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June
5 World Environment Day
Career Hotline
SMART STRATEGY
Happiness
@ work
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June 5 World Environment Day Sheenu Jain
The long-term impact of rapid development, past industrialisation, global warming, poverty, exploitation and environmental damage, and need to find alternatives to a carbon-based economy are the critical challenges for the world today. Grassroot projects and innovative initiatives in India are slowly finding ways to meet up these challenges, whether it is about meeting rural livelihood, urban transportation, or public private partnership. Education is an essential tool to achieve sustainability today. The paramount importance of education in effecting social change is recognised. The mainstream education must now be realigned to promote awareness, attitudes, concerns and skills that will lead to sustainable development.
Without adequate understanding of how to conserve natural resources, and a compelling need to do so, very limited number of people will be participating in programmes on environmental conservation. These programmes enhance the participants’ understanding at all levels about the relationship between human beings and environment and to develop the capabilities and skills to protect it.
Short duration courses and training programmes provide inter-disciplinary understanding and practical exposure of developmental approach that deals effectively with these challenges Courses
Courses in environmental studies have gained immense popularity over the years. Job opportunities in this field of work have also increased considerably due to several reasons. There is a constant demand for trained professionals for various operations in this sector and it has also compelled a number of professional training institutes to start courses in environmental education and management.
Distance Education
CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development offers best practices course using ‘Blended Learning Approach’ for Indian Industry, stakeholders and students as well. Objective of the course is to provide students/workers/stakeholders with the knowledge to improve their environmental performance, work safely and to protect their health in a typical workplace. Protection of environmental health and safety is presented through the following module topics: Waste Minimisation, Hazardous Waste Management, Chemicals Management, Transportation of Hazardous Substances, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, Personal Protective Equipment, Fall Protection, Machine Safety, Accident Investigation It includes nine self-learning modules. It is a four-month project and the fees is Rs 15,000.
Centres of Excellence
The ministry started the scheme in 1983 to strengthen awareness, research and training in priority areas of environmental science and management. Nine centres of excellence that have been set up so far by the ministry with a view to strengthening awareness, research and training in priority area of environmental science and management are as under:
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Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmedabad IGNOU PG Diploma in Environment and Sustainable Development
This programme disseminates knowledgeand experience gained in pursuit
of the goal of sustainable development and trains individuals from different walks of life. Eligibility of the programme is graduation in any discipline and fee is Rs 3,500 for one year.
BIMTECH – PG Diploma in Sustainable Development
This two-year full time Post Graduate Diploma course in Sustainable Development is in response to the emerging scenario and the paradigm shift in looking at business and its operations which necessitate new capabilities and tools for business managers. This is a regular programme which is being offered in four semesters and it also includes field study and projects.
Green Teacher – Diploma in Environment Education
CEE (Centre for Environment Education) and Common Wealth of Learning (COL), Vancouver, Canada have established the ‘Green Teacher: Diploma in Environmental Education, a Distance Learning Programme’. The programme addresses the rapidly growing need for continuing education and professional development in the field of Environmental Education (EE) and is geared to build capacity of teachers and educators.
Other Institutes
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NITIE, Mumbai - Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Safety and Environmental Management Fellowships and awards
There are certain awards and fellowships being conferred by the Ministry of Environment Education which includes Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar, Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award, Pitambar Pant National Environment Fellowship, Medini Puraskar Yojana, and B.P Pal National Environment Fellowship for Biodiversity.
Rewarding and Socially Responsible Career
These courses will prepare a pool of professionals who may serve public,
private, social and development sectors for embedding these changes in their operations. This new breed of managers would be able to “understand the language and practices of many specialists, and who can work fluidly and flexibly across intellectual and professional disciplines and geographic regions”. The writer is Assistant Professor, Jaipuria Institute of Management,
Jaipur.
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Career Hotline
— Viren Bhagat For admission and eligibility details, log onto: www.lingayasuniversity.edu.in The school also offers the following courses: B.Arch (on the basis of NATA scores), B Des (Interior Design) at the undergraduate level and Master of Urban Planning (Full Time & Part time (weekends) and MTech in Construction Management (Option of 1-year at MSU (USA) for Dual degree (Full time/Part time) at the Postgraduate level. We need a large number of trained manpower to speedily undertake the developmental work. In recent years, India has seen major investments in real-estate and infra-structural development. All investments in such projects can only be effected by observing green and sustainable concepts, which courses such as these aim at promoting.
Key growth segment
Q. I am a student of Class XII (PCB). What career options does one have in Life sciences?
A.
