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Taxation
Testing
times: bank PO exam
Scholarship roundup
A winning hand
smart
strategy: surviving unhealthy competition at workplace
Work
station
Happiness @
work
Career
compass: food flavourists
Cool Counsel
Course cruising
Work less to stay healthy!
LinkedIn lowers age limit to
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Taxation Finding one’s way through the maze of taxation norms is not everyone’s cup of tea, hence the need for the helping hand of a taxation expert. A course in the field of taxation can thus become a key to a great career
A wise man has said rightly “there are only two certainties in life — death and taxes!” No wonder the field of taxation is very lucrative and is growing fast in necessity as well as importance. Everyone, at least, every working person, has to pay taxes and taxes in India are in the news again as we come to the end of the financial year closing, when tax returns have to be filed. Even though the Indian taxation system has undergone tremendous reforms during the last decade, the system of paying taxes, and understanding the implications of taxation requires professional expertise. More than ever before, tax is playing a vital role in shaping political and business agendas as the world faces rapid globalisation and increased competition. Tax rules are complex and it is important for those working in the field to stay up-to-date with any changes to ensure that they can offer the best possible advice to their clients, who are often dealing with considerable sums of money.
The work
Tax managers and taxation specialists handle all the taxation matters for individuals and organisations. They can work in a practice as tax consultant, valuer, or certifying authority, or in a job handling direct and indirect taxes. They take care of filing income tax returns, coordinate tax audits, look after filed appeals, keep a tab of changes in domestic and foreign tax regulations and many other related jobs.
Role and responsibilities
Tax advisers build strong relationships with their clients who may even have investments liable to taxation in many different parts of the world, so a tax adviser has to be aware of what is happening in several jurisdictions at the same time. In this role their responsibility is to legally ensure minimum incidence of tax. In doing so they have to cope with taxation laws and policies on national as well as international scale depending on the kind of company they work for. As taxes change and compliance rules vary from region to region and year to year, with implications that can affect all people, tax advisers need to stay abreast of any developments if they are to provide the best possible service to their clients. Taxation involves a number of case laws and judgements so a taxation manager has to be aware of the case laws and judgements related to his field of work. A tax-planning manager has to know and utilise tax planning methods and tax savings schemes allowable under the tax laws and act accordingly. Those getting into this field, therefore , need to have the skills to interpret the tax laws and be aware of the various tax provisions, so as to undertake proper tax planning and tax savings, and avoid tax evasion.
Getting in
While often CAs perform the task of tax managers, as the demand for competent tax professionals increases, more and more commerce graduates and post graduates are being hired for jobs in the field of taxation. Many colleges and universities in India are conducting courses in the field of taxation, at diploma and certificate levels. There are certificate and diploma level courses in taxation and tax management at under-graduate and post graduate level. To pursue the undergraduate level courses, the aspirants should have passed Plus II, while the PG courses ask for graduation in commerce or a relevant commerce subject. You can take up this course after a degree in any discipline. But what is preferred is a background in commerce or maths with good numerical skills. The courses in taxation help develop a knowledge of taxation and train students in the process of ascertaining taxable income tax planning and tax procedure and familiarise them with tax accounting, tax software and tax collection methods and procedures. While taxation is an important component of the commerce course, some colleges offer additional diploma courses in taxation. There are also specialised courses offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and Indian Institute of Taxation; Nagpur College of Taxation; Symbiosis College of Arts, Pune; Welinkar Institute of management, Mumbai; Devi Ahilya University, Indore and several others. Osmania University, Hyderabad. IMT Ghaziabad and Annamalai University also offer taxation courses through distance learning. KPMG has, therefore, collaborated with NIIT Imperia to launch three taxation programmes to meet the growing training need of finance, accounting and taxation professionals in India. The three courses being offered at NIIT centres across the country, are certificate course in tax regulation, advanced course in tax regulation and diploma in tax regulation. The courses have been designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and to prepare the tax professionals for proposed regulations of the goods and service tax (GST) and the direct tax code (DTC).
