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Dreams to reality...
Career Hotline
Web of success
Time to reboot
Beating blues, the yoga way
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Dreams to reality...
SO, you didn’t get a 90per cent in your Class XII Board exams, not even close. Is this a reason to be upset, or worried? Does this mean the end of your academic career? Are you doomed? NO, not at all! Low marks are no reason for doom or gloom. Take a look around you and see how many successful people were toppers in school and college. The answer itself should give you a reason to hope, and bring the smile back on to your face.The world is full of opportunities that do not necessarily go only to those who get into top schools and colleges. Success is who you can become with the opportunities that come your way. Take heart and open the doors of your mind to a host of new ideas of what you can do after Class XII, irrespective of your marks.
To start with, if you have already decided upon a career, you must begin thinking about colleges and courses. If you haven’t decided upon a career, you need to start working towards this keeping in mind your abilities and interests and thinking about what you should do while you begin to focus on your choices. Planning for the future involves more than just finding out about what is open to you! Knowledge about your self is crucial to the process, followed by information about the career and the most suitable study routes. It is important to start by looking at your individual values, abilities, skills and interests in order to identify those career options most suited to you. Look at your strength areas, a helpful starting point for self-analysis, or consult a career counsellor for help with your self-assessment. Once you have some idea about what you want to do in life, you must start thinking about the kind of after-school study that you need to take up. There are basically three choices open to you: n Let the games begin: If you are quite sure about your career choice, you can directly begin a professional course of study, degree or diploma. This could be in engineering, medicine, law, fashion design, charted accountancy, architecture and so on according to your choice. n Wait and watch: If, however, you are not too sure about what you want to do, a general graduation degree in subjects like economics, political science, psychology, history could be the best option for three years while you think about the future course of action. Such a study also provides a good base of knowledge of a subject and teaches you skills that are useful for whatever career you may wish to pursue. n Keeping choices open: The third choice is to take up a vocational course like interior decoration, airline crew training, jewellery design, TV production, video editing or travel and ticketing depending on the kind of work that appeals to you while doing a degree through correspondence, so that you have the option of further study should the need arise. If you are likely to take up option two, the question then arises: how do I decide on the subject to select for graduation? The best way to do this is to look at the different jobs that are either directly or indirectly related to the subject of your degree. There are many jobs for which a study of your specific degree could provide useful background knowledge that is
For example a degree in history is directly useful for a career as an archeologist or archivist, museum curator, historian or teacher of history. But indirectly a history degree provides you an opportunity to use the historian’s skills and perspective in a number of other careers such as the civil services, law, tourism, journalism and even marketing management. So after a degree in history you could easily take up a postgraduate degree or diploma that can enable you to go into any one of these careers. In the same way a degree in economics is very useful if you wish to become an economist, with a master’s and possibly a PhD in economics – like our highly intellectual Prime Minister – where you would be advising government, financial institutions, companies and international organisations on economic aspects, or work in academic research, or as an economic journalist. On the other hand, economics is probably one of the most widely valued subjects for a host of careers ranging from business management, chartered accountancy and banking, to law and advertising. A degree in mathematics is useful for anyone looking for a career in economics, statistics, quantitative market research, actuarial science, accounting and finance, computer applications and so on, but also of value to you should you wish to pursue chartered accountancy, finance related specialisations, stock market fields, operations research, as also any area of management, media planning for advertising and banking. If you are interested in science, each of the different subjects like biology, chemistry, physics as well as applied sciences can lead you into a host of fascinating careers. Biology and the bio sciences offers the study of all living organisms, and therefore includes the study of medicines and pharmacy to fight diseases, environment science and conservation of our world and wildlife, agriculture and food processing for developing more and better kinds of foods, and the development of support systems for life in space and beyond. A degree in physics, other than fields related to industrial and engineering areas can also lead into careers in astronomy, meteorology, computer science, electronics and telecommunications, cosmology, forensic science, geology, hydrology, oceanography, mathematical sciences, space sciences and many others. Similarly, chemistry is a useful subject if you are interested in genetics, biotechnology, biochemistry, environmental sciences, or any of the fields related to chemicals, petrochemicals, food processing, paint, plastics and textile technology. You can also go into research, conducting experiments and developing theoretical knowledge in a variety of theoretical or applied areas, And should you at a later date want to move into a non-science career like business management, law or even in the hospitality industry, the transferable skills acquired during your graduation in science, such as analytical and problem-solving skills come in useful for any of these career options. And finally, if the only course you can get into is a general BA or BA programme, it can be extremely useful in providing an opportunity to study more than one subject from a range of choices that include history, geography, psychology, economics, or languages, to gender studies, environmental education and several others, which can open up a host of avenues in diverse fields ranging from civil services, advertising, mass communication, archeology, market research, hotel management, travel and tourism, event management, sales and marketing, retail management, NGO work, adventure sports or even business management. Take up the degree course that interests you and is best suited to your career goal. While you are honing your academic qualifications, spend some time to develop the skills that will put you ahead of the competition. Good luck with degree hunting! (The writer is a career expert)
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Career Hotline
Q. I am a 19-year-old doing BSc (physical education), third year. What is the career scope for me after my graduation? What do I have to do to become a fitness trainer?
