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technical writing
Career Hotline
study abroad
Three selected for PM’s scholarship
scholarship roundup
StockMind contest for college students
Different strokes: pet industry
Pet path
career compass: perfumer
lucrative field: multi-level marketing model
New York Film Academy to set up India campus
smart strategy: smooth operations
How to increase your employability
cubicle trends
Poor grammar can tip career scales
Happiness @ work
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Wizards of tech talk
An opportunity to serve as a bridge between technology and its users is the USP of this tech-creative career option Usha Albuquerque Buy a new phone, an IPad or laptop and the first thing you do is go through the user manual to get it started and to check out its features. Sometimes you are able to figure out the instructions, while at others you end up totally confused with the technical details. It may be interesting to know that those who prepare the instructions for such manuals require professional training in technical writing. A technical writer is the bridge between technology and its users, and technical writing is the ‘science’ of designing, validating, and packaging the information created for the purpose. The profile A technical writer prepares clear, concise written documentation which communicates technical information to a target audience. Technical writing involves understanding the technical jargon and expressing it clearly and concisely using simple English, or whichever language is required. Some common examples of technical writing include operating instructions, how-to manuals; documentation guides for industrial machinery, online help information or engineering specifications for construction projects. The scope In India, technical writing is a growing industry, with more and more companies realising the necessity for perfect documentation. With the IT boom many MNCs, both international and domestic, have opened their doors for Indians with the necessary technical and communication skills to work in this field. The work When a technical writer is assigned a project, he or she has to thoroughly research the subject material, or examine the product thoroughly to understand how it works. After carrying out extensive research, he creates a document which communicates information in clear, useful terms, so that even inexperienced users can follow it easily. Once the information is in place, it has to be tested to ensure that the instructions can be followed easily and implemented before the manual or instruction booklet is printed or uploaded for use.
The foothold Technical writing as a professional practice requires excellent product knowledge and good command over technical language. In addition to that, knowledge of the latest software tools is essential, as those tools provide capabilities of content reuse, publishing capabilities and automated design formatting. There are no formal training programmes for technical writing, although some institutes and computer centres offer a module or two on training for technical writing skills. A graduate with a science background and the necessary computer training has an added advantage. There are many computer institutes that offer diploma and certificate courses in technical writing. There are also programmes offered online by software companies. TWIN (Technical Writers of India) (www.twin-india.org ) and Society for Technical Communication (STC),( www. stc.org) India, provide a lot of information for those interested in this career, along with opportunities for ongoing learning and professional networking for people in the technical communication field. You can also find names of courses and institutes for training and a forum where technical writers from across the country get together to clarify doubts, share information and discuss issues relating to technical writing. There are also people with degrees in literature or psychology, who come into technical writing, so it can attract all sorts of people. What you need most in this job is enthusiasm and a good grasp of language and thereby the content. Anyone familiar with words and their grammatical structure, or willing to pick up these skills through classes or by reading extensively, can be successful in this field. Skills required Having a degree in computer science definitely helps, but technical writers come with many different degrees. A summer internship related to computer science or technical writing would be very helpful to determine if you would enjoy this career and what skills you will need to succeed. Technical writers need to be good with computers, basic knowledge of computer hardware, operating systems, software applications and programming languages, and be familiar with electronic publishing software, including graphic design, page layout, and multimedia software. Excellent command over applications such as MS-Word, PowerPoint, Adobe framemaker, HTML and XML coding, graphic editors such as Snag IT and Photoshop and help authoring tools like Robohelp, Snagit , Camtasia, are useful for those trying to break into the technical writing field. Familiarity with features such as style guides and templates, other writing tools and techniques, plus a fundamental knowledge of commonly used hardware, software and programming languages will give you a definite edge. There are a number of institutes that offer courses on the software related to technical writing, with online support and tutorials provided for each of these products. Job prospects Technical writers start work as a technical communicator and can move onto the post of a senior technical communicator with an experience of about three to five years. They can enhance their documentation with navigation controls, tables of contents, indexes, and produce ergonomically designed layouts, and assist with user interfaces. The growing IT, manufacturing and service sectors have created a huge demand for technical writers. The increasing use of IT in more segments like engineering, automotives, aeronautics, military, bioinformatics, medicine, mechanics and even rocket science shows an increasing demand for technical writers. Besides this, there is an equal demand coming from newspapers, tech magazines, e-zines, dotcoms, advertising agencies and technology-based companies like computer software and hardware firms. Most jobs are those like documentation specialist, instructional designer, proposal writer, quality analyst, technology journalist and so on. Technical writers can also work online, for companies, as well as for blogs, websites and other online content sources. So one can even sit at home and work on a variety of freelance assignments after building up skills and expertise in technical writing. The way people consume information has changed drastically over the past few years, and so has the technical communication with the users. So product documentation is now more often used as downloadable soft-copies of user manuals, brochures, etc. Moreover, as the habits of consumers evolve, technical papers are no longer just documents with text and drawings. These days it is very popular to search for video tutorials — users easily accept visual rather than text-type information. Assembly instructions, operational manuals, software interfaces — everything is now explained in video or 3D objects rather than in text format. A simple animated 3D assembly animation is much more effective than tens of pages of assembly instructions. Thus all these new trends in the usage of technical writing have added to the charm of this career option. — The writer is Director Careers Smart Pvt Ltd., New Delhi
Technical writing can be an interesting and creative field for those who enjoy working on the computer. With an average starting salary of about Rs 10,000-14,000 and the possibility of earning above Rs 40,000 in three to four years, technical writing can offer you a comfortable career growth. So if you are tech savvy and enjoy reading the MacBook instruction manual, a career as a technical writer may be the right fit.