Career prospects
With a taxation qualification you can start work in a tax department of a professional services firm, or with specialist organisations that focus more specifically on taxation requirements, or specialise in certain fields of taxation. Public sector undertakings are always in need of efficient professionals who can deliver good performance in the field of taxation. Selected candidates can be taken on to work as tax accountant, tax policy analyst, tax advisor, tax examiners, collectors, revenue agents etc. Multinational consulting firms such as KPMG, Deloitte, Ernst & Young and others regularly recruit taxation specialists to handle firms’ clients look ahead at how their business decisions can be affected by tax legislation — both local and across borders; to be clear about the tax they should pay; and to comply with often detailed and changing reporting obligations. You can also work in the audit department which will give you insight into the inner workings of companies and a broad business perspective that can open up countless opportunities for professional and personal growth. KPMG itself has nearly 3,900 Audit partners and more than 60,000 Audit professionals working for member firms around the world. They provide Audit services to nearly 150 of the world’s largest, most prestigious companies as well as small and mid-market companies in every industry. With India standing on the threshold of major tax reforms, there is an increased demand for knowledgeable and well-versed tax experts who are equipped to deal with legislative and practical aspects of taxation and also be prepared for the new tax regime. Those getting into this field need a talent for analysis and problem solving, a high level of numeracy and the ability to build good working relationships based on trust. You also need to practise discretion when dealing with the financial arrangements of clients. So if you feel you have these qualities, with a good BCom or finance degree and a course in taxation you, too, can join the pool of taxation professionals in demand today. Where you can
work Taxation specialists are recruited by business houses or high net worth individuals as consultants to offer one-off solutions to a particular tax problem, or they may be employed on an ongoing basis, ensuring compliance and cost-effective solutions to taxation demands made on their client. In government, taxation is handled by IRS officers who are concerned with the collection, administration and policy formation of direct (income, corporate, wealth, etc) and indirect (central excise, service tax and customs duty) taxes. These officers are tax administrators under the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) in the Department of Revenue under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
— The writer is Director, Careers Smart Pvt Ltd, New Delhi
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Gear up for banking exam
The expansion of the banking sector and its convergence with other financial sectors, such as insurance, NBFCs and Capital markets, retirement of existing employees and financial inclusion have created massive job opportunities in the banking sector. The pre-requisites for a bank job in today’s context are good communication skills, management skills, analytical skills and knowledge of computer operations. All these are essential in the dynamic work environment that modern day banks present. Types of bank exams Indian banks conduct exams for Probationary Officers (GBO), Clerical cadre (SWO) and Specialist officer (SO). The exams enumerated below are pre-requisites for gaining entry to the most prestigious banks in India.
About IBPS CWE PO III
As the exact number of questions in each section is not specified, there is a lot of speculation about it. This will end once the IBPS releases the information booklet. The descriptive examination has been scrapped. Negative marking: One fourth or 0.25 marks assigned to the question will be deducted. Cut-off score: Each candidate will have to secure a minimum standard score in each of the tests as well as on the Total Weighted Standard Score to be called for interview Interview marks:
The total marks allotted for Interview are 100. The minimum qualifying marks in interview is 40 per cent (35 per cent for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates). The weightage (ratio) of CWE (exam) and interview will be 80:20. Preparation The IBPS PO CWE III scores candidates on the basis of Quantitative & Reasoning skills, English Language, General Awareness and Computer Knowledge. Quantitative Aptitude:
The aspirant should be thorough with the fundamentals of mathematics upto school level. Also, he should focus on simplifications (BODMAS rule) and data analysis. Reasoning:
The aspirant should focus on verbal reasoning like general intelligence, analytical puzzles and critical reasoning. English language:
The aspirant should get acquainted with reading
comprehension, vocabulary and basic functional grammar. General Awareness:
About 1/3rd of the questions asked previously were on the Banking Industry and related products. The aspirant should also focus on current events of the past 6 to 9 months in both the national & international arena, Indian economy, sports, awards, literature etc. Computer knowledge:
This test area comprises Computer fundamentals, Basic Computer Architecture, Operating system, Networks, Internet, Software concepts, Memory based questions, DBMS and MS Office. — With inputs from Manoj Sethi, Course Director, Bank PO exams,
T.I.M.E.
