|
|
|
|
| JOBS & CAREERS |
|
|
smart strategy
CMAT route to B-school
NRI hiring to accelerate
Management Tip
NEWS BOARD
Happiness @ work Career Hotline
Seeking a career in Canada
Host of options
Interested in
health education
Off the regular path
Can I take a year’s break?
|
|
The road that will take you far
Biomedical engineering
Biomedical engineering, or bioengineering as it is sometimes called, straddles the engineering, biological and medical sciences. Concerned with the development and manufacture of prostheses, medical devices, diagnostic devices, drugs and other therapies, this unique field encompasses bio-instrumentation, bio-materials, bio-mechanics, medical imaging, genetic engineering, orthopaedic surgery, cellular and tissue engineering. The need of the hour is development of low-cost health care devices that meet the challenging requirements of being rugged, portable, intuitive to use, easy-to-produce-and-maintain, work with erratic, low quality of electricity.
Renewable and
non-conventional energy sources
India’s enviable growth story is crucially dependent on meeting our fast-growing energy requirements. Environmental concerns over power generation through fossil fuel, and the fluctuating nature of international oil prices coupled with a power supply-demand gap makes focussing on renewable and green sources of energy a local necessity, with global ramifications. Green technology and clean energy will be a high-priority and high-visibility sector in 2012. Given the global attention that this area attracts and India’s environmental stewardship shaping global climate discussions and outcomes, “Green Economy” careers are hotting up! Green jobs present opportunities across a host of areas – from agriculture to manufacturing, from research and development to administration, consulting and finance. With the market for clean energy products and services in India poised to grow to more than $ 2.11 billion per year, those who set their sights on this nascent sector can expect to reap handsome rewards. This state of affairs requires innovative approaches to meet India’s growing energy requirements — innovations in community-based, self-sufficient biomass, wind and solar power systems, solar-based home electricity systems and lanterns, energy-efficient cookstoves, electricity services generated from decentralised sources such as micro hydro and biomass gasifiers are just a few examples. It is estimated that almost 45 per cent of India’s rural households do not have access to reliable electricity supply and per force have to rely on kerosene fuel for lighting while 85 per cent largely rely on firewood and dung for cooking. India’s rural poor are dependant on relatively inefficient energy sources that are polluting and health-threatening — a double whammy they can ill afford. The government’s rural electrification programme has made progress but it’s slow and prohibitively expensive
Education high
India is currently witnessing an unprecedented boom in the education sector, especially in private education. What’s fuelling the boom? Here’s just the tip of the answer – India has nearly 14 crore students in primary schools; yet there is an estimate shortage of two lakh schools. And the boom is not just limited to primary education. Secondary education, vocational training and professional training are all sitting on the back of a surging bull. And with everyone from corporate biggies to freshly-minted entrepreneurs wanting a slice of the education pie, it is raining opportunities in teaching, in technology-driven learning management systems, in developing educational content and learning methodologies. So the education secctor is going to be buzzing with new career options in the years to come and shuld be on the top of a fresher’s wish list.
Micro-credit and micro-insurance
The segment of society that business Guru C.K Prahalad defined as “Bottom of the Pyramid” is the one that is served poorly, if at all, by the financial sector, thereby hampering their growth and development. Innovative models that enable daily wage earners, farmers and the like to have access to basic financial services – banking, saving/investing, credit, remittances – have the power to transform and uplift their lives and those of their dependents also. Micro-insurance protects low-income individuals and families against the risks faced in their daily lives, whether due to loss of life, livelihood or property. Like money innovative micro-finance models that successfully reach out to the poorest of the poor are globally
fungible.