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Try CBSE’s vocational course on fitness
Pervin Malhotra
A.Taking your grades in Class X into account and the subjects you can handle with relative comfort (commerce or humanities), use the next two years to explore the options that are in keeping with your interests and aptitude. And while you’re doing that, here’s something up your street, you could opt for, besides opting for Physical Education as one of the subjects. CBSE is introducing a vocational course on ‘Fitness & Gym Operation’ from the 2012-13 academic session. The pilot run of the course, which is designed to hone skills required for a career in sports, will be offered in 50 select schools from Class XI onwards this year (just hope your school is one of them). The course comprises a theory part carrying 60 marks and a practical part of 40 marks. The practical component includes training in a gym, procurement, placement and handling of gym equipment, CPR and cryotherapy, body composition analysis, fitness testing and different exercises such as cardio training and weight training. You’ll get to learn about various aspects of health, fitness, physiology of exercise and training, structure of a health-related fitness programme, and diet and nutrition. You will also undergo 15 days of in-house internship in an institution/gym designated by the board during the summer break.
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What are the options for engineers in the Army?
A.It’s indeed wonderful to hear you say that joining the Army is your first choice. As an officer in the Indian Army, you’ll be heir to a glorious heritage and timeless traditions of one of one of the finest fighting forces in the world. The Army is one place where professional growth takes place at every step. Where else will you get such an opportunity to constantly upgrade your skills? There are a couple of different entry routes for engineering students like you into the Army. University Entry Scheme for Permanent Commission Eligibility: Unmarried males; pre-final / final year Engineering students Age: 19 - 25 years Selection: WSSB Interview, Medical Exam The notification for the UES usually appears in May every year. Candidates selected for UES are trained at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Technical Graduate Entry Scheme (Permanent Commission) Eligibility: Unmarried males; final year Engineering students / Graduate Engineers Age: 20 - 27 years Selection: Group Tests; Psychological Tests; Interview; Medical Exam. The recruitment through TGES is done twice a year with the notifications appearing in April and October. Candidates selected for TGES undergo a one year training at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. Short Service Commission
(Technical) Men Eligibility: Unmarried / married males; Graduate Engineers in notified disciplines Age: 20 - 27 years Selection: Direct SSB
interview The recruitment for SSC Technical is done twice a year with the notifications appearing in January and July. Candidates selected for SSC Technical undergo 49-week training at the Officer Training Academy, Chennai. Wishing you the very best of luck.
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After BCA what?
Q. I have completed BCA but I don’t find it sufficient in this competitive job world. What path should I follow after this? Please guide me. — jasbeer singh
A.By itself, a BCA will only fetch you some basic coding, data entry or page-making work or at best, technical support jobs in BPOs. To get into hardcore programming, it would help to do an MCA from a good university or a course in Advanced Computing or Database Management or specialise in certain computer languages such as Java, .Net etc. Although there is now an increasing trend to hire BSc. (IT) graduates from good colleges for starting level jobs in programming at top companies like Infosys, TCS, HCL etc (because they come cheaper than engineering graduates and anyways have to be trained). If you wish to get into networking, you need to do a basic course in hardware technology and acquire relevant certifications such as MCSE, MCSD, CCNA etc. Web design and development, Gaming design and technology is yet another option. And so is information security and testing.
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What is the scope of aerospace engineering?
A.One of the most advanced branches in engineering, aerospace engineering encompasses the fields of aeronautical and aerospace (spacecraft) engineering. You would study topics such as fluid mechanics, heat transfer, applied aerodynamics, analytical mechanics, flight vehicle design, trajectory dynamics, and aerospace propulsion systems. Aerospace engineers, popularly called “rocket scientists” develop hi-tech aeroplanes that weigh over a half a million pounds, to spacecraft that travel at the speed of 17,000 miles an hour. Aerospace engineers who work with aircraft are called aeronautical engineers, and those working specifically with spacecraft are called aerospace engineers. To qualify as an aeronautical engineer you need a BE/BTech degree in aeronautical engineering. BSc graduates can opt for a one-year postgraduate programme in aeronautical engineering offered by the Madras Institute of Technology. Graduates in aerospace engineering can seek employment in the aviation industry. The Indian Air Force and commercial airlines recruit aeronautical engineers for maintaining their fleet of aircraft. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Airport Authority of India and NAL also employ aerospace engineers for research and maintenance. Job prospects include openings in R&D in the Ministry of Civil Aviation or in defence research laboratories i.e. Defence Service’s DRDO for missile development, or space research labs like Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and CSIR laboratories Furthermore, aerospace graduates are preferred by IT companies engaged in engineering-software development. NASA and aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus also employ a number of Indian aerospace engineers. They also work in offshore oil and gas extraction companies. India has made substantial headway in research in this field. Prototypes for aircraft have already been rolled out and our space research has led to the development of satellite vehicles. Among six-odd countries in the world that launch satellites, we not only launch our own satellites but also for other countries such as Germany and Belgium. India has the largest set of remote sensing satellites. If you have a flair for higher education and research, then you can pursue MTech and Ph.D programmes. At the undergraduate level, the Indian Institute of Space Science Technology (Deemed University), Thiruvananthapuram offers B.Tech with specialisation in Avionics/ Aerospace engineering. IITs — Kanpur, Mumbai Madras and Kharagpur, Amity University, Amrita School of Engineering under Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, SRM University, Chennai and Ghaziabad, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies and GNOU, offers BTech (aerospace engineering) in collaboration with the Aeronautical Engineering & Research Organisation, Pune Alternatively, you could do a BTech (aeronautical engineering) which is offered at several engineering colleges. Some of these also offer integrated five-year MTech programmes.
