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Career Hotline
Scholarship Roundup
career compass: corporate catering
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Education
A Challenge of the first lessons Teaching is a challenging and exciting career. More so if it involves teaching pre-school children Usha Albuquerque Watching children grow, enjoy learning, and gain new skills can be very rewarding. And if you love spending time with kids, and have heaps of patience and energy, then it can be the best job in the world — knowing you have the capacity and responsibility to impact, shape and affect young lives forever. While this is certainly true for all teachers, it is an even greater truth for teachers working in pre-primary classrooms because these are the first impressions the children receive about learning and school.
With the boom in child education over the past few decades, the number of daycare centres, pre-schools, kindergartens, elementary schools etc has increased significantly offering great employment opportunities to those with the right motivation and interest. Work space Pre-school refers to an early-childhood educational class for 2-4 year-olds, sometimes even babies and toddlers. Childcare centers are becoming popular not only for working parents who need their children to be taken care of during the day, but for many others also who believe that toddlers learn a lot from discovering of the world of friends and developing language skills — not because “academics” must start at age 2, or younger, but because school at this age is less about worksheets and lessons than getting experience with becoming part of a group. Pre-primary school is not about achieving academic milestones. It’s not whether they can read by age 4 or multiply by 5 — pre-primary schools help children find answers through exploration, experimentation, and conversation. Young kids need to be imaginative and to socialise — that’s what fosters creative, well-rounded people. By doing the kind of activities they find interesting they get exposed to numbers, letters, and shapes. And, more importantly, they learn how to socialise — gain a sense of self, and build confidence. Statistics show that a majority of kids who attend high-quality pre-school enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies, and stronger basic maths skills than those who do not. It is for these and many other reasons that a career in child education has witnessed a significant jump in the past few years in India. The number of schools offering early childhood education has increased at a rapid pace. New programmes and learning methodologies are being introduced in these schools and because of that schools are looking at teaching experts who have experience and talent to teach children. Getting in There are several pre-primary teaching institutes that impart a variety of programmes from the well known Montessori practices, to nursery, kindergarten and other early childcare systems. Among the best known child education programmes are the Montessori schools, members of the Indian Montessori Foundation (IMF) — an organisation affiliated to Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) set up by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1929. Currently there are two officially recognised institutes offering the one-year AMI training programme at Chennai and Mumbai. However, there are several other institutes that offer similar Montessori training courses in different cities. There are also many private and government institutes offering the Nursery Teacher Training programmes (NTT) which enable one to start working at a pre-school. According to one study, there is a distinct mismatch in the demand-supply ratio for trained professionals in early childhood education and that’s why the demand for them is on a constant rise. In the coming years with more urban couples working and having little time to teach their toddlers, the requirements for quality pre-schools will be greater than ever. Add to that, the growing emphasis on education and introduction of new forms of learning, and you get a number of attractive opportunities in the field of early childhood education. This includes the option of starting one’s own preschool or taking a franchise. With the growing population in urban centres and nursery schools bursting at the seams, there is potentially great scope for pre-schools. One also has to keep in mind the extra emphasis provided by successive governments to the education sector in India. All these developments make pre-school education business a potentially lucrative one. Skill set There are very few careers as fulfilling as early child education. It is often assumed that anybody unable to get into any other job can take up teaching. Bur pre-primary school teaching is ideally suited to those who are qualified and well trained. While there are larger number of women candidates, men have also found to be seriously pursuing this career. However, more than academic qualifications, you need special personal qualities to become a good pre-school teacher. Since you will be working with children, you need to understand childhood development. You also need to enjoy being with children. Pre-school teaching gives you a chance to shape and mould the personalities of young children. This career also offers an innocent and stress-free environment to work in. Handling kids, watching them grow, teaching them new things etc can be very pleasurable. Energy and enthusiasm are among the primary requirements for a teacher, but more than anything else, patience is a key in working with little children who can be strong willed, sleepy, irritable or nonsensical. Teaching pre-school can also be a very physically demanding job. Working with a dozen or so little children between the ages of two and five can be a stressful position. You are required to supervise children in learning activities, playtime, during snacks and naptime. You will need to be able to cope with crying and sometimes unruly children. But for those who have the heart and mind for this profession there is no other job that compares with the joy of being a pre-school teacher. They are the ones with the greatest responsibility as they are the first teachers in the life of a little kid. — The writer is Director Careers Smart Pvt Ltd., Delhi
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How can I get into NSD?
Pervin Malhotra email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com Q. I am in second year of BFA course. I wish to join the National School of Drama. Could you please tell me about its selection procedure? I am very interested in stage design but have no prior experience. Will I qualify? — yasmeen khan
Eligibility: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline with working knowledge of Hindi and English. You should have actively participated in at least six theatre productions. * The age limit is 30 years. * With only 26 seats in the course, the two-stage selection procedure is understandably pretty rigorous. * The preliminary screening comprises of an audition or practical test conducted in New Delhi and four other centres. * 10 seats (out of the 26), are reserved for the SC/ST & OBC (preferably from communities traditionally connected with performing arts). * Moreover, selected students receive a stipend of ~ 6000 pm (You’ll have to furnish a bond of ~2.26 lakh, though). * Make sure you grab every opportunity to participate in college plays, street or amateur theatre to hone your singing, dancing, mimicking and acting skills over the next two years.
