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culinary skills
Career Hotline
scholarship roundup
newsboard
DTH — A new education platform
field in focus: fisheries science
Landmark work
forensic odontology
first person
course cruising
course chat
smart strategy: warding off distractions
hiring scene
Switching — the new trend
Winning against all odds
Happiness @ work
Fortnightly quiz 438
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The kitchen celebrities
If you nurture the desire to win a million hearts by serving people with good food, a career as a chef is the right recipe for success Gauri Chhabra
The work A chef not only prepares food in a hotel, restaurant, and fast food joint or catering establishment, he also plans menus, orders foodstuff, oversees preparation and supervises the kitchen staff. The main responsibility is to ensures good quality and taste of the dishes that are served. The footfall of any hotel is primarily determined by its chef as ultimately it is the quality of food that brings people back. Talking about a typical day at work in his kitchen Ajay K, Pathak, Executive Chef, Radisson Hotel, Jalandhar, says, “The work is full of newness and excitement, while erratic work timings are a big challenge. At times the work day stretches to 12-14 hours leaving no room for personal life. Immaculate planning and due delegation is very important in this profession.” Getting in There is a bi-pronged pathway to entering this field. First is through a degree, diploma or a certificate in hospitality; and second one is through an apprenticeship programme. For the former route, you should have cleared Plus II or equivalent examination from any recognised board. The aspirants have to appear for JEE NCHMCT — Joint Entrance Examination conducted by the National Council for Hotel Management and Catering Technology; CET (GGSIPU) BHMCT — Common Entrance Test by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. The entrance tests are followed by group discussion and personal interview to seek admission to these courses. The required percentile for admission varies from course to course and college to college. Besides this, short-duration certificate courses are also available in food and beverage service, food processing , bakery and confectionery and cookery science. The other route to get into this field is through an apprenticeship programme. These programmes are normally of three-year duration through National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) and can be followed by a specialisation. This programme offers budding chefs a hands-on training at leading hotels like Maurya Sheraton, The Taj etc where they are given an exposure to work in all sections of kitchen. Where to study A large number of colleges and institutes in India provide training to young students to become a master chef. The institutes are registered by the National Council of Hotel Management and provide training in hotel management and catering. Institutes under the National Council offer a three-year diploma course, while private institutes offer a four-year bachelor’s programme. Some of the institutes are:
Job scape As a professional chef you may find jobs in hotels, restaurants, air catering, food processing companies, catering in confectioneries, cruise liner, corporate catering, and the like. Departmental catering services of Defence and Railways departments are other avenues open to trained professionals. Besides, you can also work in canteens operated by universities, colleges etc. Those with a flair for writing, can also strike a tangent by becoming food journalists, writing for newspapers and magazines. With reality shows like Masterchef gaining popularity, TV channels are a hot place for both amateur and successful chefs. In case you have a post-graduation degree under your belt, you can join as faculty member in government or private institutions offering hotel management courses. And, of course, the field of entrepreneurship is always open to those who can venture into it. The hierarchy of posts is Executive trainee, Junior chef, Senior Chef, and Executive Chef. — The writer is a Ludhiana-based career consultant Course Cursor
A hotel management course will just give you the basics. To be an excellent chef you need to develop new recipes regularly. If you are catering to Indian clients, then you need to learn the recipes and mixing of spices that cater to the Indian taste
buds.
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BSc in maths
Pervin Malhotra
A.Sure you can as long as you had maths as one of your subjects. DU offers BSc (Hon) Maths in several colleges such as: Stephen’s, JMC, Hindu, Ramjas, SVC, Zakir Hussain, Hans Raj, Moti Lal Nehru, Maharaja Agrasen, Rajdhani, SGTB Khalsa, Shivaji College. Incidentally, all Honours courses in Delhi University will now be of four years duration. Please log onto the DU website (www.du.ac.in) for details on the selection process, eligibility, entrance test schedules etc
What is cryptography?
A.Cryptography is a field of mathematics and computer science concerned with information security and related issues, particularly encryption. It is an interdisciplinary subject, drawing from several fields. Older forms of cryptography were chiefly concerned with patterns in language. More recently, the emphasis has shifted, and cryptographers make extensive use of mathematics, particularly discrete mathematics, including topics from number theory, information theory, computational complexity, statistics and combinatorics. Cryptography is a tool used within computer and network security. Cryptography is also considered a branch of engineering, but an unusual one as it deals with active, intelligent and malevolent opposition. Historically, cryptography was concerned solely with encryptionwhich is a means of converting information from its normal, comprehensible form into an incomprehensible format, rendering it unreadable without secret knowledge. It was used primarily to ensure secrecy in important communications, such as those of spies, military leaders, and diplomats. In recent decades, the field has expanded beyond secrecy to include techniques for authentication, signatures, interactive proofs, secure computation, steganography, and others. I suggest you do a Google search on the word “cryptography” (I just did, and was rewarded with loads and loads of fascinating info on the subject)
Can one directly practise in the US?
