ADMISSION DEADLINE

CAREER QUERIES HOTLINE

Q Is a newscaster same as a newsreader? How can I become one?

A A newscaster in TV is an anchor-cum-reporter. The job includes anchoring and reading the news/bulletins, assisting news editors in planning and preparing desk stories, news bulletins and news flashes, interviewing, reporting and covering news events. You may also be expected to conduct background research on the topic to be featured conceptualise and develop ideas on programming content.

A good university education preferably with a postgraduate degree/diploma in TV/Radio journalism and basic computer knowledge will get you going.

The ability to communicate well (both written and spoken) besides knowledge of and interest in national and international affairs is a must as is a keen, open and well-informed mind.

A well-modulated voice, screen presence, the ability to appear calm and confident even in a crisis (which could be anything from a wrong cue to forgotten lines or even a persistent fly that decides to soft-land on your nose) are the marks of a good newscaster.

It also helps to be alert, cautious and intelligent at all times. The ability to ad-lib and script your own announcements is another essentias for this job.

Be prepared, you’ll have to go through countless auditions, dummy runs and work bloody hard to get a foothold.

It may be a good idea to start out as a casual anchor/presenter on one of the channels or even as a Radio Jockey before landing a plum jobvv. Also try your hand at compering live shows to gain confidence.

And if you are witty, sharp, charming and in love with the camera, you can even go for the highly prized remunerative slot of a VJ (Video Jockey).

But let me warn you that it’s a highly competitive field and there aren’t too many openings currently.

Footwear industry

Q I have appeared for Class XII exam. I am keen on taking up a job in the footwear industry. Please tell me about the job prospects in this field.

Amrinder Sekhon

A The footwear industry has come a long way from the days of local cobblers. Today, manufacturing footwear has become a highly specialized affair that requires sophisticated machinery and technically skilled manpower.

There are primarily three segments in this industry: designing, manufacturing and marketing.

Designers handle the creative part of the job, which involves creating new styles and patterns of footwear.

Manufacturing involves everything from preparing the raw materials for use, to cutting, stitching and adding the finishing touches to footwear. It is a highly mechanized process handled by skilled technicians.

Marketing involves selling the various types of footwear shoes. This in turn, calls for knowledge of both the domestic as well as the international market.Qualifications:

The industry is open to science graduates and those with experience or training in management and supervision of footwear. Graduates with diplomas in footwear are usually taken on as designers.

At the postgraduate level, footwear science and engineering can be taken as a specialization.

With the Ministry of Commerce paying special attention to this sector, it is expected to grow by 20 to 30 per cent in the coming years.

The footwear industry is increasingly waking up to the need for qualified professionals.After completing your course you can either apply for a job with shoe houses or do projects with them. If you have the infrastructure and capital, then you could also open a small unit of your own and supply to retail stores.

The export industry is also picking up and is planning to reach 400 million pairs in the next five years!

Kulwinder Singh

A An automobile broadly comprises of the engine, chassis, gearbox, differential and suspension. Each of these and their components come in so many different specifications and designs that only a well trained automobile engineer can figure out the various permutations and combinations ideally suited for a particular kind of vehicle.

Those specialising in this branch of engineering are involved in the assembly, design, testing, servicing and even marketing aspects of the automobile industry that has been turbo-charged with the entry of international giants into the country.

The following institutions offer 4-year BE in Automobile Engineering:

Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai 600025 (TN)

Bharathiar University, Maruthamalai Road, Coimbatore 641046 (TN)

University of Mumbai, M G Road Fort, Mumbai 400032 (Mah)

Shivaji University, Kolhapur 413004 (Mah)

Visveswaraiah Technological University, KLE Hospital Campus, Nehrunagar, Belgaum 590010 (Kar)

A There are many career avenues in the computer networking industry. These include:

Network Administration: This involves configuration and management of LANs (Local Area Network) and WANs (Wide Area Networks). You will be responsible for analysis, installation and configuration of company network. Daily activities include monitoring, network performance, troubleshooting problems and maintaining network security.

Network Technicians: tend to focus more on the set up, troubleshooting, and repair of specific hardware and software products.

Service Technicians: As a service technician, you will have to travel to remote customer sites to perform "field" upgrades and support.

Network programmers and analysts write software programs or scripts that aid in evaluating third party products and integrating new software technologies into an existing or new network environment.

Managers supervise the work of administrators, engineers, technicians, and programmers. Network and Information Systems managers also focus on the longer-range planning and strategy considerations.

Security As important data travels through networks, it becomes important to make them secure. To excel in this field, you require knowledge of system programming, security configuration and system administration.

Cyber laws and legal aspects Demand for professionals in this area is also increasing gradually. But the important thing is that in order to understand cyberlaw, you need to be a lawyer first and then be cyber-literate

In fact there is a demand gap of 2.4 million networking professionals worldwide and 20,000 positions are open for such skills in Japan, Korea and China alone.

