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The Beauty Business
What is it: Treatments of face, skin, nails and body, right from make-up and facials to massage and diet. Generally, this involves performing facials, manicures, hair cutting, styling, shampooing, makeup or other cosmetology services. Cosmetologists can specialise in any one of the above areas, or they can be trained in a particular function like hairstyling or manicuring. Some beauty therapists also advise clients on grooming and make-up.
Hairdressing
What is it: The treatment of hair and scalp as well as styling and cutting. Hairdressers use a range of techniques to make hair look healthy and attractive, and advise clients on the right choice of hairstyle and care and maintenance of their hair. Hairdressers are also much in demand during wedding seasons for new and exotic bridal hair styling. Most beauticians and cosmetologists provide a range of cosmetology services, lending variety to the tasks performed. On any given day, a cosmetologist may cut a man's hair, color and perm a woman's hair, give a manicure or facial, or apply hair extensions. A major part of the work requires creative skills, and those able to give hair extensions, manicures and excellent facials, in addition to performing cuts and styling, will be able to attract and retain more clients.
Beauty Consultancy
What is it: Sales and promotion of beauty products produced and developed by them. Another area of work usually provided by large cosmetic firms, like L’Oreal, Lakme and Ponds. Beauty consultants have to be knowledgeable about skin care, of the use of different products and the benefits of various treatments advocated. Many beauticians have also started producing and retailing their own brands of cosmetic products, some herbal and home-made, which can grow into a flourishing home industry. Many also retail well known brands of cosmetic hair and skin care.
Cosmetic Chemistry
What is it: Conducting research into new products and formulations. A blend of both academics and aesthetics, here you can supply the beauty world’s expanding needs by creating new products through research and experimentation, analytical studies and sampling, quality control, and packaging. Other areas of specialisation include a masseur who performs face and body massage, and aroma therapist who provides massage with aromatic oils.
Getting In
Although it is not necessary, training is advisable. A diploma in beauty and hair care or cosmetology is an advantage. There is no specific eligibility criteria, but being a specialist skill, it does require not only professional expertise but also a great deal of practical training to gain proficiency. There are several training schools for beauty and hair care courses. Basic training generally includes the fundamentals of anatomy, hair styling theory, skin and nail care, laser therapy, mixing and application of cosmetic preparations, handling of specialised equipment, makeup, interpersonal skills, and many hours of practical experience on mannequins and live models. Training is imparted by various vocational institutions like polytechnics as well as by reputed professionals in the field, such as Shahnaz Hussain’s Beauty World, Blossom Kochhar’s Pivot Point, Habib’s Hair Academy, Vandana Luthra’s VLCC and a few others. An apprenticeship is another good way to learn. One needs to work under a well-known beautician or hair stylist for at least two years, before one thinks of branching out on your own. For a job as a cosmetic chemist, a full-time bachelor’s degree course in cosmetic technology, or a post-graduate chemistry degree is required. As there are limited options for such programmes in India, those entering this field can also take up study of allied subjects such as ayurveda, micro-biology, chemistry or pharmacy particularly for jobs in the cosmetic and the herbal care industry.