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Look for affordable options
Natasha Chopra Sending children abroad to study has always been a dream of a large number of parents wanting to give the best educational experience to their children. But studying abroad has traditionally been reserved for the students whose parents are able to afford the considerable expense or for the exceptionally bright students who could bag different scholarships. The past 20 years have seen a dramatic change in the number of students going abroad. There are a number of reasons for this changed scenario. These include the opening of the Indian economy, easy access to educational loans and the promotion of education by universities from Australia, U.K, Canada etc. While the expense is a barrier, the fact that students may have the opportunity to stay back in countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand has added value to the attraction for studying abroad. The last two years have seen a significant rise in the costs due to the weakening rupee to all major currencies. Costs have increased by as much as 40 per cent for Australia where the A$ conversion has changed from Rs 41 in August 2010 to Rs 58 in August 2012. Similarly for the UK and Singapore, the exchange rate fluctuations have resulted in a cost increase of 22 to 28 per cent. Exchange rate conversions always present a risk and for those familiar with the export business knowing that these costs simply have to be considered and absorbed. This does not take away the professional opportunities and the personal development that students undergo while studying in universities overseas. The success in attracting international students by the traditional English-speaking countries has certainly encouraged many other countries to attract international students. Germany has become a popular destination, as German Education is Government subsidised. The tuition fee is as low as Rs 35,500 (Euros 500) per semester and living expense of Rs 5.5 lakh per year. In addition the students are also allowed to stay back up to one-and-a-half years while being allowed to work full-time up to 120 days a year. German universities, however, are looking for the brightest and best students particularly for the master's and PhD programmes. Sweden is also excellent for scholarships and many of the universities there offer generous scholarships particularly for engineering courses. Students also have an option to stay up to one year and can work up to 20 hours per week. Canadian colleges continue to be one of the most popular places to study due to the high quality of education, reasonable costs as well as the stay-back option, with a possible option for absorption into the workforce. Even students enrolling for two-year programmes can stay back up to three years following the completion of their degree. Another option that students should also review is to study in Indian institutions that have twinning arrangements with universities overseas. This allows them to complete a part of their degree overseas. At the undergraduate level institutions such as GD Goenka, Ansals Institute of Technology and Manipal University have credit transfer articulations based on maintaining a good credit-point average. In addition Indian institutions such as Amity and IMT have campuses in Dubai and here the cost is more reasonable. USA has always been generous with scholarships and students doing well in their SAT, GRE and GMAT scores have an excellent opportunity to avail of different scholarships. Moreover, the US and Canadian universities also assess the students during the first year and grant merit scholarships based on their performance. Bright students can end up getting almost 50 per cent tuition waiver in the last two-three years of their undergraduate study. Similarly for students of master's courses interested in research can be picked up by the faculty for research or teaching assistant-ships. These projects and stipends are a value addition for resumes when looking for jobs. Canadian master's courses in most universities have now become more research oriented (Applied Sciences courses) and students can avail almost a 60-80 per cent funding on their tuition fees UK has some of the best and oldest universities and many do offer scholarships. The significant scholarships are, of course, offered only to the best and brightest students. Students need to be meticulous in their planning and now is the time to prepare applications and ensure that all pre-requisites are met to enable one to qualify for the best possible option. — The writer is MD of The Chopras
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Three selected for PM’s scholarship
St John’s College, Cambridge University announced the names of the 2012 Dr Manmohan Singh PhD Scholars recently. The programme has been instituted in recognition of Dr Singh’s achievements and nurtures future world leaders in the areas of science, technology and social sciences.
The meritorious scholars for this year are Parama Ghoshal, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, Nishit Srivastava, MS in engineering from the Jawarharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore and Sudhir Rama Murthy, Research Associate with the Centre for Sustainable Technologies at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Including the three scholars of 2012, the Dr Manmohan Singh PhD Scholars Programme has supported 16 Indian students since its launch in 2007. The scholarship programme has been funded by BP, Rolls-Royce, Hardeep Rai and two anonymous sponsors. — TNS
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Research in USA
Eligibility: Researchers of all nationalities who are working in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Tenure of award: The tenure for this award three to nine months: September to December 2013; January to June 2014; or September 2013 to June 2014 Details: A stipend of up to $65,000 per year will be awarded based on length of stay, need, and salary. The grant also includes an office at the Getty Research Institute or the Getty Villa, research assistance, an apartment in the Getty scholar housing complex, and airfare to and from Los Angeles. These terms apply as of August 2012 and are subject to future changes. How to apply: Online. Applicants are required to complete and submit the online Getty Residential Scholar application form, which includes completing an online information sheet, and uploading a Project Proposal, Curriculum Vitae, and optional Writing Sample. Deadline: 6:00 p.m. PST, November 1, 2012. Check out: www.getty.edu/foundation/funding/residential/getty_scholars.html E mail: researchgrants@getty.edu Rajat Jayanti Vigyan Sancharak Fellowships Applications are invited for 20 ‘Rajat Jayanti Vigyan Sancharak Fellowships’ instituted by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication, Department of Science and Technology. Eligibility: The candidates should be aged less than 35 years on 31.12.2012 (relaxable by five years for women candidates) They should possess a graduation or higher degree in science, engineering, medical science, agriculture, information technology, mass communication, etc. from a recognised university. Details: These are one-year full-time fellowships and cannot be taken up with any other assignment. These fellowships are meant to communicate science among various target groups only and not for taking up basic research. Value: Stipend of