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Simply Science
The Meltdown
Sexism still rules
FOOD for THOUGHT
Institutes giving foreign degrees under tax scanner
Build trust, shun set notions
Facebook for 50-somethings!
Happiness @ work
To teachers, with love
Career Hotline
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Simply Science
Most students who study science in school do so for a fixed purpose – an engineering or medical career. Most do not look beyond that to an interest in science and the wonderful possibilities with science. But science is an important area of learning and career paths in the sciences can lead to almost any industry — from manufacturing, to medicine, to microeconomics. Whether your interest lies in earth science, plant life, engineering, math, or beyond, you can explore career paths and match your skills to the field of science that’s right for you—genetic engineering, biotechnology, DNA sequencing, space science, atmospheric science, biology, chemistry, the geosciences, physics, and science technology and many more specialties. There are a large number of scientific fields where you can work and each field yields a huge range of occupations in almost as many different settings. The main three categories of science are biology, chemistry and physics. And these three categories are divided to other sub-categories . While biology and chemistry are life sciences, dealing with living organisms, physics is an earth or physical science. The biologist studies what living things are, what they are made of and how they behave. The botanist studies how plants live and grow. He explores the ways of using plants for food or for medicines. The marine biologist studies all the plants and animals in the sea, from huge whales to tiny diatoms. Human biologist studies how the human body works, what can go wrong with it can be cured. Microbiologist studies tiny creatures, such as algae and bacteria. In the field of chemistry, there is the chemist who studies what substances are made of, and how they behave when mixed together The geologist studies substances in the earth, how the earth was formed and how it changes The biochemist finds out about the chemical processes that make all living things work The pharmacist makes drugs and medicines to treat diseases, while the physical chemist studies the atoms and molecules that makes up all matter. In addition there are many other fields related to biology and chemistry such as biotechnology, environmental science, ecology, agriculture, food sciences, genetics, clinical medicine, pharmacology, climatology, toxicology and so on with many study and career options. There are a huge number of fields related to physics, too. The physicist studies materials, and how they are affected by sources of energy, such as electricity. Meteorologists look at the earth’s atmosphere and measure the changes that produce our weather. The astronomer studies everything in the universe, like stars and planets. They try to discover how the universe works. Nuclear physicists study the behaviour of tiny particles inside atoms. Physics also covers the area of engineering, computer science, geology, mathematical sciences, material sciences, nanotechnology and many more.
Getting started
MOST colleges and universities offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and doctoral courses in sciences, including some of the specialisations. Depending on your interest in a particular science you can take up graduation in a core science like physics, chemistry, biology or applied sciences and then the specialization at post-graduate and doctoral level. There are many research institutes conducting programmes in the different sciences. Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai, India’s premier institution for advanced research in fundamental sciences, the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) Ahmedabad, Harish Chandra Research Institute, Allahabad, for conducting research in mathematics and theoretical physics, Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore, Raman Research Institute, Bangalore, for research programmes in the areas of astronomy and astrophysics, BR Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, Institute of Science, Bangalore, Dr Salim Ali School of Ecology, Pondicherry, GB Pant Institute, Pantnagar, and several others. Moreover, in a recent move to encourage the study of science after 10+2, the government has set up five research-led teaching institutes termed Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research at Kolkata, Pune, Mohali, Bhopal and Thiruvanthapuram which offer a five-year dual BS/MS programme in basic sciences (physics, chemistry, maths, biology). For more information check www.iiser-admissions.in
Landing a job