— Gurvinder Singh However, if you think you need some more grooming, there are several reputed courses like the Instructor Certification Course offered by Reebok India or Nike or Talwalkar’s that prepare you to be a fitness trainer. Treat the course as a mere kick-off point. Keep reading up on fitness and experiment continuously — there’s no end to learning in this field as new research and equipment keeps hitting the headlines. Incorporate elements of yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, dancercise, (even bhangra) to infuse an element of variety in your classes.
I believe I can fly
Q. I am student of class 12. I want to make my career in aviation as a flight steward. What qualifications should I have for it? — Mishti Gopeshwar You should be below 25 years of age for domestic airlines and below 30 for international airlines and have normal eyesight (you can wear contact lenses). The minimum height should be 170 cm (male) and 157 cm (female). Other essentials are stamina, physical fitness, a clear, unblemished complexion, pleasing personality, weight (in proportion to height and age). While proficiency in English and Hindi is a must, familiarity with a foreign language is desirable. Knowledge of nursing/first aid and overall general awareness are an asset. It would also be a good idea to learn swimming, as it is necessary for safety and emergency procedures. Some experience in customer service would also help. In addition you must be mature in attitude and outlook, a people’s person with good communication skills. If your application fulfils the specified criteria, you will be invited for a preliminary interview. If you are successful at this stage, you will be called for a second interview and a grooming check. Short-listed candidates are asked to attend a final interview at a later date. If selected, you will be required to clear medical tests and undergo 10-12 weeks of training. On completing the training successfully, you can look forward to an attractive remuneration package including allowances and benefits.
Political science opens many doors
Q. I am in MA, final year (political science). I am an active member of the Natak Academy in our town. I would like to know the options available for me after political science. — Vineeta Jaiswal - You could either opt for teaching political science or international relations at the college or university level (upon qualifying the National Eligibility Test (NET), conducted by the UGC for central/state universities or the State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) for state universities). - The Civil Services in general, and the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) in particular, is another popular option for students of ‘pol science’ as the subject is popularly called. The General Studies paper requires considerable knowledge of Indian polity and current affairs. - If you have a flair for writing, you can also become a political analyst for a newspaper, news-related website or TV. Among others, you can take up research jobs in organisations such as Institute for Defence Studies & Analysis (IDSA), Old JNU Campus, New Mehrauli Road, Centre for Policy Research (CPR), Dharma Marg, Chanakyapuri, Research & Information Systems for Non-aligned Countries, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, Indian Council of World Affairs, Institute for Peace & Conflict Resolution (IPCR), India International Centre, Max Mueller Marg, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, Teen Murti House.