A.Although infinitely cheaper, quality undergraduate medical education in India is as good as that in the US. Indian medical courses are rigorous and the lengthiest in the world; which is perhaps why Indian doctors do so well abroad. The US National Committee on Accreditation has given its approval to the system of evaluating medical education in India. It has granted parity to the parameters (curriculum, teaching, method of evaluation, extension, research and impact of educational processes) for health science courses, including the MBBS programme set by the Medical Council of India (MCI). However, this parity does not give students or doctors automatic passage to the US or any other country. It only means that our standards of education will be treated on par with those in the US. You have to still go through the stipulated procedure of clearing the mandatory tests etc (which can be fairly cumbersome. And expensive).
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UG courses in Australia
Study subject(s): Scholarships are provided in all the courses offered by the Australian National University at undergraduate level. Eligibility: International students who have recently completed secondary school studies off-shore (not in Australia). Students must not have commenced further studies. Students must have applied for admission to the university. International students who have completed a secondary school qualification on-shore (in Australia), must apply for admission through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Number of award(s):
Details: 100% coverage of international student tuition fees
How to apply: Online. Deadline: Applications for Semester 2 2013 will close at midnight on June 14, 2013. Check out: www.anu.edu.au/scholarships NUI Galway scholarships National University of Ireland, Galway, is announcing the launch of three Government of Ireland International Scholarships for Indian students pursuing postgraduate studies from September 2013. Study subject(s): Scholarship are provided for pursuing MSc Biotechnology, Biomedical Science, Neuropharmacology, Regenerative Medicine, Software Design & Development at NUI Galway. Eligibility: Applications for the three scholarships are welcomed from Indian students who have been offered a place in one of the master’s programmes mentioned above at NUI Galway.
Details: A full tuition fee waiver and a stipend of €10,000 to cover living expenses for one year. Duration: One year. How to apply: Online. Deadline: May 17, 2013. Check out: www.nuigalway.ie Newcastle University International PG scholarship The Newcastle University International Postgraduate Scholarship (NUIPS) awards are available for international students starting their studies in September 2013, in the 2013-14 academic year. Eligibility: Students who have been offered a place on any postgraduate taught degree programme
Details: Each scholarship will have a value of £1,500 per year, payable towards tuition fees. How to apply: Online Deadline: May 31, 2013. Check out: www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding/search/list/nuips
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Green Talent contest
The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is holding the fifth round of its prestigious “Green Talents – International Forum for High Potentials in Sustainable Development”. The competition under the patronage of Minister Professor Johanna Wanka annually awards the 25 outstanding minds worldwide. Hailing from various research disciplines, the winners are honoured for their original solutions for a more sustainable future. Selected by a high-ranking jury of German experts, the “Green Talents” will be invited to a two-week science forum, touring Germany in the fall of 2013. This visit will allow the participants to exchange ideas with peers and senior scientists. In addition, the awardees will have the chance to present themselves to experts of their choice and discuss their work with them in individual appointments. The year following the forum, the winners are invited to return to Germany for an additional research stay of up to three months at an institute or company of their choice. Detailed information and a link to the online application tool are available on the Green Talents website: www.greentalents.de. Online applications can be submitted by June 9, 2013. IMI among top B-schools in North
International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi has been ranked sixth in the latest ranking released by the NHRD (National Human Resources Development) Network. In addition to its overall sixth rank amongst all B-schools, IMI has also earned the distinction of securing the No. 2 slot amongst the B-schools in north India. NHRD is a leading apex body of human resource professionals with a membership base of 12,500. Its primary role is to enhance and strengthen professionalism and learning standards amongst the human resource fraternity in the country. In the functional disciplines, IMI has established its leadership status through its impressive ranking in the areas of HR (rank 2), Marketing (rank 3), Finance (rank 5), Strategy (rank 5) and Operations (rank 7). The institute has been ranked as the best management institute with excellent placement and industry interface by Times Research Media, sixth among private B-schools in India by Outlook, eighth overall by CNBC TV18 in Indian B-School Rankings and has consistently been featured among the top six private B-schools on its Intellectual Capital. — TNS
Thapar University selected NBA nodal centre
Thapar University, Patiala, has signed an MoU with the National Board of Accreditation and has been selected as a nodal centre. The university is one of thee 17 nodal centres selected nationally. The responsibility of a nodal centre is to explain the new outcome-based accreditation process and its parameters. It will also act as resource institute to provide training to faculty and management of various institutions. Thapar University conducted its first one day workshop earlier this week. It was attended by 72 participants, and will cater to Chandigarh, Haryana, Himachal, J&K and Himachal Pradesh. The university will also conduct other workshops in due course of time to train faculty and familiarise them with NBA processes. Under the MoU, NBA will publish calendar of events for the nodal centres. Nominated resource persons will be responsible for providing training personally or with the help of video conference to selected members.