Career prospects
Even small towns boast of beauty parlours and traditional middle-aged men and women are fighting the flab in neighbourhood gyms. Market research studies indicate that intensive face care, the use of creams and lotions and the visits to the beauty parlours has evolved into a regular routine for most youngsters. The growing cosmetic industry is another avenue for those interested in this field. Cosmetic firms require beauticians to help customers identify the skin and hair type and advise them on their usage. Beauticians can also act as sales consultants.With the growth of herbal cosmetics in the country, this is a field which will generate high employment potential in the years to come. Cosmetologists also keep their skills current by receiving training in their salons or by attending product shows sponsored by companies wanting to introduce their products to cosmetologists. These shows present workshops and demonstrations and expose them to a wide range of products they can recommend to clients, an important skill as retail becomes an integral part of the industry. Several cosmetologists and beauticians have ventured into the area of personal care, combining beauty treatments along with advice and guidance on grooming, clothes and general posture. Catering to Page 3 aspirants and modelling and beauty pageant hopefuls. Health clubs and fitness centres also normally have parlours attached. The film and television industry is another large area of opportunity for professionals in this field. If one has the experience, confidence, mobility, awareness of trends, and a well stocked make-up kit, it would make sense to freelance as a make-up artiste. This is also one area where self employment is an excellent option, particularly for young women unable to go out of the home to work. Social skills, in addition to business expertise are required to run a salon. Cosmetic chemists, on the other hand, can either work for cosmetic manufacturers or become consultants to various companies. Cosmetologists can also write articles, books, brochures, columns, education manuals, or even produce videos. However, despite the glamour of working in the beauty business, a cosmetologist’s job can be mentally draining and physically demanding. They are on their feet much of the day and perform very hands-on work. But as fashion consciousness increases, the return generated by the industry is both attractive and financially rewarding. So, if you are seriously considering beauty as a career option, then you are really lucky... you can not only keep yourself looking good, but help others become beautiful
too. The writer is a noted career expert
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Banish Boredom
Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happens as by little advantages that occur every day, said Benjamin Franklin. When Henley wrote, “I am the master of my fate and I am the captain of my soul,” he was indirectly telling us that work works wonders for us. Are you haunted by the modern malady of boredom? Do you really enjoy your work to its fullest? If you don’t, you ought to get rid of boredom. This will brighten your chances of career success.
What is boredom?
Boredom is as though you were a hollow vessel, seemingly solid enough on the outside, but empty within, waiting to be filled. Lack of interest in work is symbolic of an inner void. Gossip and fiddling with work do not bring success. Work and only work fills the void. A “full” mind is an efficient mind. If you can acquire an interest in some branch of knowledge about your work, you can find a way to win a measure of success. The more you know, the more you want to know. One who takes interest in work is the one who lives fully in the real sense and is counted in hierarchy.
Cultivate interests
Everyone has some hidden talent that often remains hidden all his or her life because it has not been cultivated. An officer may be an excellent speaker but the talent remains buried deep down. Cultivation of interest is important. It does not matter what the area is. An interest, once awakened, leads to others, more rewarding. How does one know that one has aptitude for creative work or any interest that might be developed? Think of some subject you have read about or seen or heard from a greeting card to a classic and find our some aspect of it that interests you. Have you always had a nagging feeling that you could write, click or paint or do something creative? Chances are you are right.
Mind power
The man whose mind has been stimulated grows up to his stature. He lives a fuller career life. He has a greater awareness of his work and his consciousness is extended and enlarged. My own experience as a freelance writer has been that of a man who is rewarded with an eternal pay-packet that often comes when least expected! I do not think of boredom when at work, much less suffer its enervating effects. An opportunity grasped and used will certainly produce another.
Make a beginning
Pay attention to detail. Train the eye to see beauty of ideas and words. Once the eye is trained, it is always busy storing up impressions and colours, contrasts of light and shaded. With the world of form and colour opened up, one enters a new world — one that opens portals of success. A young person with an abiding interest in his work adds something to his own growth. He contributes to work of his company. Many inventions are due to amateur efforts. The newcomer views things from a fresh viewpoint and puts a new interpretation upon them. The expert organises and expands later. As Abraham Lincoln said, “Build a better mouse-trap, and people will beat a path to your door.” If you pursue your work long you become an expert in it, and your knowledge might be of great value to others following the same pursuit. There are “experts” in every office who have acquired this reputation on the basis of their deep interest in this work.