Rs12,000 per month (Rs16,000 in case of Ph.D. holders), an annual contingency of Rs30,000 and travel grant of Rs15,000. Mentors will receive an Honorarium of Rs20,000 in a year. How to Apply: Submit applications by post to Head (NCSTC), Department of Science & Technology, Technology Bhavan, New Mehrauli Road, New Delhi - 110016. Deadline: November 30, 2012 Check out: www.dst.gov.in CRIDA fellowships The Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture is offering Research Associate and Senior Research Fellowships in agronomy, soil science, soil water conservation engineering, crop physiology, forestry, agricultural economics, entomology / agricultural entomology. CRIDA is a National Research Institute under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) established in 1985 with a mandate to carry out basic and applied research in rainfed farming. Eligibility: Research Associate Doctoral degree in agronomy and related basic sciences/ soil science/ agro meteorology/ farm machinery and power/ soil and water conservation engineering. Age limit: 40 years for men and 45 years for women SRF- Post Graduation in soil and water conservation engineering/ agronomy/ entomology/zoology/ microbiology/ agricultural engineering/agricultural extension Age limit: 35 years for men and 40 years for women Number of awards: Research Position: 3 Senior Research Fellowships: 04. Value: Research position Rs 24,000. Senior Research fellowships Rs 16,000 How to apply: The candidates should bring their application in the prescribed format (attached) along with original and attested copies of documents related to age, qualifications, experience, etc. All applicants should report at 0930 hrs for screening of their applications at IGH, CRIDA campus. No application form shall be made available at the venue of walk-in-interview. Deadline: October 5, 2012 Check out: www.crida.in Fair chance The Fair & Lovely Foundation invites applications for its scholarship programme for 2012 for girls wanting to pursue higher education. Eligibility: A minimum of 60 PER CENT in Class X and XII. How to apply: Applications can also be downloaded or submitted online on www.fairandlovely.in . Aspiring girls can also call on the toll free number 1800 220 130 for more information. Deadline: October 30,2012 Check out: www.fairandlovely.in
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StockMind contest for college students
All participants for this competition will have to register and play the game on "virtualstocks.icicidirect.com", an online platform that replicates the experience of online share trading by using virtual money. As a precursor to the competition, a seminar would be organised in colleges before the contest is rolled out.
The closing of the event would include a presentation from the expert faculty of ICICIdirect Centre for Financial Learning wherein they would evaluate the best and worst investment decisions taken by the participants. The winner from every college will bag the title of StockMIND. ICICIdirect conducts training programs in over 45 cities across the country to empower retail investors to take informed decisions on their investments through the ICICIdirect Centre for Financial Learning. — TNS
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Different strokes: pet industry
According to a recent study dogs have been found to be the most preferred pets as there are approximately 3.6 million pet dogs in just six major cities of India. Therefore, the Indian pet food market is dominated by dog food products. The total market comprises 80 per cent of dog food, 15 per cent cat food and the remaining 5 per cent includes food for fish, birds, rabbits, pigs and other animals. Traditionally, people used to feed the pets with healthy home-made food only but now with the arrival of new range of pet food products, pet owners have switched to the packed food which is easy-to-serve, nutritious and delicious. Increased demand of pet products has lead to the growth of pet industry. Thus, an area that was earlier considered needless now offers good career options. There is a wide scope of employment in areas like pet grooming, pet counselling, pet magazines, pet health etc. Scope Check out the following areas in which the pet industry is expanding and wherein there is a scope of finding your career path: Pet products Having approximately 5 million pets, India is anticipated to supply bulk of pet products across the globe in the next few years. Pet food is the fastest growing segment of the industry. Now-a-days dogs are getting a whole lot of choices when it comes to branded food, snacks and even drinks. Special and separate dishes are available in the market for vegetarian and non-vegetarian pets. Interestingly, pet owners can even avail the service of “Dog Dabbawala” if the pets love only home-cooked foods. The Milestone Resort of Delhi recently launched an exclusive restaurant for dogs known as the ‘Bow Wow Club’. Pet grooming Pet grooming centres can be set up with small investment of Rs 3 to 5 lakh comprising the cost of course, shop rent, equipments and products. Salons for pets provide the services like hair cuts, nail trimming, tick and flea treatments, oil massages/spa, party dressing and hair colouring. Pet counselors Another bright field in pet industry is pet therapists/ pet psychologists or pet counselors. Their job is to study the mental state of a pet, exploring the senses, personalities, temperaments and social behaviour. A vast range of services are available in the market for all-around development of your beloved pet. To everyone’s surprise, ‘Dog yoga’ popularly known as ‘Doga’ is one such unique service available nowadays. Pet magazines Pet magazines serve as prompt and handy guides that include anything and everything related to pets. The popular pet magazines like “Woof” and “Dogs and pups” acquaint the owners with the daily-care products and services for healthy pets. Pets must be kept healthy, hearty and happy. After all it is the pet who keeps his owner happy. The priceless and unconditional love that pets give us must be valued and taken care of. Pets always need to be pampered like humans. The foothold There are number of courses that can equip you for a career in the pet industry. Check out the following: Product: Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science (BVSc.) — Three years Animal Husbandry (additional) — Two years Medical: Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science (BVSc.) — three years Animal Husbandry (additional) — two years Grooming: Pet Grooming Certified Course (one year) Counseling: Pet Psychology Certified Course (one year) Selection criteria: Admission to most veterinary colleges is done on the basis of marks obtained in the entrance examination conducted by the universities concerned. The Veterinary Council of India conducts an ‘All India Common Entrance examination’ (AICEE) for admission to Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) & Animal Husbandry (AH) degree courses. For jobs in the research and teaching areas, a post-graduate degree is the minimum qualification while a Ph.D. is preferred. PG in Veterinary Science (MVSc.) is a two-year course. Remuneration Pay packages may vary