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DTH — A new education platform
A number of DTH players have ventured into the realm of education by offering classroom lessons for audience in different age groups. Airtel and TataSky are among the main education content providers in this field. Airtel services’ for kids comes in form of iKidsworld and iExam. iKidsworld is an interactive service for kids to expand their learning and imagination with stories, hobbies, songs, rhymes, math puzzles, science facts, quizzes and much more. The video content offers top-of-the-line activities like stories, hobbies, songs, rhymes, math puzzles, science facts, quizzes etc. iExam, on the other hand, is for students of higher classes who are preparing for competitive exams. “This Airtel venture aims at providing students with a high quality tutoring at an affordable price in the convenience of their homes. The best of coaching institutes – TIME, Aakash, Career Point are brought to their homes on TV with a real time experience of interactive mock and practice tests”, informs Kannade. This service gives students access to the best institutes even in the remotest parts of the country at the click of a button. Students can assess themselves with personalised score cards and comparative percentile ranking on their TV. All-India rankings among a PAN India customer base help students to assess their ranking with a larger group of students unlike institutes which have a reach of only few cities. iExam has also won the NABARD Award for rural innovation for the year 2012. Interactive platform is the key feature of the education initiatives of the other DTH player — Tata Sky. Its Active series for kids uses stories, games, self evaluating lessons in different subjects to make learning enjoyable. It also has Active English and Active cooking formats for the benefit of housewives. Dish TV also has edutainment features for its young audience. The DTH platform has phenomenal potential to grow and tap the Indian market and usher a revolution in the world of education. They are continuously rolling the innovation wheel and coming up with newer options to make education widely available.
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field in focus: fisheries science Asha Dhawan
India is the third largest producer of fish. Over the past five decades, the Indian fishery sector has metamorphosed from a traditional, subsistence activity into a sunrise industry and is one of the major contributors of foreign exchange through export (862021 tonnes of worth Rs 16,597 crore, MPEDA 2012). The fisheries sector is contributing 1.4 per cent to national GDP and 4.6 per cent to agricultural GDP. Need for trained professionals Skilled manpower is the backbone of this industry. While the undergraduate courses in this field provide the much-needed technically competent para-professionals, PG courses provide research scientists and academicians. As many as 19 fisheries colleges (two have been upgraded to status of University in 2011), and one deemed university (Central Institute of Fisheries Education, ICAR), are playing a significant role in providing trained professionals in this field. Getting in Those wanting to venture into this lucrative field can enrol into a Bachelor of Fisheries Science (BFSc.) course. This is four-year degree programme offered by most of the fisheries colleges. Candidates with physics, chemistry and biology combination in Class XII are eligible to apply for this course (through entrance test or merit-based entry process or through a test conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi. The College of Fisheries has a special quota for candidates from other states who have passed the entrance test conducted by ICAR (with fellowship). After the completion of BFSc. programme, one can either opt for a career (self -employment or in public/private sector) or for higher education (MFSc., and Ph.D) in fisheries science in India or abroad. For admission to master’s and Ph.D. courses abroad, one has to qualify GRE, TOEFL or IELTS exams as per the requirement criteria of a particular university. In addition to these degree courses, a number of diploma, advance courses and vocational courses related to fisheries and allied disciplines are also being offered by many institutes/universities. Job scape Fisheries and aquaculture provide livelihood and income to an estimated 54.8 million people engaged in the primary sector of fish production. Apart from the primary production sector, fisheries and aquaculture provide numerous jobs in ancillary activities such as processing, packaging, marketing and distribution, manufacturing of fish-processing equipment, net and gear making, ice production and supply, boat construction and maintenance, research and administration. All of this is estimated to support the livelihoods of 660-820 million people (FAO 2012). In India about 14 million people are engaged in different fish-related activities. A student with a professional degree in this discipline will find many job opportunities both in public as well as private sectors Public Sector: Every state government has a Fisheries Department, in which graduates from this field are recruited at different levels like Fisheries Extension Officer, Assistant Fisheries Development Officer, District Fisheries Development Officer, Assistant Director of Fisheries, Director of Fisheries etc. Graduates and postgraduates have a scope to work in various Centre Government Agencies/institutes like Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB), Marine Product Export and Development Authority (MPEDA), Fishery Survey of India (FSI), National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) etc. as consultants, extension specialists, planners, subject matter specialists etc PG candidates with good academic record can apply for various positions in international agencies like World Health Organisation (WHO), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), National Centre for Aquaculture (NACA) etc. Academics: Graduates can apply for the post of Research Assistant, Technicians, Field Assistants/Sub Inspectors etc. and those with PG qualification can apply for the posts of Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Assistant Scientists for teaching, research and extension education in institutes (Fisheries College, Fisheries Research Institutes, State Agricultural/Veterinary Universities etc.) Postgraduates can also become scientists by qualifying the examination conducted by Agriculture Scientist Recruitment Board (ASRB) of ICAR, Pusa, New Delhi, every year in six major disciplines of fisheries science. Those wth PG degrees can also get/earn DST, DBT, ICAR, DAE, DAE-BRNS or RKVY funded fellowships in research institutes. Banking Sector: Graduates and Post Graduates can get job in nationalised /private banks like National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (NABARD) and NCDC, as field officers and managers etc. In fisheries related industry (in private and public sector): Graduates and PGs can be employed/self employed in fisheries related entreprises like aqua farming, marketing (export/import), processing, product & by-product manufacturing, feed manufacturing, seed production, fishing implements manufacturing (like net, cage, craft & gear fabrication etc.), clinics and pharmaceutical, non-food aquaculture (ornamental fish culture, aquarium fabrication/house, aquarium accessories, pearl production etc.), aqua-engineers, oceanographers, aqua-tourism, aqua consultant, NGO, Co-operative etc. Abroad: Apart from scope for higher education in USA, Canada, China, Australia, Japan and many European countries, there is also demand for aquaculture professionals in Gulf and African countries — The writer is Dean, College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana
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Landmark work
The College is working on the development of region specific technologies (for higher fish production and productivity) like semi-intensive aquaculture technologies for small and marginal farmers and intensive aquaculture technologies for entrepreneurs. Punjab is a carp (fish) producing state, which is not relished by locals due to intramuscular spines, hence fetch less market price. In order to make carps more popular among masses and to increase the profitability, a zero wastage fish process technology has been developed to prepare value added ready to eat and ready to cook fish products. Further, technologies have been developed to culture high value species (cat fish/air breathing fish, freshwater prawn) having less intramuscular spines also. The college is working to develop and demonstrate suitable region specific aquaculture technologies for inland salt affected/waterlogged areas. South-west districts of Punjab, comprising Muktsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot and Mansa are affected by underground salinity and/or water logging. The affected lands are either unproductive or unfit for any kind of profitable agriculture practices. Aquaculture is the most suitable option for reclaiming these salt affected/waterlogged waste lands for economic gains. Although in salt affected lands, annual return (over running cost) from wheat-paddy and cotton-wheat rotation is ~ 87,250 and ~ 76,943/ha, respectively; but these crop rotations are not viable for cultivation in waterlogged areas. However, fish (carp) farming can be done in salt affected (salinity below 8 ppt) and waterlogged areas, with an annual return of ~ 1,25,000/ha . On farm research trials in salt affected/waterlogged areas (salinity up to 8 ppt) revealed an average fish (fresh water carps) productivity of about 3.5 t/ha/yr. The productivity and profitability, through aquaculture from these waste lands can further be enhanced by producing genetically improved seed, nutritionally balanced feed and value added products/by-products, by using zero wastage processing technology, developed by the University. Extension programmes In order to disseminate the developed technologies to the end users (farmers, extension workers, entrepreneurs etc), the college is running many lab to land programmes like organizing trainings, workshops, demonstrations, publishing extension articles/pamphlets, TV/Radio talks, on/off campus meetings of Innovative Fish Farmers Association (a fish farmers body in collaboration with the College) etc. In addition the College is also imparting utility services like pond water testing, sale of quality fish seed etc Academic Programmes The college offers the following academic programmes:
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Dental sleuths
Mukta Bali
Forensic dentistry is an upcoming branch of science which deals with the knowledge of dentistry required for solution of cases by the police and the courts. It has a great scope in India. Forensic science is primarily concerned with the application of scientific principles for investigation of crime using the latest technology. Forensic scientists analyse all physical evidence found on a victim on the scene of a crime and compare it with the evidence found on a suspect and provide expert testimony in a court of law. The evidence might include traces of blood, saliva, other body fluids, hair, fingerprints, footwear, blood, urine and alcohol. Skill set An inquisitive nature and a concern for accuracy is the main attribute required to be in this field. A candidate must have keen observation, Intelligence, an eye for detail, ability to work along with a team, a logical, practical and methodical approach. An aptitude for scientific analysis is essential. Courses Department of forensic science, Punjabi university, Patiala Course: MSC in forensic science Duration: 2years Eligibility: Graduate in science (preferably physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, biochemistry or applied science and BDS). Department of anthropology, university of Delhi, New Delhi Course: Certificate course in forensic science Duration:1year Eligibility: Graduate in science (preferably physics, chemistry, biology, zoology, biochemistry or applied science and BDS)
Job prospects
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Giving a global business experience
Swati Rai
In keeping with the overall theme of the Global Business Experience (GBE), which is the latest addition to the School’s MBA curriculum, students were exposed to the Indian business environment across sectors. The students interacted with Indian business leaders, hearing the perspective of a Mumbai based state-owned bank, and looking at the importance of Bollywood. This year a group of 71 students visited Mumbai along with two senior faculty members. Amelia Whitelaw, Associate Director for Global Business Experiences at London Business School talks about the need of sharing and communicating as essentials of a growing global work culture. Excerpts: Why was there a need for such an experience for students? The business environment as of now is different from that of earlier. In the future there is going to be a lot of stress on collaborative working globally and therefore values of tolerance and working together will be given premium. As members of different cultures we need to work towards a common goal. What according to you is the most important skill for a student in the business world? The most important skill in business is to adapt and understand different business environment and of course the skills of communication. Technology plays a major part in the same as our students’ blog, posts on social Media websites as a platform of exchange and communication which is both formal and informal as the case may be.