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Now, it’s surrogate education
Indian companies — particularly in the IT and BPO segments — have reached a point where they can teach the world many lessons on workforce training and development, a recent study has suggested. Titled How the Disciple became the Guru and released by the Kauffman Foundation and conducted by Duke University’s global engineering & entrepreneurship project team, is a research effort based on talks with leading Indian companies across sectors such as IT, BPO, banking and pharmaceuticals. Vivek Wadhwa, the lead author of the study says that the researchers were surprised at India’s ability in R&D despite a messed up education system. “It’s not the universities that train these specialists, but the surrogate education system created by the Indian companies,” said Wadhwa who is the engineering executive-in-residence at Pratt School. Companies in India go to colleges much before they hire in order to help students become employment ready, the study says and notes other such innovative practices developed by Indian companies to tap the talent pool. It refers to Satyam Computer’s project of having 80 senior executives serve as mentors on university campuses and Infosys’ initiative to hire and train final year engineering students for short-term projects. Genpact is another company that hires undergraduates to work for three days a week for a salary in addition to paying up half their tuition fees, the study notes while pointing out the company’s novel practice of running 22 retail recruitment kiosks which contributes to as much as 25 per cent of Genpact’s staff. It also highlights the fact that Indian companies hire based on general ability and attitude rather than specialised domain expertise or technical skills. In-house training provides the candidates with requisite skills as evident from the hiring patterns in BPO companies.
— Agencies
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Do you have it in you?
The library is also planning to start a Management Club in which a discussion leader would initiate the topic, screen management films from the British Library collection followed by discussion with participants.
— TNS
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Transforming learning into earning
Aptech has tied up with Italy’s Seven Rings International to train graduates in soft skills and corporate computing skill development. Under this agreement, Aptech would be the only training delivery partner for participants of Seven Rings International in India, an international training company offering structured, tried and tested pathway to self-development and professional empowerment. Organisations today are increasingly looking at recruiting people, who besides having the requisite technical & domain skills, have the necessary soft skills to adapt to their work culture and work harmoniously with the internal as well as the external customers. Under this employment enhancement program, Aptech would share its expertise in corporate computing and soft skills development. This programme, based on the Seven Rings approach of transforming learning into earning, includes on the job training wherein the students will implement their skills under the active supervision and guidance of mentors and professional career guides. Initially, the 40-hour training programme would be available in
Mumbai. — TNS
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Thank god for small mercies!
However, the year 2008 has still seen a strong average salary increase of 14.8 per cent. The global economic slowdown, US sub-prime crisis and rising inflation have caused Indian companies to revisit budgets for 2009; and the average salary projections for the coming year are lower by a percentage point at 13.9 per cent.
Companies are looking to balance the pressures of inflation and lower HR budgets by increasing productivity and redeployment of manpower. Meanwhile, 30 per cent of them stated that they have increased performance linkages to counter fixed pay increases. Only 20 percent of the organisations surveyed mentioned a hiring freeze or slowdown. Sandeep Chaudhary, leader of Hewitt’s Rewards Consulting Practice in India, commented, “Contrary to expectations, there hasn’t been any dramatic move to downbeat macro-economic factors on compensation. Instead, companies are looking at innovative ways to cut other costs like travel and recreation without compromising on employee salaries or learning and development. This is a healthy sign of a growing and mature economy. The war for talent is not over and the current blip is transient. Hence, organisations realise that they have to manage the talent supply for the long term and not the downturn.” While 25 per cent of the companies surveyed are looking to reduce staff budgets, with cuts largely in the areas of travel and recreation, only 9 per cent of the companies mentioned a reduction in training budgets. Also, only 1 per cent of the companies are looking at increasing work hours to manage rising costs of business while 4 per cent of the organisations mentioned a promotion freeze, all being from the IT, ITES and BFSI sectors.
— Agencies
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Bad news for IT professionals
Surging inflation will soon start reflecting onto the pay packets with the companies looking at cutting down the salary hikes of their employees for the next year and the high-flying IT space could take the maximum hit. According to a survey, the IT sector would see the lowest pay hike of 11.3 per cent in India next year, down from 12.5 per cent in 2008. It would be followed by the ITES sector with the second lowest hike of 11.4 per cent, down from 12.5 per cent in 2008. The survey of 150 leading corporates in India found that a majority of companies are taking into account inflation and rising input costs for their salary hike budget for next year. Pay hikes for both IT and ITES sectors have been on the decline in recent years.