Animation and visual effects, gaming and mobile ‘apps’
industry
Despite the bleak economic environment, the animation, gaming and visual effects industry has witnessed a growth rate of over 20% in India. India’s animation industry is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 22% to reach $1 billion by 2012. The gaming industry is expected to grow 49% to reach $830 million by 2012. India is seen as a leading destination for high-end, skill-based activities. As a result, there is a significant increase in co-production of animation films, involving Indian studios across the value chain. Increased availability of latest games at affordable prices has made gaming an attractive industry. Indian companies are focussing on improving quality and creating original IP. This offers huge scope for licensing and merchandising revenues. This important sunrise industry has moved away from a contract-basis model to co-creation model. The proliferation of smartphones and tablets coupled with the launch of 3G services has ensured that everyone knows about “apps” or applications for mobile and hand-held devices. From games and funny, cute-sy ones to those that actually allow you to do smart things with your phone, the mobile applications market is estimated to be worth $ 25 billion in 2015! With smartphones garnering an increasing share in the mobile market, availability of several tablet options (iPad, Kindle, RIM Playbook, and several open-source based ones such as India’s own Aakash!) and multiple platforms (iOs, Ovi, Android, Windows, Blackberry) to cater too, this is one area that is surely going to sizzle in 2012. A word to the wise: While the above may be the hot, and headline making sectors, don’t ditch your efforts and plans for those not in the list above. Evergreen careers and others in the steady growth categories continue to offer large numbers of opportunities and great future prospects too. Several areas that were great prospects in 2011 continue to remain so. Lets not throw them out along with the bathwater (and calendars) of
2012. Clean technology, carbon sequestration
and carbon credits Carbon Sequestration or Carbon Capture and Storage, is the practice of “capturing” carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, compressing it and then store it (in carbon sinks), so as to slow down/prevent accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carbon credits are earned by industrial units for every tonne of greenhouse gas emissions that they reduce. These credits have a monetary value and can be traded internationally, thereby rewarding cleaner, greener technologies and production systems. Incidentally, the largest carbon credit project in the world is in India – where 400 million incandescent bulbs will be replaced by CFL bulbs at highly subsidised prices.Opportunities in these areas stems from India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the global practice of Carbon Trading made possible under the UN Clean Development Mechanism. — The writer is Career Coach, CARING
|
|
career compass
In the existing scenario of globalisation and economic slowdown, each and every company is looking for financial experts who can cut off the cost and maximise their profit. With the growing Indian economic system, these professionals are in great demand in big corporates and also in smaller firms.
The field
A career in financial management is extremely rewarding. Financial managers are the ‘investment doctors’ who are responsible to take care of an individual or an organisation's financial health, ensuring orderly and systematic achievement of the financial goals. Preparing financial reports, guiding investment activities and overall money management are the major duties of a financial manager. They help the organisation to achieve its enduring goals by developing financial strategies. A good finance manager is a valuable asset to an organisation and what makes a good Finance Manager is not the skill to earn money but the capability of dealing with money. Financial planners, also called financial consultants, or personal financial advisors, use their knowledge of investments, tax laws, insurance and real estate to recommend financial options to individuals based on their short-term and long- term goals. The management of the finances of a business/organisation in order to achieve financial objectives is the basic objective of financial management. Taking a commercial business as the most common organisational structure, the key objectives of financial management would be to create wealth for the business, generate cash and provide an adequate return on investment bearing in mind the risks that the business is taking and the resources invested. Financial planning is one of the key elements of financial management Financial management entails planning for the future of a person or a business enterprise to ensure a positive cash flow. It includes the administration and maintenance of financial assets. Besides, financial management covers the process of identifying and managing risks. The primary concern of financial management is the assessment rather than the techniques of financial quantification. A financial manager looks at the available data to judge the performance of enterprises. Managerial finance is an interdisciplinary approach that borrows from both managerial accounting and corporate finance.
The work
Broadly speaking, the process of financial management takes place at two levels. At the individual level, financial management involves tailoring expenses according to the financial resources of an individual. Individuals with surplus cash or access to funding invest their money to make up for the impact of taxation and inflation. Else, they spend it on discretionary items. They need to be able to take the financial decisions that are intended to benefit them in the long run and help them achieve their financial goals. From an organisational point of view, the process of financial management is associated with financial planning and financial control. Financial planning seeks to quantify various financial resources available and plan the size and timing of expenditure. Financial control refers to monitoring cash flow. Inflow is the amount of money coming into a particular company, while outflow is a record of the expenditure being made by the company. Managing this movement of funds in relation to the budget is essential for a business. At the corporate level, the main aim of the process of managing finances is to achieve the various goals a company sets at a given point of time. Businesses also seek to generate substantial amounts of profits, following a particular set of financial processes. Financial managers aim to boost the levels of resources at their disposal. Besides, they control the functioning on money put in by external investors. Providing investors with sufficient amount of returns on their investments is one of the goals that every company tries to achieve. Efficient financial management ensures that this becomes possible.