Don’t have the relevant experience in theatre?
Well, several theatre institutions, amateur groups and theatre persons around the country run courses. It would help to consult them and work under their supervision and guidance till you achieve the set parameters.
From time to time, NSD conducts acting/production workshops for undergraduates in various parts of the county. Check out details of the current extension programme activities on their website: www.nsd.gov.in Incidentally, I just interviewed the Director of NSD in my weekly programme, Career Café on Lok Sabha TV yesterday. You can catch the repeat telecast on Friday at 5 pm on the same channel for some useful insights.
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What is development economics?
Q. Could you please tell me something about development economics and where it can be studied in India? — ila das
A.
Development economics is a branch of economics that deals with economic aspects of the development process in developing countries. It focuses on methods of promoting economic growth and structural change as also on improving the potential for the mass of the population, e.g. through improved health and education and workplace conditions, whether through public or private channels. This involves analysing and developing methods of determining policies and practices that can be implemented at the domestic as well as international level. This could be in the form of restructuring market incentives or using mathematical methods for project analysis, or a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods. Unlike many other fields of economics, approaches in development economics may incorporate social and political factors to devise particular plans. Also unlike many other fields of economics, there’s “no consensus” on what students ‘should’ know. Different approaches may consider the factors that contribute to economic convergence or non-convergence across households, regions, and countries. Some courses you could look at: TERI University, School of Advanced Studies, Fac/o Policy & Planning, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi www.teriuniversity.ac.in/ *
Course: M.Sc Economics (Environmental & Resource Eco) JNU, New Delhi * Course: MA Dev Economics South Asian University, Akbar Bhavan, New Delhi www.southasianunive~ity.org/ *
Course: MA in Development
Economics
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Help me decide the future course
Q. I’ve just entered Class XII, but I still don’t know anything about my future study options. What should I do and what are the diff courses. Among others, I’m also interested in engineering. Please help me out with details of some best courses to pursue. — umesh govil
I come across hoards of Class XII students who haven’t figured out a career path yet. Many graduates haven’t either! If you’re interested in engineering, keep in mind that there are many different fields of engineering, most of which require an aptitude for higher mathematics. Don’t be in a hurry to identify courses before taking time to explore the different things that interest you most. Try talking to people who already work in those fields… and you’ll find that most folks enjoy telling you about their jobs. Take a good aptitude test to discover the occupations that you’re most likely to succeed in. Assess your interest level. You can do this by examining the areas of your life and identifying activities and fields that interest you. *
Which subjects did (do) you like best at school? * Have you any special talents or abilities? *
What are those? * What activities do you gravitate towards in your spare time? *
Have you any special hobbies? Each one of us has some form of natural talent which is innately specific to us and which, if correctly identified and harnessed, can make for a satisfying and successful career.
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Be open to change
D.S. cheema Human beings are governed by the divine wheel of laws which are supreme and inviolable. However, while living in conformity with these laws, one must continuously keep evolving and changing. The law of “Continuous Adjustment” says that one can cope with any situation only through change. Meaningful and positive change can come about much faster and can be more sustaining, if handled properly in the earlier years of life. You are indeed your best friend because no one else can do for you what you can do for yourself. You are the only one who can change yourself for the better (or worse) as Aldous Huxley rightly observed, “There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving and that's your own self.” To change some one, you must know that person extremely well. Who knows you the best? No one else except you yourself. How can you change others whom you don’t know well enough, if you can’t change yourself whom you know the best? No one (except God) has been with you all these years you have lived, but you have been with yourself always. No matter what others who have influence on your life may say, it is a fact of life that you alone have the power over yourself. To bring about the desired change, you must know it very clearly that when the chips are down, there are no manuals and instruction books to tell you how to handle a particular situation. You alone will have to take the bullet on the chest. If you recall, you will realise that out of all the companions you have had till now, change has been the only constant one, a companion you should admire and respect because you are what you are because of this great companion. Great achievers tend to become victims of self-sufficiency and start thinking that they know all that is to be known because they fail to recognise the power of change. Many, fuelled by ignorance, think that what they get from high pulpit of some branded education system or a limited experience is the gospel truth. No way! There is so much changing at such a fast pace that one is left gasping for breath to catch up with it. ‘Change and adopt’ can be the only slogan for any one seeking a formula for success. In the words of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, “Ignorance is always afraid of change”. Change is life and life is change; if you don’t change, you stop living. If you don’t change, change will overtake you and you will feel miserable. It is possible to experience the grace of God in the splendour of our world only by doing our ‘karma’, which demands changing with the time, as time is the most powerful element influencing our lives. Change is nature’s way of executing the God’s will. So, accept change as part of living and if you do that you can dictate the destiny rather than letting it command you.
