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Fashion fundas
Career Hotline
Mechanics of engineering
Fearing losing wages, incentive & goodwill, 20 pc corporate staff dragged themselves to work in illness
9 of 10 Indian workers lack social security
Laid-off workers find new jobs, less pay
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Fashion fundas
The Indian fashion industry has the potential for phenomenal growth. In these trying times, the right skillset is what will set you apart. Choose wisely, writes
BULBUL CHAUDHARY
Recession doesn’t need to spell trouble for one’s career. Creative education offers a powerful antidote to the whims of a recession-bound economy. So, it is extremely important in such an economic environment to choose a career path, which not only interests you but also enables you to grow in your chosen career stream. The present market sentiment requires you, more than ever before, to make yourself indispensable to your employer by enhancing your job skill sets.
Rise & shine IN India, fashion is one such career that is recession proof. With one of the largest domestic markets in the world, the Indian fashion industry has the potential for phenomenal growth. If this is your area of interest, then right education and training from a renowned institute can hone the advanced skills that will not just see you through tough times but propel your career forward in an exciting creative arena.
The right choice
We all have access to a plethora of information available around us on the essential parameters like faculty, placements, course, international tie-ups and infrastructure to choose an institute. However, the parameters should not be limited to these. The most important question to all of you is — “What is it that one should focus on when we talk about further studies for a recession proof career?” Answer to the above starts from another question, “What makes you employable even in the slowdown situation?” Clearly, it is your skill, knowledge and performance that sets you apart from others. So, your college should equip you with these skillsets for a recession-proof career. The next question is how can this be achieved? To answer this question I remember an old saying: You cannot learn the art of sales by learning from books. You have to get out and sell it in real! Your college must have the ability to merge theoretical and practical training in a very unique way, which will enhance your skill set to a great extent. Courses with traineeship option are a unique opportunity to explore the relationship between contemporary styles, creativity and commercial viability. The process gives students a unique opportunity to explore the relationship between illustration and pattern making, surface ornamentation techniques and garment construction. The process also prepares the students for various job opportunities in the apparel industry. As a part of the training programme, the institute imparts extensive practical experience through live projects that integrate theory and practice. The students explore different methods used to communicate fashion ideas. In fact, the institute helps its students to create an impressive portfolio of work that meets industry standards and helps the students in getting the coveted and much desired first break.
Fee katha
ALL does not end here with a combination of theory and practical learning. What is also important is the financial aspect involved in further studies. While your education will ensure your employability, the course structure should also be able to contribute in the study expenses. For instance, the WLCI’s Traineeship Programme gives students hands-on experience in the industry and they also get a stipend for work done with the industry partner. This money takes off almost 40-50 per cent of the burden from the parents’ mind.
Career graph
WHEN you choose fashion as your career option and ensure practical experience as your teaching methodology, you become competent enough to work in areas like designer wear production, planning and concept management, fashion marketing, design production management, fashion media, quality control, fashion accessory design and promotion of brands. Students can find a wide range of career options in visual and retail merchandising. On completion of the programme, they can pursue a career as a costume designer, fashion consultant, personal stylist, technical designer, graphic designer, production pattern maker, fashion coordinator, apparel production manager, fabric buyer, fabric quality control manager, show room sales representative, illustrator, cutting assistant and outside sales representative in this industry. And last but not the least, students can also become entrepreneurs and become their own boutique owners! (The writer is national
academic head (fashion), WLC College, India)
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Breaking through the glass ceiling On-job performance helps Pervin Malhotra
— Avijit Singh A. Typically, once you start working it is your on-the-job performance that becomes progressively more important rather than your academic background. On the other hand, some companies may well have policies — whether explicit or implicit — about certain “pedigreed” educational background for the very top positions. While such a “glass ceiling” might exist in a few companies, it’s not something that on-the-job performance can’t break through. So, that’s precisely what you must focus on. In this regard, take the initiative in your own hands and periodically discuss how you are faring with your superiors, particularly requesting feedback on areas that require improvement. Welcome criticism and suggestions in a constructive spirit with an idea of overcoming the deficiencies. Secondly, why not go in for a distance or e-MBA from one of the good B-schools on the side? Even if it’s not a regular full-time programme, you would nonetheless have overcome the lack of a formal management qualification on your resume. Finally, as regards your stint in business, don’t think of it as a career break. I am glad you mention how it gave you valuable experience and a broad-based exposure. You should, in fact, highlight this as an asset rather than a liability.