A DEGREE in science can enable you to work with organisations in industry, engineering, information technology, as well as stimulating careers in research and the building of knowledge in any particular field of science. While many scientific jobs are research oriented and are located in universities or institutes, a number of jobs involve the application of science to an industrial and Some careers that require a strong background in physics include astronomy, meteorology, bio-engineering, bio-physics, ceramic engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, electronics and telecommunications, cosmology, aeronautical engineering, forensic science, geology, hydrology, oceanography, mathematical sciences, space sciences and many others. A degree in chemistry offers a variety of options in chemical and allied industries such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, petrochemicals, toiletries, plastics, polymers, in the manufacture and processing of food and beverage products as also those in the energy — oil, gas, and power sectors, and in the health and pharmaceutical fields. With a biology or related subject degree you will be able to work in organisations in the pharmaceutical, healthcare and biotechnology sectors, or as a research scientist (life science) in universities, research institutions and health authorities. The government and its agencies, the health sector, the water industry, universities and research institutes, schools and further education colleges, pharmaceutical and biotechnical companies, food and drink manufacturers, the agricultural and horticultural industries, and conservation bodies are other major areas of jobs for scientists. You can also join the Civil Services. In addition a background in science can also be the basis for any kind of career, whether it be management, industry, finance related or in communications. You can do a post-graduate degree or diploma in any of these areas for excellent career prospects. Employers are happy to take on students with a background in science, as they will have good analytical skills. How do you know if science is right for you? As one biologist noted: If you have the opportunity to get into a lab as an undergraduate and do experiments and you find that you are having fun, it is probably a good choice for you! The two leading qualities of the physicist are curiosity and an analytical mind. So, if you are an explorer, curious about the world around you, let your love of science lead you into a fascinating and successful career in the sciences. (The write is a career expert)
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The Meltdown
“More experienced people are getting hired, and they’re downgrading their skills to get the job,” Wells said. “I feel like I’m competing with older workers, not college graduates. It wears on your confidence.” Walker, 58, lost her job running a nonprofit that helped minority women in business in Orlando and hasn’t had any luck finding new work in the three months since. “What they tell us is that they’re looking for more mature and experienced workers, but they want us to work for less, or what they could pay younger people to do,” she said recently outside an Orlando job fair. “Maybe younger people would be willing or able to accept lesser pay.” Would-be retirees have watched their savings dwindle and healthcare costs soar, while workers recently out of school and burdened by debt try to advance in careers that no longer have room for them. The results show up on the map: Places with high concentrations of people in their late 20s or nearing what they thought would be their retirement age are feeling the recession the hardest, as measured by The Associated Press Economic Stress Index. The index assigns each county a score from 1 to 100, with higher numbers reflecting greater stress, based on its unemployment, foreclosures and bankruptcy rates. The groups associated with the highest stress scores in each US county are men and women between ages 25 and 29 and women over age 55. That doesn’t necessarily mean having a high percentage of people in those groups causes a county’s economic health to worsen, though the two appear to go hand in hand. Experts said a variety of factors may be at play. Young adults are more at risk for losing their jobs and homes in a recession, while people later in life are more likely to declare bankruptcy in order to protect their assets, said Tay McNamara, director of research at the Center on Aging and Work at Boston College. “Last hired, first fired. Generally, that is very true,” McNamara said. Chanel Moore knows how that goes. The 25-year-old Orlando resident was laid off last year from a job in retail and has found herself competing with older workers in her jobs searches. “I’m young, trying to get on my feet, and then you have people older than me who are already on their feet looking for jobs with more experience than me,” Moore said. Workers in the 25 to 34 age group have seen the most dramatic rise in unemployment during the past year compared to other age groups. Their unemployment rate went from 5.7 percent in July 2008 to 10 per cent in July 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Compounding the pain for some young workers can be big bills from their careers as students. The average undergraduate finishes college with $17,700 in debt at four-year public schools and $22,375 in debt at four-year private schools. Also, student loan provider Sallie Mae reported this year that seniors graduated college with an average credit card debt of more than $4,100 in 2008, up from $2,900 four years earlier. If there is a bright side for this age group, it’s that they are less likely than older workers to have a family to feed or mortgage to pay. “They’re a pretty flexible group,” said Tom Smith, a labor economist at Emory University. “They have fewer ties to a community and can travel or relocate.” Though younger people may be more likely to be laid off, older workers are less likely to recover from a layoff, experts said. Part of the reason stems from the myths surrounding older workers — that they’re tough to train, more expensive and not comfortable with new technology, said Joseph Quinn, a professor of