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How helpful are career tests?
Work on confidence level
Newcastle University India Scholarships
Career Hotline
A pleasure trip
Low on cost, high on merit
Grooming women to be politicians
Winning moves
Small talk, big benefits
AICTE adopts cloud to improve tech education
Go for innovations
Happiness @ work
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How helpful are career tests?
Pre-board exams, board exams, entrance exams, class exams… who needs more tests, you would be forgiven for asking.
Once past Class IX, the students seem to be suddenly overloaded with tests and more tests, raising anxiety levels skywards. The enormously difficult choices — which stream to opt for, what careers to target — further compound the situation. The latest entrants in this test-laden scenario are the tests which seek to help young people understand their interests and aptitudes in order to make better education and career choices. For every studet and guardian who has heard of these tests the main question is: Are such tests (called "career tests" from here on) worth it? Do they help? Or, do they simply make an already confused situation more bewildering? Read on… How career tests can help When it comes to career counselling, then most young people broadly want two kinds of help in planning their careers. One, they want to be sure that the career that they are aiming for is right for them, and two, they want to be sure that they have not have overlooked any other more desirable or suitable options. The latter, incidentally, is a real risk in today's fast-changing world where new industries and professions are springing up more rapidly than mushrooms in rainy season. Who, for, instance, had heard of Web Developers even 10 years ago? Or, of the new, hot field of study called
nanotechnology? This is where appropriate, carefully chosen assessment tests backed with skillful and well-informed counseling, can be of great help by pointing the youngsters towards study and career options which gel with their interests and aptitude. How these work All tests that seek to help youngsters make career choices work on broadly similar principles. They seek to assess their
interests and aptitudes and match them with the recorded interests and aptitudes of people in various professions.
Thus, in effect, each profession is categorised as being suitable for people with certain interests or aptitudes based on analysis of those who are
successful and happy in that profession. Thus, for instance, a career test will seek to match your interests to professions where people with similar interests are predominant and successful. This is well enough as it goes, but it is equally true that: *
Most professions can accommodate people
with significantly varied interests. * The range of personal interests and characteristics of any individual is broad enough to meet the requirements of a wide variety of professions. *
There is the obvious difficulty of how accurate, how up-to-date and how applicable the underlying data about each profession is; and *
There is also the problem of selecting the right test to use. Inappropriate tests can confuse more than help. The catchy-sounding IQ tests, for instance, will probably be of little help in plotting a successful career. For the simple reason that IQ
tests may be good predictors of academic performance but not much help in career selection. Then, the career tests can't factor in any
inherent advantages which you might have; for example, a parent's successful legal or medical practice to step into. Once you are aware of the underlying reality that career tests are based on aggregates and averages, you will not fall into the trap of taking their results as holy mantra. Instead, you can then focus on their vital value in helping you expand your horizons, throwing up a wider array of suitable career options than you might be considering, and in helping you explore all potentially successful career options. To this you must fuse relevant information about the prospects of different options to come up with a successful career plan. More than tests The formula for a successful education and career plan consists of equal parts of who you are and accurate and up-to-date information about the existing career opportunities. A good assessment test, carefully selected and interpreted by an
experienced career counsellor, can offer valuable insights into your interests and aptitudes. This needs to be combined with relevant information about existing and future opportunities. Such opportunities would depend, for instance, on the growth of the economy, India's growth in relation to that of the rest of the world, the fact that some developed countries have ageing populations, while India is a country of millions and millions of young people. And the fact that a worker in the US gets paid more than 10 times than an Indian worker, makes it hugely attractive for American companies to outsource routine "back office" tasks to India which had lead to the call-centre boom, etc. Thus, a successful career plan is not made by tests alone. But combined with guidance by an experienced and sensitive career counsellor, career tests can help in matching your personality and interests with the study and career options that are best for you. —
The writer is Career Coach, CARING India.