Life sciences and healthcare have been identified as key growth segments of the Indian economy and India is expected to emerge as a major player in these sunrise segments. Life science is the study of any branch of natural science dealing with structure and behaviour of living organisms. It includes subjects like genetics, cytology, taxonomy, entomology, pisciculture, physiology, comparative physiology, pathology, parasitology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, microbiology, plant & molecular biology, biomedical science and engineering etc. Life science is a hot topic world-wide. Institutions across the globe are financing research in this field by offering scholarships or fellowships. With an MSc in some of these subjects you could either take up teaching at the school level after doing your BEd or at the college and university level (after clearing the NET Exam for Lectureship and Junior Research Fellowship) or the SLET for teaching at colleges in your state. If research interests you then you should pursue your PhD at any reputed university or prestigious institution like the National Centre for Biological Sciences (TIFR), Bangalore. Most jobs in Life Sciences lie in research in universities, scientific research organisations, government health departments or pharmaceutical companies. There are job prospects in all sectors of biotechnology (medical biotechnology, plant biotechnology, industrial biotechnology), pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, in research institutions, hospitals and industry, law firms in patents and IPR etc Bioinformatics is another hot option. Several institutions offer PG courses in bioinformatics for postgrads in life sciences. You could even pursue a course in Forensic science if you like. You are also eligible for the post of Scientific Officer advertised by the Union Public Service Commission.
Set Designing
Q. I will be completing my BArch this year. Can you please tell me something about designing sets for television programmes?
A. Television studio sets reflect the channel's production values. The set should be designed keeping in view the content of the programme. For a talk show the setting should be cosy yet dignified, while bright colours and a funky décor would go well with a pop show. The seating arrangement must leave ample space for the anchor and guests to move around. Being a TV set designer means not just dressing up the set but each and every frame of the programme. This includes deciding the overall colour palette, design and construction of the set, set decor, props, pictures, and even wardrobe, makeup and hairstyling. The design must be both aesthetic and functional to meet the specific requirements of the script. The job profile is an exhaustive list of selecting the right location; conceiving visuals, working in close co-ordination with the cameraperson, and costume designer to develop the feel and look of each frame and sticking to the budget allocation. You must be able to think on your feet and come up with creative solutions if there is a sudden change in the schedule. As I notice in some of the career programmes I do on TV channels, the introduction of virtual sets (conceived, designed and projected via the computer, without using any physical props) offers some amazingly exciting possibilities. Proliferation of TV channels necessitates ‘guerrilla serial making’ which follows break-neck shooting schedules. The new breed of young and energetic set designers bubbling with artistic ideas pack in close 10-12 hours per day. The set designer needs to invest a lot of time in pre-production planning. Then there are the technical aspects like leaving navigation space for the camera and crew to move around, headroom for lights and mikes etc, which need to be factored in. Regardless of whether you have a degree in architecture or interior design, it is best to start work under an established set designer and pick up the tricks of the trade while on the job. Any good course in interior design offers a decent launch pad for starting a career in TV set design. FTII, Pune, offers a two-year PG Diploma in Art Direction for those who have a bachelor’s degree or diploma in architecture/applied art/sculpture/interior design.
Best bet
Q. I am doing BSc (biology). What does biomedical research entail? Could you please let me know if this course is offered in Delhi? Which is the best institution for biomedical research in the country?
A.
Biomedical researchers study plants to find their medicinal uses. They also study ancient systems of medicine such as Ayurveda or Unani, and other folk medicines to find new compositions. Biomedical researchers are normally doctors and hold a PhD in biochemistry. Delhi University offers three courses in this field: 1) MSc in Biomed Science; 2) Integrated 4-year MSc-PhD in Biomed Science; 3) PhD in Biomed Science. These courses are conducted at the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research (ACBR) at DU's North Campus. The package of courses is based on the pattern of some of the world's top-ranking institutions like Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, John Hopkins, Cornell University and Yale University in the US. Eligibility for 1 & 2: Bachelor's degree (Biomed Science / Life Science/ Zoology/ Botany / Microbiology / Chemistry / Biochemistry / Environmental Biology / Biotechnology / Lab Technology / BPharm / BVSc / MBBS (55% agg). Selection: Entrance Test in June followed by an Interview & GD. Details: www.acbrdu.edu The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi is recognised as the premier institution for biomedical research in the country and faculty members of the Department have been awarded several prestigious awards. Their initiative to harness nano-science and nano-technology for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes in collaboration with IIT Delhi is truly noteworthy. Panjab University, Chandigarh was also selected by the UGC as the "University with Potential for Excellence in Bio-Medical Sciences". (www.puchd.ac.in)
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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SMART STRATEGY The decision to rejoin one's former organisation is not an easy one. Preetinder Kaur dwells on issues related to this decision Almost three years back, I had joined a firm in Dubai. I left the company in two years’ time as I was not happy with the pay. A month back my manager called from Dubai asking me to re-join. The salary is lucrative now but the designation will be the same. Right now, I am working as a supervisor in a multinational travel company. If I rejoin the company in Dubai, I will have to join as a travel consultant. Is it wise to return to one’s former organisation at the same level just because the salary offered is higher? With switching jobs becoming a routine, employees often have to deal with such dilemmas. It is not an easy decision to go back to one's former workplace, especially if one had moved on to the greener pastures. "A good horse doesn't turn back to graze" is a Chinese saying which means that once a smart person decides to pursue his ambition in one direction he never turns back even if he encounters many difficulties and frustrations. Though it is not always possible to follow such strict values in today's world, yet there are a number of psychological barriers that have to be tackled before deciding to return to an ex-employer. Retaining key talents is an important part of HR strategies nowadays and organisations are taking extra pains to curb attrition as far as good workers are concerned. "Re-attracting" their key talents is also a part of the "retention" strategy only as getting an old hand back is always more beneficial than trying a new person. But an employee's decision to go back to his old company depends a lot on his personal career goals. The perspective of the employer and the employee differ in this regard and these must be considered before taking a decision. Employer's
perspective
n The loyalty issue: Can we expect enhanced loyalty from a re-hire? Employee’s
perspective
Before you return to your previous employer, analyse whether the following points will be in accordance with the vision you had for your future or how this new career path may change or improve your goals.