economics at Boston College. “Once they do get laid off, they’re really hosed,” Quinn said. Unemployment rates for older workers have increased in this recession more than in past recessions, and the unemployment rate for adults over age 65 is at an all-time high — 7 per cent in July. That is up from 3.3 per cent at the start of the recession in December 2007, but still below the national unemployment rate of 9.4 per cent in July. The previous high was 6.6 per cent in February 1977. The rise in unemployment for older workers is partly the result of a mobile work force that hasn’t stayed with a single employer for long periods of time as in the past, said Richard Johnson, a senior fellow at The Urban Institute in Washington. “What seemed to protect older workers in the past is that they had a lot of seniority,” Johnson said. “Now there is much more churning going on with these older workers. Even though they’re older and experienced, they haven’t been with the employer for very long.” Recent figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics back this up. The BLS data shows that workers over age 55 have found their share of mass layoffs increasing during the past decade — from just over 12 per cent in 1999 to almost 18 per cent in 2009. Laid-off older workers are more likely this recession than in past recessions to try to find other jobs, rather than drop out of the labor market, since the tanking of the stock market last year has caused their retirement nest eggs to shrink, Johnson said. Walker, the Orlando executive, worried recently that she might have to take any job that becomes available to her, no matter if it fits her career path or salary expectations that come with an MBA. “If you’ve been out there working, and you have a career, now it’s like starting a career all over again,” she said. Out in California, former systems analyst Wells is living with his girlfriend, who supports the couple on her income, and he is looking for jobs outside of his field. Recently, he considered joining the military. “I’m looking for part-time, temporary... I’m looking for everything,” Wells said. “I don’t have another year of emergency funds to tough it out. I’m getting desperate. I’m 25 and I need to start making it happen.” — Agencies
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Sexism still rules
Women working in banks and other financial institutions told the EHRC that workers who become pregnant routinely face redundancy, and that recruitment was all about “jobs for the boys”. Clients were often “entertained” in lap-dancing clubs, hostess bars or at sports such as golf, from which women were excluded. One female worker said: “Every single type of activity, whether it was customer-facing or designed to increase cohesion within the organisation, was masculine; and so women seemed to be really excluded from participating in all of the informal and other networking.” The report found: “It is this culture that denigrates certain tasks, which then become associated with women’s work, from which men are encouraged to progress so that women become ghettoised, contributing to occupational segregation.” It added: “This sex stereotyping of work across the sector was compounded by the sexism that was described by some witnesses as pervading wholesale banking.” An entrenched culture of sexism prevented some women from securing higher pay, said the report. In one incident reported to the inquiry, a woman who wanted to speak to her male manager about possible re-grading, was told: “If you show up for work in fishnets for the next month then maybe we’ll talk about it.” Another witness summarised difficulties faced by women in this culture by saying: “If you do not attend large drinking sessions, play billiards and speak and act like a man (that is, no crying and never sleeping and never taking any days off for yourself or your children) then you still have a small chance of success provided you dress like a model and express a wish never to have children.” Women employed full-time in the City earn 47 per cent less in annual gross salaries than men, compared to a 28 per cent pay gap across the economy, said the commission. A disparity in bonuses and other performance-related pay is a major factor behind the “massive gender pay gap” in the finance sector, the commission found. In one case the inquiry was told: “Some men who are making these decisions are naturally less encouraging of female talent or would say things such as ‘She’s just got married, she’s going to have a baby soon. There’s no point in paying her this year’.” In another case a company’s bonus policy was characterised as “We won’t pay her, we will pay him: he’s not going to have a baby.” The commission warned that the worst offenders who failed to respond to warnings to change their pay policies would face tough legal action. In its report the equality watchdog has published confidential data from 50 companies that together employ 22.6 per cent of workers in the sector. It shows that nearly all women taking up new jobs still start on lower average salaries than men, suggesting that the gender gap is being further entrenched by recruitment patterns. This is also reflected in the disparity in first-time bonuses. Here, the average award paid to a woman was (pounds sterling)300, compared to (pounds sterling)800 for a man. Women employees earned an average of (pounds sterling)2,875 in annual performance-related pay, compared to an average of (pounds sterling)14,554 for men. Only a quarter of companies said they had undertaken an equal pay audit. The inquiry also suggests that the sector’s age profile may be a key factor blocking women’s success. An unusually high proportion of workers in the sector fall into the 25-39 age group when women tend to have childcare responsibilities. This is the first time that such data on city pay gaps has been collected. — The Independent
