Self-motivation is the key
Pervin Malhotra
SMRITI is studying commerce in her final year in school. She is bright, though she has never managed better than a 70 per cent average. Her class participation is spotty and she would rather spend study time channel surfing, listening to music or chatting on the phone. But reality is slowly beginning to raise its head. A tiny spark of motivation is beginning to energise her study habits.

• Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

• Why put your goals down on paper?

QUERY HOTLINE
What is the scope for marine biologists?
Q What is the scope for marine biologists in India?
Sandeep Chawla
A Oceanographers work for the government, for private industry and for universities. Most openings are in organisations handling environmental conservation and protection. Industries working in the packaging, marketing or export of marine products also provide employment to oceanographers. Besides, oil exploration petroleum and petrochemicals industries such as Essar Oil, Reliance Industries, the ONGC, and various government bodies like the GSI and the NIO.

Self-motivation is the key
Pervin Malhotra

SMRITI is studying commerce in her final year in school. She is bright, though she has never managed better than a 70 per cent average. Her class participation is spotty and she would rather spend study time channel surfing, listening to music or chatting on the phone.

But reality is slowly beginning to raise its head. A tiny spark of motivation is beginning to energise her study habits. She has understood the link between academic achievement and the kind of career she will get to pursue in the future. The revelation has not exactly transformed Smriti into an ace scholar. Studying will always be a means to an end for her and you can bet she will never enjoy it hugely. But at least she has recognised its utility.

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation

Motivators are either intrinsic or extrinsic. What is the difference? You sign up for drama practice. While it may not even fetch you points for extra-curricular work, you happily stay back for practice after school for two full weeks simply because you love acting.

You also turn up for extra classes in maths right through the winter break. You hate the thought of committing all those dreadful formulae to memory and could not care less whether fractions are simple or complex, but you know it is necessary.

In the first scenario, you are motivated by intrinsic factors - you stay back for drama class for no other reason than you truly enjoy it.

The second scenario is an example of extrinsic motivation. While you have no interest in mathematics, your reward for taking the classes is external - you will be able to score better in your finals.

Extrinsic motivation can help you wade through the boring or unpleasant tasks that are part of the process of reaching your goal. A vivid visual image of your final goal can be a powerful motivating force. For example, my sister would picture what her job as a computer programmer would be like whenever she needed a little help getting through difficult exercises. And you bet it worked.

Just try imagining what a day in your life will be like five or 10 years down the road. Now, if you have not the faintest clue, no wonder you are having a hard time motivating yourself to work towards that career as a final goal!

One way to easily visualise all your goals - and their relation to each other - is to construct a goal pyramid. Here is how to do it:

1. Centered at the top of a piece of paper, put down in writing what you hope to ultimately gain from your education. This is your long-range goal and the apex of your pyramid.

Example: I want to become a successful architect.

2. Below your long-range goal, list the mid-range goals - milestones or steps that will lead you to your eventual target. For instance, if your long-range goal is to become an architect, your mid-range goals might include getting admission to a decent school of architecture, completing your course and getting an interesting internship with a reputed architectural firm.

3. Below the mid-range goals list all short-range goals you can think of - the smaller steps which you can complete in a relatively shorter period of time. For example: paying more attention to your mechanical drawing, completing your class XII with a decent percentage, working through previous year’s test papers for gaining practice and speed to ace in your entrance exam.

As you go along, your goal pyramid may alter somewhat. You may even decide on a different career. Or your mid-range goals may change as you decide on a different path leading to your long-range goal. Of course your short-range goals will change more frequently.

The process of creating your own pyramid will show you at a glance how all the little daily and monthly steps you take lead to your mid-range and long-range goals. It will motivate you to work with added zest and enthusiasm.

Why put your goals down on paper?

For one, the need to define a goal clearly stems from the principle that everything is created twice - first in the mind of the one who wishes to achieve it, and only thereafter in the actual creation. For instance, a sculptor visualises all details of his image before he begins to chisel. Similarly, you hold the power to shape your own destiny in your own hands.