For astrobiology, study two different sciences
Q. I want to know about astrobiology. Is it a part of space technology? Is it different from astronomy and astrophysics? Please tell me about the career opportunities in astrobiology and about institutions that offer the subject. — Sumit Sreshtha Astrobiology makes use of physics, chemistry, astronomy, biology, molecular biology, ecology, planetary science and geology, as well as philosophy to speculate about the nature of possible life in other worlds. For instance, NASA’s astrobiology programme addresses three fundamental questions: How does life begin and evolve? Is there life beyond earth and, if so, how can we detect it? What is the future of life on earth and in the universe? In striving to answer these questions and improve understanding of biological, planetary, and cosmic phenomena and relationships among them, experts in astronomy and astrophysics, earth and planetary sciences, microbiology and evolutionary biology, cosmochemistry, and other relevant disciplines are participating in astrobiology research and helping to advance space exploration. The best preparation to become an astrobiologist is to study two different sciences in college, one biological and one physical (such as chemistry, geology, or astronomy). You probably won’t find specific astrobiology courses in college, but don’t worry, these are skills that you can acquire at the PG level. Most jobs in astrobiology are in universities or industry, not working directly for NASA. Almost all the teams who are part of the NASA Astrobiology Institute work in academic organisations carrying out research in astrobiology. Thus, your best bet would be to do your master’s at a university in US that offers courses in astrobiology. Log onto: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/ for a wealth of knowledge on this subject
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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Web of success
Web designing is defined as a process of conceptualisation, planning, modelling, and execution of electronic media delivery by means of Internet. In layman’s language, it means designing a website or internet site which involves a collection of electronic files. These files are stored in the web server through which it can be viewd as web pages. A web page embodies text and images (in the forms of GIF, JPEG, PNG). It is basically, electronic publishing. Web Pages can be classified as static or dynamic. A static web page is the one that changes or updates only manually through human interface. Else its content and layout remains static. Dynamic pages on the other hand change content and appearance as per end-user’s input or through computing environment (user, time, database, modifications, etc.) There can be alteration in Content by using client-side scripting languages (JavaScript, ActionScript, etc.) to alter DOM elements (DHTML). Dynamic content is generally stored on the server, utilising server-side scripting languages like Perl, PHP, ASP. JSP, ColdFusion, to name a few. There is a difference between web design and web development. While the former is more aesthetically inclined and induces more of art calling for a sense of design layout and colour concept, the latter is more technical as it involves use of software to develop the website.
Sky is the limit
WEB designing professionals are in great demand in the world of advertising, television, print and publishing, filmmaking, content development and Internet. Almost all corporates, public sector and government departments today, require web designers. Even the non-profit making organisations and political parties need web designers to publicise their propaganda and mission through their websites. Big corporates have their in-house web designing departments. While the starting salary of a web designer may be Rs 10–15,000, it greatly enhances with experience. However, a very lucrative career option for web designers is freelance or outsourced projects, wherein huge amount of money can be charged. “As in the other sectors, tremendous inflow of international projects is also being seen in web designing. Given India’s huge pool of creative minds and low cost quality output, international projects for web designing are flooding Indian markets. All we need today is well trained, technically qualified professionals,” says Kacker.
Skillset
A PROFESSIONAL web designer needs to have a wide-ranging skill set that includes technical proficiency, interpersonal communications and above all the ability to understand and appreciate design & deliver the same as per customer specifications. It is very important for the Web Designer to understand the need of the customer and what he wants to say about his product. So, most important is how he expresses his ideas on the web. A degree or diploma in computer science, graphic design or digital media is a most sought-after prerequisite for a web designer. However, knowledge of marketing and advertising with advanced computer training is an added advantage. A web designer is required to create websites by using techniques like E-commerce features (forums, mailing lists, credit card processing ability), visual design, search engine optimised copy, strategic layout and an appropriate platform. A web designer needs to have thorough knowledge of computer languages like hypertext mark-up language, JavaScript, Cold Fusion, and software programs like Dream weaver, Adobe Photoshop, and Corel Draw to layout and design pages. Observing the current demands of the industry, Arena Animation has designed a unique programme to offer training in this area. Its year-long graphics and web design programme deals with the basics as well as advanced concepts of designing in a digital environment and offers training in basic art to designing web pages. “The course has been exclusively designed in consultation with the industry and specifically deliver what companies expect out of professionals in the future,” says Kacker. Other institutes which offer web designing courses are TGC Animation and Multimedia, Apeejay Institute of Design, EDIT & Raffles Design Institute. It’s the right time for the students take up their creative pursuits embedded with technology and prepare to be a leader in the global arena. Series concluded
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Time to reboot
IN recent months, a common phenomenon that most media have been echoing is the global financial crisis. Since then, analysts and industry experts have waxed eloquent on the issue, terming it as recession, downturn and slowdown. More than the term, it’s the impact that has led everyone to take notice. The global financial turmoil has adversely affected all industries alike, from information technology, manufacturing, BFSI to telecommunication with varying levels of impact.