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Scholarship Roundup
DST is funding JRF position at Department of Applied Chemistry, Birla Institute of Technology in Ranchi. The fellowship is awarded in the synthesis of photo sensitizer-loaded metallic nanoshells and plasmonic modulation of singlet oxygen generation: towards developing a non-invasive, bimodal nano-therapeutic tool. Eligibility: Master's Degree (MSc/MTech) in chemistry/physics/biology/nanoscience /nanotechnology/biotechnology or equivalent. Duration: Two years and may be extendable to third year. Details: Rs 16000 + HRA as applicable (for NET/GATE qualified candidates) Rs 14000/- + HRA as applicable (for non-NET/ non-GATE candidates) How to apply: The mode of applying is electronically. Deadline: July 15, 2013. Check out: http://bitmesra.ac.in UPEACE fellowships University for Peace is offering 10 UPEACE international fellowships in Costa Rica. These fellowships are offered to international students who are qualified to be admitted at the university. Fellowships are offered for all master's programmes of the university. The students chosen for this fellowship will be asked, as an academic requirement, to collaborate within the University in different tasks for three hours a day. The tasks will vary and will be assigned according to the qualifications and interests of the student. Number of award (s): 10 Details: Full-waiver of tuition for students. How to Apply: Online. Deadline: July 31, 2013. Check out: http://www.upeace.org/admissions/scholarship Law scholarships Eligible candidates can apply for Prof. R P Anand Memorial International Law Scholarships for 2014 offered by the R. P. Anand Virtual Centre of International Law (VCIL). Two new scholarships for 2014 have been announced and the names of selected candidates would be announced on December 30, 2013. Eligibility: Applicant must be an active and enrolled post graduate student (LL.M. or M.Phil. and/or Ph.d) in a UGC-recognised university of India or accredited university anywhere in the world and actively pursuing one of these degrees in International Law. Applicant must provide copies of verified transcripts of undergraduate degree (B.A and/or LL.B) and ongoing verifiable post graduate work (LL.M, M.Phil or Ph.d/JSD). Applicant will be additionally required to provide written recommendations from at least 2 sitting faculty members in the department of International Law of their enrolled university. Details: Each scholarship will include an award amount of Rs 15,000 per quarter for 1 year paid quarterly (Total Rs 60,000). Overseas awardees may be awarded equivalent amount in $1200/year. Selection criteria: Academic achievement, application content, faculty recommendations and financial needs of the applicants but not limited to these. Deadline: November 30, 2013. Check out: http://www.profrpanand.info/scholarshipapp Shiksha Sankalp Scholarship APG Shimla University is offering Shiksha Sankalp Scholarship scholarships for undergraduate and PG courses offered by the university. Study subjects: Scholarships are provided in the field of journalism/ management/ technology/ legal/ fashion designing and hotel management courses offered by the university. Duration: One year How to apply: The application form can be downloaded from university's website, www.apg.edu.in or can be obtained from corporate office at New Delhi or the university campus at Shimla. Deadline: July 30, 2013. Check Out: www.apg.edu.in
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stepping stones: target civil services Gauri Chhabra Getting into college is not only the beginning of a new phase in one's life, it is also the time when majority of students actually start thinking about their careers, jobs and professional life very seriously. Among the vast majority of jobs and fields available to students, it is the civil services that remains an indisputable leader. A large number of students be it in engineering, medical or in the humanities stream nurture the dream of clearing the civil services exam and joining one of the elite groups in the country. If you are one of those who have Civil Services on their wish list, and would want to steal the limelight by clearing the coveted exam, let me tell you it is not as wishful as you think. Instead of staring up the steps with awe and wonder, just step up the stairs by focusing on the following: Start early One question that one oft hears from the IAS aspirants is "when is the right time to start preparation?" Should I start after graduation? Can I start building the blocks after XII? Though several competition preparation institutes would mention different time periods ranging from two to four years to be fully ready for the civil services exam, there is no better time to start preparing than on entering the college. In fact if you can start even after your X, the better it is. This will help you lay a solid edifice for the exam as the NCERT text books become the foundation of your Civil Services. If your heart is set on entering the civil services then go about it in a planned and organized way aligning your academic as well as co-curricular activities in college with your ultimate aim. Selection of subjects While making a selection of subjects, you can actually make the right choice by choosing the subject that forwards your goal of cracking the Civil Services. For a humanities student, Psychology, Economics, Public administration, History, Political science can be good choices. The criteria for your selection of subjects should be bi pronged- your interest and availability of guidance. Your interest and gravitation towards a particular subject will always give you an extra edge that is needed for the optional subject. For a dynamic subject like Economics, you need to have someone to guide you. A prudent choice of subjects will give you a head start as through your three (or four) years of graduation course you will also be able to prepare for the Optional Subject as well as the General studies paper. Plan and organise The manner in which you prepare for your college examination, can also prove as a stepping stone towards the Civil Services. While making notes , try to write the main points on a plain paper.This would give a maturity and legibility to your hand and would prove helpful for doing the Mains exam. Meticulous preparation involving making notes and understanding of basic concepts along with the detailed study of your subjects will go a long way in making you ready to tackle questions in the prelims as well as the mains exam. This strategy usually will also allow you to save a year or so of preparation as against those who start preparing after their graduation or postgraduation. Extra edge College also provides a platform for gaining soft skills which will can be the game changers in the personal interview section of the civil services exam. As you enter the bright and bubbly campus life keep your eyes and ears open for all sorts of clubs and extra curricular events that your institute offers. Debate and dramatics societies and clubs are the right places to start with. In most of the literary competitions like debates, the topic is given just 24 hours prior to the competition. Participation in such competitions will hone two skills — to work under pressure and to speak with eloquence. The skills learnt here will not only add a zing to your college life but will also hone skills in public speaking and boost your confidence and all this will save you the effort of joining personality developemnt and speaking skills courses later on. Join NCC and NSS: College is also the perfect pitch to practice and master the qualities and gain skills that will add a punch to your resume. So, join National Cadet Corps (NCC) and National Service Scheme (NSS) in