Career graph vs
higher pay
A job change remains self-explanatory when it is for a higher role or better salary. The choice of higher role is perceived as noble as it promises more learning. However, it often signifies ambition and career expectations of a person within the company. Consistency in your career path is another factor to be considered if you are planning to rejoin your old employer because when you left the job, you must have had a vision of how you wanted your career to change its shape. You must have made some plans about moving ahead in your career.
Known devil vs
current employer
The old employer has a track record of the strengths and weaknesses of a talent in the roles served. Just as in the above case the chances of up-skilling and re-skilling are not big issues as the role remains the same. It is assumed that the performance of the candidate was good which is why he's been brought back on a higher pay. This proves that the employer is aware and keen to calibrate an employee to the full potential. The employee has to keep in mind the covert mechanics of the offer made by his former employer. He should never forget that his existing employer had acknowledged his potential by offering a higher designation. The difference between the two employers remains in identifying the needs and addressing those with a suitable offer. If the need had not arisen, the old employer might not have offered higher pay package at all. If the employer was talent oriented then this offer could have been made a year back, when the employee had decided to leave the organisation. So while deciding to rejoin on a higher pay the employee should keep in mind the fact that he may not get a higher role soon.
Check your priorities
In case an employee re-joins, the priorities have to be set very clearly. If the fresh offer has been made due to the need of the former company then the employee should not ignore the fact that further promotion in the company would be business directed. In this case, the deal breaker would remain the value of holding the higher designation in the long term. Let's take a window of five years. Coming back to our reader's dilemma, let's suppose, that he accepts the job offer and shifts to Dubai. This would increase the income, yet slow down his growth. If he is offered a promotion within the job, it would create a win-win situation. On the other hand, even if there are no promotions, the higher pay package would increase his market value. This may be a no-profit, no-loss situation, if the candidate can return to India and take up a new job and make a fresh start after a couple of years. Whereas, if the existing job is preferred, the salary may not be matched to that offered by the Dubai firm. The key to decide remains in foreseeing how satisfied would our member remain at a higher salary but lower role in comparison to a lower salary but higher role. Identifying what someone would love to lose yet not regret it, empowers the choice. The writer is Project
Assistant, IIT Ropar
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FIRM IN THE FRONT
Country’s rapidly growing economy has led to a remarkable growth in the tourism sector. In sync with this growth, the hotel industry has flourished and thus the demand for manpower specialising in hotel management has increased as well. Front Office Management is one such department which is an indispensable part of the hotel industry.
ABOUT FRONT OFFICE EXECUTIVES
INSTITUTES
Degree and diploma courses in Hospitality
administration, Bakery & confectionary, etc. New Delhi
IILM Degree course in Hospitality
Administration Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research
(MAHAR), Dehradun Degree, diploma and advance diploma courses in Hotel
Management Considered as one of the most important functionaries of a hotel Front Office Executives exercise enormous responsibilities as they are the people who experience direct contact with the guests. Apart from making sure that all reservations and room assignments are in order, they supervise receptionists, information clerks, reservation officers, bellboy and doormen. They are also responsible for providing some facilities like concierge service to the guests. The front office department plays an important role in generating a major part of the revenue from room sales to clients seeking transit accommodation in specific locations. Rooms are a perishable commodity as a room not sold one day cannot be sold on that day again. Thus selling rooms optimally becomes a skilled task which requires specific industry-related training and expertise.