Ground reality
ACCORDING to a recent IDC study, there will be a shortage of 137,200 networking professionals in India alone this year. It is further estimated that this gap is growing at a compounded annual growth of 39 per cent. With networking forming the backbone of a company’s IT needs, this gap in skilled networking professionals could arrest the growing market and threaten India’s economic growth. Given India’s 1.1 billion population it may be difficult to fathom how we can face a shortage of talent. The 52 per cent literacy rate is triggered by inaccessibility of quality education due to high poverty levels (319 million live below USD 2 per day) and India’s wide rural-urban divide. The demand-supply gap of skilled workforce is already being felt by India’s burgeoning IT industry and fears of the gap widening in the future are being examined carefully. Nasscom has estimated that by 2010 India could face a shortfall of 500,000 IT professionals, possibly threatening the country’s position as a leading provider of IT and ITES services. Nasscom also states that every year over 3 million people (graduates and postgraduates) are added to the Indian workforce. Of these, only 25 per cent of technical graduates and 10-15 per cent of other graduates are considered employable by the growing IT and ITES sectors. But even after employing these graduates, most companies have to spend considerable amount of time and resources on their training so as to develop the skills required by the industry, not a very viable option in these times of recessionary conditions. It is important to note that the biggest current skills-related challenge facing the IT industry is not availability, but rather gaps in the available skill pool.
Need of the hour
URGENTLY required is a paradigm shift in the manner in which education is imparted to make it easily accessible. In addition to setting up new institutes and bettering the existing ones, options such as distance education and online learning must be explored today. The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) has recently made recommendations to help achieve our national goal of increasing the college and university enrolment ratio of 15 per cent by 2012 to ensure India’s success as a knowledge economy. One key recommendation has been the use of broadband Internet connectivity for dissemination of high quality educational resources. Furthermore, stimulating the development and dissemination of quality open access materials and open educational resources has been cited as one of the most effective ways of achieving the goals. It is believed that such measures will facilitate easy and widespread access to high quality educational resources as well as counter some of the problems mentioned earlier. For example, companies like Cisco have introduced e-learning models to students to encourage critical thinking, problem solving, and network trouble-shooting skills via the Cisco Networking Academy. Cisco has helped individuals develop the skills needed to fill ICT positions in virtually every type of industry via online courses, interactive tools, simulations and hands on lab activities. The Cisco Networking Academy enables students to learn anytime, anywhere, at their own pace, with more targeted assessments and accountability than traditional classroom settings. Online learning is always less intimidating, provides student centered teaching, can encompass a broad spectrum of content, facilitates team learning and surprisingly builds bonding and camaraderie with their faculty on account of one to one chats, emails and discussions. While “brick and mortar” institutions will never cease to exist, it’s not far fetched to see why people are latching on are attracted by of this new mode of learning. It is a universally known fact that knowledge, skills, and resourcefulness of people are critical to sustain and foster economic development in a knowledge society. Considering the current market dynamics, it’s imperative to have an education system that guarantees wider reach. With the total number of Internet subscriber base of 49.4 million in India, the objective is not farfetched. It is the right time now for us to reboot the India education system and joint initiatives by the industry and academia can play an important part in plugging the talent gap in the years to come. Training individuals for the jobs of the future and allowing them to visualise what it possible today will not only make a difference in their lives but will enrich our communities now and for the future. (The writer is Regional Manager-Corporate
Responsibility, Cisco-South Asia)
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Beating blues, the yoga way
If the economic meltdown has left you with frozen enthusiasm, you can actually twist and turn to get going. No, it’s not about wriggling out of a situation, but performing asanas to beat the recession blues.