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Aircraft maintenance
The Indian Institute of Aeronautics (IIA) invites applications for the three-year Aircraft Maintenance Engineering License course duly approved by Director General of Civil Aviation(DGCA), Govt. of India full-time regular basis. Eligibility: The candidates should have passed minimum Plus II/Intermediate class with mathematics, physics and chemistry from a recognised board or university or its equivalent. Candidates appearing in the final examination may also apply. How to apply: Interested students can download application form from iiagroup.co.in/Applicaton-form-2013.pdf and send to the institute’s admission office. Admission procedure: Admission is based on performance of students in the screening test (written/interview). Deadline: May 31, 2013 Entrance test: June 11, 2013 Address: JRN Institute of Aviation Technology, 414/2, Rani Khera More, Mundka, Delhi-110041 Check out: www.iiagroup.co.in Industry integrated BCom Manav Rachna International University (MRIU) invites applications for BCom (Hons-Industry Integrated) course. The course: The differentiating element from the regular B.Com (Hons) the university offers is that this course includes 400 hours of IFRS (International Financial Regulation Standards) training by experts from KPMG. (Leading Financial and Business Advisory). These 400 hours also include ‘KPMG Course for Accounting Professionals’ (KCAP) to be delivered by KPMG experts with 100 per cent assured placement assistance. Eligibility: 50 per cent marks in aggregate of best five subjects in Plus II in any stream with pass in English. Mode of admission: First preference to merit in MR-NAT and second preference to merit in the qualifying examination (Plus II). Fees: Rs 1,24,000 per annum Seats: 60 Deadline: June 22, 2013 Check out: www.mriu.edu.in
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The business of fashion
The courses provided by ICF in fashion entrepreneurship range from two-year MBA, one-year PG Diploma and three-year industry integrated BBA in the regular and distance learning modes. Opportunities for entrepreneurs undertaking these courses range from launching their own business, going into freelance work and becoming self employed. Positive Organisation Development & Change
XLRI, Jamshedpur and the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, USA), have come together to offer an innovative programme on Positive Organisation Development and Change (MPOD) in India. It has been designed specifically for mid-career executives with a passion for leading change initiatives. The course will aim at enhancing their leadership and change management skills, building sustainable institutions, and shaping vibrant communities. The programme will be open to experienced professionals from all functional areas. The course will commence in November, 2013 and will be conducted in six one-week modules spread over 15 months. The modules will be conveniently spaced 10-12 weeks apart, making the programme flexible enough to accommodate the busy schedules of executives. Each module would be of 4-7 days’ duration. Four modules of the programme would be held at XLRI, Jamshedpur or other locations selected by XLRI; the remaining two modules would be held back-to-back over a fortnight at Weatherhead’s campus in Cleveland, USA. In the intervening period between modules, participants will work on projects in their respective organizations. They will also receive additional online guidance from the MPOD faculty. On the successful completion of all six modules of the programme, candidates will be awarded Case Western’s Master of Science degree in Positive Organisation Development & Change. They will also receive two post-graduate certificates in Appreciative Inquiry for Business and Societal Benefit, and Developing Leadership through Emotional Intelligence jointly awarded by the partner schools. Candidates interested in applying for admission into the programme may visit http://weatherhead.case.edu/degrees/mpod-india/admission to complete an online application form. The last date for applying is June 30, 2013. The fee structure for the programme will amount to slightly above $35,000 (or its equivalent in Rupees).