as per the qualification and the city in which one is operating. Remuneration in different verticals also varies. Product:Between Rs 10,000 and Rs 50,000 (per month) Medical: between Rs 5,000- Rs 50,000 (per month) Grooming: Between Rs 10,000 and Rs 65,000 p.m. Counseling: Between Rs 5,000 and Rs 35,000 (per month) — The writer is CEO, all 4pets Job vistas The courses mentioned above can help one build a strong career that polish up your skills and knowledge related to pet species. Potential careers include:
Institute Watch Product & Medical Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatnagar, UP Grooming Fuzzy Wuzzy, Bangalore www.fuzzywuzzy.in Shevar Grooming School, Bangalore www.shevar.com Counseling Animal Nutrition Association, Izzatnagar, UP Bombay Veterinary Science College, Mumbai
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career compass: perfumer
Top notes, heart notes, base notes — this is the closest we laymen have come to understanding the perfumery process. But, a profession in perfumery is a different ball game altogether. Although the perfumery industry (also known as ‘flavors and fragrance’ industry) is an oligopoly — less than 10 players own about 70 per cent of the market share, but this industry is growing. A perfumer, also commonly referred to as a fumer, is an artist who relies on olfactory talents and their refinement to identify and distinguish traditional and unique fragrance ingredients. A perfumer is instrumental in the development and production of perfumes and colognes. These talents are also in high demand in the production of food and non-food items that rely on appealing scents to attract and retain customers. Job profile Perfume houses have three broad classifications. These include creative, application and evaluation. A creative perfumer predominately requires creativity to qualify for this department. This department requires more creativity, followed by some knowledge of chemistry. Candidates, who have chosen the applications department, require knowledge of analytical chemistry. They are expected to know the product well — stability, performance and legal compliances in terms of environmental pollutants and toxicity. The candidate in the evaluation department becomes an evaluation chemist. S/he analyses and evaluates performance of the product in actual use condition. Givaudan Switzerland, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. New York, Symrise Germany, Robertet France, Takasago Japan are all fragrance houses with offices in India. Indians have a lot of scope to work with these fragrance houses. Givaudan, located on the outskirts of Karnataka, hire candidates for their evaluation department who are then sent to France to train for two-and-a-half months. They visit the factory for hands-on learning. Another growing breed of professionals includes ‘artisan perfumers’ and France has many of them. These are modest boutique owners who make customised fragrances. This trend is likely to grow in India too. Subject wise There are many ways to acquire the skills — you can either go for formal courses, or you can work your way to become a master perfumer. In the West, the emphasis is less on chemistry, as perfumery schools exist there and students learn the chemistry part on-the-job. But, in India, no quality schools exist and that is why the emphasis is on specialising in chemistry. Skills required A keen sense of smell is important, but this skill can be sharpened along the way while one is studying. Luckily, only one out of 100 persons have problem in identifying smells. However, candidate should also have a passion for creation and eagerness to experience new smells. Excellent memory is a plus point in this field as there are 1,500 essential oils. The inclination to master science and technology is also a must. Remuneration To qualify for a job or at the university one is given a basic odour test, also known as an olfactory test. With a foundation course in chemistry, candidates are put through in-house training where they gain specific knowledge. Once the candidate has the specific knowledge s/he can expect a better salary. A fresher in this field working at the application and evaluation department, can expect anything between Rs 20,000 and Rs 30,000. A candidate with a business degree in perfumery can expect a higher salary of around Rs 35,000 to start with and a whopping Rs 70,000 as they begin to gain some experience. Institute watch S.N Kelkar, Mumbai, is one of the largest flavours and fragrance houses in India. Kelkar Education Trust’s VG Vaze College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai, offers postgraduate diploma in perfumery and cosmetics management course. This is the only college in India that offers a full-fledged course — Rs 1,20,000 for two years — in all aspects of perfumery, cosmetics and management. Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre, Kannauj, UP, offers courses ranging from three days to one year in this field. The one-year course called ‘Technology Development Programme in Aroma and its Management’ is open to students from both chemistry and non-chemistry background. FFDC also offers courses in partnership with the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, called PG in Aroma Technology.
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lucrative field: multi-level marketing model
With the advent of multinational companies in India, MLM has become a useful tool to promote trade locally. Instead of trusting local retailers, MLM-aided brands produce realistic profits and carry out business without the middlemen. It has emerged as a reliable and convenient way of drawing attention to products and accelerating business growth. The fashion and beauty industry are the main beneficiaries of MLM and more sectors seem to be gearing up to venture in to this mode of marketing as an alternative means to grow their business. Chavi Hemanth, secretary general at the Indian Direct Selling Association (IDSA), has pointed out the growing effectiveness of the economical and direct-selling method of MLM that establishes an easy connect between company managers and customers. “The direct-selling industry is showing diversified consumption patterns across the country, increasing demand from tier-2 and tier-3 cities and higher acceptability by consumers, distributors and entrepreneurs.” Currently at least 10,000 MLM companies are operating in India. The internet is rising as a great marketing tool for companies to manifest their MLM strategies. Women in India are waking up to this reality and understanding why MLM is a powerful and compelling way to become financially independent. It gives them status, freedom and flexibility to develop their own identity. This kind of employment means that women can feel empowered without neglecting their homes and personal duties. Since there is no compulsion of working in a typical office setting or adhering to deadlines, women have discovered a practical way of being a professional sitting at home. With minimum investment, they can reap the benefits of distributing a company's products and services without the encumbrance of wholesalers and retailers in the chain. Cashing on this opportunity, MLM is motivating women with limited resources to enjoy working in a non-hierarchical setting. With delivery of products at their home, MLM’s hassle free way of doing business is convenient to customers as well. One can even contact after-sales service to activate remedial measures for defaults in delivery. In a nutshell, through MLM women can do business safely and claim their share of the entrepreneurial pie. Joining the MLM bandwagon can thus be the crucial catalyst to achieving their financial goals.