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Scholarship roundup
Microsoft Research Graduate Women’s Scholarship
The Microsoft Research is offering graduate women scholarship programme for the students enroled as a full-time graduate student in the computer science, electrical engineering, or mathematics departments at a US or Canadian university. It is a one-year scholarship programme for outstanding women graduate students and is designed to help increase the number of women pursuing a PhD. This program supports women in the second year of their graduate studies. Women who are interested in this scholarship must apply during the first year of their graduate studies. Eligibility:
Details: The scholarship recipient award includes $15,000 for the 2014–2015 academic year. A conference and travel allowance of $2,000 is provided for recipients to attend a conference in their field of study. Duration:
One year. How to Apply: Online. Deadline: October 16, 2013. Check out:
www.research.microsoft.com
Raman Research Fellowships
CSIR institute is inviting applications for the award of Raman Research Fellowships for 2014-2015. These fellowships are granted to the CSIR researchers for carrying out research in applied research topics in the high priority areas of the Laboratory/CSIR and also any specific area under basic science of relevance and immediate importance. Eligibility:
Regular scientists of CSIR with high academic qualifications and research experience, presently working in high priority areas, which have completed minimum five years of service in CSIR on the last date for receipt of the applications. The fellowship should not be sought for training or to carry out tests, etc. using facilities in the host institute. The RRF must be sought to further enhance the skills/capability. The candidate should not be more than 45 years of age as on November 1, 2013. Number:
Two. Duration: 12 months. Details: The fellowships will cover:
How to apply: By post. Deadline: October 1, 2013. Check out:
http://rdpp.csir.res.in
Commonwealth Professional Fellowships
Commonwealth Scholarships Commission (CSC) in UK is inviting applications for Commonwealth Professional Fellowships. These fellowships provide an opportunity to mid-career professionals from developing Commonwealth countries to spend a period of time with a UK host organisation working in their field for a programme of professional development. Applications are sought for programmes within the broadly defined fields of agriculture/fisheries/forestry, economic growth, education, engineering/science/technology, environment, governance, and public health. Eligibility:
The candidates should:
Duration: Fellowships are typically about three months but can be between one and six months, and can include limited time for attendance at short courses or conferences, as well as visits to other organisations. Details:
Each fellowship provides:
How to apply: Applications for Commonwealth Professional Fellowships must come from UK organisations – the CSC cannot accept any applications directly from prospective Fellows. An online application form is available at website. The first section of the form should be completed by a representative of the host organisation; the second section of the form should then be completed by the prospective Fellow(s). The CSC cannot accept applications directly from individual candidates and these will not be acknowledged. If you have a query about Commonwealth Professional Fellowships, please email professional.fellowships-at-cscuk.org.uk. Deadline:
October7, 2013. Check out: http://cscuk.dfid.gov.uk/apply/professional-fellowships/
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A winning hand
Specialised engineering courses are a good option as these niche areas offer good job prospects
Specialized Engineering Courses include
Mechanical Engineering
Electronics Engineering
Computer Science Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Students seeking admission to engineering courses are generally in a dilemma during admission counselling sessions when it comes to choosing a branch that doesn’t fall in the traditional core branch trio of mechanical, civil and electrical. There is apprehension over limiting the horizons of their career to a very niche area. But the fact remains that the scope of a career in engineering has become much wider with the introduction of specialisations like automobile, petroleum, mechatronics, avionics engineering courses. These specialisations have gained importance over the years and offer ample job opportunities too. As the technology started evolving, the Industry felt the need to explore for specialist engineers who can not only take-up contemporary tasks but can also mould the engineering practices by means of research and development. When the demand for such specialists engineers rose, the academics institutes and universities felt the need to offer specialised courses which can prepare the workforce to cater their need for such specialised engineers. In recent years, trends have shown that the students have started to realise that a specialised course in engineering will help in getting better placements and good pay packages to freshers. Let’s check out some specialised engineering options along with their career prospects:
Automobile Engineering
About Course Automobile engineering is a specialised branch of mechanical engineering. It deals with the desiging, manufacture and operation of automobiles like buses, trucks, cars etc. and also their respective engineering subsystems. This can also be a grouped under vehicle engineering. An automobile engineer's main duty is to design, test and develop vehicles and components from concept stage through to production stage. Who can get in A career as an automobile engineer is for people who are driven and passionate about cars. They must have considerable understanding and interest in mechanics, electronics, and mathematics as these are vital skills required for this career path. A typical professional in this field spends a lot of time on researching and designing both systems and machines for automobiles. The designs are initially done in the form of drawings and blueprints. Automobile engineers then apply physical and mathematical principles to these plans to make sure that they are viable. The planning is done after considerable research, and then altered again after linking the plans to the available research. Once the planning process is done, the designing begins. Automobile engineers are responsible for transforming their plans and research into a viable end product. They must oversee the entire process of manufacturing, with meticulous