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smart strategy: warding off distractions Khushwant Gill
Clean bowled, caught, run out and stumped all at the same time! Your flow has been broken as you reach out to answer the phone. Salesperson, client, boss or co-worker — it doesn’t matter, as the interruption has set you back considerably. It’s not only the duration of the call that matters, it’s the break from the chain of thought and the re-immersion into the flow of your report that is also of consequence. Constant interruption and information overload at work are modern phenomena that have serious implications for employees and organisations. One recent US study has estimated that interruptions caused by information overload cost companies $650 Billion a year. Emails, phones and SMSes, besides online surfing, are the primary distractions. And it’s not only the time and money that is lost but the quality of the work also suffers. Numerous studies have shown that the human brain can only process a finite amount of information at any given time and constant bombardment of stimuli and distractions lead to an overload. The brain then starts making wrong decisions and loses its efficiency. Edward Hallowell, a leading psychiatrist and NYT bestselling author, has even coined a new term ‘ADT’ for this condition — Attention Deficit Trait (as distinct from ADD). ADT is primarily environment related and afflicts people who are hyper multi-taskers. The symptoms are “distractibility, inner frenzy, impatience” and an inability to manage time and set priorities. Offices were always busy places. But it’s the advent of communication technology that has assaulted and conquered the workspace. That some humans are irritating is a given; give such persons a cell phone and they can bug you 24 hours a day! Persistent salespeople, customers and clients don’t necessarily fall within this bracket but dealing with them does guzzle time and distracts one from the work at hand (unless your primary job is client or sales interface). The problem lies in the way in which an individual worker handles this workflow and how she or he adapts mentally and physiologically to it. Individuals and companies that set up efficient work systems tend to be more productive and healthier than those that chug along with outdated modes of functioning. Systematising helps in spending more time in strategising and to be more present in the moment rather than being distracted and under constant pressure. So, let’s look at some coping mechanisms which will make your life easier at work: Set your own routine
The organisation for which you work provides the basic structure to carry out your job responsibilities; but it is you who has to make strict personal rules and communicate them to all concerned. Other than department meetings, deadlines and non-routine, or emergency, work, make it known that during certain periods you are not to be disturbed. Even though this may seem counter-intuitive, in the long run things will be easier for you and those you deal with. Once you wade through the initial resistance, people will start to respect your time and not hassle you during peak hours.
You’re the boss, not your email
Check and clear your inbox only at set times during the day. Scanning your inbox every few minutes is probably the single most wasteful thing that one can do in office. Unless it’s a priority email that you’re awaiting, work through your inbox only a few times a day. Scan it for important mails regularly, but leave the rest for the designated times. In addition, control your curiosity. Let’s face it, we've all become email junkies. We check email when we’re stuck or bored with our regular work and start to feel like we’re doing important work and responding to events in a timely fashion. Resist this urge.
Apply a system to your phone calls
This is of course easier said than done, as it’s difficult to tell in advance how important a call may be. Two solutions present themselves here: Ultimately it’s all a question of taking control of your work life. And like goodwill, self control is infectious. The more people see you as organised and efficient, the more they respond in kind and order their lives accordingly. So go ahead, organise yourself, set your boundaries and spread the cheer. — The writer is an Organisational Identity & Personnel Development Consultant
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Firms get strict with background checks
Apart from the practiced norm of verifying educational and professional credentials of the job aspirants, companies across all major sectors are now also trying to make sure that their potential employees have not been party to any regulatory non-compliance, corporate frauds or other unlawful activities. The hiring process now includes criminal record verification, court record checks, regulatory authorities’ database check, credit and integrity risk database check, national identity check and substance abuse testing, and regulatory compliance database checks. These checks are being conducted on national as well as global levels, depending on the profile of the companies and the potential employees, say human resource experts. These practices help a company hire the most qualified and least risky employees and save them from any unwarranted costs in the future. According HR consultancy firm Unison International’s Managing Director Udit Mittal, the concerns over identity theft, terrorism, and corporate espionage are becoming widespread and therefore a employment background screening becomes an effective measure that help organisations mitigate risks in their workplace. “A pre-employment background check can help an employer ensure that the person they are hiring is actually the one he claims to be, doesn’t have a criminal record that would disqualify him from being hired, does’t have his name on an international sanction list as a known terrorist, and has a work history with which you’re comfortable,” he added. As per the experts, these parameters are been adopted across various sectors in the country such as FMCG, BPO/KPO, banking and financial services, hospitality, healthcare, government entities, non-profit organisations. As per executive search firm Lighthouse Partners, such checks are especially stringent in the IT and IT enabled industries. According to Mittal the trend started with the MNCs and global giants and gradually small and medium enterprises followed the suit. He has estimated that a bad candidate could cost a firm anywhere from 20 per cent to 200 per cent (in annual compensation) apart from eating into a lot of invaluable management time.
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Switching — the new trend
Simply working and earning money does not seem to satisfy today’s youth or professionals. The youth today act as “careerpreneurs” and for them being completely satisfied with their work and growth is very important.
They take risk in their careers like an entrepreneur does to reinvent themselves. According to a survey by ApnaCircle.com, over 50 per cent youngsters switched their industry after their first job. The survey found three major reasons for the switch. As many as 34 per cent complained of lack of growth and opportunity in their current profiles, while 33 per cent of professionals had either lost interest or realised their own potential. A minimum of 23 per cent have switched industry for monetary reasons. The survey also took a look at the fresher segment, which stated that IT/Telecom still continues to top the list of their preferred industry with 18 per cent, Banking/Finance with 15 per cent and Marketing/Advertising/Media with 14 per cent. The risk appetite, the numbers suggest has increased, as 16 per cent of the students wish to be self-employed or become entrepreneurs.