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New York Film Academy to set up India campus
World’s premier film education institute, The New York Film Academy is all set to launch its first state-of-the-art campus in South Asia at Greater Noida. The term is due to begin in January 2013 and the courses offered will be the same as those offered in the New York City campus. The courses available share insight on the fields of filmmaking, acting and photography; with year-long and short-term four and eight-week programmes.
The NYFA alumni list boasts of some of the brightest talents in the world of film making and its guest speakers that consists of cinematic legends of the like of Steven Spielberg, Mira Nair, Joe Mantegna, Garry Marshall amongst several others, New York Film Academy is a mecca for anybody aspiring to work in the world of cinema. Speaking on behalf of New York Film Academy, India, Kitty Koo, Vice President, NYFA said, “There is a massive pool of untapped talent across the Indian Subcontinent and South East Asia and our objective is to reach them through our new campus. The campus would be at par with international standards in every way.” The academy has also ventured into tie-ups with several prominent media firms and production houses for placements and internships; and has integrated with frontrunners of Indian Cinema for workshops and guest lectures.
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smart strategy: smooth operations
HR works as a corridor between the employees and management, and is required to act on issues that they learn about — whether you want them to act or not or whether they like it or not. Therefore, go to HR for help in solving problems, but don’t see it as a substitute for a best friend or confidante. Here are a few things that you should never tell your HR or hiring manager: My previous boss was a jerk No matter how much your hiring manager cajoles you to reveal the reason behind your leaving the previous organisation, never say that you left it because you did not like your boss. Never bad mouth a current or former employer. Even if you have had legitimate issues with a colleague, boss or company, don’t air these in front of the person who is hiring you. Remember, there are skeletons in every cupboard, but wisdom lies in keeping them in the cupboard only. Complaining about others will just make you appear cynical and resentful. Tomorrow when you are hired and you do not get along with any of your colleagues, the HR manager would label you as a ‘difficult to work with’ person. So just stick to vague comments such as “I have changed my career trajectory”, when asked such tricky questions. How many days’ leave do I get in a year? Questions like these convey to a hiring manager that you are concerned more about the time off from the office rather than the time in. You can ask these questions once you feel sure about your entry in the organisation, and that, too, diplomatically. You may put it like this, “I was going through the company website and was impressed by the dedication showed by the associates/ employees here.” The HR manager may volunteer information and you will know that they all came during their time off. Follow his train of thought and concentrate on what you have to offer not what the company has to offer you. Convey to HR manager that you are flexible. Keep an open mind about a position that interests you, even if some aspects of it don’t seem ideal. Other factors such as a higher-than-expected salary or the possibility to advance quickly could outweigh the need to work overtime. At the same time, don’t overlook absolute deal-breakers. If you don’t want to travel for work, no matter what the circumstances are, let him know that the opportunity is not right for you as soon as you realise that. I have to pay my EMI The HR manager has a goal — to keep you happy and ensure that you strike a work-life balance. If you are hard pressed on cash, or have to pay through your nose for your EMI is not his concern. So be careful not to drop hints about any of your past medical conditions — whether it is personal or family, ongoing or past, physical or mental issues. If you cry on the shoulder of the HR, he may be concerned, less about you but more about your instability in the organisation. Later on when it will be time for annual appraisals, stability will be a strong component. You can come across as a prospective candidate who may add to his attrition rate. So if you need their help in order to do your job because of these issues, then you may need to discuss them, but do so cautiously. Visit me on Facebook You and the HR manager may be the best of pals and may share jokes day in and day out, but remember, never share your online profile with him. Your online profile is you with your face-off. It is like a film star without make up. If your HR manager visits your profile, he may gauge certain subtle nuances about your personality that you otherwise would have never shared with him. And believe me all HR managers have eyes behind their ears and can smell fish even when they do not see it. Even when you have your security wall around you, it is advisable not to post anything that could be construed as offensive or impolite. I am a foodie While you want the HR manager to be able to get a sense of your personality, you don’t want him or her to know everything about you. Please do not drop give aways in conversations like, “I love partying” or “I am a foodie”. Next time you walk in late in the office and say you had to go see the doctor and it was an emergency, the HR manager will give you a knotty look that says, “Oh! you party animal. I know where you were,” and that you would wish you had fought that urge to over share. Oh! My maternity leave was great This is our fatal flaw or hamartia. Whenever we come back from a maternity leave or vacation, the euphoria is so great and you say. “Oh! My leave was so great.” Just appreciate the fact that your company offered you a leave or a vacation; never say that you miss it. Instead, show that you are glad to be back to your normal routine. You should muster the art of slowly steering the conversation away from your vacation time and focus on your current skills and experience. Excuse me, I need to make an important call You may be hand-in-glove with your HR manager, and he may be telling you all those details, but never say, “I need to make a call.” You never can make out when the HR ‘friend’ dons the HR hat and cloak and sits on the judgmental altar. Therefore, rein in that urge to share too much. Shhh… don’t tell this to your HR manager. — The writer is a Ludhiana-based career counsellor
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How to increase your employability
Know your mind
Foe example if you are flexible, spontaneous and creative then the advertising industry could be an interesting option for you. If you like numbers and working by yourself then accounting could be the thing for you. You need to evaluate your qualifications and your personality traits in order to make the best choice. There are certain professional assessment tests available for those who can’t make up their mind about which profession suits them well. So seek professional help if you are confused. Align your education and work experience with the job requirements Once you have identified the job/career field that fits your personality, it is important to identify the job requirements and align these with your education and work experience. If you are looking for a job in an industry where you have prior work experience or have done an internship, then you can highlight this fact in your resume. An impressive covering letter Covering letters are a great way to introduce your resume. It is a good idea to write one as you will be specifying the job position that you are applying for, and you can explain why you think you are best suited for the role. A covering letter is not as structured as the resume so you can personalise it and differentiate yourself from the other candidates. Prepare a good resume An evaluation of resumes has revealed that the most important aspect in these is the statement of objective. More than 65 per cent of the graduate resumes carry the same objective. Once you know what kind of openings you would be targeting, then prepare a good resume, which showcases you rather than your dear friend or your whole class. Nowadays most companies use recruiting