That’s right, you can add pace to your life even when slowdown is holding everyone back simply by turning to yoga — at least this is what yogic gurus, and even academicians are talking about. “Yoga not only leaves you feeling younger and energetic, but also helps you cope up with day-to-day mental and physical stress that comes as an interest on fat pay packages, or with the apprehension of losing it,” says Ranjana Sharma, academician and principal of a Shimla-based school with over 300 branches across the country. Ask her about transcending slowdown stress, and she says it’s not really difficult once you adopt the right approach. “You just require basic understanding of yoga, Indian philosophy and meditation practices. Once you know how the techniques function individually and in combination, you can emerge stronger and more capable to deal with new challenges,” she asserts. Currently heading Bachpan playschool at the hill station, Sharma is helping parents from even outside the state with the techniques. A strong exponent of yoga, Bharat Thakur elaborates on the approach: “Recession stress is just a state of mind. The economy is slowing down and people are losing jobs. But, you can deal with it.” Mumbai-based Thakur is an internationally known “spiritual master” who travels throughout the world conducting yoga and meditation workshops. To begin with, Thakur suggests recognising the signs of recession anxiety. “If you are constantly living with the fear of the unforeseen and are spending nights tossing around in the bed, it means somewhere inside you recession is taking its toll,” he says. Your reactions also tell tales. “If the stock you bought in good old days registers negative growth with entire market falling, what do you do? Do you sell your stock and suffer a loss? Or, do you have faith the stock will come up at the earliest? I am not sure which choice is wise. But, your choice will definitely tell you about you mental condition,” says Thakur. So, if you conclude stress and anxiety are affecting not just your frame of mind, but also your bank balance, take to yoga. “Meditation and yoga involve techniques to help you generate awareness about the modifications of your mind,” Thakur says. Now, what are the modifications? Well, Thakur has the answer. “Modifications or alterations of mind manifest themselves in form of wide-of-the-mark thought processes and wrong imagination. These cloud your mind. Only when your mind is silent and calm, you make the right decisions in life.” Now, if you lose your job, relax using yogic techniques and utilise the time to re-evaluate your career. ‘Is this what you enjoy doing? Do you have a passion for your job?’ If yes, stay cool. You will certainly grab another job. But, if you find yourself de-motivated, think of expanding your skill set. Or else, try something different, depending on your situation.
Making a beginning
SO how do you go about it? “The first step is to leave your worries behind. Use yoga and meditation to stop your mind from thinking and move inwards into a peaceful state, where your situation of life does not affect your mental state,” says Thakur. You can do this by becoming aware of your breath, which is an indicator of your mental state. If your breath is fast and unsteady, do simple breathing exercises to bring it back to normal. And, if you still find yourself tense with stiff body, do simple stretches and asanas. You can practice bandhas or neuromuscular locks, which balance your hormones and bring your entire system to its optimum level. “In the end, just remember economies of the world go through ups and downs. It’s a part of natural process, like different seasons. It’s a time to get creative,” he concludes.