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Munch frequently at work, stay healthier
PEOPLE who earn more money are more likely to munch on muffins or chocolate bars while working, according to researchers at University of Texas at Austin. What’s more, such people boost their chances of staying healthy - thanks to the regular munching! Economist Daniel Hamermesh and his colleagues used data from the American Time Use Survey from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics to reach the conclusion. And they examined how much time Americans spend eating meals each day and how much time they spend “grazing” - snacking or drinking while working, watching TV or doing some other activity. “When their time becomes more valuable, people substitute grazing for eating, essentially switching to multi-tasking. Overall, better health is associated with more time spent eating, but especially with spreading that time over more meals per day,” said Hamermesh. It was found that over fifty percent of all adults graze each day, with their grazing time almost equalling the time they spend eating meals. The average American adult spends about two-and-a-half hours eating or grazing every day. The study also revealed that men graze less but spend more time eating meals than women. Overall, men spend about three-and-a-half more minutes a day eating meals than women. It was also found that better-educated people eat more frequently, spend more total time eating, graze more frequently and spend more total time grazing than those with less education. Higher earners also spend more time eating individual meals, graze more frequently and spend more time during each individual grazing episode. Those who spend more time eating have a lower body mass index (BMI), on average, and view themselves as healthier than those who spend less time eating. 84 pc CFOs unlikely to start
hiring before yr end
JOBSEEKERS in accounting and finance sector may not get a positive response this year, as many chief financial officers of companies in the US do not plan hiring before the year end, says a survey. According to the report by staff services provider, Robert Half International Financial, most of the top financial executives plan to maintain their current accounting and finance staff levels in the fourth quarter of 2009. The report said, 84 per cent of the chief financial officers (CFOs) will take no hiring actions before the end of the year. About four per cent of respondents expect to add full-time employees, while 10 per cent foresee cutbacks. “Organisations appear to be exercising caution before adding full-time staff until there are signs of a sustained recovery. At the same time, companies recognise that carefully chosen accounting and finance professionals are critical to their efforts to manage what remains of the recession and also to take advantage of growth opportunities once conditions improve,” Robert Half International Chairman and CEO Max Messmer said. Despite the current unemployment level, CFOs continue to report challenges in finding highly skilled professionals in certain functional areas. — Agencies
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Institutes giving foreign degrees under tax scanner
INDIAN institutes offering foreign degrees in collaboration with institutes overseas are under taxmen’s lens, with the Revenue Department examining taxability of payments made to overseas collaborators.
“Indian partners are making huge payments to the foreign collaborators for use of their brand name and services and are incurring substantial expenditure to advertise their brand name in India. These payments may need to be examined for taxability in India as royalty or business income,” an official said. As per a recent study by the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), more than 130 educational institutes are collaborating with foreign institutions and offering foreign degrees. Indian institutes, which offer foreign degrees, do a lot of marketing work on behalf of their overseas partners and charge hefty fee from the students. Under the existing norms, an Indian institute can run technical education programmes in collaboration with foreign institutes after seeking approval of the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), the regulatory body responsible for maintaining standards of education in the field of engineering, architecture, management etc. Several institutes, which lure students with the prospect of a foreign degree without studying abroad, operate without the requisite approval from the AICTE. — PTI
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Build trust, shun set notions
VIKAS Mathur has been at loggerheads with his boss for the past three months. Vikas finds it very difficult to get along with his boss and is even thinking of quitting because of this. What is his main grouse? The boss doesn’t appreciate his good performance. His only goal seems to be finding fault with his subordinates and their work. Vikas is uncomfortable with the micromanaging ways of his boss. On the other hand, his boss wants him to mend his functioning style.