Work profile
Front office managers make sure that the front office of lodging facilities is operating effectively and efficiently. They are responsible for all front desk operations and guest services such as accommodations, transportation, and special services. They organise reservations and the assignment of rooms and make sure that guests are treated in a courteous manner and all of their needs are met. They handle guest complaints and a variety of issues and ensure they are successfully resolved. They often handle bill adjustments and other related financial issues. Front office managers also provide training and direction to front office personnel. ELIGIBILITY:
Minimum qualification required for an undergraduate degree in Hotel Management is a pass certificate in the final examination of Plus II from a recognised board or university. Most of the institutes offering the course conduct an entrance test and candidates are selected on the basis of this test. Eligibility for advanced diploma and diploma courses is a pass certificate in the final examination of Class X or Plus II from a recognised board or university.
SKILLS REQUIRED
Superior supervision, multitasking, decision making and time-management skills are very essential and ofcourse prompt decision making during crisis is very necessary. Front office executives are also required to tend to customer complaints and queries in a pleasant and level-headed manner. It becomes easy to acquire these skills when one gets appropriate training. DURATION:
The duration of different courses varies from institute to institute and could vary between six months to three years. There is no particular course in Front Office Administration. Hospitality Management students are eligible to take on various positions in this professional option as per their preference and choice. Front office is a department that requires young, vibrant, energetic and skilled people who can do justice to the position, thus there is tremendous demand in this segment.
REMUNERATION
In the initial level a front office personnel starts generally makes Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per month and with experience of minimum two to three years one can easily earn up to Rs 30,000 per month based on his/her expertise in the particular field. The writer is the Director of Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research (MAHAR), Dehradun
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Happiness @ work Put your heart into the job
In the same vein, Bhagat Singh once told Sukhdev, “As long as the country is in chains, the only bride I will embrace is death.” When zamindar Kunwar Singh of Jagdishpur was asked by a village chief whether the freedom fighters would end up triumphant in the Mutiny of 1857, he said, “We may not win, but God willing, your grandson and his generation will.” In 1767, when his father Haider Ali was planning to attack the British, Tipu Sultan realized that Indian rulers were supporting the British against Mysore. Young Tipu made a heartfelt request to the Nizam of Hyderabad to ally with Mysore that the Nizam accepted. The result was that Haidar reached the very gates of Madras, the British headquarters in South India and dictated the peace terms to the Brits. Of the only three ways to connect to God — gyan yog, karma yog and bhakti yog, Lord Krishna ranks bhakti yog, which entails unalloyed devotion to the Lord, as the highest. When King Bali did not flinch while giving away his present possessions, future earnings and even his ego, Vishnu’s dwarf incarnation Vamana was immensely pleased. He sent Bali to the most-desired Sutal realm with a promise that he would be made Indra of the next manvantar (era). When the forces of Magadha and Vaishali were at war, King Bimbisara of Magadha and dancer Amrapali of Vaishali had a brief love affair. For the love he felt for her, Bimbisara called off the war. And Amrapali’s performances registered a fall in standard due to their separation. Hanuman had no use for anything that was not connected with his Rama-Sita. He discarded a pearl necklace that Sita gave for the same reason. “What about your body?” Rama, in jest, asked, “Is it connected to Rama-Sita in any way?” Hanuman tore open his heart and lo! there was the divine couple. The path to a man’s heart is through your heart. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan
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Almost three years back, I had joined a firm in Dubai. I left the company in two years’ time as I was not happy with the pay. A month back my manager called from Dubai asking me to re-join. The salary is lucrative now but the designation will be the same. Right now, I am working as a supervisor in a multinational travel company. If I rejoin the company in Dubai, I will have to join as a travel consultant. Is it wise to return to one’s former organisation at the same level just because the salary offered is higher?
Basic education which promotes functional literacy, livelihood skills, understanding of the immediate environment and values of responsible citizenship is a precondition for sustainable development. There are growing numbers of institutions that are creating adequate resources and support for education for sustainable development. These institutions inculcate skills in students and clearly develop an understanding that promotes sustainability, reduces poverty, trains people for sustainable livelihoods and catalyses necessary public support for sustainable development initiatives.
Q. Our family is in the construction business. I have done fairly well in the AIEEE and am looking at doing a BE in civil engineering, but would have actually preferred something that would encompass some value addition in terms of management etc so that I can meaningfully contribute to the business. My father has some health issues and would like me to join him at the earliest. Should I do a BBA by correspondence alongside?
A.
Not really. Here's something that will suit you very well instead. Lingaya's University, School of Built Environment & Design in collaboration with the Michigan State University, Faridabad (New Delhi) has launched a B Tech in Construction Management (four years).
— Kiran Jaitka
— Hema Patwardhan
— Lavinder Kalra
Win the heart and the rest will follow! But to win the hearts of clients, you need to put your heart into the job as well. Years after freedom fighter Chandra Shekhar told a magistrate his name was Azad (unchained), his father name was Azadi (freedom) and jail was his home, he told comrade Bhagat Singh that he was married to his Mauser pistol.