A The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is designed to help business graduate schools assess the qualifications and potential of the applicants for advanced study in business and management. You need to take GMAT if you are seeking admission to graduate (post-Bachelor’s) schools of management mainly in the USA.

GMAT scores are required by nearly 1,300 graduate management programmes throughout the world.

The GMAT measures general verbal ability, mathematical aptitude and analytical writing skills. It does not presuppose any specific knowledge of business or of other specific content areas.

GMAT CAT: The GMAT is a computer-adaptive test (CAT) that is available, year-round, at test centers in India and across the globe.

The GMAT CAT will include verbal, quantitative and analytical-writing questions that you will answer on a computer. You are assigned 75 minutes for 37 quantitative questions, 75 minutes for 41 verbal questions and 30 minutes for each of the two analytical-writing topics. It is a 4½-hour test with 30 minutes assigned for the typing tutorial.

Data Sufficiency and Problem Solving questions are mingled within the quantitative section while Sentence Correction, Reading Comprehension and Critical Reasoning questions find their place in the verbal section.

The verbal and quantitative sections of the GMAT CAT are computer-adaptive (to be answered on the computer screen). You will have to key in your essay responses to the two analytical-writing questions.

Computer Skills: Minimal computer skills are required to attempt the GMAT CAT. In any case, before beginning the test you’ll be given a 30-minute tutorial.

GMAT Scores: Upon completing the computer-adaptive GMAT, you can choose to see your scores at the test centre for the multiple-choice sections of the test. An official score report, including scores for the Analytical Writing Assessment, will be mailed to you and your designated institutions about two weeks after testing.

Fees: Test fees for the GMAT amounts to US$210.

Test Centres: In India, the test centres are located at Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Trivandrum.

Registration: You may register for the GMAT by phone, fax or mail. For India, the Regional Registration Centre is located at:

Sylvan Testing Services Pvt. Ltd., 1st Floor, Arcon Plaza 21, LSC, Pushpa Vihar, Madangir, New Delhi 110062. Phone: +91-11-699-0637. Fax: +91-11-699-7103.

Harish Katyal

A Industrial Microbiology has important applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries, in medicine and agriculture.

Industrial microbiologists work with micro-organisms or microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and their metabolism to produce such products as antibiotics, amino acids, citric acids, Vitamin C and alcoholic beverages. This technique finds wide application in food, dairy, alchohol and agro-based industries and those involving fermentation processes, Besides enhancing the value of natural foods it is used for developing artificial fibres with the help of enzymes and in manufacturing oils, paints and plastics .

Biotechnology (the control of biosynthesis through genetic engineering) is a development of industrial microbiology, and has made possible the production of new chemicals and drugs and special membranes used in micro-electronics.

The nature of work in the field of microbiology is essentially scientific and research-oriented.

With a postgraduation/doctoral qualification in microbiology, you can work in pharmaceutical companies, chemical industry, wine manufacturing and food industries as well as in research laboratories run by the government and corporate sector. Prospects of a career in this field are very bright.

Combining MBA with your degree in industrial microbiology will certainly be an asset as you can then pitch for a managerial-level job in any of the relevant industries.

A The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) provides fellowships to students qualifying for admission to the MTech Course in IIT, Kanpur or Mumbai.

Besides having a valid GATE score, you should be below 26 years of age and medically fit.

Selected candidates will get a monthly stipend of Rs. 8,000/- during the 2-year M-Tech course and will be absorbed as Scientific Officers-’C’ in a DAE unit upon completion of the course. Selection is through interview. For further details, log on to: www.barc.ernet.in or www.hrdbarc.gov.in.

Please send in your query preferably on a postcard along with your name, complete address and academic qualifications to: 
Editor, Career Hotline, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh.

ADMISSION DEADLINE

Jun 10 Central Airmen Selection Board, Post Box No-11807, New Delhi 110010

Website: www.careerairforce.nic.in

Elig: Unmarried Indian males pass in Class 10 (45%). Age: Born between 1 Jan ‘84 - 31 May ‘87.

Selectn: Written Test in Nov 2002 & Feb 2003 at 13 centres followed by Physical Fitness Test.

Appln F: See Employment News (11-17 May).

Jun 10 Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Rd, New Delhi 110011

Website: www.upsc.gov.in

Exam: 6 Oct 2002 at 39 centres.

Elig: Indian citizens pass in MBBS. Age: Below 32 yrs (on 1 Jan ‘02).

Appln F: Available at designated Pos/HPOs: Rs 20/- (cash).

Details: Employment News (11-17 May).

Jul 2 RL Institute of Nautical Sciences, TVR Nagar, Aruppukottai Rd, Madurai 625022 (TN)

Ph: (0452) 690615/690628

Website: www.rlinstitutes.com

Bachelor of Science (Marine Engg, 4-yr)

(In collab with BITS, Pilani)

Elig: Unmarried candidates pass in Class 12 (PCM, 60%) with 50% marks in English in class X/XII. Age: 17-20 yrs (DoB: 1 Aug ‘82-31 Jul ‘85).