Leaving the job may not be the best option for Vikas because there is no surety that the next job will not bring him face to face with a similar situation. To set things in the right perspective, Vikas and his boss should stop doubting each other’s intentions and put their heart and soul in building trust. The right thing would be to sit together, try to understand each other’s views and search out alternatives with an open mind. Contrasting perspectives are pretty common in any workplace. A boss-subordinate relation fraught with anger, frustration, animosity and biased views will prove to be a hurdle for the progress of both the parties. Both of them will be losers if they remain adamant and stick to their guns. Here are some important tips on how to get along with the boss to make progress in your career: *
Cultivate good relations: To take your career graph high, keep good relations with your peers, superiors and subordinates. Start working on any deficiencies in your temperament that prevents you from cooperating and maintaining cordial relations with others. Aggressiveness, lack of flexibility egoism, tendency to harbour negative feelings and make others the scapegoat when plans go awry should be curbed at the earliest. These can hinder your progress and even affect your talent. Build friendly, productive and reliable relationship with your boss. *
Find out what your boss wants: Ascertain what exactly your boss wants from you. Find out and prevent any communication gap. A close working relationship based on respect, sincerity, trust and dependability is a must. *
Mutually reach an agreement with the boss: Set tasks and mutually reach an agreement with the boss to avoid conflicts later. Clarity of goals will help you eliminate any miscommunication and facilitate focus. Discuss reporting schedule with the boss, which could be on daily or weekly basis. *
Satisfy your boss’s expectations: Execute tasks to satisfy your boss’s expectations. Observe his or her style of functioning and align styles for fruitful results. Complete tasks ahead of assigned time as much as possible. If you have any difficulty, approach your boss with apt rationale and buy time well in advance to remove your difficulty. *
Solve your boss’s problems: Become a troubleshooter and make concerted efforts to solve your boss’s problems. Bosses value employees who take responsibility, follow things through and meet the deadlines. If you do this, you will get noticed. When you succeed, take credit. *
Win over your boss’s confidence: Win over your boss’s confidence by projecting yourself as a team player, as a person he or she can depend on. Apprise your boss of what is happening rather than take actions without permission and regretting later. *
Your boss has the final say: Know your position in the organization and stay within your jurisdiction. Your boss has the final say. Try to find out what your boss’s goals are and then help him achieve those through your contribution. Don’t go to the seniors ignoring your boss. Respect communication channels set up by your boss. *
Be regular and punctual: Don’t take time off except real illness or emergencies. Avoid idle gossips and office chitchat. Foresee your boss’s requirements and complete your work ahead of schedule. Refrain from exhibiting behaviour that could be viewed as fawning. Also, do not indulge in boss’s wrongdoing. Seek guidance from your boss to avoid a condescending attitude and make him feel important. *
Don’t disclose information to other colleagues: Nothing annoys a boss more than subordinates disclosing information pertaining to the work or team to other colleagues. Never take advantage of the fact that you have more information. You only will be a loser in the process. Avoid unjustified and unnecessary conflicts, be cooperative and give importance and preference to your relationship with the boss to pave the way for a smooth sail and successful career. *
For the managers: As a manager you must build camaraderie with your team. Praise them when due. Give reasons where necessary to inspire them to do as you wish to be done. Respect their feelings and ideas if you differ with them. Do not chide but guide them when they are unable to produce the desired results. Work with them to correct mistakes and perform better in future. Encourage creativity and be receptive to new ideas and plans. Remember, emotional maturity and diplomacy can place you on sound footing to success.
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Facebook for 50-somethings!
Verdurez.com (www.verdurez.com), described by its creator as a Facebook for those aged 55-years and above, has around 4,000 registered users who blog, chat, read health news or play puzzles online. Traditionally, several generations of one family have lived under the same roof, with the grandparents often taking care of their grandchildren while the parents go to work. But while this remains the case in most rural households, city dwellers are increasingly moving out of the family home, leaving the older generation to live alone. “Old age doesn’t mean the end of life, there’s still lots to do, especially in this age of the Internet,” says Verdurez founder Ishita Sukhadwala, a London-based consultant. Users need to be at least 55 to join Verdurez while the oldest members are in their 70s. Sukhadwala had initially conceptualised Verdurez as a dating site for Indian babyboomers, but her father convinced her that the idea was too radical for a country where dating, let alone premarital sex, is frowned upon. While a dating service and a job board for seniors remain in the pipeline, Verdurez users can meet new people online, exchange ideas and share their life experiences. “One of our members, after he joined us, he lost his wife, he posted a blog on what he went through, what he felt and the regrets he had,” Sukhadwala said. “It was very touching.” According to government officials, India’s elderly population is expected to double by 2026 to 173 million.