Slowdown is cyclical, look at your own interest
— Rohan Vij A. Each discipline has its place in the economy. The current slowdown is one of those cyclical economic events that happen from time to time. What obtains today will not do so four years from now when you complete your BE/B.Tech. So please don’t go by the flavour of the day! Instead, look at your own interest. Boom time or bust, there will always be a need for good IT professionals as also for mechanical, civil, electronics or electrical engineers. Manufacturing, defence, agriculture, medicine are the core and foundation of any nation aspiring for super-power status, but so are IT, finance, education, legal services, and much else.
Free education for single girl child
— Jaspreet Badal A. Yes, you have heard right. You daughter can avail of the Single Girl Child Scholarship Scheme for Class XII pass students of CBSE pursuing undergraduate courses. For details including eligibility and other conditions, log on to www.cbse.nic.in Even at the postgraduate level, your talented daughter is eligible for a number of scholarships including one named after perhaps the most famous single girl child our country has known in modern history – Indira Gandhi. The PG Indira Gandhi Scholarship for Single Girl Child is offered for those admitted to a master’s programme (non-professional courses) in any recognised university or college during the current year. Your daughter’s tuition fee will be waived and she will get a scholarship of Rs 2,000 a month for ten months in a year during the two years of her postgraduate programme. Every year, the total number of scholarships awarded by the University Grants Commission under this banner is 1,200, and a major section of applicants win it. So, your daughter stands a good chance! Log onto the UGC website (www.ugc.ac.in) for details.
Two courses at a time: Doable
B.A. (private) and STC (regular), Rajasthan B.A. (private) and GNM Nursing Course (regular) B.A. (private) and BSTC (regular) CS (foundation courses cleared), CA (CPT cleared) and B.Com (private-pursuing)
— Navin Johri, Sudesh Gupta, Ujjwal Arora
A. Yes, it is quite possible to pursue two courses at the same time as long as they are from different universities and as long as you can cope with the extra pressure. Many students do so!
As for pursuing CS and CA simultaneously, do check with the two concerned bodies – ICAI and ICSI to be doubly sure.
Changing streams
— Neelesh Mehta
A. Sure, it’s possible. You can certainly apply for admission into the first-year of B.Sc biophysics as long as you have the necessary marks in Class 12 Boards.
This column appears weekly. Please send in your queries, 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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Mechanics of engineering
Mechanical engineering is the most diverse engineering discipline. There is hardly any aspect of life that is not influenced by a mechanical engineer. The scope for mechanical engineers in manufacturing will continue to rise as the demand for improved machinery & machine tools grows Mechanical engineering — the broadest of all engineering disciplines — deals with design and production of tools, machines and all other mechanical equipment to be used in industry. Mechanical engineering is concerned with all types of machinery in industry, its mechanism and functioning, design, development, construction, production, installation, operation and maintenance. These would include large steam and gas turbines, components of thermal power stations, internal combustion engines, jet engines, machine tools, air conditioning and heating machines and refrigerators to name a few. In fact, mechanical engineers are the driving force behind many of our technologies and industrial processes including innovative products like mobiles, PCs and DVDs in the modern world. Mechanical engineering is also the most diverse engineering discipline. Not many people can perform their jobs without mechanical engineers and there is hardly any aspect of life that is not influenced by a mechanical engineer. They research, develop, design, manufacture and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. They work on power generating machines such as electricity generators, internal combustion engines, steam and gas turbines and jet and rocket engines. They also develop machines such as refrigerators and air-conditioners, robots, materials handling systems and industrial production equipment. The work of a mechanical engineer requires IT, design and analytical skills using CAD/CAM technologies for designing and developing jet engines, steam engines, power plants, underwater structures, hydraulic systems and measurement devices. The mechanical engineer is responsible for the entire production process that involves the development of the design of a product, selection and production of materials, planning of the use of machines and methods to be used and other factors. Maintenance is another essential aspect of an engineer’s work. In all engineering industries this is an inevitable requirement since equipment and machines have to be kept functional at all times. All components of engineering systems need to be constantly tested for efficiency and safety. When designing and making a commercial product they work as part of a team with other engineers as well as financial, business and management professionals to make sure the product is affordable. They can also work on a project together with many other engineers like civil engineers in structures, electrical engineers in electronics, computing and control theory, aeronautical engineers in fluid flow and turbo machinery and so on. As the discipline of mechanical engineering covers all the basic aspects of engineering, mechanical engineers can move quite easily and work in other engineering specialisations including automobile, industrial, thermal, production and power engineering.