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Work on confidence level
D. C. Sharma ... Q. I've been trying to get a job in an MNC for quite some time now. But I am a very plain looking and simple person and this is what goes against me even though I have a good academic record. Even some of my friends have told me that I come across as a very unimpressive person. Is this the reason that I am not getting a good job? If yes, can you kindly suggest how I can build an impressive personality? — anubhav wadhwa
To groom your personality, dress in an impressive manner. This is the reason why dress code in educational institutions is being made mandatory so that the students coming from poor families do not feel inferior in the presence of those from rich families who can easily afford costly and impressive clothes.
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Newcastle University India Scholarships
Newcastle University is offering 10 Indian Scholarship (NUIS PG) awards. These are available for high achieving Indian students applying for entry in postgraduate degree programmes within the faculties of science, agriculture and engineering (SAgE), medical sciences (FMS) and the Newcastle University Business School (NUBS) commencing their studies in September 2012. Worth: Each scholarship will have a value of £2,000, payable towards the first year of tuition fees. Eligibility: Applicants should * have been offered a place on any postgraduate taught degree programme in the faculties of SAgE or FMS or Newcastle University Business School. * be an Indian national and have been assessed as international/overseas for fees purposes. * have an average of 70% or more in Bachelors degree and satisfy all other requirements * intend to register to start your studies during the 2012-13 academic year. How to Apply: The scheme is applied for via separate application form can be downloaded from http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding/search/list/nuis including a personal statement of not more than 500 words. Completed application forms should be sent to: india@ncl.ac.uk Deadline: June 30, 2012. King size offer Indian students can apply for Kingston University’s (UK) postgraduate scholarships. These scholarships are for Indian applicants who have applied for a full-time,one-year, taught master’s degree in any subject area at Kingston University, London. Study Subject(s): Courses offered by the university Course Level: Masters Scholarship can be taken at: UK Eligibility: An Indian student (classified as 'overseas' for fee purposes, holding an Indian passport and domiciled in India). Have an offer of a place on a course at Kingston for 2012/13 entry. Applicants are not currently registered on an undergraduate or postgraduate course at Kingston University. Details: Awards totalling £250,000 every year, with each international scholarship worth £3,300. Scholarships are available for both September entry and January entry. The scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic merit; what you expect to gain from the course you are taking; and what you intend to do after completing the course. Application procedure: Online Deadline: May 31, 2012 Date with Italy MIB School of Management of Trieste, Italy, has announced a competition for scholarships for Indian citizens. The scholarships will go toward tuition fees to attend the XIV edition of the Master in Insurance and Risk Management (January 2013-December 2013). Study subject(s): Insurance and Risk Management Course level: Master’s Scholarship provider: MIB School of Management of Trieste Scholarship can be taken at: Italy Eligibility: Candidates must meet the following requirements: — Academic degree (or equivalent qualification). — Good working knowledge of English (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE certificate is recommended). Details: The scholarships will cover up to 70% of the tuition fees. The full tuition fees are equivalent to 20.200,00 EUR (21% VAT included). The amount of the scholarships will be discounted from the overall tuition fees. Application procedure: By post Deadline: November 26, 2012
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What are the prospects of master's course in international relations?
Pervin Malhotra email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com ... Q. I have completed my bachelor's degree in history and am now planning to do my master's in International Relations from JNU. Can you please guide me about the prospects and preparations regarding this course? — shreya gogia A. Although international relations forms part of the Master's in Political Science course offered at a large number of universities, only a handful of universities offer a specific Master's in International Relations, such as Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Jadavpur University, Kolkata and Jiwaji University, Baroda among others.
Western Political Thoughts; Indian Government and Politics; Political Thought in Modern India; International Relations; Public Policies in India; and Comparative Government and Politics. In a bid to veer away from the euro-centricism that had influenced the theoretical understanding of globalisation so far, the course provides students with first-hand experience of the democratic processes and conflict patterns in varied cultural settings. For more details, log on to www.jnu.ac.in. A degree in IR is a great way to open your career path to exciting opportunities at home and abroad. This inter-disciplinary field provides both an excellent education and great prospects in the job market. With this subject combo, you could either take the Civil Services Exam and become a career diplomat or teach political science, which is taught widely or International Relations which is taught at only a handful of universities. You could also opt for research, PR or liaison-related work in embassies, Ministry of External Affairs, international trade organisations, or international organisations such as the UN and its specialised agencies like UNDP, UNICEF, ILO etc that require experts in international studies to man their special desks or work on projects related to issues of global concern. Journalism - both print and electronic is another popular avenue for those who have specialised in this subject. IR will hold you in good stead if you want to be a foreign correspondent or international policy analyst.
