obstetrics & Gynaecol

Appln F: Send DD for Rs. 80/- favouring "IGNOU, New Delhi" at above address. At counter Rs. 30/- (cash).

May 15 National Law Univ, 92, Polo-First, Paota, Jodhpur 342001, Rajasthan.

(i) BA LLB/BSc LLB/BBA LLB (5 yrs)

(ii) Master's degree program on Governance (4 sem)

(iii) BBA LLM/MBA MBL

(iv) PhD

Elig: For (i): 10+2 (50% agg). For (ii): All Graduates. For (iii) LLB for MBA LLM any bachelor degree for MBA MBL.

Appln F: Send DD for Rs. 500/- favouring "National Law Univ, Jodhpur" to the admission office at above address.

May 28 Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (INSDOC) ETTG, 14, Satsang Vihar Marg, New Delhi-110067.

Website: www.insdoc.org

Associateship (2-yrs):

Lib & Info Sc

Elig: PG in any subject with IInd div. BE or MBBS/Bachelor's degree II Div plus BLib Sc with 1-yr relevant work exp.

Test: Jun 14 and interview mid July at Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata & Mumbai.

Appln F: Send DD for Rs. 100/- favouring "Director, INSDOC" payable at New Delhi along with self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 15/-) envelope (25 x 20 cm) ti the above address.

Jun 14 K. J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research, Vidyanagar, Vidyavihar, Mumbai 400077.

Website: www.simsr.com

PG International Business (2-yrs)

Elig: Any Graduate (50% Agg.)

Test: Jun 16 at Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkatta, Bangalore.

Appln F: Send DD for Rs. 850/- favouring "Director, K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research" at the above address. At counter Rs.800/- cash.

May 26 Rajasthan Management Admission Test (RMAT) 2001,

Faculty of Management Studies, Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur (Raj).

Website: www.rmat.org

MBA (2-yrs):

Elig: Graduation (50% Agg.)

Test: Jun 10 at 15 centres including Delhi, Chandigarh, Kolkata & Mumbai.

Appln F: Send DD for Rs. 680/- (DD Rs.650/- at counter) favouring "Coordinator RMAT" payable at Udaipur, Rajasthan.

May 25 National Instt. of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) (Deemed University), P.B. No. 2900, Hosur Road, Bangalore 560029.

(A) (i) Dip in Psychiatric Nursing (DPN) (1 yr)

(ii) Dip in Neurological & Neurosurgical Nursing (DDN) (1 yr)

(B) Diploma in Clinical Neurophysiology Tech (DCNT) (1 yr)

(C) Certificate Course in Neuroimaging & Tech (1 yr)

Elig:

For (A): 'A' grade certif in Gen Nursing, regd with State Nursing Council with 2 yrs work exp.

For (B): BSc with phy/electron/comp Sc (II Div) or Dip in Electron/Elect/Instrum or Dip in Comp or PUC with 3 yrs work exp as EEG Technician

For (C): Dip in Radiographic Tech from Vocational Board of Govt. of Karnataka or equiv or Bachelor's in Radiation Tech or equiv.

Appln F: Send DD for Rs. 100/- favouring "The Director, NIMHANS, Bangalore" with self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 20/-) envelope (26 x 10cm), to the Director at above address.

CARING (Career Information & Guidance), New Delhi