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COURSE CHAT
The Sikkim Manipal University has launched a course in infrastructure management Services (IMS) — first of its kind in the would in collaboration with Indian Institute of Hardware Technology. This course will be both at the graduate as well as post graduate level. The course will be designed by the Indian Institute of Hardware Technology (IIHT). It will also map the course to the requirement of University Grants Commission’s credit based system. There are more than 2 million jobs in the IMS Industry. The industry is already facing an acute shortage of manpower, hence it was logical for IIHT to team up with the Sikkim Manipal University to launch this course for the first time in India. To start with, during the initial phase, IIHT will launch 50 exclusive centres called the IIHT varsity – all over India to officer these courses. These centres will be evenly spread all across the country. Each varsity will also have placement cell. The course will provide job opportunities in areas like desktop support services management administration messaging systems and security services management besides IMS outsourcing firms. The graduate courses is a three year programme, comprising six semesters. The graduate degree will be accorded by the Sikkim Manipal University. Targeted at students as well as working professionals, IMS graduates can also get international acrediation and global reorganisation by obtaining international certification from various IT majors. The institute has started admission. According to officials the course does not require any approval for the moment from all India Council for technical education (AICTE).
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NAC to train 50,000 workers Anticipating the boom in the construction industry and the need for skilled manpower/personnel , The state had set up NAC in 1998 and since the institution is growing as a role model for other States. Many states are sending their bureaucrates to study the background of the institution and to take their services in setting up such institutions in their own states. Now this academy has limited itself to consultancy services. The academy has been imparting training in masonry, electrical works, plumbing, bar bending, painting, welding , carpentry, formwork and general supervison , besides operation of heavy earthmoving equipment.
There are certain courses for which no fee is charged. However, the academy is charging Rs 10,000 for the two month course in operation of heavy earth moving equipment, as they have to fire the machines for the purpose. During the last financial year the institution trained over 27000 workers and place over 24000 in service against the target of 30,000. The target for the current financial year has been fixed 50,000. The academy is also offering courses in basic computer literacy to those in the construction fields and other fields as well. The academy is providing training to policemen in the State. According to reports from the institution the academy is likely to set up training centre for fishermen at Bhimli in Vishaka patnam district, but the response is not very encouraging.
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Career Hotline
Research route
— Jitin Pandey A. There are vast opportunities in biotech, particularly for those who have specialised in areas like clinical research and manufacturing, field testing of GM crops, regulatory affairs such as IPR and biosafety, consultancy for business planning and global collaborations. The need for trained manpower in biotech has increased as the industry has grown at the rate of 35% p.a. in the last four years. While there is a sufficient number of MSc in biotech, more quality PhDs are required. India needs biotech schools with state-of-the art facilities to produce biotech professionals for the industry. India can become a global R &D hub if incentives are provided for research on a long-term basis. The country’s future growth would mainly depend on innovation and ability to bring new technology from overseas. Our scientific pool of qualified researchers and the largest number of USFDA approved plants outside the US, would help also us grab a large chunk of the $ 100 billion contract manufacturing and research pie which is expected to grow manifold in the coming decade. So, if a career in research interests you, you have little to worry.
The learning curve
Q. I am in class 12. Since I am very good at math, people suggest I take statistics in college. How much will I need to study to become a statistician? What will the work involve? I searched for jobs on the Internet and found nothing for ‘statistician’. — Anil Diwan A.
Statistics is a branch of mathematics that deals with the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of masses of numerical data. Statisticians typically study statistics, mathematics, and/or some related field of statistical application. Because of the applied nature of many statistical professions, statisticians often develop skills in a particular field of study (economics, medicine, biology, psychology, agriculture, etc.) While the extent of study you will require will depend on the type and level of position you seek, most statisticians hold a master’s degree. Senior consulting or university faculty appointments usually require a doctorate. Many people with degrees in statistics don’t work with the title “statistician.” They are business analysts, professors, economists, mathematicians, statistical software engineers, risk analysts, quality analysts, investigators, environmentalists, pharmaceutical engineers, and researchers who use statistics on a daily basis to perform the functions of their jobs. Try using key words such as “research” and “analysis” instead. Alternatively, you could also focus your search on the specific industry in which you are interested and see what jobs are listed.