What are the options for commerce students?
Q. I am in the final year of my BCom course. What can I do after completing the graduation and what are the options available for going abroad? — akshay arora
A. Start by thinking about which field or career you want to get into, then analyse your strengths, personality and academic abilities to see where a good fit emerges. After completing your BCom your are ideally suited for the whole gamut of finance and commerce options open to you - right from CA/CS/CWA to careers in banking and finance, insurance, investment, trading, consulting, equity research and financial analysis, financial planning, risk management, etc. Courses that you can consider after completing your graduation are MCom, Masters in Business Economics, Masters in Finance and Control, Masters in International Business, in addition to the ever popular and evergreen MBA. In addition, international professional certifications/ qualifications such as CFA, CIMA, and CFP can also be undertaken right here in India, and are highly regarded by Indian and international employers. Non-finance related options include careers in marketing, HR, retail, marketing communications, advertising, etc. Careers in government services, media, law, and teaching are also open to you. The eventual choice should be made keeping in mind your individual preference and your abilities and personality. As for options abroad, all the above mentioned courses and qualifications are available at foreign universities as well with perhaps slight changes in nomenclature. As for international certifications/qualifications (CFA, CIMA, CFP), there is no distinction.
The job profile of a SAP consultant
Q. I'm a management graduate working as a sales manager for the past two years. I am interested in doing SAP SD module. I want to understand the job description and average CTC offered to SAP consultant. Also, what is your take on doing SAP in today's market for someone with two years of experience in sales and marketing? — shailendra singh
A. There are broadly two kinds of SAP training or certifications you can undertake. The "Technical" consultant or Developer are experts in programming, configuration of an SAP implementation and designing interfaces and customisations. Typically an IT/programming background is required if you want to be a Technical SAP consultant in any module. Given your background, it is functional training that you can consider. Ideally you should possess at least three years of experience in a related business function before you look to do a certification in any module of SAP. This training can be in any of the modules e.g. Financial Accounting (FI), Controlling (CO), Sales and Distribution (SD), Materials Management (MM), Production/Manufacturing Planning (PP), etc. This training is also referred to as "Application Training". To get the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding salary packages and job descriptions just browse through the job postings on any of the prominent job portals.
Practice Pays
Q. I generally do well in written tests but fare very poorly in personal interviews. This has made me very apprehensive about getting a good job in future. Are there any tips to improve performance in personal interviews? — rajinder kumar
A. Many intelligent and hardworking candidates who do well in the written test sometimes fail to get selected in the interview. They lose due to their lack of knowledge about interview skills. Rather than being stressed about a personal interview prepare methodically. You should prepare a list of expected questions in advance. The use of Internet can help a lot in this. And prepare your answers accordingly. The output method is very useful in this. You must practice giving answers to imaginary interviewers as this will sharpen your skills and boost your confidence. Standing before a mirror and answering the questions also builds a confidence. It is also beneficial to practice mock interviews with friends. With practice your interview performance will improve wonderfully. —
The counsellor is a psychologist and
career expert
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A pleasure trip
A degree on hotel management not only opens up job options in the hotel industry but in several other fields also. Cruise Ship Management is one such field. Suited to individuals from a variety of hospitality backgrounds, particularly those with good sea legs, Cruise Ship Management not only offers diverse job opportunities but also a chance to earn well while travelling to exotic ports for free.