Getting In
TO become a mechanical engineer you need to do a diploma or degree in engineering. For a diploma in engineering, one must clear the Class X board exam with at least 50 per cent. Various polytechnics offer diplomas in various disciplines of engineering. To be eligible for a bachelor’s degree course i.e. B.E or B.Tech, one must clear the Class XII board exam with at least 50 per cent (60 for IITs) in the science stream with physics, chemistry and math as compulsory subjects. Several states and IITs have an entrance exam for admission into engineering. Diploma holders can also get direct admission into second year of engineering in the same stream in which they have completed their diploma. Practically, all engineering institutes offer the specialisation of mechanical engineering. As admission to a particular specialisation and institute depends on the ranking in the entrance test, students unable to get admission to the specialisation of choice can opt for mechanical engineering as the second choice. Major entrance tests for admission to an engineering college include:
In addition, there are state level engineering entrance tests for admission to 85 per cent seats in engineering colleges of each state and many private engineering colleges, institutes and deemed universities. There are 36 universities and around 1,200 colleges offering undergraduate and postgraduate engineering courses in various branches in all states in the country, except Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Students from these states are accommodated against reserved seats at the NITs at Silchar, Assam, Tripura Engineering College and in other engineering colleges of the country. There is also the Associate Membership Examination of the Institute of Engineers (AMIE), which enables working people in the private and public sector or diploma holders to acquire a bachelor’s engineering degree through distance education.
Job Opportunities
MECHANICAL engineers probably have the maximum number of employment opportunities. A mechanical engineer can get absorbed in almost any industry in the private or public sector. Aeronautical, agricultural, automobile, chemical plants, railways, power plants and computer manufacturing systems also need mechanical engineers to design and maintain their machinery. The most traditional careers in mechanical engineering are those working as design and manufacturing engineers for companies that produce a mechanical product, such as cars, planes or refrigerators. A large number of openings exist in sectors of power generation, automobile and machine tools. Some of the largest employers in the field of mechanical engineering include the automobile companies, infrastructure development companies like Reliance, BSES, L&T and others. The Indian Railways and the Armed Forces also recruit mechanical engineers. So do public sector companies like BHEL, Indian Oil and Air India. Mechanical engineers can also find work in administrative and managerial positions in government departments including post and telegraphs, PWD, and CPWD or public sector industries. Today, as mechanical engineering has merged and interfaced with the worlds of electrical, electronics, computer engineering, a qualified professional can find work in other industries too. Virtually every company that produces a product employs mechanical engineers. In fact, the IT industry also has a large intake of mechanical engineers. A large number of mechanical engineers are involved in the computer industry in companies such as TCS, Infosys, Wipro and others working in computer software areas or in the design of hard disk drives and in the cooling of electronic components and manufacturing of all components of a computer. Those who wish to continue studying with an M.Tech followed by a Ph.D can either get into the research and development (R& D) division as well as into teaching in India or abroad. Alternatively, they can choose to be their own master and become an entrepreneur. The scope for mechanical engineers in manufacturing will continue to increase as the demand for improved machinery and machine tools grow. With the growth in infrastructure there has been a resurgence of engineering field and growing job opportunities for engineers in private industry and public sector — railways, telecommunications, electricity departments, defence services (as commissioned officers), research organisations and laboratories. The manufacturing sector has recorded a 12.5 per cent growth in the last year. With India’s vast domestic market and relatively low-cost workers, a large number of international manufactures including auto giants like Hyundai, BMW, Mitsubishi have set up manufacturing facilities in the country. Major electrical and electronic manufacturers like ABB, Schneider, Honeywell and Siemens have also set up production facilities for domestic and export markets. With an eye on the huge trained technical resource available today in India, many other international manufacturing companies also have plans to start production base in the country. If you are interested in this highly sought-after career you need to evaluate if you have technical and analytical skills, facility with numbers, conceptualising abilities, a liking for working with tools, a high level of practicality and a capacity to work hard and persevere in a field that can be both stressful and rewarding. Mechanical engineering is one of the oldest engineering disciplines in the country and India’s engineering institutes have produced some of the finest professional talent in the country. So, when you sit for the engineering entrance exam, keep your focus on how you too can be an engine of growth and development for the country in the years to come. (The writer is a career expert)