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Winning against all odds
Each one of us has been in a minority stand at some point of time and felt outnumbered in spite of having a valid stance. Such incidents are commonplace in work situations as work politics and power games generally leave conscientious workers outnumbered and in a minority but there are been very few accounts which deal with this topic. 'Surrounded and outnumbered' is an exhaustive work by William D.Crano, who has made a wonderful attempt to study the basics of minority mathematics and has suggested awesome ways to win in such situations. The book can be of great use to workers caught in the machinations of the corporate world. D.Crano, Oskamp Professor and Chair, School of Behavioral and Organisational Sciences has finally proved after an insightful work how a few can rule many with the right mix of attitude and persistence which comes when one has an unflinching belief in one’s own views. Excerpts from an Q & A with the author:
Is being in a minority an advantage? At times, being in the minority is clearly an advantage. In situations in which the majority has no vested interest and the minority's position does not work to the disadvantage of the majority, the minority has the advantage of salience. Majority groups by their very status draw attention. If their message is strong, and the above circumstances prevail, then yes, they do have a persuasive advantage. The book is really designed to help minority persons or groups who must operate under those circumstances. Can you throw some light on “the holy-trinity of minority influence” that you have mentioned in your book? The first rule is to work to be accepted as part of the larger group - perhaps as somewhat different from a typical member of the majority, but nevertheless a member. Sometimes, this requires re-defining the boundaries of the group. Secondly, once accepted as a legitimate member of the group, the minority's message should strive to cast the issue as objectively verifiable. The final rule stress the minority must be persistent and not compromise its position, that everyone in the group be "on-board" (that is, the group must present a unanimous position), and at the same time, it must be flexible, adjusting its persuasive appeal to changing circumstances. The book thus, empowers the people when they are in a minority stance and shows them ways that they can undertake as students, employees or public at large to push forward the correct and different perspectives.
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Happiness @ work
Trader Hemu had risen from being the Superintendent of Bazaars to Chief of Secret Service under Sultan Islam Shah. When the Sultan fell seriously ill, he, along with Hemu, went to his favourite resting place — Gwalior. This gave Hemu time to weigh his options carefully. When he realised that Islam Shah was near his end, he pledged loyalty to the next Sultan — Muhammad Adil Shah — and became a minister. Soon, Hemu was promoted as Commander. On hearing about the return of Humayun — after 15 years on the run — to Delhi, Hemu again decided to wait for the right time. A year later, Humayun died and 13-year-old Akbar was crowned the Mughal Emperor. Sensing an opportunity, Hemu attacked, captured Agra and Delhi and was crowned as King Vikramaditya. Little Albert Einstein had a bad run throughout school so he came back to his parents in Milan. He spent the next few months in the Italian countryside. Rejuvenated, he joined a secondary school near Zurich and later, the Swiss Federal Polytechnic. After quelling the rebellions in Taxila and Ujjaini, prince Ashoka got married to Vidisha, a trader’s daughter. Two children and two years later, Ashoka went back to capital Pataliputra on the death of his father Bindusara. There he first defeated his brothers, claimed the throne and launched an attack on Kalinga. His forces killed 1 lakh soldiers and captured 1.5 lakh men in Kalinga. When Duryodhana, on the last day of the Mahabharata war, saw that he had lost all his brothers and most of his men, he took shelter in Dwaipayana lake. He planned to stay there for the night to get over his fatigue, wounds and fear. But the Pandavas found and challenged him. Then, Bhima killed him in a mace duel. In the Ramayana, Indrajit, on the death of his mighty uncle Kumbhakarna, realised that something special had to be done to defeat Rama’s forces. To find the time to conduct a special sacrifice that would render him invincible, he created an illusory Sita and killed her in front of Rama’s eyes. As there was nothing left to fight for, Rama’s forces stopped fighting. It was only when Vibhishana told them that Sita was safe and that it was a ruse by Indrajit to gain time did Rama send Lakshman to kill Indrajit. After subjugating the kingdoms in Kannauj, Bengal, Orissa, Karnataka, Konkan, Dwarka, Rajasthan, Punjab and Tibet, King Lalitaditya of Kashmir in the 8th century returned home to some years of peace. But in a few months, he decided to leave alone on an expedition to explore the unknown. Let the break release the brakes on your career. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Fortnightly quiz 438
2. Who recently became the first Dutch male monarch in more than a century after Queen Beatrix abdicated her throne? 3. Name the ambitious Dutch aerospace project that plans to send humans on a one-way trip to Mars for permanent settlement. 4. Which city will have the first monorail service in the country? 5. Which famous Hindi playback singer, known for famous songs like “Kajra mohabbat wala”, “Kahin pe nigahen” etc passed away recently? 6. Which islands were visited by Charles Darwin before he came up with his theory of natural selection and evolution of species? 7. In which city is the Kot Lakhpat jail situated? 8. Name the Indian shuttler who won her maiden Grand Prix Gold title by winning the Malaysia Open title recently. 9. Who is the only tennis player to have won the Monte Carlo Masters? 10. Who has scored the fastest century in international cricket? —Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 437: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Gaurav Verma; Class XI; Model Public School; Karsog; PO and tehsil Karsog; district Mandi (HP); Pin Code - 175011 Second: Abhinav Bajaj; Class IX-B; Little Flower Convent School; Mangwal; Sangrur (Punjab); Pin Code - 148001 Third: Reetrakshi Gupta; Class X-B; Christ the King Convent School; Christ Nagar Sujanpur Road; Pathankot; Pin Code - 145001 Answers to quiz 437: Margret Thatcher; Shakuntala Devi; Pran; Fifty; Dennis Tito; Dr Hilary Koprowski; Princie; Angela Merkel; Pistol shooting; 40th Cash awards of Rs 400, 300 and 200 are given to the first, second and third prize winners, respectively. These are sent at the school address. Note: Kindly mention the pincode of your place on the letter/postcard to facilitate the delivery of the prize money. Answers can also be sent at quiz@tribunemail.com
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Watching different versions of The Masterchef from the world over on TV, one gets an idea of how cooking has undergone a paradigm shift. It has come out of the soot and sweat of kitchen and has become a high-flying career that adds an important flavor to fine living. Eating in style has become a signature not only with the elite but with the burgeoning middle class also and this has increased the demand for chefs considerably.