Prospects Food and Beverage Managers, Executive Chefs, Hotel and Casino Managers are some of the profiles offered. Taking responsibility for all areas of the ship that serve food and drink, managers need to prepare budgets, calculate expenses, place food orders and ensure the quality of the food served on board. Job scape The job prospects in the field are more or less similar to the ones at a suburban five star hotel. The occupational requirements range from preparing gourmet meals to finding a guest a new room. Each cruise ship manager plays a fundamental role in ensuring the highest quality of service to the customers. Although travelling to exotic locations, it is not necessary that every time you will get to enjoy the Caribbean breeze or the South American landscape. But perks like getting to stay at the equivalent of a five-star hotel for an extended period and discounted cruise rates for family members may make up for it. Achieving a management position on a cruise ship involves hospitality training and prior experience (on land or at sea). Remuneration Remuneration is fairly good starting at Rs 30,000-35,000. Salary knows no bounds once you have the relevant experience and expertise. Eligibility Anyone having a degree/ diploma in hotel management is eligible to pursue a career in Cruise Ship Management. Awareness about the customs and traditions and ethnic differences of various countries is helpful, as is proficiency in some foreign language. Duration The duration of the course varies from institute to institute and could vary between six months and three years. There is no particular course in Cruise Ship Management. Hospitality Management students are eligible to take on various positions in Cruise Ship as per preference and choice. —
The writer is the Director of Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research (MAHAR), Dehradun
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Low on cost, high on merit
Dale Anderson The world has changed significantly in the past few years in terms of providing quality education, and so have the opportunities for globe-trotting students. Many countries have opened their arms to students from all over the globe, to come and join their institutions. Singapore - the international centre of art and culture - has remarkably drawn a fair number of students to join their esteemed educational institutions.
When it comes to narrowing down one's option of countries suitable for studying abroad, 38 per cent students consider affordability as the most important aspect, about 33 per cent look at the opportunities to work there after graduation or along with their education to earn their pocket money, 25 per cent eye a recognised degree that would be distinguished and valid around the world and 23 per cent are concerned about the quality of education imparted. A student who decides to pursue higher studies in Singapore is definitely at an advantage as far as the curriculum, quality of education and the affordability factors are concerned. This is because the education system in Singapore is very similar to that in the UK. The education system here has a dynamic educational qualification system approach that is widely accepted by educational institutes worldwide giving students a competitive edge against their global counterparts. Home to more than 90,000 professional expatriates, Singapore's unique blend of various cultures and perspectives adds further colour and vibrancy to its cosmopolitan lifestyle. Singapore, as a country, geographically may seem to be smaller in comparison to the rest of the world but this group of islands comprising the state bustle with activity all year long. When it comes to Indian students specifically, the proximity of Singapore in geographical terms proves to be beneficial to them as it cuts down on their travel costs, gives them a strong sense of community and homeliness. Apart from this easier student visa rules and immediate job opportunities after the completion of a degree are added attractions. The education system of Singapore revolves around the belief that every student has unique aptitude and interests, and it is this thought which has lead the system to adopt a flexible approach towards education allowing an individual to develop his potential to the fullest. Considered Asia's leading knowledge economy, Singapore offers an intellectually open society with plenty of opportunities to interact and exchange ideas from people all over the world, offering students the best of East-West education pedagogy with Asian flavour. 'Studying abroad' beyond doubt gives your resume a boost and improves your post-graduate employment prospects, particularly if you're considering pursuing a career in business, technology, or international affairs. When a student stays and studies abroad, he/she acquires skills like; cross-cultural communication skills, analytical skills, better teamwork, more flexibility, holds a better understanding of various cultural contexts, builds the ability to adapt to new circumstances and deal with differences, and moreover develops an independent and self-confident view of the outside world. As a premier education hub, both course fees and living costs are relatively cheaper in Singapore as compared to those in the western countries allowing a student to consider his/her net savings at the end. — The writer is Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Head of James Cook University Singapore (JCUS)
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Grooming women to be politicians
The Centre for Public Policy (CPP), IIM Bangalore, in collaboration with New Delhi-based Centre for Social Research (CSR), an NGO working on gender empowerment, has launched a certificate course in political leadership to groom aspiring women politicians. The three-month-long India-Women in Leadership (iWIL) programme claims to equip aspiring women leaders with the requisite skills, knowledge and expertise in various aspects of governance.