— Agencies
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Happiness @ work
Rama asked Sita, “Why do you want to accompany me to the forest? Life there is full of dangers and difficulties that a princess like you is unaccustomed to.” “Parting from you is more cruel than death. With you by my side, 14 years of ‘vanvaas’ will be a joyous holiday,” Sita replied. Arjuna’s grandson King Parikshit was cursed to die of snakebite in seven days. Instead of crying, he utilised this period to listen to the glories of Krishna and attain ‘moksha’. The Dalai Lama says, “No situation is 100 per cent good or bad. Everything in life is
relative.” The trick to a good job changeover is to be happy till the last day of your old job and carry that joy over to your new assignment.
— Sai R. Vaidyanathan This column appears weekly. The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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To teachers, with love
The four major retail brands of Aptech -- Aptech Computer Education (IT education & training), Arena Animation (animation & multimedia training), N-Power-Hardware & Networking (certified hardware & networking programs), and Avalon Academy (aviation, hospitality, travel & tourism training) would be offering fee discounts in an endeavor to pay a tribute to the teachers on this opportune day. These discounts will be available on an assorted platter of courses. To avail of this discount, applicants will have to project a proof of relation. Teachers could be from any segment and should be able to present an authentic proof of it.
Aptech MD and CEO Ninad Karpe said, “Teaching is a noble profession and an important foundation pillar in the lives of all. With this initiative, Aptech would like to honour the teachers by giving special discounts to them and their families. It is our endeavor to recognise their contribution to society.” The brands offering the discount endow expertise over a range of courses such as career courses for 12th pass/college students, professional, certification courses and short-term courses to improve skills & knowledge. —
TNS
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Q. I am a student of BA English. Please tell me what exactly does a web content developer do? What are the skills required for this job?
— Garima
Bisht Depending on the nature of the website or portal, specialist knowledge of a field/subject may be required but the key skills needed are the ability to write well as well as edit, re-write or polish contributions from other writers, and the ability to think of new and innovative features and “columns” for the website. A few general guidelines for all budding web writers like you: Remember, writing on the web is somewhat different from writing for print. It’s best to present the information in easy-to-digest chunks that allow browsers to dive straight in and locate what they require. A content developer co-ordinates with the web designer and other members of the editorial team, meets people and keeps up-to-date with relevant news and developments. Plenty of such opportunities exist in media, web development and online publishing firms. Check out some of the leading jobsites. There is no tested specialist course for becoming a content developer. A college degree with fluency in writing, and preferably some experience at the copydesk or reporting in any media would suffice. Thus, a course in linguistics, journalism, mass communication, English etc would be a good bet. Specialist knowledge as of law or technology would be an asset if you are creating content for a legal or technical website. Familiarity with computer basics is, of course, mandatory. Trust me, this field is booming and job opportunities abound. You can start out as a content writer or ID to a Senior ID, analyst and finally specialist as you move up the ladder.