attention to detail. After the end product is manufactured, the most important part of an automobile engineer's job begins. Testing is a rigorous process that must be done with utmost care. This procedure generally entails focusing on each and every component of an automobile to ensure it is able to function in every imaginable condition in a safe and secure manner. Today, India is well known as a potential emerging automobile market and jobs in the automobile industry are rising. Several foreign companies have their investments in Indian automobile industry. India is the major three-wheeler market and two-wheeler manufacturer in the world. It is also the second largest manufacturer of tractors. Job Profiles You can also be employed in executive and managerial positions in automobile manufacturing industries in various departments such as design, planning, maintenance, R&D, and sales & marketing, etc. Another possibility for you will be to work as a maintenance and service engineer in automobile workshops, aircraft industries and aviation, marine vessels, diesel power stations and with earth-moving equipment manufacturers. Future
Prospects Almost every international brand has its manufacturing, assembling, servicing and retailing units in India. With 13 out of 28 states having automobile manufacturing plants and more than 27 national and International brands available, job prospects are very encouraging in India. Pay Package A graduate engineer at a major OEM (original equipment manufacturer, ie carmaker) gets a stipend of Rs 28,000 to Rs 30,000 a month during training. This can go up to Rs 40,000 till s/he is confirmed. A line leader/assistant manager can earn anything from Rs 40,000 to Rs 80,000 a month, depending on their experience in the industry. According to PayScale India, an automobile engineer can earn anywhere between Rs 2,50,000 and Rs 6,00,000 per annum including average bonuses and commissions received on the job.
Chemical Engineering
About Course Job Profiles Typical activities are extremely diverse, depending on the role and the sector in which you work, but may include:
Future Prospects With India going in for Nuclear Energy the future of chemical engineers is promising. India currently has 20 nuclear power plants out of which 13 are operational which are generating 4780 MW electricity while 7 plants are under construction and are expected to generate addition 5300 MW power. India has set an ambitious target to reach a nuclear power capacity of 63,000 MW in 2032 which will create 1.2 lakh additional jobs. Pay Package Fresh graduates in chemical engineering can earn stipend of around Rs 20,000 in firms like Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd, Oil and Natural Gas Limited, and Coal India Limited. Experienced candidates can have salary packages up to Rs 62,000 per month in public sector firms. Private firms like Reliance India Limited, L & T, and Infosys offer salary package of around Rs 25,000 at initial level. Salary for experienced and skillful candidates ranges between Rs 40,000 to Rs 1 lakh in these firms.
Petroleum Engineering
Petroleum refers to crude oil and petroleum engineering is the set of activities related to the production and processing of various products such as gasoline, diesel, heating oil from crude oil. Petroleum engineers work with geologists to understand the geologic formation and properties of the rock containing the oil reservoir, determine the drilling methods to be used and monitor drilling and production operations. They design equipment and processes to achieve the maximum profitable recovery of oil and gas. Petroleum engineers rely heavily on computer models to simulate reservoir performance using different recovery techniques. Who can get in Petroleum engineering requires a good knowledge of many other related disciplines, such as geophysics, petroleum geology, formation evaluation (well logging), drilling, economics, reservoir simulation, reservoir engineering, well engineering, artificial lift systems, completions and oil and gas facilities engineering. Typically, a petroleum engineering graduate is given the job to discover natural sources of oil and examine the same. Similarly, developing the latest machines and equipments which can be used in the extraction and processing of oil is part of the job of a petroleum engineer. Job Profiles The petroleum engineering is divided into two parts.
The upstream sector consists of activities like exploration, production and exploitation of oil and natural gases. After gaining a qualification in petroleum engineering, the engineers work in the exploration and production activities of petroleum and other related products.
The downstream sector consist activities such as the refining, marketing and distributing of petroleum products. Refining process is crucial for an oil product as then only it can be used. Marketing and distributing department may require a petroleum engineer to have some management degree. Future Prospects The opening up of the Indian petroleum sector to private players, dismantling of price controls have brought the industry in the forefront in terms of number of job options it is providing to the young engineers. India is all set to becoming one of the world's leading refining industries. With companies like Reliance scaling up its capacity at Jamnagar, Essar Oil setting up its refinery at Vadinar and Indian Oil, ONGC and HPCL looking to build their plants at Paradip, Manglore and Vizag the petroleum sector is up for a boom offering Petroleum Engineers ample number of opportunities to explore. Pay Package As in every other industry, remuneration in petroleum engineering is determined according to the knowledge, skills, qualification, capabilities and experience of the candidate. Moreover, if the candidate is from top notch engineering college he may get a job which can pay salary between Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000 per month. People working in petroleum producing MNCs get median annual salary of around $100, 000. — The writer is HoD Computer Applications , Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali
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smart strategy: surviving unhealthy competition at workplace
Modern work culture is quite taxing on the professional and personal fronts. An employee has to cope up and juggle his way through lots of cobwebs woven by the inelastic targets and elastic time-schedules which mostly stretch far beyond the written code. But, the buck doesn’t stop here. Everyone around you in your organisation is toiling hard to be in the good books of the manager and ultimately be the pick for the upcoming appraisal.