The programme includes lectures, field visits, as well as a week each of intensive exposure visits in Delhi and Singapore. It seeks to strengthen their ability to contest elections, lobby for women's rights and strengthen the overall network of politically active women across India, said a statement. The first batch starts on July 16. Basics of retail Details: The Retail Management Course develops practical understanding of the retail sector covering crucial areas like Retail Buying, Category Management, Retail Store Operations and Customer Marketing. The topics include Retail Sourcing Overview, Merchandise Procurement, Retail Sourcing - Types and Trends, Category Management, Merchandising, Store Design Objectives and Layout, Space Management, Fixtures, Presentation and Atmospherics, Stock and Inventory Management, Supply Chain Management, Key Store Operations and ERP, Measuring Retail Performance, Communication and Customer Handling, Customer Relationship Management, Pricing, Promotions & Markdowns, Supply Chain Management, Customer Loyalty Schemes, Retail Strategy and FDI among others. Duration: 20- 50 hours
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different strokes: choreography Gauri Chhabra
Dance has rightly been called "music of the soul". For this music of the soul to follow a pattern, a harmony, a sequence, we need a science — the science is Choreography. Choreography is the earthly touch for the ethereal dance form. It is the art and science of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. It means "dance-writing". Choreographer, analogous to a director of a movie, creates dance forms. It may take myriad forms such as cheerleading, cinematography, dance, gymnastics, fashion shows, ice skating, marching band, show choir, theatre, and synchronised swimming. Choreography stands on a dual edifice - improvisation and planned choreography that flows in the form of techniques such as mirroring, retrograding, cannoning, levelling, shadowing and unison.
Choreography predates life...it owes its genesis to the courtly dance sequences where court poets used to compose, create and arrange original dances, combining steps and movements to form an artistic whole. Gradually, the ancient courtiers gave way to niche areas like scripting dance sequences from inception to execution orchestrating them in a symphonic sequence. They also developed new interpretations of traditional dances. Today, choreographers usually audition performers and teach them a dance at rehearsals besides staging and directing presentations of their own works. Choreographers work in all forms of dance, including classical ballet, modern, tap, jazz, folk, ethnic, and ballroom. They must be knowledgeable not only about dance techniques but also about music, costumes, lighting, and drama. Eligibility and skill set Choreography is the linear progression from dancing catalysed with years of experience working in the theatre and with dance companies. A college degree is not required for professional choreographers, but high school courses in speech, drama, music, and the visual arts are highly recommended. The singular skill needed to be a choreographer is the skill of using the body for the very purpose for which it was designed —to feel the raw, uncontaminated reality of life. By learning to be deeply aware of the physical senses, thoughts and emotions, a choreographer can greatly increase the clarity of experience and foster the opportunity to grow from within. Getting in Most choreographers start out as dancers. If dance is your passion and you have your eyes set on choreography, then seize every opportunity to gain experience and polish your dancing skills by performing frequently. Performing with or creating dances for local groups is a good way to begin a career. Trade magazines contain announcements for auditions. Dancers can move onto choreography by becoming assistants to established choreographers or by creating brief pieces for their own dance companies. Better choreographic commissions and higher pay for choreographers come with recognition. Some choreographers form their own dance companies. Others become directors, as well as choreographers, for the musical theatre and film industries. Still others become college teachers, usually after obtaining a degree. However, the field is highly competitive and a career in choreography does not necessarily provide long-term security. The best job opportunities are expected to be with national dance companies and in the field of music videos. Career pathways Choreographers take on forking career pathways. Although employment may be intermittent, choreographers often work every day, including on weekends and holidays, when staging