your college to establish a community service link. The aim of NCC is to develop a spirit of comradeships and weave strength of character and integrity of purpose. The cardinal principles of the NSS programme that involve combined service to the community provide a sound base to the aspirants who wish to inculcate interpersonal and social skills that are imperative to crack the interview. During this lap, you would come face to face with an interview Board that may comprise of people with unique personalities and skills sets and all of them are gauging you. Your NCC and NSS training will help you learn the nuances of communicating with a group of people on the same platform yet giving each of them their own unique due. This is a very subtle art that can only be mastered through community service and participating in the fine art of nation building. Moreover, when you learn to contribute to the welfare of mankind, the habit of giving and participating in common good thus formed gets cemented when you actually become a Civil Servant. You already have mobilized and mastered the skill of community participation that makes you move ahead in life. College is also the right time to form habits like newpaper reading. To make it an inherent part of yourself, follow the 28-day schedule diving it into 4 sets of seven days each. In the first set, read the front page and any supplement of your choice be it sports, movies or literature. As you linearly move to the second week, shift towards other topics and make pockets of different news items by following them daily. For instance, you may wish to follow the bomb blast incident at Bodh Gaya. This would help you in forming a chronological sequence of events. As you graduate into the third week, move to reading the editorials as well as the news of international significance. During the fourth week, consolidate all that you have read by bringing about an integration of the news from different perspectives. Also try to identify people and incidents from visuals and pictures so that the entire event conjures a picture in your mind that stays with you during your exam. General awareness coupled with sound oratory skills will help you ace the interview. So what are you waiting for.? As you take the first step into college, plan ahead. Remember, the journey of thousand miles starts with a single step… so take it… NOW. — The writer is a Ludhiana-based career consultant
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career compass: corporate catering
Scope The catering section of the hospitality industry continues to grow every year. During the mid-1990s, catering was in fact the fastest-growing sector of the food service industry. According to the department of Labor and Statistics food training careers will be in huge demand through 2013. Institutional catering — to universities, hospitals, nursing homes, and business campuses — is on the upswing. Social catering to public groups, charities, corporations, businesses, and individuals is the fastest-growing section, according to the Restaurant Industry Forecast, equipped by the National Restaurant Association. Getting in A career in Hospitality Management with specialty in Corporate Catering can be pursued at the undergraduate level as well as post-graduate level. Apart from the undergraduate and post graduate courses, some institutes also offer certificate/diploma courses in the similar area. * Mostly certificate courses are of six months to one year duration. * Bachelor and diploma courses are of one-and-a-half to three year's duration. * With graduation one can also opt for post graduate diploma courses that are generally of one year duration. Remuneration Tremendous scope for career improvement, well-paid remuneration, glitz, glamour and serving in high end celebrity events are some of the reasons that have played a major role in drawing the interest of the young generation. As an Executive Trainee or Management Trainee you can take home Rs 15,000-20,000 per month. Once you start working and get acquainted with this particular area salaries will increase accordingly. A senior Corporate Catering professional can earn in the range of Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 per month. The money in this profession is even more eye-catching. Career mobility is very fast for the dynamic and the energetic With thousands of catered events taking place each and everywhere throughout the country, there is tremendous demand for caterers. Catering is a multi-billion dollar industry, and is one of the highest growing food service segments. — With inputs from Hemant Kumar Kochar, Director, Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research (MAHAR), Dehradun
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Nursing ambition
Getting in Students Wanting to get into this career should plan a college preparatory curriculum English — 4 years (verbal and written communication skills essential); Maths — 2 to 4 years (algebra necessary for success in chemistry and medication administration: geometry); Science — 2 to 4 years (chemistry essential: biology important: physics recommended: computer science); Social Studies — 3 to 4 years (psychology important: sociology: history: government: economics are all recommended); Foreign language — 2 years (highly recommended: some variation among individual nursing schools) There are three educational paths to becoming a nurse. * A diploma from an accredited nursing or hospital, * An associate's degree in nursing (ADN - a two-year program), or * A bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or BSN). Diploma tracks have become less popular over the years, as most candidates opt for associate or bachelor's degrees, due to their availability and versatility. Finally, before becoming licensed and practising as a nurse, one must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), or for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Remuneration Remuneration of nurses depends on the level of seniority reached. Nurses employed by government hospitals receive a monthly salary of Rs 7,000 to Rs 17,000. Mid-level positions can fetch a pay packet anywhere between Rs 18,000 to Rs 37,000. Highly experienced nurses can even get a salary in the band of Rs 48,000 to Rs 72,000 per month. Nurses who get employment in foreign countries such as US, Canada, England and Gulf countries can easily earn even heftier monthly pay packets. Those working for private hospitals or the Army receive a slightly higher remuneration. Private nurses have a fixed daily fee. Midwives receive above 5,000 per month approximately, plus a fixed amount per birth registered. Health workers receive between Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 per month. Demand and supply With the rapid growth in the population coupled with the requirement for better healthcare facilities, there is an unending demand for nurses in the country. However, the supply of nurses greatly falls short of meeting this ever growing demand. According to a latest study there are approximately 10.3 lakh nurses registered with the Nursing Council. However, only 4 lakh of these are in active service. A vast majority of them have left service due to retirement, marriage and immigration. In this context, there is a huge gap in demand and supply. — With inputs by Dr.(Col.) A. Ganpathy,CEO Alchemist Hospital Gurgaon Different strokes * General nurses — Nurses working in hospitals, nursing homes and medical establishments. Their primary job is to take care of patients, assist doctors and perform administrative duties. * Midwives — Nurses whose specialist is to take care of expecting mothers and provide assistance during childbirth. * Health workers — Nurses who provide medical aid to people living in the rural areas.