If you think that nothing can stop you from putting your best foot forward and you will do everything to be at the top-spot, you are in the safe zone. Herein you stand a good chance to succeed, of course, with your unfailing determination. This is healthy competition. If on the other hand, you know that your chances of getting success are dim due to your own attitude but you don’t want your colleagues to take the lead and make his path difficult, then it is the point of no-return. Herein, for both of you, the results will be more predictable than perfect. It is exactly at this moment that you need to tame your thoughts and engage in positive activities. In case you feel that you are the target of unhealthy attitude then try out the following strategy to deal with it:
Draw a line Fact:
It may sound simple, but, in fact, it is one of the most difficult aims to be achieved in the practical world, especially when you are a party to one or both the alternatives. Reality:
Negativity has a peculiar pull and one can easily fall prey to it if one is not in control. Every workplace has some people who do not want to see you do well and they have their own very innovative ways of expressing this. They will make use of every possible tactic to pull you down and ultimately eat your chances of a good appraisal. One, thus, has to be on constant vigil. Countermeasure:
Wisdom says draw a line and don’t be engulfed in the negative hurricane. Stay focused. The best way is to ignore the effect and focus on the effort. Make sure that your work is foolproof, keep a back-up, have a plan B in place and never put your signatures on any paper without proper scrutiny. Also, always remember only small fires can be extinguished but not the sun. So, be the sun and keep shining.
Better safe than sorry Fact:
We Indians, normally tend to trust people easily and open up even in professional relations very soon. Reality:
People mostly build professional relations for vested interests. Frankly, there are three kinds of people in offices: One, who will always praise you for no reason, especially your subordinates. Another large chunk comprises the gossip-mongers, who love to back-bite about some colleague to the boss. Lastly, are some secret stooges of the boss who keep their eye and ears open to feel the pulse of their colleagues. All three are source of negativity and are the ones who breed unhealthy competition in its many manifestations. Countermeasure:
Be alert. Know your office and staff. Listen. Speak less. Be good and be neutral. Keep your boss in loop in whatever you do. Don’t enter the dirty game and if you really have to, then set ethics and play safe. Help, guide, and support everybody who asks for it. Smile.
Lead by example Fact:
In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “be the change you wish to see in the world”. Being a good example is as difficult as it is easy to cite one and life of Mahatma is the perfect example of this. Reality:
Having knowledge is healthy but not sharing it is a sign of a corrupt mind. Your colleagues, who want to win the race at your cost, may indulge in mangy politics and withhold vital data or change it. Also, constant jealousy reflects in their performance and faces. They rejoice at your helplessness and may even ask you for some illegal favour in return of the data. Countermeasure:
Handle such people with maturity. Don’t ever get down to moral levels which you don’t approve of. Instead, make sure that you help that person in need. Be a solid support system to him and assist him through everything which you can legally do. Your positivity will surely kill the demon in him. Set an example and win hearts rather than just winning charts.
Be positive Fact:
Henry Ford has said, “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” Reality:
Like in Bollywood movies, it is the villain who dominates and rules most of the time but loses in the end. Likewise, unhealthy competition will always lead to cynical vibes and moods towards you. All your endeavors to fulfill your targets and win your boss’ confidence can fall flat against such annulling feedbacks and sentiment for you. Countermeasure:
Keep calm and move on. Maintain your poise and don’t let anybody fiddle with your inner peace. If it is not happy then it is not the end. So wait and watch while you gear up for daily challenges. These pointers, if taken up religiously, can work wonders to contain the ugly heads of unhealthy workplace practices and competition. Take everything in positive light and take each day at a time. Don’t draw inferences and conclusions too soon and without trying.