a new work. They travel often. Success in the performing arts requires frequent personal sacrifice and long working hours, high stress and creativity is expected on demand. They can follow careers in the fields of stage choreography that typically involves large-scale set ups with extravagant props and large groups of dancers. In the modern day scenario, it is usually a part of fashion shows and competitions and in camera choreography that is employed in TV serials and reality shows. Individuals need to possess innate talent which can be honed by training. It is best if one is trained in a classical dance form as it gives a strong foundation. Those with a degree in dance may begin by working as a dancer, either freelance or by joining a company or assist an established choreographer if they wish to work for movies. Starting one's own dance class is another option. Beginners or trainees are paid anywhere between Rs 3,000 and Rs 15,000 for each show depending on experience, skill and budget. It takes a while to get noticed in the industry as it is still not considered to be a mainstream profession. You have to be creative to the core. You must constantly look at ways to improve your talent. You also need to be sure of your capabilities as according to experts there is no room in this industry for those who are insecure or in doubt about their talent. Putting together a show can be physically exhausting, especially if you are not used to the speed at which dance shows are choreographed and practised. It involves long hours of warm-ups, practice and synchronisation. The job could also involve a lot of travelling. — The writer is a Ludhiana-based career consultant
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smart strategy: social intractions Swati Rai In today’s day and age of high-tech networking, inter-personal communication is at its lowest ebb. When business moves out of the office confines and becomes social client-engagement, even some corporate honchos become tongue-tied because of the lack of skills of small talk and social interaction. Important tool for success
Why talk the talk? Be it a cocktail party, a client meet or even a launch, small talk can make or break deals. The ability of a person to engage in casual talk with a stranger speaks volumes about one’s self-confidence. This is a soft skill that is often forgotten in a world where corporate communication is solely restricted to marketing communication. Networking is a tool that one can use to help expand one’s business. It is most certainly not the be-all and end-all of climbing up the corporate ladder but it is definitely a start. In today’s corporate cycle when there is a paucity of time and also less attention span, one only has a minute or two to create a favourable impression. Be it an interview or a business negotiation, small talk is one way to stand apart from the crowd and get noticed without much effort. Ace it Here are some tips to ace the nuances of small talk that can get you some big benefits: Work on your current affairs by reading a daily, a blog or even e-newspapers. Prepare three topics that you can speak on confidently, especially those that will make great conversation starters. Be an active-listener and address everyone by name to add that personal touch. Always maintain eye contact. * Encourage people to talk about themselves. I, me, myself is one topic, no one can resist. Don’t let there be a conversation pause, keep a list of topics such as the weather and current trends, ready for filling in the gaps. Avoid controversial topics. Focus on safe topics such as new eating places, movies, hobbies, family, friends and sports. * Don’t get personal by talking about family issues, religious leanings gossip or bawdy jokes. To make a good impression know when to leave the conversation. After a two-minute polite chat one can say “please excuse me” and make a graceful exit. One can also make the excuse of meeting others one hasn’t met. Another way of moving away from a conversation is the excuse of refreshing one’s drink. Your body language should be calm, confident and composed. Before joining a group where conversation is already on, see, observe and listen. You don’t want to cut a sorry figure by making a badly timed remark or worse still, an out-of-ontext monologue. Do’s
* Work on some conversation starters beforehand. * Find common topics that both parties can engage in and relate to. * Stay away from idle chat or gossip. Don’ts * Don’t stammer or stutter while talking. Be confident and sure of yourself. * Don’t ask frivolous questions or even personal queries. * Don’t forget to maintain eye contact with the person you are chatting with. * Don’t be too informal or casual.