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PG Diploma In archaeology
Eligibility: Master’s Degree in Ancient or Medieval Indian History / Archaeology / Anthropology / Indian Classical languages such as Sanskrit, Pali, Prakit, Arabic or Persian or in Geology with knowledge of Pleistocene age from a recognized University or equivalent with a minimum aggregate of 55% marks (50%in respect of candidates belonging to reserve categories as per Govt. rules) The upper age limit as on 31.08.2013 should not exceed 25 years , which is relax able to the candidates belonging to reserve categories and departmental (Central / State Govt./ University ) officials as per Govt. rules Seats: 15 Selection procedure: Written test and Personal Interview. Stipend: During the entire period of two years course the students (excluding in-service officials ) would be entitled to a stipend of Rs 8,000 per month, in addition to second- class railway or ordinary bus fares as travelling allowances for attending outstation training camps. How to apply: Application form along with prospectus can be obtained from the office of the Director, Institute of Archaeology, Archaeological Survey of India, Red Fort, Delhi -110006 on any working day on payment by Demand draft of Rs 250 drawn in favour of DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE OF ARCHAEOLOGY payable at New Delhi along with a self-addressed and stamped envelope (Size 32 cms x A4 size). Deadline: August 5 Check out: http://asi.nic.in/pdf_data/Admission_Notice_2013_2015.pdf Laboratory management Delhi Paramedical & Management Institute is inviting applications for Diploma in Laboratory Management course. Duration: 2 years Eligibility: Candidates should have cleared Class XII exam in any stream. Selection criteria: Entrance Exam How to apply: Online/off line Deadline: July 10, 2013 Check out: www.dpmiindia.com MSc in reproductive and developmental medicine The University of Sheffield's Department of Human Metabolism has launched a new MSc programme in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine. This one-year course will help students receive the initial training in general biological sciences, with specialised training in reproductive and developmental medicine. The programme will be beneficial for those already working in the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) industry, as this would build on current knowledge and provide up-to-date information on advances in the field. Meanwhile, for the medically qualified students with an interest in all aspects of reproduction and development, this programme will provide the background knowledge which is otherwise absent from clinical training courses. Establishing a strong foundation in the science of reproduction in the students, this MSc programme is ideal to make a career in clinical laboratory training specialising in IVF or embryology and in Academic Obstetrics, gynaecology and Child Health. Eligibility: To get enrolled for the course, students are required to hold a bachelor degree with minimum of 60% or first class in life sciences (biochemistry, biology, genetics or molecular biology), veterinary science or medicine. However, a graduate with minimum of 50% may also be considered depending on an interview and assessment of the student's past achievements. IELTS is the preferred test of language. One needs an overall IELTS score of 6.5 or above, with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading, 6.0 in Writing, 6.5 in Listening and 6.0 in Speaking, or equivalent. The fee for the programme is £17,900 for international students. Deadline: August 31, 2013. Check out:
www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/medicine/human-metabolism/ MBA courses Monad University Invites Application for Session 2013-2015 Monad University, Hapur invites applications for MBA (finance, marketing, retail, human resource management, information technology, pharmaceutical management, hospital administration). Eligibility: Three-year bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline recognised by UGC. Candidates should have a valid CAT/CMAT/MAT/XAT score. How to apply: The admission brochure may be obtained from the institute. It can also be downloaded from our website: http:// www.monad.edu.in/ Selection procedure: Selections are made on the basis of GD/PI Deadline: July 10, 2013
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office mantra: what not to say @work Swati Rai High pressure, higher stress levels, less time, lesser patience and longer time spent at work makes it easier to lose one’s cool and sense of propriety of speech much more easily! Verbal bloopers, inadvertent remarks and untimely advice can cost you your job. Minding one’s language at work is the mantra of mastering gen next urban etiquette! We are what we speak and the intention of our words is most often not perceived, but the immediate effects of a harsh tone or words can be detrimental to our career advancement plan. Observing what we speak and how we speak the same is as important as meeting the deadlines so far as professional behaviour is concerned. While hard skills are important there is no denying that soft skills such as the knowledge of using appropriate language and precise expressions and non-verbal communication is also as important. Avoid saying the following to avoid losing your job! “It is not my job!” It is one thing to say, “Let me see how we can help you”, if the client comes to you with a query not pertaining to your department. By saying otherwise, you will convey apathy, lack of interest and finesse in handling customer query and therefore end up losing a trusted client. Similar to this statement is a blunt “I don't know” or a rude “Ask someone else” Appropriate training of new inductees in handling vague and misguided queries will help in avoiding unnecessary confusion or even a public showdown depending on the circumstances. “How could you do this to me?” Office politics is here to stay and the sooner you devise ways to counter it professionally the better it is for you. One will have sometimes people betraying one’s trust, speaking behind one’s back or plain spoilers of your game! Mixing professional with the personal and saying, “How could you do this to me?” is not only juvenile but also trifle more personal at workplace. As a boss, colleague or a subordinate, if you want to convey this in the same strain to a fellow worker one can convey the same in a more professional way by confronting the person without making it an emotional diatribe. “I want you in my office in 5 minutes!” As a leader what you speak is what you are to a large extent. What you say to the employees will reflect on to their productivity and motivation at work. Expressing disinterest, indifference and being domineering will reflect in your speech. Certainly apprising the employees with the code of conduct, norms of behaviour and expected standards of performance is a must but nowhere is it written that one has to be rude or insulting to the employees when wanting to speak in