management software to screen candidates for job openings. Resume keywords are the words that those hiring managers search for when going through their database of resumes. In order to get noticed, your resume needs to contain keywords that directly target the jobs you are interested in. So start searching keywords specific to your job requirements, your skills, software and technology competencies and relevant credentials. Prepare a list of references It is always a good idea to have a good rapport with your professors and former employers. They can give you a good reference and help you in your career. Start implementing The first 5 tips helps you acquire the necessary clarity, skill set and essential contacts before entering the real search mode. Tip- 6 is simple yet the toughest of all — START IMPLEMENTING YOUR PLANS. Volunteer/ Intern If you have successfully implemented the first six tips, then by now you would most probably be getting an opportunity to work as a volunteer or an intern and the only advice is to grab this opportunity with both hands. You may start out doing boring or easy work, but as you stick around and demonstrate your commitment, you’ll also be gaining references. Emphasise your volunteer experience on your resume, as companies that treat their employees well tend to favour candidates who help the community somehow. Use placement agencies and job portals Most of the companies rely on recruitment agencies and job portals for acquiring the talent. So start posting your new resume in different job portals and placement agencies. Apart from the placement agencies and job portals, your friends and family can be helpful during the job hunting process as well. It is a good idea to pass around your resume and let everyone know that you are looking for a job. A company employee can refer you when there is a job opening. Use social media These days everyone is aware of Facebook, LinkedIn and other social network sites. It is always advisable to stay active on these. In case of LinkedIn update your profile, follow the companies of your interest and keep looking for job openings. Don’t lose hope This is as tough as tip number 6 (start implementing). For a recent graduate, finding a job in his field immediately after graduation is hard. You are so excited to start working, but then you don’t have a platform. This can be a huge let-down and it can really destroy your self-esteem; you take unemployment as a personal failure, and start blaming yourself. It not only hurts you but it can also burden your family, friends, and support system. So don’t lose hope and keep trying. —Inputs from T. Muralidharan, Founder and Chairman, TMI e2E Academy
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cubicle trends
The ‘Pesky Crow’, according to them, are the one who always sends multiple versions of the same document, or sends multiple emails about the same topic. The increased use of email has resulted in the development of ‘particular idiosyncratic patterns of emailing behaviour that can either delight or enrage,’ said the researchers. Others types of emailers include ‘The Caterwauling Peacock’, which broadcasts emails to all and sundry, claiming that people ‘need to know’ when actually they are really just grandstanding, the ‘Back-Covering Emu’, who sends emails in order to be able to prove, at a later date, that the information was passed on, and the ‘Echoing Mynah’, who acknowledges every single email. ‘The Boorish Parrot’ — are identified as a person who sends abusive or inappropriate emails and fails to understand why others get upset by them and ‘The Night Owl’ — the midnight emailer, who fails to understand that others do wish to have ‘time out’. But ‘Robin’ is the best emailer. The researchers said “Robin people are admired for not allowing email to dictate their lives and making time to speak to people in person whenever they can. Email has rapidly become a vital business communication tool and a lot of people we spoke to say they would not be able to do their jobs without it,” the Daily Mail quoted Dr Karen Renaud, senior lecturer at Glasgow University’s school of computing science, as saying. “What the research really highlights is that email is a great source of stress for many people. Too often email is used instead of a more suitable means of communication like actually talking to someone. — ANI
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Poor grammar can tip career scales
Poor spelling and grammar can adversely affect your career, your business and how you’re perceived as a professional, experts have said.
The lack of basic literacy skills among some younger employees and recent graduates has become such a problem for businesses that some are introducing language and grammar lessons, News.com.au reported. “Poor spelling and grammar use by employees has become a serious issue for employers,” Anna Underhill, a consultant at an HR firm said. Experts believe grammar gaffes and poor spelling reflect badly not just on employers but also on employees. “Email correspondence is particularly a problem for many employers because it sets the tone for the culture of the company,” Underhill said. While employees are often given extensive inductions into company processes, basic grammar and spelling are ignored. The most common errors by workers while writing emails are mixing up ‘it’s’ and ‘its’, ‘effects’ and ‘affects’ and ‘which’ and ‘that’. Putting apostrophes in the plurals of acronyms, for example ‘KPI’s’ instead of ‘KPIs’ was also a common error. Some erred when switching between singular and plural when referring to company names, for example ‘Westpac are’’ instead of ‘Westpac is’. — Agencies
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Happiness @ work
Just as Kheta Bhai had converted his immense property in Basra, Iraq, into money to take it to his motherland India, he died. The authorities took the money into their possession. So Kheta’s family friend Mehraj decided to approach the Caliph. As he had excellent knowledge of Arabic and of the Quran, the Caliph was more than impressed and allowed Mehraj to take the wealth to Kheta’s heirs. Mehraj later became renowned as Mahamati Prannath, founder of the Pranami sect. Akbar was angry at his son Salim for declaring himself King in Allahabad and for killing Akbar’s aide Abul Fazl. So the women of the royal household decided to bring father and son together. Salim’s grandmother Hamida Begum and stepmother Salima Begum got him to Agra and made him fall at his father’s feet. Akbar not only forgave him but also promised to proclaim him heir apparent. The hot-blooded Indian revolutionaries were a misunderstood lot. So Bhagat Singh decided to be the ‘platform to express their ideology’. He was the right person to do it as he was educated, had read a lot of books, had excellent communication skills as he had staged plays for the National Dramatic Club and was fearless. He and Batukeshwar Dutt threw a bomb in the Central Assembly on April 8, 1929, and got arrested. They then used the trial to rouse public opinion. When Rana Pratap asked Tulsidas why Maan Singh, a fellow Rajput and Mughal Emperor Akbar’s Commander, was fighting him, the saint-poet assured him that Maan Singh would soon see reason. Later, during his meeting with Tulsidas, Maan Singh not only promised the saint that he wouldn’t take up arms against Rana Pratap, but also withdrew his troops. So impressed was Akbar that he desired to meet Tulsidas. While on their way to Pandharpur, saint Jnaneshwar and his siblings reached Nevase in the evening. They saw a mosque and decided to spend the night there, but the priest there stopped them saying that the place only belonged to Muslims. When Jnaneshwar asked the mosque, it replied that the place belonged to all. For good show, put up a good show window. The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Buy a new phone, an IPad or laptop and the first thing you do is go through the user manual to get it started and to check out its features. Sometimes you are able to figure out the instructions, while at others you end up totally confused with the technical details. It may be interesting to know that those who prepare the instructions for such manuals require professional training in technical writing. A technical writer is the bridge between technology and its users, and technical writing is the ‘science’ of designing, validating, and packaging the information created for the purpose.