Eligibility
Most business schools in India teach finance as a specialisation of MBA curriculum. The basic qualification for this two-year full-time programme is graduation in any discipline and the admission is based on written test, group discussion and interview. Some institutes offer executive MBA programme in finance for those who have some years of experience in the field.
Employment
opportunities
There are many factors driving the emergence of financial planners. For one, money decisions have become more complicated. Secondly, India now has a continuously growing number of people with savings to invest. The corrosive effect of inflation on savings lying idle, the bewildering number of investment avenues and the varying risks of each, combined with rising aspirations will continue to fuel the need for such financial "doctors". Increasingly, a large number of individual investors — small as well as high net-worth — are seeking the services of these "investment doctors" to write their personal balance sheets. The demand for these planners also springs from a variety of social factors — increasing life expectancy, non-permanent jobs and growing ambition to study and travel abroad. Many progressive corporates are also beginning to offer financial planning to their employees as an add-on bonus. In fact, every family today requires financial planning to prepare for the future. Financial planning thus is a dynamic growth profession in which strong careers can be
established. — The writer is CEO, Paramount Financial Solutions, Gurgaon
Finance Management Work profile
Where to study
|
|
smart strategy
Anger is nothing but an emotional expression of one's pent up feelings and bitter thoughts. It's not a sudden reaction as most people think. It will be myopic to think that an outburst of anger by a worker or his boss is the result of just one incident or an off-hand comment. In work situations such outbursts are rarely spontaneous. Not more than 7 per cent employees are aware of the fact that anger remains simmering inside an angry employee on account of some grievance that he has been nurturing since long. You, as a wise mature employee, may think that you always remain calm and cool. But it is never so. Everyone gets ruffled at some point of time over certain actions and reactions of one’s colleagues. Sometimes you feel tempted to vent your anger, but you suppress your emotions thinking that it would be awkward to act improperly. You sip a glass of cold water and try to forget, not realising that the suppressed anger can cause you more physical and emotional problems later. The same happens even in our domestic lives and it has ruined so many happy homes. Unlearning your anger is, thus, the most urgent workplace need. But how can it be done? Quite simple! First of all you must realise how many times, events, and occasions you have felt feel a sense of resentment but have refrained from airing your true feelings. This is where the roots of anger lie. Most of the employees still say that they don't have any anger inside them. But unconsciously they carry much negativity and rage. It is only when they admit this that they would be able to set their mind actually free of the buried anger. The next step is to realise on how many times, events and occasions you have had a strong sense of patience, peace and tranquility. Even when you are a bit upset, there is always a deeper sense of patience that works at the unconscious level. And this patience, if cultivated rightly, can rout anger from its roots. Once one is able to achieve this, the fear of the simmering lava of anger erupting like a volcano is over forever. It is only patience at the conscious level that makes one ready to deal with workplace situations with perfect ease and comfort. Have you ever wondered why so many employees never rise in their careers? Simple explanation. They can't get rid of their deep-rooted resentments which further give rise to anger and day-to-day odd scenes at workplace. Outwardly they may think and feel that they never get angry, but their deep-rooted suppressed anger does not let them be at peace, and rise in their careers. The best way is to begin the day with a sense of deep gratitude for whatever you have got, and even for whatever you have not got. Instead of dwelling upon envious thoughts about your colleague's hi-fi bungalow, costly car, and status, be satisfied with whatever you possess at present. Be a master of your anger. It is unwise to be its victim and perish along with your career. Sublimate your squandered energy which gets wasted through angry outbursts, into making and shaping your career. Remember what the famous American poet H.W. Longfellow has said: Heights by great men reached and kept Were not attained by a
sudden flight, But they while their companions slept Were toiling upward in the night! — The writer is a psychologist and career experts
|
|
CMAT route to B-school
In order to reduce the rigors of multiple examination process for admission in management institutions, the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), the statutory body and a national-level council for technical and management education in India, will be holding first national-level Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)-2012 for facilitating institutions to select suitable students for admission in all management programmes approved by AICTE for 2012-13. CMAT is another exam along with CAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA and JMET for students aspiring to take admission in more than 4,000 management colleges across India. This examination is being widely speculated as the only exam other than CAT for getting admission in management institutions in future.