person. Sending for a person in one’s office needn’t be a verbal insult bordering on abuse! It should be done without hurting anyone's self-esteem. “I could have done that better than you!” Making tall claims, bragging about oneself and passing off colour remarks about someone else’s performance reeks of poor taste and of unprofessionalism. Each employee brings different skills and behavioural competencies on to the table. While it is important to hone these skills sets, yet such statements can not only put you in the dock when faced with a deadline and failing to deliver. Such statements also reek of one up-man-ship in tone and tenor. By showing someone down one cannot improve one's stock value! Some of the other best avoided expressions include ones that are abusive, personal, questioning people’s religious or political beliefs. Some statements that are expressive of disdain, any bias or prejudice are best avoided unless you want to be fired! Thinking before speaking is the most disregarded skills yet its importance lies undiminished in the fast paced work space of today! — The writer is an English language skills trainer
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Flip side of working at Facebook
Facebook employees have given bizarre answers to a question posted by a question-and-answer website Quora. Quora had asked a question ‘worst thing about working at Facebook’ to which the social media giant’s employees gave
varied and interesting answers.
The responses included praise for the free food and drinks prepared by renowned chefs, the negatives of having an ‘on-call duty’, few meetings, over involvement of CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and lack of new ideas. One of the anonymous respondents said that the $200 billion company had a dismal public offering that left many employees feeling totally helpless as they saw the value of their stock collapse. Another respondent said that the innovations at Facebook presentations lack ‘wow factor’ and the congested workplace is ‘awful’ having picnic style tables with people sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with 6 inches of separation and zero privacy. Zuckerberg’s over involvement in product building has been slammed by a couple of respondents who said that his job is
to fix stock price ‘externally’ and not ‘build stuff’. An anonymous respondent who reportedly interned at Facebook said that the team completely lacks focus and there is ineffective management. ‘Be yourself at work’ philosophy leads to some ‘uncomfortable’ situations where the unofficial sport of the company is the ‘beer pong’ and the employees are expected to drink with their co-workers which leads to a lot of peer pressure. — ANI
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A rewarding strategy
An industry survey conducted recently has found that one in four employees in India is likely to switch jobs this year, making it a country with the highest rate of attrition in the world.
The survey conducted by global human resource and management consultancy major Hay Group in association with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), found that India is expected to lead the region in turnover rates at 26.9 per cent (in the organised sector) in 2013 — the highest attrition rate globally; this figure is expected to go up further in 2014 to 27.5 per cent. It is a no brainer that in order to retain employees, organisations must give a serious thought to what is driving employee disenchantment and what would drive employee commitment. Challenge of employee engagement Indian industry has, over the past decade, seen some explosive growth. This growth has given rise to new challenges in maintaining and handling talent. Today’s managers are dealing with a dynamic and ambitious new generation. The gap between the older established workforce and the ambitious upcoming is widening. The open economy and technological revolution have encouraged the creation of more dynamic organisations with new management styles and with a new type of employees — younger, highly qualified and ambitious. This sometimes sits a little uneasily with the traditional businesses and career structures. This phenomenon is further complicated by the fact that India is inherently a hierarchical society. Focus on rewards Companies today have to not only attract talent but also manage to motivate and retain them. This has shifted the focus on human resources and reward and recognition (R & R) management. As more and more organisations realise that it is critical to focus on developing, engaging and retaining employees, the earlier knee-jerk reactions are giving way to a more strategic and sustainable approach to R & R. There is a clear distinction between how R & R is handled in the new economy vis a vis the old economy companies. Companies in the new emerging sectors like IT/ITES/Retail have been early adaptors to a more structured approach to R & R. While the companies in the more traditional sectors like manufacturing, public sector etc are yet to adapt themselves to a work flow -driven structured process. However, the best of companies today are breaking free from India’s employment and rewards legacy. They recognise that pushing up salaries is no longer a sustainable long-term action. The need of the hour is a more strategic, creative solutioning. Key differentiator The R & R process can actually be a key differentiator for a company. A creative, well planned sophisticated R & R programme can ensure that the employees are offered a choice from a menu of rewards to attract and sustain interest. And these awards are recognised on a social platform that brings in transparency and confidence in the whole system. The good news all across — the new and the old economy companies, is that the need for a good R & R process is no longer debated. What is being debated and discussed more today are questions related to ‘how’ and ‘when’. Several employers are now focusing on increasing the happiness quotient of organisations and have services that are designed to ensure employee happiness. The R & R market in India is still in its nascent stage but is on a growth path, with more companies fast realising the need to implement a structured R & R programme for their workforce. Keeping employees happy is crucial. The next decade of economic growth is certain to see the rise of a new more structured rewards and recognition policy. — The writer is Director and co-founder, Annectos What is R&R? The culture of gifting and recognition is not new as several organisations follow the practice of offering gifts to employees on occasions like Diwali, New Year etc. But not many companies understand the long-term utility of sufficiently recognising and rewarding their talent pool, and taking this concept beyond the idea of gifts and annual salary hikes? The employee recognition programmes are often combined with reward programmes and are intended to provide a financial, motivational and hence a psychological benefit. Even smaller businesses are recognising its importance now.