For the people
— Nupur Bedi A. The Government of India conducts examinations through the UPSC and state public service commissions for appointing welfare officers at the central and state levels. The position is that of gazetted officers in family welfare, education, social welfare, tribal development programmes, prisons etc. National bodies like the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB) and National Institute of Public Co-operation & Child Development (NIPCD) and major community development projects also appoint welfare officers. Some of these jobs are also open to PG degree holders in related fields like sociology, psychology and economics. As a social welfare officer, your functions would be primarily that of an executive. You would be involved in programme planning, funding, execution, monitoring, evaluation and auditing procedures.
Language matters
— Rajika Batra A. There are foreign languages and foreign languages! And the courses depend on which one you want to opt for. The kind of jobs available to you after learning a foreign language will largely depend on the specific language and how good your linguistic capabilities are. Your degree of fluency in the language and additional qualifications will determine the range of options open to you. Some jobs require a smattering acquaintance with the language while others demand a high level of proficiency. But remember, very few jobs (except teaching) offer you a full-time regular career unless you graft your language skills onto other professional qualifications in the fields of travel & tourism, industry, exports, fashion industry, secretarial practice, public relations, mass communications, publishing, commerce & industry, IT and BPO to name a few. Otherwise, you will have to work on a freelance basis. Perhaps, this is the main reason why most professionals in this field have a second occupation to fall back on. Very few organisations employ full-time interpreters or translators. Nevertheless, some languages like French and now Chinese (Mandarin/Cantonese) for instance, offer a relatively good scope as these languages are in demand for commercial application as well. Language-centric jobs can be broadly divided into three categories: Interpreting, translating and teaching. Take your pick!
Name matters
— Vinita J A. As per CBSE rules, no school can permit a change/correction, addition or deletion in name/surname once it’s recorded during admission. While parents feel this curbs their freedom, the board has its own arguments. With lakhs of students spread across the country, they say it is difficult to keep track of all the name changes which leads to confusion, specially during examination time. However, the board has allowed correction in spelling errors, factual typographical errors in the child’s/ father/ mother/guardian’s names to make it consistent with the school records within a stipulated period of 10 years.
Math & English rule
— Harsh Ahluwalia A. It’s difficult for me to direct you to a specific stream or career without assessing your aptitude or interests, but here are some suggestions that will help you select the stream that is suitable to you. You can normally switch over from science to commerce or arts, and from commerce to arts, after Class XII or even after college graduation, but not the other way round. Two subjects are so valued that if you are good at them, you may earn a living from them, even if you have no money to start with. Maths is valued all over the world. I have heard of some math tutors earning over a lakh rupees a month, even in towns like Ranchi and Bokaro! English is valued highly in every country with a non-English speaking majority, because it is the international language of communication and often the language of the elite, as in India.