Advantage CMAT
CMAT will facilitate institutions to select suitable students for admission in all management programmes approved by AICTE for 2012-13. The list includes government colleges and universities that are running management courses or management faculties or management departments; private management colleges or institutions running management courses approved by AICET. In the given situation, CMAT will have an edge over other examinations like MAT, XAT, SNAP, ATMA, etc in terms of wider acceptance. While MAT and ATMA are accepted largely by private institutions which have higher fees; SNAP, XAT and other individual examinations cater to only one institution or a group of institutions. CMAT examination will make students eligible for admission to any government-run MBA programmes across the country that have a comparatively lower fee structure and better faculty-student ratio. CMAT will also enable students to compete for larger number of seats available for admission process (4 lakh seats) and thus an opportunity for better self-assessment.
Test pattern
The computer-based CMAT test will comprise four sections: a) Quantitative techniques and data interpretation b) Logical reasoning c) Language comprehension d) General awareness. Each section will have 25 questions with maximum attainable score of 100. One can move back and forth between the four sections. The duration of test will be 180 minutes. There will be negative marking in CMAT and I mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.
Acceptance of the score
There is much talk about the acceptance of CMAT scores by top B-schools for the 2012-13 session. Many colleges have their compulsions in terms of their pre-released admission notification. They are not against unified testing system or the CMAT. However, the timing of CMAT notification and delay in its announcement made the situation difficult for the colleges. To be on the safer side, students should take CMAT along with other entrance examination. This way they will be eligible for admission to the colleges that will accept CMAT scores this year if they score well in this
exam.
|
|
NEW YEAR CHEER FOR HIRING
The new year may bring in loads of cheers for job-seekers, as the experts expect the companies to hire more than five lakh new employees during 2012 despite the uncertainties prevailing about the overall economic scenario. Adding to the cheers of the job market, the employees could expect double-digit salary hikes during 2012. "If all goes well, and depending on policies of the government and market situation, more than 5 lakh jobs will be created across all segments," executive search firm GlobalHunt's Director Sunil Goel said. The Indian job market in 2011, felt the ripple effects of the global economic uncertainty, but emerged out of it rather strong, as companies adopted a "cautiously optimistic" approach and experts believe in the new year jobs will continue to be added, albeit at a slower pace. As per Monika Tripathi, Vice President (Heading the IT, ITeS, Telecom and Research practices) at recruitment process outsourcing firm Elixir Consulting, "The IT/ITeS sector alone will generate as many as around 3 lakh jobsin 2012." Elixir expects the hiring activities to increase by 7-8 per cent in 2012, from the levels seen in 2011. As the companies would increase their technology investments and entities from abroad look at India-based service providers or development centres, there is a bright prospect for both domestic as well as multinational companies based in India, in the IT/ITES segment. In the coming months job, opportunities are expected to grow exponentially in sectors like retail, healthcare and IT & ITeS, defence, hospitality and consumer durable. "Since the interest rates have hardened to all times high, they are bound to come down giving much needed respite to banking, this should give boost to real estate and automobile and hence these sectors are likely to see some hiring," executive search firm Symbiosis Management Consultants' CEO and Founder Vinay Grover said. Echoing similar sentiments, Richie Madan, Executive Director at Elixir Consulting, "there is a great demand for talent across industries in India. The Retail, BFSI, FMCG, Hotels and Hospitality sectors would pick up pace and would improve in 2012." FMCG, Pharma are insulated from recession and will remain constant, Grover said, while adding that E-Commerce being a new kid on the block will emerge as a saviour and will compensate for rather dull scenario. As far as compensations are concerned, there is reason to cheer, the average salary increase would increase to at least 12 per cent, from 11 per cent in 2011. — PTI
|
|
NRI hiring to accelerate
NRIs facing employment problems due to the global economic slowdown are set to get better opportunities in India because of increased hiring expected during the next three months in sectors such as IT and auto, says a survey.