Remuneration
Q. I’ve just completed Class X. I’m not very good at studies but love sports and fitness related activities. What subjects should I opt for in Class XI? I need to inform the school urgently. — Yash Prakash
Q. I am in the third year of B.Tech (computer science). I want to join the Army. It’s my passion as I hold a fair amount of knowledge related to army equipment and work conditions. Please, guide me how I can join my dream profession. I will complete BTech in 2014. I will be really thankful for your advice as there is no one to guide me. — ramesh thapar
Q. Could you please tell me something about the scope of aerospace engineering? Is it a good branch to opt for? 
The Getty Foundation is offering research level grants for international students in the field of arts, humanities, or social sciences, in USA. Getty scholar grants are for established scholars, artists, or writers who have attained distinction in their fields. Recipients are in residence at the Getty Research Institute, where they pursue their own projects free from academic obligations, make use of Getty collections, join their colleagues in a weekly meeting devoted to an annual theme, and participate in the intellectual life of the Getty.
ICICIdirect Centre for Financial Learning (ICFL) has announced the launch of StockMIND — a nation-wide contest aimed at college students enabling them to showcase their stock investment skills. ICFL aims at educating the youth on investing in the stock market through this unique and interesting initiative.
The seminar would cover basics of equity investment and the importance of equity investing in managing personal finances better. After the seminar, students from various college will compete online through a game which will help them acquire practical knowledge. 
Pets are always termed as man’s best friends and have, in fact, become an important part of the urban lifestyle over the years. For pet lovers they are just like any other family member and are not only well-fed and cared for but are also groomed. All this ultimately results in fuelling the growth of a whole pet industry.
The pet industry in India has an estimated revenue earning potential of Rs 350 crore. Out of this around Rs 250 crore is contributed by pet foods and the rest Rs 100 crore comes from grooming and healthcare sector.
Pet grooming is the hottest trend in the market. Every owner wants his pet to look cute and adorable. The grooming industry has earned around Rs 350 crore by 2012 and the figures are expected to rise further. 
If you are a perfume lover who dreams of spending your days sniffing nuanced fragrances, or you have a superlative sense of smell and an ability to identify scents with precision and you have developed an assortment of great ideas for intoxicating perfumes that are yet to be “discovered” then becoming a professional ‘smell tester’ at a perfume company can be your calling. Perfumers are the people who actually do all of the critical smelling at perfume companies.
Multi Level Marketing (MLM) originated in the US around 1945 and has given those lacking formal professional qualifications a stable source of livelihood. Under this mode of marketing, companies appoint independent, non-salaried sales people to become distributors. This way, they earn a commission on the total volume of products sold through their efforts and that of their downline organisation. The MLM strategy, thus,forms a network of sales people who benefit both from the sales they incur as well as from the sales generated by their downline members.
This model provides a mutually beneficial platform to the company as well as its distributors. Rather than being a secondary source of income, it has earned credibility as a practical means of earning profits. The main advantage it gives to the sales people involved is that they can undertake the work on a part-time basis and even refer others to their company. 
Your HR Manager is the one who has hired you, so by that logic he should be the first shoulder for you to cry on in a crisis situation. It is always said. “You should be as transparent as you can be with your HR manager.” But, reality is different as there are some things that should never be shared with your HR manager, both when he has to recruit you, and after you join the organisation.
The first and the most important thing in increasing one’s chances of getting employed is to get clarity on what job fits one’s personality. People who choose careers that suit their personality are most likely to be satisfied and successful. 
If you can’t resist checking emails day or night, then you are a ‘Compulsive Woodpecker’ and if you read emails but don’t reply to them then you are ‘The Incommunicado Ostrich’. This is according to researchers at two Scottish universities who have matched patterns of emailing to behaviours of different species of birds, the Daily Mail reported. All together 12 birds have been ‘categorised’ by Glasgow University and the University of West Scotland.
As the first impression — at most times — ends up being the last impression, the selection of spokesperson or receptionist for the organisation is of paramount importance. Monsoon had ended and the search operation for Sita — as promised by Vaanara King Sugriva — had not begun. The otherwise cool Rama became enraged. This angered the easy-to-arouse Lakshman. When a drunk Sugriva heard that an irate Lakshman was marching into the palace, he sent his sagacious wife Tara to pacify him with her wise words. That move saved the palace from being turned to a bloody mire.