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AICTE adopts cloud to improve tech education
The All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) in collaboration with Microsoft Corporation will be deploying Microsoft Live@edu over the next three months in more than 10,000 technical colleges and institutes throughout India. The cloud deployment will expand students' access to high-quality technical education and collaboration. Live@edu is the first step in AICTE's deployment of Microsoft cloud computing for education. In one such initiative being implemented, Live@edu is a hosted communication and collaboration service that offers email, Microsoft Office Web Apps, instant messaging and storage to AICTE's more than 7 million students and nearly 500,000 faculty members, for a total reach of 7.5 million users (roughly double the size of the populatin of Los Angeles) making AICTE Microsoft's largest cloud customer ever. AICTE also plans to deploy Microsoft Office 365 for education when it becomes available later this year, providing access to Microsoft Exchange Online email and calendar, Microsoft SharePoint Online, Microsoft Lync Online and Microsoft Office Professional as the technical infrastructure to support member colleges and institutes. "Microsoft's cloud platform will make for a truly progressive ecosystem and contribute to the country's technical education by providing a better communication and collaboration platform for institutes and students," said Dr. S. S. Mantha, Chairman of AICTE. A part of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, AICTE is the governing body for technical education in India, certifying and managing technical colleges and institutes in a country where the technology industry and higher education are both becoming increasingly vital to the economy. To carry out its charge of evaluating the curriculum and quality of education for all technical institutes across the country, AICTE needed to have consistent and timely communication with these colleges, some of which are located in the remotest districts of India. AICTE and the ministry wanted to deploy a technology system that would provide an efficient platform for students and the institutional framework and would foster efficiency and support broader educational reforms. Microsoft's cloud services for education is one such commitment to education across all the company's products and programmes, as well as the system's seamless interoperation with the entire Microsoft product portfolio. The implementation is already underway and is being managed by Microsoft and a set of Live@edu partners. Full deployment is expected to be complete by summer 2012. FACT FILE * Live@edu is the leading cloud suite for education, with more than 22 million people using the service worldwide. * At 7.5 million users, the AICTE deployment is the largest cloud deployment ever. * Other recent Live@edu adoptions include a 700,000 cloud-based collaboration solution for the * Kentucky Department of Education. * The online service helps educational institutions provide email and enterprise-grade online tools to students and faculty while helping to reduce costs and simplify IT management.
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Management Tip
Organisations need innovation on all fronts, not just in new products, services, or technologies. But many managers don’t innovate because they don’t think it’s their job.
Here’s how you can build a stronger innovation culture on your team: n Implement an immediate innovation. As a team, identify ideas that will reduce costs, save time, or improve customer service. Pick one or two to implement right away to demonstrate success. n Identify an ambitious goal. Once your team has confidence in its ability to innovate, set a larger goal. Can you reduce costs by 50 per cent? Can you combine services to help customers? n Continually foster innovation. Include ‘Innovation’ as a category in performance reviews. Recognise colleagues who try new approaches even if the results aren’t perfect. And, give people time to think and experiment. — Adapted from “Innovation Is Everyone’s Job”
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Happiness @ work
Just as age is not a dependable indicator of wisdom, a higher position in the hierarchy doesn’t necessarily mean more ability. So seniors must give some freedom to their juniors to function.
As he knew Lakshman was an expert in hut making, Rama allowed his younger brother to fabricate their abode during their exile. Similarly, he took a backseat when Vaanara warriors Nal and Neel built the Ramasethu. Despite the fact that Kumbhakarna slept for six months at a stretch, his elder brother and King Ravana had great regard for the mighty giant. “He can do in one day what others cannot accomplish in 100 years,” the King of Lanka said. Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s most famous General was Hari Singh Nalwa. During the siege of Multan under Nalwa’s command, a wheel of a cannon broke. Instead of withdrawing, numerous Sikh soldiers sacrificed themselves supporting the cannon on their back. Ranjit Singh’s forces won Multan, Peshawar and Kashmir. In the battle of Jamrud, the Afghans had Nalwa surrounded by 50 men. On his death, the Maharaja said, “I have lost my most loyal and faithful soldier.” Many years earlier — when Ranjit was just a 10-year-old boy — a rebellious chief usurped territory belonging to Ranjit’s father Mahan Singh. Little Ranjit led his forces to victory. Fifteen-year-old Tipu Sultan surprised his father Haidar Ali when he captured the women folk of the ruler of Balam and forced him to surrender. Two years later, Tipu persuaded the Nizam of Hyderabad and the Peshwa not to side with the British. On finding that Indian farming techniques were unnecessarily laborious, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore sent his son Rathindra to the US for training in agricultural science. When Rathindra returned, Rabindranath sent him to his ancestral estate at Shilaidah. With the use of modern technology, the work was done in no time. When Changdev, a renowned yogi, heard about saint Jnaneshwar, he decided to subdue him. He came carrying a living snake and riding a tiger. At that point, Jnaneshwar and his siblings were sitting on a wall. The saint made the wall move towards the yogi. Seeing this, Changdev became Jnaneshwar’s disciple. During spring, some 8,000 years ago, Zarathushtra was born in Persia. Seeing him as a threat, head priest Durasrob tried to kill him. He stole the child and put him in the way of raging bulls, but the divine child survived. Then, he put him in the path of galloping horses. This attempt also met with failure. Then, Durasrob put him in front of hungry wolves, but to no avail. Finally, he put Zarathushtra in fire. The flames turned into a bed of roses. Ability makes one humble as fruit makes a tree droop. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be
contacted at svaidyanathan@ tribunemail.com
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A vast variety of career options make many students turn to aptitude assessment in order to avoid making a wrong choice. Do these tests hold the key to taking the right decision?