As per the survey of prospective employers conducted by NriJobPortal.com, the country's net employment outlook - an indicator of hiring intentions - stands at 19 per cent for the quarter ending March 31, 2012, compared to 11 per cent in last year Q4, representing a growth of 8 percentage points. "The crises and increased good opportunities in India have fuelled the NRI thought process to head back. In addition many Indian companies are shutting there offices in west. "It is not only some major crisis in the West but also a combination of economic, social and other factors that have driven this," NriJobPortal.com Director Ravi Kant Gupta said. Gupta added that higher NRI professional recruitment is likely to take place in the coming quarter as wage gaps have declined sharply. The survey, conducted on human resource professionals and top management of 1,929 firms and 1,710 recruitment consultants, found that major sectors in all regions of the country have positive hiring plans for the next quarter. Among the 11 surveyed industries, IT and IT-enabled services will be leading the NRI professionals hiring activity with 29 per cent outlook, anticipating highest growth of 9 per cent from the year-ago period. IT sector is followed by automobile, engineering and manufacturing industries, banking and financial services and infrastructure space in terms of hiring optimism for the January-March 2012 quarter. NRI job seekers with 1-5 years of experience have the greatest chanceof getting hired in India. This category of job seekers has a 52 per cent chance to get a job back home, making them the strongest
contenders. — PTI
|
|
|
Wanted! Good leaders
India Inc leaders are ill-equipped to handle the challenges that the organisations face in the new business environment, according to a recent study.
"In India, 51 per cent of leaders and 37 per cent of human resource professionals rated the quality of their leadership as high.
Though these ratings are higher than those in the global sample, they indicate a leadership quality gap. Only half of leaders in India are perceived as being of high quality," talent management firm DDI said in its 'Global Leadership Forecast 2011'. The study, conducted in 74 countries, involving 1,897 HR professionals and 12,423 leaders, said leadership quality not only affects the bottom line but also helps in reducing the attrition level. Organisations with higher quality leadership retained more employees than their competitors, and they also had more engaged and passionate leaders, it said. To achieve high-quality leadership, companies need effective leadership development and talent management systems, the report said, adding more Indian organisations compared to their global counterparts are prioritising development for all their leaders. "More organisations in India increased their leadership development budgets in 2011, compared to companies globally, and even more plan to ramp up spending in the coming year. This is because India has been less affected by recession and adding new leaders at a record pace." It further observed that Indian organisations have high expectations from their leaders, especially around speed to performance, meaning that there is just no time for them to take development slow and easy.
— PTI
|
|
|
Management Tip
When you miss out on a promotion, you need to find out what held you back. But managers and HR professionals often intentionally give a vague feedback for fear of losing good employees.
Here are three steps to get the inside scoop:
— Adapted from “Harvard Business Review on Advancing Your Career”
|
|
|
NEWS BOARD
A global entrepreneurship summit will be organised at IIT, Kharagpur, from January 13-15. The summit, which is the annual flagship event of the Entrepreneurship Cell of the institute, is one of the biggest entrepreneurial platforms for academicians, new-age entrepreneurs, eminent business personalities, venture capitalists and students to gather at one place and share their entrepreneurial endeavours and experiences.
Global Entrepreneurship Summit will play host to India's only Global Conference on Entrepreneurship. The conference will be followed by a discussion amongst entrepreneurship cells in India about the scenario in the country, and how best to go about promoting entrepreneurship in their respective campuses. A start-up Camp, which will involve interaction of entrepreneurs and students and aims to help start-up to recruit the finest talent of IIT, Kharagpur students for internships/jobs while giving them an opportunity to meet the biggest VC and Angel Investors in India present on campus. Participants can register at www.ecell-iitkgp.org for the event.