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Fortnightly Quiz-337
2. Who is the youngest minister in the Union Cabinet at the age of 28? 3. Name the cyclone that recently ripped through 13 districts of West Bengal. 4. How many years ago was Britain’s most visible iconic landmark and the world’s largest four-faced chiming clock, Big Ben, set up in London? 5. What is the capital of Austria? 6. Which country is the biggest consumer and second largest producer of sugar in the world? 7. What is England’s highest one-day score in cricket against the West Indies? 8. Which team won the Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament this year? 9. Who has become the first Indian to score a century in the IPL? 10. Which tennis player holds the record for 31 successive wins at the Roland Garros? —
Tarun Sharma
Winners of quiz 336: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Tejpreet Singh, class VI-A (Rose), St Xavier’s High School, Mansa Khurd, Mansa (Punjab), Pin Code 151505 Second: Tripti Dhiman, class VII (Red), Springfields Public School, Ratauli Road, Yamuna Nagar, Pin Code 135001 Third: Nitesh, class VIII-C, Manav Public School, 61 Anand Avenue, Maqbool Road, Amritsar, Pin Code 143001 Answers to quiz 336: Jawaharlal Nehru; 262; Jacob Zuma; Madhav Kumar Nepal; DD Lapang; By the end of the year 2009; Intel; Surat; Wal-Mart; Yuvraj Singh 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
Name________________________ Class________________________ School
Address________________________________________________________
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SO, you didn’t get a 90per cent in your Class XII Board exams, not even close. Is this a reason to be upset, or worried? Does this mean the end of your academic career? Are you doomed? NO, not at all! Low marks are no reason for doom or gloom. Take a look around you and see how many successful people were toppers in school and college. The answer itself should give you a reason to hope, and bring the smile back on to your face.The world is full of opportunities that do not necessarily go only to those who get into top schools and colleges.
Economies go through ups & downs: It’s like the seasons, say experts.
SAURABH MALIK
chats them up on how not to let the recession get to you & finds out yoga holds the key to sanity in these trying times
FOR many careers, it really doesn’t matter what subject you take up for graduation. Prospective emplo-yers look for skills and personal attributes that can contribute to a company’s growth. Soft skills are the non-technical skills, abilities, and traits that all employees need to function effectively in a work environment. Good communication skills, teamwork as well as decision-making and problem solving skills are possibly the most sought after qualities that an employer looks for. These skills are “transferable skills” meaning they are portable from one job to the next. They will serve you well no matter what degree course you have undertaken, or the position or career field you seek. 
A. With models and stars like Hrithik Roshan, Kareena and Aishwarya, flaunting perfectly toned abs, the craze is to consult or hire a fitness trainer. And the fitness craze runs across age groups and categories of people – from housewives to corporate honchos! Since you have already done a degree-level course in physical education, you are pretty much equipped to get going. 
On finishing the course you can start with assisting a senior aerobics instructor in a health club or gym before you start taking your own classes or become a personal trainer. Corporate fitness programmes are also gaining in popularity these days.
A. To qualify as a cabin crew — flight steward or airhostess — the minimum qualification is 10+2 or a degree in hotel management, although a large number hold a bachelor’s degree. You should be fluent in English and Hindi. You also need a fair amount of stamina to walk up and down the aisle pushing trolleys and serving passengers on board. 
A. After doing your masters in political science, you will have the following options:
A. Astrobiology (also called exobiology, and bioastronomy) is the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. This interdisciplinary field encompasses the search for habitable environments in our solar system and habitable planets outside our solar system, the search for evidence of life on Mars and other bodies in our solar system. It also includes laboratory and field research into the origins and early evolution of life on earth, and studies of the potential for life to adapt to challenges in space.
THE world today is in the grip of the World Wide Web and what could be more interesting than to design that web? Indeed, a fascinating idea. And with nearly all businesses of any dimension hosting web pages, a career in web designing is the most sought after these days come rain, hail or shine.
“It is a culmination of aesthetics and technology. Designing the web involves technology for graphics and animation creation, color selection, font selection, navigation design, content creation, HTML/XML authoring, interactive items through Flash, JavaScript programming, and the like. A single web page is linked to several other websites,” says Anuj Kacker, global head, Arena Animation. 
As a corollary, organisations have started contemplating and implementing ways and means to counter the challenges that have unfolded from the fiasco. The common steps have been cost cutting that translated into lay-offs particularly for the lesser trained staff and shutting down of offices that did not meet growth targets, besides salary cuts particularly of low performers. The stark reality — the knowledge gap and the dearth of adequately trained industry-ready skilled IT networking professionals coupled with the current employment crunch — now has the opportunity to rear its ugly head again.
1. Who has been chosen by the UPA government to become the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha?