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Work
station Khushwant S. Gill
This is the age of brands and these are all around us. The workplace is no exception to the preence of brands, and mind you one is not talking about the Gucci, Prada or Armani that some like to flaunt unabashedly all the time. Most people create a brand of their own and wear that personality to achieve their career goals. I am reminded of a gentleman that I once worked with. He was called ‘High Level’. No kidding, not only did we call him that, but he himself used to refer to himself with this moniker. The name probably stuck because all his conversations were peppered liberally with this phrase. “How was the meeting?” ‘High Level’
“How'd the project go?” 'High Level' And of course, “How’re you doing today?” ‘High Level’. To a lesser mortal this nickname would have been a cause of embarrassment and concern. But not to HL. He reveled in it. First, he was a naturally upbeat person. Secondly, he was very good at his job. And thirdly, he’d found a perfect brand name, something that brought together all that he was and did. I lost touch with him over time, but heard that he was, you guessed it, flourishing in his ‘high level’ career. Branding involves building a cohesive persona and applying this persona uniformly across your work, social and private lives. But, what’s the need for a brand when you’re safely ensconced in your workstation, in your job and in your career? One word answer —Volatility. These are fluid times and no facet of life can be taken to be on a rock-solid foundation, least of all the economy, or corporations or jobs. The only way you can be safe from this volatility is to be not only the best, but also making sure that the world sees you that way. And today’s world of myriad opportunities and ready information, allows everyone to be their best. As management maven Tom Peters says, “Everyone has a chance to learn, improve, and build up their skills. Everyone has a chance to be a brand worthy of remark.” And one of the prime requirements of branding yourself is having a very clear answer to the question: “What makes you different from, and better than your peers?” Ten or fifteen second elevator pitches are not just for job interviews. You have to ask yourself what “value addition” you are bringing to your job or to your clients? How do you make things better for the company you work for and for its customers? Are you loyal to your colleagues, to your team, to yourself? And what are you most proud of? An honest appraisal and answer in 10 seconds, to yourself, and you’re well on the way to being the ‘Brand You’. To paraphrase Tom Peters once more, modern careers are no longer ladders; they’re checkerboards. A career is more like a portfolio of projects where you acquire new skills, gain expertise, grow your colleague set, and constantly reinvent yourself as a brand. Consciously or unconsciously, cyber or physical, everything we do furthers our brand. Our web presence —FB, twitter, emails and the like, our phone and sms habits, our talk, grooming, time management, and of course our core personalities — our emotional intelligence, our humor, all contribute to our modern persona. And if this persona is consistent across all platforms, you have a person who is in sync and moving with the times. We all don’t have to, and let’s face it, don’t probably want to be like HL. But in most of us, I’ll venture to say, there’s a sneaking little smidge of admiration, even envy, of a guy like HL. If for nothing else, at least for his cohesiveness and his resultant ‘pedal to the metal’ attitude to life. — The writer is an Organisational Identity and Personnel Development Consultant
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Happiness @
work
On Janamashtami and in the month of Indian Independence, here is how this principle in the Gita produced a huge national impact with individual efforts in the Freedom Struggle. Youth: Many hot-blooded patriots made the supreme sacrifice to stir the entire nation into action. Khudiram Bose met death with a smile at the age of 18. So did Kartar Singh Sarabha (19), Dinesh Chandra Gupta (19) who killed Inspector General of Prisons Col NS Simpson, Bhagat Singh (23), Rajguru (23), Sukhdev (24) Chandra Shekhar Azad (24) — just to name a few. Women: In the land of Ardhnarishwar (half-woman, half-man Almighty), the fairer sex matched the steps of the male gender. From Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi and Begum Hazrat Mahal of Awadh who fought during the First War of Indian Independence in 1857 to little Indira Gandhi whose ‘Vanar Sena’ circulated messages and banned publications among patriots. Industrialists: Jamsetji Tata humbled Sir Fredrick, chairman of Indian Railways, by producing quality steel and Viceroy Curzon by envisioning the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Swadeshi industry: What the Brits can do, we can do better. Swadeshi teacups, saucers, teapots, inkpots, dolls, toilet soap, matchbox and even cigarettes gave tough competition to UK-made products. Reformers and educationists: Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was instrumental in setting up the Hindu Balika Vidyalaya for the uplift of girls in May 1849. Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore set up a school in Shanti Niketan as, in his opinion, the British were yet to learn the art of making education interesting. Lawyers: Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das represented revolutionary Aurobindo Ghosh who had been arrested in the Alipore conspiracy case. Das even had to borrow money for Aurobindo’s defence. Aurobindo was acquitted in May 1909. To fight cases of freedom fighters free of cost, Das refused rich clients. The written word: Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s novel ‘Anandamath’ and the poem ‘Vande Mataram’ infused life into the national struggle. Bal Gangadhar Tilak and his friends printed the ‘Mahratta’ in English and ‘Kesari’ in Marathi to spread revolutionary ideas among the people. Common man: Participation in the national struggle was made possible for the man on the street by simple means like the making of one’s own salt (without paying tax to the British government); the spinning of the charkha and the burning of foreign cloth. These actions shook the foundation of Britain, the nation of shopkeepers. Small actions by all sections of society — in the long term and in accordance with a vision — can shake empires. Didn’t Krishna, a village cowherd, decimate the larger Kaurava army without even picking up a weapon in the Mahabharata war? — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Career compass: food flavourists
If you have a passion for food and chemistry, then a career as a Food Flavourist or Flavour Chemist may be the right choice for you
Food flavourist is a relatively new career in the food industry. Food processing keeps the foods we eat safe and makes them last longer. But all this processing also removes the natural flavours of food items. And the flavour industry's main aim is to restore this loss of flavour. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that offers a very unique career - that of food flavourists.