|
|
Happiness @ work
At 16, Jagadis Chandra joined St Xavier’s College where he met Father Lafont, the rector of the college and the best professor of physics in India at that time. Through his brilliant lectures, the teacher made his student “see atoms in thin air”. Later, while pursuing natural science at Cambridge, Jagadis studied under Lord Rayleigh, a leading scientist of his times who made the complex world of energy and matter look fascinating to Jagadis. No wonder that under such teachers, Jagadis became world renowned as biophysicist JC Bose. Being in desperate need for money, Ishwar Chandra, head pandit at Fort William College, applied for a job at Sanskrit College. But when he heard scholar Taranath Vachaspati had also applied for the post, he not only refused to take the job, but also walked to distant Kalna to inform him of his appointment. Such acts got Ishwar the title of Vidyasagar. Gandhiji was not without followers in
preIndependence India. But Ghanshyam Das found a special way to show him his affection. When Gandhiji came to Calcutta, he was one of the few youths who removed horses from the Mahatma’s buggy and pulled it themselves. Ghanshyam later went on to found the House of Birlas. Paul Appell, the mathematics teacher at Sorbonne University in Paris, made his subject look like a fairy tale. On experiencing it, Marya Sklodovska got very excited. In 1911, she became the first person to get the Nobel Prize twice. You guessed her right — Polish scientist Marie Curie. At 36, Mool Shankar, even after reading Vedanta and Yoga, couldn’t find peace. So he went to Guru Virjananda. “First throw these books in the Yamuna,” the master said. And the disciple followed. After two-and-a-half years, the pupil was ready as Dayanand Saraswati. Due to his immense contribution to the Freedom Struggle and the Bhoodan movement, Jayaprakash Narayan had a regular stream of visitors. But one day, an unusual guest came to his house dressed as a forest contractor. “The Chambal dacoits will only surrender before you,” the guest, who actually was dreaded dacoit Madho Singh on whose head was a reward of Rs 1.5 lakh in 1971, said. “Common men follow the example leaders set,” said Krishna, the ultimate teacher, to Arjuna in the
Gita. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at
svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
|
|
Optometry
Q. I am an optometrist with a degree in optometry (B.S.Optometry) from a reputed institute. I have been in clinical optometry practice for the past few years now. I am very keen to work as an optometrist in Canada. Is it mandatory to undergo a bridging programme to work there or can I practice without this? — Sudhir Pal A.
From what I gather, you do need to clear the International Optometry Bridging Programme (IOBP) to be eligible to practice as an Optometrist in Canada. However, you can work as an assistant optometrist in some provinces while attending the bridging programme and it may also be required of you for the programme. There’s something called Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COMT) that requires a course of study, but you should be able to pass it. The same applies for Optometric Technician. You may get paid more if you have the certificate as opposed to just working with your your current credentials. The IOBP requires skills in clinical, refraction and dispensing. They also focus on patient counselling and communication. To get your licence here, you’ll have to take an assessment of skills test and practical on clinical skills that will determine how much additional training you’ll need in Canada as a foreign graduate before taking the CSAO exam. You can get information about this and the international bridging programme (IOBP) on the Canadian Association of Optometrists website: www.opto.ca Also check out: www.nait.ca/ program_home_32109.htm. Best of luck! Environment studies — Praveena Sethi A.
Certainly. The Himalayas are melting, the Pacific is rising, Polar bears are dying and we are losing the untapped information and potential of plant species at an alarming rate. We need to protect the earth not just for ourselves but for our future generations. And as Yugratna Srivastava, speaking on behalf of the world’s 3 billion children at the UN summit ahead of the Climate Change Conference at Copenhagen asked the assembly of world leaders: “If not here, then where? If not now, then when? If not us, then who?” However, to work in this field, you not only need a passionate concern for the environment, but also a clear idea about what needs to be done for conserving and improving it. If you have a logical mind, and a working knowledge of subjects like geography, geology, botany, chemistry and zoology, along with good communication skills, there are quite a few routes to working as an environmentalist without studying environmental sciences per se. Here are some that you could
consider: Environmental education and communication: This typically involves conducting awareness programmes in colleges/schools, coordinating community awareness programmes – on rural and specific urban issues etc., communicating through the media — television, radio, Internet etc. Environmental journalism: Growing public awareness has generated enthusiasm and concern for environmental protection. People’s voices are now beginning to be heard and reported in the media. Reporting environmental issues such as nuclear tests, construction of dams etc., making documentaries on various aspects of the environment, and producing films on various issues concerning the environment are areas that environmental journalists/photojournalists can actively pursue. Environmental law: This would involve working as a lawyer for an environmental consulting firm, environmental organisation, conservation group, or the government. Environmental activism and social work: This would involve working with an NGO, fundraising/lobbying for an environmental organisation, conservation group or actively espousing environmental concerns. Don’t expect a fancy salary, but the work can be very satisfying and purposeful.