Combined Medical Services Exam
Q. Are graduates in dentistry, Ayurvedic and Unani systems of medicines eligible
tsit for the Combined Medical Services Exam? — Nimisha Gueria The Combined Medical Services Exam is conducted by the UPSC for recruitment of medical officers (at different levels) in various Government of India services (i.e. railways, health, Municipal Corporation of Delhi) each year. Short-listed candidates are called for a personality test and medical examination. MBBS degree holders under 32 years of age are eligible to apply. The Medical Officer cadre in the ITBP has been restructured on the lines of the Central Health Service. You will be recruited as a general duty medical officer, Group A in the rank of assistant commandant in ITBP, Ministry of Home Affairs for a minimum period of ten years. After four years of service, you will be upgraded to the level of senior medical officer. The age limit is 30 years (some relaxation is allowed for reserved categories). Some physical and medical (you should have good vision and not be colour blind, knock kneed, flat footed, etc) fitness norms (same as those for the IPS) are also specified because you may be required to serve in high altitude and in locations with extreme climatic conditions. Shortlisted candidates are called for a detailed interview. Incidentally, the notification for the next CMS Exam, which will be held on 17 January 2010, is just out. Details on www.upsc.gov.in
Making Statistics
Q. I am pursuing B.Com (hons). As my favourite subject is statistics, I want to make a career in this field. Please guide me which university provides master’s degree in stats and what is the work involved? — Vivek Kumar The information could be a test group’s preferred amount of sweetness in a chocolate, or the number of male and female teachers in primary schools in a state or the velocity of a burning gas on the sun’s surface. The marriage of modern computer networks, database acquisition and statistics has truly revolutionised the user-friendliness of this discipline. Statisticians provide crucial guidance in determining what information is reliable and which predictions can be trusted. They often help search for clues to the solution of a scientific mystery, and sometimes keep investigators from being misled by false impressions. Statisticians work in a variety of fields, including medicine, government, education, agriculture, business, and law. So you want to know what statisticians exactly do? Well, they help determine sampling and data collection methods; monitor the study and processing data, and advice on the strengths and limitations of the results. Survey statisticians collect information from a carefully specified sample and extend the results to an
entire population. Sample surveys may be used to: *
Determine which political candidate is more popular * Discover what teenagers’ movie preferences *
Estimate the number of children living in a given
district * Government statisticians conduct experiments to help develop public policy and social programs. Such experiments include: *
Consumer prices, economic fluctuations, employment patterns and population trends. Statistical sciences are used to enhance the validity of inferences in scientific research. In business and industry, statisticians quantify unknowns in order to optimise resources. They help predict the demand for products and services, check the quality of items manufactured in a factory, manage investment portfolios, forecast how much risk activities entail, and calculate fair and competitive insurance rates. So, as must be evident by now, their role is diverse and varied depending on the industry they are working in.
Lights, camera, action!
Q. I am a Class 12 student and want to make a career in acting. Please tell me what I should do. Apart from training at a film institute, how else can one get into the film industry? — Kundan Gogia Even an Abhishek Bachchan — endowed with the enviable credential of being Big B’s son — delivered a string of 17 flops before his first hits! Many have got into the profession by working their way up through small roles with reputed names in the industry. The road to success in this industry is long and tough for sure. However, don’t discount the merits of training as talent is one thing but honing it methodically will always work to your advantage. Practice makes perfect. It is the only way to polish your skills and get noticed in Bollywood. Speak to professionals working in the entertainment industry — actors, casting directors, agents, producers and directors. They will give you some valuable ’insider’ tips that will help you succeed. And while you’re at it, do also examine other alternatives because the film industry does not carry guarantees of permanent employment or fixed salaries, which is why it’s also best to complete your academic education so that you have a back-up plan in case your acting career fails to take off. Acting on the small screen (TV) is another lucrative option. It’s easier to break into and once you’ve done that, it’s easier to move to the big screen as many Bollywood aspirants have done. Modelling and participating in talent hunts is yet another way to get noticed. Grab every opportunity to audition for plays, TV programmes, etc. There is no substitute to training on the job!
This column appears weekly. The writer is a noted career expert and director, Career Guidance India (CARING). Please send in your queries with your full name, complete address
and academic qualifications to: The Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at careers @tribunemail.com
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Fortnightly Quiz-344
1. What percentage of seats has been reserved for women in zila parishads, panchayat samitis and gram panchayats in a proposed constitutional amendment?