Watching different versions of The Masterchef from the world over on TV, one gets an idea of how cooking has undergone a paradigm shift. It has come out of the soot and sweat of kitchen and has become a high-flying career that adds an important flavor to fine living. Eating in style has become a signature not only with the elite but with the burgeoning middle class also and this has increased the demand for chefs considerably.
Q.I have appeared for Class XII board exams this year. I have a keen interest in maths and want to opt for Maths (Hons). As I am a commerce student, can I do BSc. (Maths)? Is there any college in Delhi University from where I can apply for a regular (not correspondence) course? —yash khandelwal
Q.I love mathematics. Could you please tell me something about cryptography? — rubina khan
Q.Since the US now recognises our Indian MBBS, can we directly go and practise in the US after completing our course?
Australian National University is offering International Undergraduate Scholarships to international students who have recently completed secondary school studies off-shore (not in Australia).
The idea of imparting education via media, and especially through television, is not new for the Indian audience as there have been exclusive education channels run by government and UGC. The direct to home (DTH) networks also are now walking an extra mile to add a new dimension to learning through television. Sarang Kannade, CEO (Upper North), Bharti Airtel , says, “With the changing customer needs, we continue to strengthen our interactive services portfolio on digital TV platform to provide an enriching learning experience.”
The field of fisheries science involves an organised effort to manage the culturing and capturing of economically important aquatic fauna and flora (freshwater, brackish water and marine). It is an important sector for food production and provides nutritional security to millions of people that makes it a good means of income and employment generation.
Institute watch
The College of Fisheries, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, Punjab, was established in April 2008 to impart quality education to develop professionally qualified human resource, to undertake basic, applied and adaptive research to develop technologies for augmenting fish production from both culture and capture fishery resources and to disseminate the developed technologies to fish culturists, entrepreneurs and industry through consultancy, trainings and demonstrations
If you thought that your BDS degree will only equip you to fill up caries or extract the ‘bad’ tooth, you could not have been more wrong. Armed with a BDS degree, you can also fill the details and help in solving many a mystery related to crime and anthropology. Its a proven fact that even when a body is charred completely the teeth remain intact, and this gives a whole lot of opportunities to experts in the dentistry science to put things in a better perspective. Thus those with a BDS degree can go for additional training and practice as forensic odontologists. A forensic odontologist can identify the body with the help of the teeth.
Today, business education has moved from being only about locational specific topics and activities to a more global experience-oriented field. Keeping this in mind, the London Business School recently introduced the Global Business Experience (GBE) to its full-time MBA programme. The GBE offers an opportunity for second year MBA students to choose from five locations around the world for a week-long learning experience. Each GBE is led by two senior faculty members from different subject areas. They are designed to be fast-paced, engaging and demanding, and to push students outside their comfort zone. Students deliver a group-project working in an unfamiliar environment and with peers with whom they have not worked before.
Fashion entrepreneurship course is the right fit for those who dream to launch their own signature label and aim to be a leader in the fashion industry. The International College of Fashion (promoted by the Bajaj Capital Group) has collaborated with the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, for designing the customised content on entrepreneurship and National Institute of Design Ahmedabad for assistance in designing a world-class fashion and design curriculum to offer an integrated education in this field.
The project report is due in half an hour and you are busy pounding away on your keyboard. The office is abuzz with activity, but you are cocooned at your workstation in an intense state of concentration. Like a batsman in full flow you’re churning out the good stuff. But then the phone on your desk rings.
Amid growing risks of staff-driven security threats and corporate frauds, companies have begun conducting regulatory, compliance and criminal record checks of people seeking jobs with them and are also scanning the social media platforms for due diligence, say experts.
To take your career forward, turn this summer vacation into a power break.
1. How many years ago was the Indian cinema’s first full-length feature film Raja Harishchandra released?