Interested in
health education
— Dr. Pankaj Lokesh A. Amongst others, here’s a possible option you could check out. The Brendish Family Foundation Scholarships provide an excellent opportunity for Indian students interested in health education and/or clinical practice to spend a fully-funded year at the Institution of Education, University of London (IOE) acquiring a prestigious MA. There’s one award each for the following programmes: MA Education, Health Promotion and International Development MA Technology and Simulation in Clinical Practice The scholarships cover the cost of tuition fees and provide a bursary for living expenses for one academic year. To be eligible, you must be an Indian national, who has not previously studied or lived for more than a year in the UK. You must also meet the entry requirements to pursue a master’s programme at the IOE. You can apply to the IOE via UKPASS. The panel will look for evidence that you possess the following:
Check in early 2012 for information about applying for the 2012-13 scholarship on the following link: www.ioe.ac.uk/studentInformation/52571.html Also, contact the British Council office in SCO 183-187, Sector 9C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh, for other similar
possibilities.
Off the regular path
— Suresh Kumar A.
Increasingly, a lot of students have started opting for this track. In order to zero-in on the best course, you must go in for a recognised well-known university. Then check out its jurisdiction. Except the Central universities and a few others, most universities stipulate their own domicile requirements. First try your local university. It will save you the botheration of travelling to another city for taking your exams. Also check out whether the university offers contact programmes in your city from time-to-time, as these can be of great help. As far as the course is concerned, opt for an ‘honours’ degree instead of a ‘pass’ course, if available, in the subject of your choice.
Can I take a year’s break?
— Vivek Dev A. Seventeen isn’t exactly an age when you’re sure of what you want to be or do for the rest of your life. Unlike in the West, our students don’t have the liberty to explore life for a couple of years before choosing their further study or career options. A gap year is always viewed with suspicion and not worth the risk. But there are increasingly a few who dare to tread this less-trodden path. If your parents are fine with it, do take a year off. But you’ll need to structure your time, so that you don’t waste it. Otherwise a year will fly before you know it, and you’ll be none the wiser! Alternatively, enrol in a less demanding course in college that will give you enough time to explore your interests and other possibilities. 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
|
|
In order to reduce the rigors of multiple examination process for admission in management institutions, the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), the statutory body and a national-level council for technical and management education in India, will be holding first national-level Common Management Admission Test (CMAT)-2012 for facilitating institutions to select suitable students for admission in all management programmes approved by AICTE for 2012-13.
At workplaces there are numerous occasions when outbursts of anger lead to ugly scenes and tell upon the health of one's career. Either the sufferer gives vent to his anger or the victim retaliates with an equally intense reaction. However, in both cases anger takes its toll and no one gains anything personally or professionally. So it is very important to learn to channelise the negative anger properly and learn to deal with difficult situations and people with patience.
Just as teachers maketh a student, bosses maketh a junior. So if you have a good boss, cherish him.
After being shooed away for years for belonging to a “lower” caste, little Bhimrao came under the tutelage of a Brahmin teacher Ambedkar. He not only encouraged his intelligent student but also, against the custom in those days, let Bhimrao come near him and eat with him. On his advice, Bhimrao changed his surname from Ambadvekar to Ambedkar.
The Optometric Assistant/Technician/Ophthalmic Tech wage can vary: $15 - 20 per hour.
Q. I am very passionate about nature and wildlife. However, as science is not one of my favourite subjects, can I still opt for a career in environment?
Q. I have completed MBBS, and instead of doing further specialisation in medicine, I’m thinking of going into health education so that I can work with a good NGO or government health initiative for promoting health education. Are there any scholarships for pursuing such courses in the UK?
Q. I am a Class XII student in the commerce stream. I don’t want to join a regular college. Instead I would like to work and do a correspondence course side-by-side. Please tell me what factors I should keep in mind while choosing a course.
Q. I’m in Class XII. I’ve taken science but I’m not at all sure what I wish to pursue in my graduation. There are several options that I’m considering but I don’t have enough knowledge to zero-in on any particular one. Is it okay to take a year off and explore the possibilities? I’m seventeen.