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Bosses ruining vacations!
Bosses may be ruining their employees’ vacation by expecting them to work while on holiday, a new study has found. In the research, based on responses of 2,071 workers, around 54 per cent said their boss expects them to work while on vacation. Sixty-four per cent of workers said they check email on vacation, doing so because it helps to help ease their return to work after their time off, BusinessNews Daily reported. Working during vacation may affect the health and personal lives of employees. Employees who are not able to relax while on vacation risk suffering burnout. There are also problems at home because family members get upset when they work on vacation, the study found. The researchers found that 67 per cent of workers take a vacation at some point during the year. However, those workers know they are never far from the office. “Workers absolutely must have a chance to recharge for themselves, their families and their career,” said Terrie Campbell, VP of strategic marketing at Ricoh Americas, the global technology company that conducted the research. “Employers ignore this need at their peril. Workers will choose desirable employers by whether they encourage you to disconnect on vacation or not. In those situations where working on vacation is unavoidable, the most sought-after employers will make mobile access easy,” Campbell said. Tech tips work-life balance People from New Zealand are increasingly having problems juggling work-life because of the inability to switch off from work because of smartphones and other devices. Andrea Twaddle, director of employment and resource management law at Hamilton firm DTI said raising demands on employees, means that it is only a matter of time before cases are going to end up in court, Stuff.co.nz reported. Twaddle said that tech could be seen as creating potential risks for stress or simply being an unreasonable amount of hours employees work. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data show that people from New Zealand are working longer hours than in many other countries, with 13 per cent working for more than 50 hours a week. Waikato University philosophy student Derek Riley, who is researching the effect of work-life balance on medical professionals for his PhD, said that mobile devices provide greater flexibility than ever but the line between work and home time has blurred. He said with the high technology today people can be contacted 24/7, which has started to creep into family time, and people can get what they call work creep. Riley said that there is work time, there is family time, there is playtime, and people need to respect those times. He added that on-call health professionals like surgeons and doctors, and nightshift workers were particularly affected by the lack of work-life balance. — ANI
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Happiness @ work In monsoon, there’s precipitation — every year. If such a predictable thing causes your work to stop, then there is something lacking in your planning. In Udupi, 13th century saint Madhvacharya saw a cargo boat from Dwarka being tossed about on the turbulent sea. The seer waved his saffron robe and the sinking ship was drawn ashore. The grateful captain offered “anything” in return. Being an ascetic, Madhva accepted some ‘gopichandan’, the yellowish clod of earth found in Dwarka that was being used as ballast in the ship. Singing the glories of Krishna, he took the pile of earth from the shore to the Ananteshvara Temple. On immersing it into the temple tank, a beautiful idol of Krishna rose to the surface that was installed and consecrated in a portion of his ‘mutt’. In the eighth century, the Narmada was threatening to submerge the villages on the banks. As sage Govind Bhagavadpada was deep in yoga, villagers approached his disciple Adi Sankaracharya for help. Sankara placed his kamandal (water jug) in the path of the rising waters and ordered the river to recede. Torrential rain, strong winds and lightning were bringing down trees and houses in Shirdi. The residents ran to Dwarkamai, the mosque where Shirdi Sai Baba stayed, for the seer’s help. Taking a rod in his hand, he struck a pillar with it and said, “Stop your fury.” In a few moments, the moon began shining in a clear sky. In Calcutta, social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar got a letter from his mother in Birsinga village informing him about his brother’s forthcoming wedding. As his mother had requested him to attend, he unsuccessfully applied for leave at Fort William College where he was the head pandit. Leave was granted only when he threatened to quit. Storm and rain greeted him on his arrival on the banks of the Damodar. On finding no boatman, Vidyasagar jumped into the swollen river and reached the other end with great difficulty, much to the delight of his mother. As trader Makhan Shah’s ship was caught in a storm, he prayed to the Sikh Guru and pledged 500 gold coins for a safe landing. When he landed, he found that the eighth master Guru Har Krishen had passed away after uttering the words "Baba Bakale" (the next guru is at Bakala). At Bakala, Makhan met many contenders to the guruship but none knew about his pledge of 500 coins. Finally, he went to Tegh Bahadur who reminded him of his debt, thus unveiling the ninth Guru to the world. If Lord Krishna can be born on a rainy Janmashtami in Mathura and delivered to safety in Gokul, who stops you or your consignment? — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Spreading financial literacy
Business school XLRI, Jamshedpur, has launched “Financial Literacy on Wheels” initiative at Jamshedpur in association with the State Bank of India. The objective of the initiative “Financial Literacy on Wheels” under the ‘Sanchetna’ project is to spread awareness of savings, insurance & old age pension among the villagers and urban poor, coming closer to their homes. The student teams from XLRI would visit various public centers in remote villages like village meetings and festivals, schools, community associations, etc. to spread financial literacy using various forms of audio visual documents in villages in and around the district. The project ‘Sanchetana’ aims to educate the rural people on banking and investment options. XLRI students, research scholars and professors are organising sessions with villagers, while, SBI is assisting them by bringing the rural populace under the fold of conventional banking. IEC group ties up with Scottish varsity IEC Group of Institutions , Greater Noi8da, has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Edinburg Napier University (ENU), Scotland, to offer practical, work-based programmes in the field of pharmacy. The joint expertise of the two institutions will combine the practical and commercially viable solutions of the industry and real world challenges to help students to understand the timescales, requirements, and the real-time pharmaceutical Industry.