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Fearing losing wages, incentive & goodwill, 20 pc corporate staff dragged themselves to work in illness
THE global economic recession is taking a toll on the health of workforce, particularly worst hit are the financial and IT sectors, with the pressure on saving jobs leading to many diseases like spondylitis and obesity, industry body Assocham said. Its study Corporate Workforce: Chronic and Lifestyle Disease is based on views of 210 corporate employees from 200 companies across 18 broad sectors like media, telecom and market research/knowledge process outsourcing. According to the study 54 per cent of the workforce in IT/ITes sector were found to be afflicted to diseases such as depression, severe headache, obesity, spondylitis and hypertension. “Corporate employees have to survive the stiff global competitive environment to save their jobs, adding pressure on their health leading to silent diseases,” Assocham secretary general D.S. Rawat said. The financial
services sector reported that 47 per cent of employees are suffering from fatigue, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, the chamber said. Another separate study found that over one-fifth of corporate sector employees surveyed by an industry chamber preferred to be in their workplaces even when they fell sick on fears of losing wages, incentive and goodwill. As many as 32 per cent of the employees covered in the Assocham survey did not take leave during April-December without necessarily being fit. Seventy-three per cent of those who did not take leave were sick. “But they pulled themselves to workplaces,” said the chamber, which did the survey based on responses from 210 employees in 200 companies. It said 38 per cent of employees took sick leave between one and seven days, while 12 per cent were absent from workplace between eight and fifteen days. Nearly all the organisations covered in the survey witnessed a phenomenon of “presenteeism” — sick employees showing up, but performing below par affecting the output quality, it said. Over 50 per cent of the participants said their firms were not implementing any health programmes.
— PTI
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9 of 10 Indian workers lack social security
AT a time when political parties are coming up with poll promises like job guarantees, OECD — a group of rich nations — has found that nine in 10 employees in India do not have a formal labour contract and social security benefits such as advance dismissal notices. As per a study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), nearly 370 million people in India do not have “formal social security”, which translates into nine out of ten employees in the country working without such benefits. “The financial crisis is throwing many people out of work, and in developing countries with no unemployment insurance, they are forced to take informal jobs with low pay, no protection and high risk exposure,” OECD said in the report, titled Is Informal Normal? The study found that informal employment has reached record levels worldwide and this has severe consequences for poverty in poor countries. Elaborating on the report, one of its authors, Johannes Jutting, said in an emailed statement that going by rough estimates for India, out of nearly 450 million workers, almost 200 million are employed informally in the non-agricultural sector. “Approximately another 210 million workers are employed in agriculture, which if we were to assume is mostly informal, then we can say that roughly 410 million workers in India are informally employed. This what accounts for our 9 out of 10 figure,” Johannes Jutting noted. In their manifestos for the coming general elections, various political parties — including Congress and BJP — have promised sops aimed at addressing the minimising the impact of global economic crisis on job market. Congress has promised a minimum income of Rs 10,000 a year under its job guarantee scheme and has promised to address the issues of economic slowdown through job-oriented growth, among other schemes. According to the study, globally 1.8 billion people — which accounts for more than half of the worldwide workforce — are working without a formal labour contract and social security. The number is projected to grow to two thirds of the workforce by 2020 and could go higher if more jobs are lost due to the economic crisis and more migrants return home to informal sector jobs, the report said. The OECD noted that about 1.2 billion people presently benefit from formal contracts and social security protection. Lack of “formal social security” can be defined as not having full social protection nor entitlement to certain employment benefits such advance notice of dismissal and severance pay, among others. In the Indian case, the absence of “formal social security” generally corresponds to workers employed in the un-organised sector, Jutting pointed out. They are “mainly composed of workers in firms employing less than ten individuals who are therefore not subject to much of India’s labour legislation, as well as self-employed, own-account workers, contributing family workers and agricultural workers,” he said. Pointing out that informal employment is a “question of survival for millions of Indians,” Jutting noted that due to the economic turmoil, it is these informally employed people “who will likely lose their jobs first...” The author added that such people also do not have recourse to the social protections they need in order to help them while they look for a new job.