2. Who has been appointed the new chief of the Indian navy? 3. Which award is considered Asia’s equivalent of the Nobel Prize? 4. With which field are Lakshminandan Bora and Mannu Bhandari associated? 5. Who was the author of the world-famous Tintin comics? 6. Which university has won the coveted Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (MAKA) Trophy for its overall best performance in the all-India inter-university sports competitions held during the year 2007-2008? 7. Name the Force India’s Formula One driver who finished second in the Belgian Grand Prix recently. 8. Which boxer was presented the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award recently? 9. Name the mascot for the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games. 10. Which country was defeated by India to win the Nehru Cup soccer tournament recently? — Tarun Sharma
Winners of quiz 343: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Ruchi Bhatia, class VII, SA Jain Vijay Vallabh Public School, Circular Road, Ambala City, Pin Code - 134003 Second: Hitesh, class VIII-C, Manav Public School, 61, Anand Avenue, Maqbool Road, Amritsar, Pin Code - 143001 Third: Vishav Kishore, class VII-A, DAV Senior Secondary Public School, Lakkar Bazar, Shimla, Pin Code - 171001 Answers to quiz
343: August 20 (Rajiv Gandhi’s birth anniversary); Dr Bindeshwar Pathak; National Institute for Communicable Diseases; Pilibhit (UP), Sunabeda (Orissa), Ratapani (MP) and Sahyadri (Maharashtra); Heart surgery; 150; Muttiah Muralithran; Kenenisa Bekela; Two; 9.58 seconds 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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IT is science that has made possible the Blackberry, the I-pod and all the new fangled devices that are inseparable part of our lives. It is again science that has helped us explore outer space and made us aware about global warming. Science is also helping us produce a vaccine for swine flu. The field of science is one of the most fascinating and rewarding career paths you can take. Not only does it open your mind to new and unexplored vistas of knowledge, those in science more often than not contribute to better and longer lives for their fellow human beings. From medical research to environmental remediation, science is a fast-expanding field.
Contrasting perspectives are fairly common at any workplace. A boss-subordinate relation fraught with anger, frustration, animosity and bias will hamper progress of both. Understand views and search out alternatives with an open mind, writes
R.C. SHARMA
IT is science that has made possible the Blackberry, the I-pod and all the new fangled devices that are inseparable part of our lives. It is again science that has helped us explore outer space and made us aware about global warming. Science is also helping us produce a vaccine for swine flu. The field of science is one of the most fascinating and rewarding career paths you can take. Not only does it open your mind to new and unexplored vistas of knowledge, those in science more often than not contribute to better and longer lives for their fellow human beings. From medical research to environmental remediation, science is a fast-expanding field.
MARCUS Wells and Shirley Walker view their economic prospects from opposite ends of the age spectrum Wells, 25, was initially optimistic about his prospects for finding a new job after he was laid off as a systems analyst in January in San Jose, California. Now, unemployment has begun to wear on him, and he believes his age has factored into his frustration.
BRITAIN’S financial institutions are bastions of sexism in which women work long hours for less pay and in segregated conditions, according to a The findings, described as “shocking” by the head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), show a financial sector dominated by a “macho” or “lads’ culture” where bonuses paid to women are just a fifth of those received by men.
Now, let us consider the situation from the boss’ perspective. He is of the opinion that Vikas has strong preconceived notions about the way he should work and is unwilling to change. He perceives Vikas as overconfident and as a team member who does not care to look into details, which is why it becomes necessary to keep a close watch on what he does. The boss laments that his intention is to channel Vikas’ talents in the right direction but he doesn’t get even the least cooperation from him! Definitely an intriguing situation but not uncommon. What are Vikas’ options? 
A SOCIAL networking website for the elderly is helping Internet-savvy seniors in India battle loneliness and make new friends with the click of a mouse and in the comfort of their own homes.
In these days of global meltdown, many of us feel stuck at a place that is not appreciating our worth. Instead of getting frustrated, think of the benefits your present station provides.
A. A web content developer/creator prepares information, articles and features that go onto a website as per the requirement of the client. Close on the heels of the BPO industry, outsourced web content development is emerging as one of the biggest employers in the field of
offshored work.
A. No. Only candidates who have a recognised MBBS degree or those studying in the final year of MBBS (other than licentiate) are eligible. Moreover, they should have completed their internship.
A.
MSc Statistics (which focuses on the classical and theoretical aspects) is offered at over 70 universities. Shedding its image as a drab and monotonous subject, Statistics has grown as a discipline by leaps and bounds. Statisticians are using highly sophisticated analysis techniques and applying them to most branches of knowledge. Statistical analysis, which involves collecting and evaluating information and drawing conclusions, is increasingly used by decision makers.
A. Even training doesn’t assure you an entry into the film industry. Besides talent and that something “special”, you need the Three Ps: Passion, persistence and perseverance to pursue contacts, and move in the right circles to get your foot in the door. And keep at it. Don’t let initial let-downs deter you.