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2. Name India’s first dedicated navigational satellite that was launched recently. 3. Which state recently carved the distinction of becoming the first one in the country to be declared smoke free with a compliance of 84.52 per cent? 4. Who recently ousted Australia’s first woman Prime Minister Julia Gillard to take charge in her place? 5. Name the Indian Air Force’s plane that recently flew non-stop from Hindon near New Delhi to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 6. Which place is occupied by Taj Mahal among the top three landmarks in the world, as per a leading website? 7. How many years ago was the Battle of Gettysburg fought? 8. With which sport is Vikas Gowda associated? 9. Which player recently made history by becoming the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to be selected in the Indian team? 10. How many years have been completed by Tour de France this year? —Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 441: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Vignesh; Class: X-C; School: Hindu Vidya Peet, Sonepat, Haryana; Pin Code —131001 Second: Gurleen Kaur Sohi; Class VIII Blue; Radha Vatika Senior Secondary School, Amloh Road, Khanna; Pin Code — 141401, district Ludhiana Third: Sahil Mall; class VIII-A; Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sector 25, Chandigarh, Pin Code — 160019 Answers to quiz 441: Rudraprayag; Rudraprayag; National Disaster Relief Force; Mi-26; Singapore and Malaysia; Hassan Rowhani; Rajasthan; Connaught Place; Jammu and Kashmir (between Qazigund and Banihal); Ravinder Jadeja 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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Cool Counsel
stepping stones: target civil services
A growing corporate sector has added a new dimension to field of managing events for the business houses. Corporate catering is fast emerging as a new and specialised field opening up new vistas for students in the hospitality sector. Apart from other catering services corporate catering professionals understand the importance and value of brand more.
office mantra: what not to say @work
Bosses may be ruining their employees’ vacation by expecting them to work while on holiday, a new study has found.
In the research, based on responses of 2,071 workers, around 54 per cent said their boss expects them to work while on vacation.
Sixty-four per cent of workers said they check email on vacation, doing so because it helps to help ease their return to work after their time off, BusinessNews Daily reported.
Scope
A.
One of the foremost theatre training institutions in the world and the only one of its kind in India, the National School of Drama (NSD), established by the Sangeet Natak Academy, offers a three-year PG Diploma in Dramatic Arts which is recognised as equivalent to MA in Dramatics by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). This makes one eligible for superior Central government posts as well as for teaching at the college and university level and for pursuing a Ph.D.
A.
Don’t be too worried just yet. As with most young people your age, you’re confused and perhaps not clear about what exactly you wish to do. Let me assure you, this is perfectly normal.
Research fellowship at Birla Institute of Technology
A growing corporate sector has added a new dimension to field of managing events for the business houses. Corporate catering is fast emerging as a new and specialised field opening up new vistas for students in the hospitality sector. Apart from other catering services corporate catering professionals understand the importance and value of brand more. Passing on the message with uniqueness and creativeness in an effortless and stylish fashion is their priority. Whether it is a product launch, client open house, office cocktail party, holiday event or IPL party in five-star hotel, corporate caterer can provide the best of services starting from seasonal foods and friendly staff to fresh décor and dynamic entertainment.
Nursing is not just taking care of the sick. Nursing careers offer a wide variety of roles and a broad scope of responsibility. Some of the opportunities for qualified nurses include teaching, administration and research jobs. There are many different types of nurses, and several different ways to get into this career.
Applications are invited for admission to two-year PG Diploma In Archaeology course Session 2013-2015 in Institute of Archaeology, New Delhi
For a booming market looking to increase productivity and quality, this comes as a rattling piece of news that has forced employers across the board to analyse the reasons for this disturbing trend.
Employee reward systems refer to programmes set up by companies to reward performance and motivate employees. They are normally considered separate from salary but may be monetary in nature or otherwise have a cost to the company. 
1. Who has become the first British man to win the Wimbledon singles title after 1936?