Selectn: Interview (at Madurai), academic performances & other achievements.

Appln F: Send Rs 500/- by crossed DD favouring "RL Institute of Nautical Sciences" payable at Madurai to the above add or Ms Vijaya, Room No 204, INS Bldg, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001 or download from website.

Jun 28 Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Khandwa Rd, Indore 452017

MTech (Instru)

Elig: BE/BTech/MSc (Comp Sc/Electron/Instru/Chem Engg/Mech Engg). GATE score prefd

Selectn: Written Test (29 Jun) for Non-GATE candidates.

Appln F: Send Rs 200/- by DD favouring "Head, School of Instrumentation", with stamped

(Rs 29/-), self- add envelope (25 cm x 20 cm) to the Head, School of Instrumentation at the above add.

May 31 Directorate of Industries, Haryana, 30 Bays Building, Sector 17, Chandigarh

Dip in Handloom Tech (3-yr)

(for 5 cands from Haryana at IIHT, Jodhpur)

Elig: SSC/SSLC/HSLC (PCM & Eng) or Technical High School/Matriculation (Maths & Sc) or General SSC/SSLC/Ten years school, eligible for admission to 10+2 with Eng & Sc and Maths (60%) or equiv with Sc & Maths/Engg as optional with Eng & Sc and Maths (60%) in Matriculation. Age: 15-21 yrs (on 1 Jul).

Appln F: Available free of cost at the above add or from O/o GMs, DICs in each district.

Jun 15 Asia-Pacific Institute of Information Technology, P B No 66, Faridpur Rd, GT Karnal Rd, Panipat 132103

Ph: (01742) 620043/44

Website: www.apiitindia.org

BE (Hons, 4-yr): Computing/Software Engg/Internet/Multimedia

(from Staffordshire Univ of England)

Elig: 10+2 (PCM and Computer, 50%). Commerce students eligible for BE Computing only. Age: 17 yrs (on 1 Dec).

Selectn: National Admission Test (23 Jun) to be conducted by AIMA, Delhi at 18 centres.

Appln F: Send Rs. 600/- by DD favouring "APIIT SD India" payable at Panipat to the above add.

Jun 28 Food Craft Institute, Sector 42-D, Chandigarh

Ph: 609472/610037

1) Food Production (1½-yr)

2) Bakery & Confectionery (1½-yr)

3) Front Office Operations (1½-yr)

4) Food & Beverages Service (1½-yr)

5) House Keeping Operations (1½-yr)

(affl to NCHM)

Elig: 10+2. Age: Below 22 yrs.

Selectn: Written Test (30 Jun)-cum-interview-cum-merit in class 12.

Appln F: Send Rs 100/- by DD favouring "Food Craft Institute" payable at Chandigarh. Mention your name, add on counter foil.

Jun 21 PT. B. D. Sharma Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak

General Nursing & Midwifery (3-yr)

Elig: Unmarried/widow/divorcee females of Haryana pass in class 12.

Selectn: Interview (7 Aug) in Campus.

Appln F: Send Rs. 150/- by IPO favouring "Principal Tutor" to the Principal Tutor, School of Nursing, ‘A’ Block to the above add by Registered Post.

Details: See Prospectus.

Jun 3 Common Entrance Examination, 2002-03 (M/o Social Justice & Empowerment)

1) National Institute for the Orthopaedically Handicapped, Kolkata:

i) BPT (3½-yr); ii) BOT (3½-yr), iii) BPO (3½-yr)

2) National Institute for Visually Handicapped, Dehradun:

i) BA & BEd (VI, 4-yr, Integrated)

3) Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai:

i) BSc (HLS, 4-yr); ii) BSc (ASR, 4-yr)

4) National Institute for Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad: i) Bachelor in Rehabilitiation Services (Mental Retardation, 4-yr)

5) The Institute for Physically Handicapped, New Delhi:

i) BSc (Hons) PT (4½-yr); ii) BSc (Hons) OT (4½-yr)

6) National Institute of Rehabilitation Training Research, Cuttack:

i) BPT (3½-yr); ii) BOT (3½-yr); iii) BPO (3½-yr)

Elig: For BPT/BOT/BSc (HLS)/BSc (ASR)/BSc (Hons) PT/BSc (Hons) OT: Class 12 (PCB).

For BPO: Class 12 (PCB/PCM). For BA/BEd/BRS (MR): Class 12.

Appln F: Send Rs 450/- by DD favouring "Educational Consultants India Ltd." payable at New Delhi to the Project Manager [CEE-2002], Educational Consultants India Ltd, Sector 16A, Plot 18 A, NOIDA 201301 (UP).