— PTI
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Laid-off workers find new jobs, less pay HALF of US workers laid off in the past year who were questioned in a survey reported finding new jobs, but often with less pay and in a different field. The survey of 807 adults who lost full-time jobs in the past year showed that 49 per cent had found new jobs but of those, 49 per cent now earn less money. The survey was conducted for CareerBuilder.com, an online jobs site. Those questioned for the survey were chosen as representative of workers in an array of industries at various job levels around the nation, CareerBuilder.com spokeswoman Jennifer Grasz said. Of those with new jobs, 38 per cent said they are now employed in a different field, the survey found. Eight per cent reported finding
part-time work. One-sixth of those with new jobs said they had to relocate, one-sixth are now working more hours and one-sixth reported getting higher pay, the survey found. “This is encouraging news for the job seekers out there,” Grasz said. “There is a popular
misconception that if you lose your job today you won’t be able to find another opportunity. There are companies out there hiring today,” Grasz said. Workers aged 35 to 44 were most likely to find new jobs, while workers aged 18 to 24 were least likely, according to the survey. More men than women found new jobs. A third of the laid-off workers said they got severance packages from their employers, and two-thirds of those said the severance lasted for two months or less. Forty-five per cent of the laid-off workers said they had to tap into long-term savings.
— Reuters
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The Indian fashion industry has the potential for phenomenal growth. In these trying times, the right skillset is what will set you apart. Choose wisely, writes
BULBUL CHAUDHARY
Eco crisis takes toll on employee health
LEADING economists claim the economy is hovering on the brink of an acute recession. With recession comes the threat of cost cutting and layoff is the first step that companies usually take. The fact of the matter is that today’s volatile economy offers few certainties. In this gloomy environment, it is easier than ever for employers to lay off when the economy is heading south. It is important for one to choose a career that is always in demand come rain, hail or shine.
THERE are many institutes in India that offer courses in fashion design. Some of these institutes also offer specialised fashion courses like fashion merchandising and fashion marketing amongst others. In today’s dynamic economy, it is extremely important to choose the right institute that can impart appropriate education and the right training. So, the question is what is it that one should consider while choosing a college? I am pretty sure you must be nodding your head with the oh-no-not-again expression!
Q. I am a 28-year-old commerce graduate from Meerut University with a diploma in sales and marketing. I am currently based in Delhi looking after the sales and distribution network of my territory. I have been working for five years but the problem is that there was a career break in between when I left my previous job and moved into business. Although it helped me learn a lot, now it is proving to be a stumbling block. That I don’t have an MBA from a premier B-school is yet another damper. Despite above-average performance, I don’t seem to be getting anywhere. Please guide me on the course of action I should take to reach a respectable position.
Q. I am studying in 12th (PCM) and preparing for AIEEE. My uncle says that the days of IT sector are over and core branches like mechanical and civil engineering are back. I am in a dilemma. Please help me select the best field that utilises my four-year labour to the
utmost.
Q. We have one child, a girl. She got 80 per cent in 10+2 exam. Presently, she is doing B.Sc biotechnology, second year. Is she eligible for any scholarship or fund given by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India? I have heard about a policy that gives fee exemption to a single girl child who scores 60 per cent and above in the board exams.
Q. Is it possible to do two courses at a time?
Q.
After doing 10+2 in science, I am doing B.A. first year privately. I have realised that it was a wrong decision and would like to do B.Sc in biophysics next year. Is it possible? 
CLOSE to four lakh students took the all-important Indian Institute of Technology joint entrance examination (IIT-JEE) on Sunday, which makes it a good time to ponder over the fact that practically everything we use is built by engineers — from simple bicycles to airplanes and rockets, highways, dams, cars, bicycles, TVs and even the Blackberry! Engineers work with structures, tools, machines, metals, chemicals and various other materials and use their analytical skills and creativity to innovate and create new things or bring modifications to already existing machines. Engineering is not so much a career but an expertise and a way of thinking that brings about new discoveries and possible improvements and modifications to various machines and equipment. 