A.
It is true that an impressive and powerful personality is an essential asset. But to believe that you have a poor personality, simply because someone says so just reflects your utter lack of confidence and negative outlook. You need to work on this area to improve your chances in life. While one can't change one's physical traits, but one's outlook and attitude can be changed. In order to improve your personality you have to act, feel, and behave in a confident, poised and balanced manner in the way in which you live, work, and deal with others. William James, the Father of psychology, says that while feelings are not always under our conscious control, our actions always are. So when you act and behave with confidence and faith, you will soon start feeling positive and thus confident in a 
Admission to the 2-year MA in Politics (with specialisation in International Relations) programme at JNU is on the basis of an all-India entrance exam in May. To take this exam you should have a minimum of 50 per cent marks at the bachelor's level in any discipline. The notification appears in March. The exam is based on topics covered in a typical bachelor's programme in political science. Typical topics included are:
The BCom programme provides a good base for a range of careers. These are broadly of two types - those related to business and finance, and the non-finance fields.
A "Functional" consultant is a non-technical business-process expert, who helps design the SAP implementation. He combines his knowledge of SAP modules and maps it to the requirements of a particular business. Functional consultants asses the impact of the implementation on the business processes and suggest changes where necessary. As a SAP "Functional" consultant you will essentially perform requirement gathering and translate it into functional specifications used by the technical team to do the necessary programming and configuration in SAP ERP.
Falling under the cruise’s ‘Hospitality Department’, the career prospects in this field are more or less similar to the ones at a suburban five-star hotel. The occupational requirements range from preparing gourmet meals to finding a guest a new room. A cruise ship manager plays a fundamental role in ensuring the highest quality of service to the customers. Key responsibilities include managing the restaurants, bars, passenger cabins as well as the retail concessions like gift shops etc on board.
Singapore has carved a reputation for being a country with transparency, political stability and focus on education. Students feel that if they choose Singapore for their higher studies, they will not only become part of an education system that promotes excellence, but also be a part of a global community.
The objective of the course is to correct the imbalance in the Indian political landscape where women hold a mere 10 per cent of seats in Parliament.
Small talk is essentially a dialogue with social niceties and exchanging pleasantries with people one hasn’t met earlier. In corporate socialising one meets strangers and the way one exchanges social niceties can make or break anyone’s career. It is an important tool for networking. It is needed to break the ice between two strangers before important business meetings and events. It also comes into play when used by the host to make his guests comfortable. The ability to make ‘small talk’ can test your highest skill as a communicator. The content and the delivery along with a positive body language can make you into an effective conversationalist. You are what you speak and not always how you dress or what you wear. Carrying a conversation without gaps and pauses is an art that can make your career graph soar sooner than later. In a corporate setting, all it needs is a little preparation and an awareness of the basics of informal communication. 
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Listen attentively and genuinely. ‘Listen’ and not hear. 