The writer is a noted career consultant
Please send in your query, preferably on a postcard, along with your full name, complete address and academic qualifications to: Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at careers
@tribunemail.com
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Fortnightly Quiz-317
2. How many gold medals did Michael Phelps win in the Beijing Olympics? 3. Name India’s medallists at the Beijing Olympics. 4. Which Indian boxer defeated world bantom weight champion Sergey Vodopyanov in the Beijing Olympics? 5. Name the first Indian wrestler to have won a medal in Olympic games. 6. Who is the fastest man on the earth? 7. Who won the men’s 110m hurdles at the Beijing Olympics? 8. Which woman pole-vaulter broke her own world record to win the gold in the Beijing Olympics? 9. Which country won the hockey gold in the Beijing Olympics? 10. Which country will host the Olympic games in 2012? Winners of quiz 316: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Minni, class VII-A, R.M. School, Jhabkara, district Gurdaspur, VPO Jhabkara, pin code 143535. Second: Arunpreet Singh, class XI (commerce), Shri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Jandiala Road, Tarn Taran, pin code 143401. Third: Parul Sharma, class IX, Saini Public School Sain Samaj, Kurukshetra, pin code 132119. Answers to quiz 316: 10 metre air rifle; Prakash Amte and Mandakini Amte; Alexander Solzhenitsyn; October; Fourth; 3G; James Cook; Bindeshwar Pathak; Badminton; South Korea Cash awards of Rs 400, 300 and 200 are given to the first, second and third prize winners, respectively. These are sent at the school address. Note: Kindly mention the pincode of your place to facilitate the delivery of the prize money. Answers can also be sent at
quiz@tribunemail.com — Tarun Sharma
Name ……………….……………….....…… Class ………………..………….......….…… School address …….………….....…….…
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Who doesn’t want to look beautiful? With so many young Indian girls hitting the top spot on the beauty charts, looking beautiful is just not the concern of a privileged few but has become one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. The art of looking good is turning out to be a big business as the race for looking better and different continues. 
Fashion, glamour and cosmetology have a symbolic relationship and cannot be separated, as both grow together at an increasing speed and with greater awareness these days. As the complexities of modern living leave us little time for personal grooming, more and more men and women are turning increasingly to professionals for treatments that enhance and maintain looks. Also, as a larger number of women begin to work, the need to appear well-groomed and attractive has assumed greater importance. This has turned beauty care or cosmetology into a Rs 1,200 crore industry, opening multifarious career opportunities for those interested in existing at the cutting edge of fashion.
Beauty care or cosmetology covers the overall condition of looking good, and includes the care and treatment of skin, hair, face and body and covers diet and exercise as well. Often, two or more services are offered under one roof, and the quality of services and facilities can range from the luxurious salons at five-star hotels to functional commercial establishments and intimate owner-run parlours. Some beauticians also work at clients’ homes, but most beauticians work in beauty salons. Some of these are exclusive women’s or men’s parlours a growing number cater to both men and women. Many beauticians also prepare and sometimes sell their own beauty care products.
Beauty Therapy
The British Library in association with Chandigarh Management Association is organising Management Week from September 1 to 6 for students and working professionals. Activities would include an exhibition of books and CD-ROMs and competitive events like management quiz, management games, case studies presentation and talks by eminent speakers. Individuals above the age of 18 can participate in the events. The winners would be felicitated in a ceremony at the library on September 6. Entries must reach the library on or before August 28. 
A study conducted across 150 leading Indian companies by Hewitt Associates to understand the impact of economic slowdown on compensation and salary trends in India has found that in 63 per cent of the organisations surveyed, inflation and rising input costs were prime movers in salary increase budgets for 2009. 
National Academy of Construction (NAC) has planned to train over 50,000 workers engaged in constructions activities and related tradesacross the country , The NAC which has its Head Office Hyderabad and six regional centres in other parts of the State. 
Q. I have completed my final year of MSc Biotech. Now I’m very confused whether I should go for further study (PhD) or do an MBA instead, if the prospects in research are not that good.
Q. I am doing MSW. What sorts of jobs are there for professionals in this field in the government sector? 
Q. I completed my B.Sc. (bio) this year with 1st division. I want to do a full-time course in a foreign language and want to make my career in it. Please provide me related information regarding it like — about entrance exam, study, and format of course.
Q. I have just managed to get custody of my daughter after being separated from my husband. What is the procedure for getting her surname changed in her school records? She is in class 11 in a CBSE school.
Q. I am in Class X. I do almost equally well in all subjects. Although I have occasionally dreamt of certain careers, I have no marked preference for any. I would like to do well in my exams and get into a well-settled career in the future. And that is the cause for my confusion: What should be my stream in Class 11, or for that matter, in the distant future?
1. Which country won the maximum medals at the Beijing Olympics?