The task of putting down your goal on paper will automatically initiate a number of queries and doubts which you will need to ponder over. This, in turn, will call for an honest SWOT appraisal of your own strengths and weaknesses and an assessment of the external factors i.e., the opportunities and threats in the environment.

Unless you undertake this exercise at the very outset, your goal will remain fuzzy, and your strategy will lack in focus and determination.

QUERY HOTLINE
What is the scope for marine biologists?

A Oceanographers work for the government, for private industry and for universities. Most openings are in organisations handling environmental conservation and protection. Industries working in the packaging, marketing or export of marine products also provide employment to oceanographers. Besides, oil exploration petroleum and petrochemicals industries such as Essar Oil, Reliance Industries, the ONGC, and various government bodies like the GSI and the NIO.

The work: Since the profession is essentially a research orientated you must have an aptitude for maths. Oceanographers spend months of their time in data processing, computer programming, analysis, writing, budgeting, planning, and conferring. Laboratory work demands precision, computer savvy, and ability to consolidate data. Communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team are also essential.

The pros: Besides the satisfaction of working in a growing profession, people who love the sea get to experience the exhilaration of actively doing something about conserving and protecting ocean life and its environment.

The cons: Oceanography can be an unstable profession, as this line of work requires constant travel. There is also stiff competition in this line. Most research jobs are usually filled by those who have doctorates in the subject.

Pay at start: The starting salary after postgraduation is typically in the range of Rs 6500/- to Rs 8000/- p.m. in the government sector. With a Ph.D. you can earn about Rs 10,000 - 12,000/- p.m.

A As per the Medical Council of India (MCI)’s notification, students appearing in the exam should have completed 17 years on December 1 of the year of admission. They should also have 50 per cent (agg) in English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Since AP and J&K don’t come under the all-India scheme, their eligibility could differ. For instance, colleges in Jammu require you to have completed 17 years of age in July.

Although the upper age limit is not mentioned, some colleges peg it at 25 years (relaxable for SC/ST candidates). However, a medical institution can individually determine the upper age limit if necessary. Accordingly, the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, has fixed it at 22 years.

While the syllabus of the exam has not changed, the examination pattern and the level of difficulty vary slightly from year to year. In case you are appearing for the CBSE PMT, you will get to know the examination pattern in detail from the notification and information bulletin which appears in October.

A You could look at the following courses in Journalism through correspondence:

Bachelors in Journalism & Mass Comm (1-year). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree):

Kota Open University, Rawatbhata Road Akelgarh, Kota — 324010.

Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Institute of Open & Distance Education, Bhopal — 462026.

Dr Harisingh Gour Vishwavidyalaya, Department of Correspondence Courses, Sagar-470003.

Guru Ghasidas University, Institute of Distance Education, Bilaspur — 495009 (Chatt)

Guru Jambheshwar University, Directorate of Distance Education, Hisar — 125001.

Awadesh Pratap Singh University, Distance Education Centre, Rewa — 486003.

Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita Vishvavidyalaya, Bhopal offers undergraduate as well as postgraduate courses in Hindi journalism.

Panjab University, Department of Correspondence Studies, Chandigarh. PG Diploma in Mass Comm (1-yr). Fee: Rs 5,000/-.

MA Journalism & Mass Communication (2-yr)

Alagappa University, Directorate of Distance Education, Karaikudi,

Madurai Kamaraj University, Directorate of Distance Education, Palkalainagar, Madurai 625021 PG Diploma in Journalism & Mass Comm (1-yr).

Indira Gandhi National Open University, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi 110068.

Course: PG Diploma in Journalism & Mass Comm Eligibility: Graduates with 2 yrs exp. Duration: 1 yr. Courses: Diploma in Creative Writing (Eng/Hin). Elig: 10+2 or equiv. Duration: 1 yr. Course: PG Certificate in Writing for Radio (6 mth). Elig: Bachelor’s degree.

Kurukshetra University, Department Distance Education, Kurukshetra — 132119; Course: PG Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication; PG Diploma in Translation in Hindi Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree.

Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Dayagangotri, Nasik — 422005 (1-3 yr); Course: Certificate course in Journalism (1-3 yr). Eligibility: Class 12 with exp.

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-160020, or at careerguide@tribuneindia.com