Work profile
Those who add flavour to the products are known as food flavourists or flavour chemists. Flavourists are chemists who create flavours for food and other products. The job involves not just the mixing of various ingredients to create artificial and natural flavours; but requires an in-depth knowledge of aroma chemicals, essential oils, plant extracts etc. As the career is closely related to chemistry, those with a degree in chemistry can opt for it. Today, a vast majority of everything we eat includes natural flavours or artificial flavours developed by these professionals. As such, in products from potato chips to toothpaste to ice cream, food flavourist have an important role to play.
Who can get in
To enter the field of flavours, one must have at least a BSc. or MSc. in chemistry or biochemistry with some experience in the industry. A basic knowledge of food technology will be an added advantage. A student could take an undergraduate degree in either chemistry or biology and then go on to receive their master's in a food science programme. A PhD is usually required for independent research, teaching at a university, and for executive positions in a company. In India, flavour or perfumery schools are rare, hence emphasis is given to specialisation in chemistry. Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore offers various short-term courses as well as research opportunities in the field of food flavouring. The department of plantation products, spices and flavour technology engages in research and development activities in the areas of spices, coffee, tea, natural food colours and flavours.
Personal attributes
A food flavourist will need a keen sense of taste and smell. Flavourist must be creative, intuitive, motivated, dedicated and able to work in a team. Patience and willingness to experiment are also important. One must have computer skills to handle databases, spreadsheets, software etc. They must also have a general understanding of food composition.
Job prospects
As food flavouring improves the taste and marketability of foods, food processing companies have a demand for food flavourists. In India, most number of flavouring companies are concentrated in north India. Hence the scope for this career in much more in the northern states than in any other state. Candidates with a background in chemistry are given in-house training by companies to gain specified knowledge in the field. Food flavourists are employed mainly by industries, in food-processing and ingredient supply. Candidate have opportunities with the tea, coffee and wine industry as well. Some flavourists work for food production companies, another option includes working in flavour houses — companies that create flavours in a lab for numerous purposes. Being expensive for small food manufacturers to hire, flavourists typically work for flavour houses. These flavour houses often sell the finished flavour extracts to food manufacturers, and can also provide consulting services to a company to help produce specific flavours for its products. Opportunities for flavourists are not limited to the food and beverage industry alone. Flavours are added not only to food stuffs, but to items like toothpaste, beverages, medications, dish-washing liquids, cosmetics etc. Therefore, flavourists have opportunities in companies that manufacture skin creams, cosmetics, hair care products, and other products that exude fragrances. Flavourists have also penetrated the pharmaceutical industry to remedy the usual bitter taste of medicines. The demand for distinct flavours in other household products such as dishwashing liquids and detergents now require the services of flavourists.
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Career Hotline
Should I go for a master’s degree
abroad?
Q. Will a master’s degree from a university abroad make any difference to my future career prospects? I have done my bachelor’s in psychology but am confused whether I should do my master’s in the subject from India or abroad. I want to eventually be a child psychologist.
— Harshita Bajwa A. A post-graduate degree from a reputed university abroad would definitely make a difference. But it is important that you look at the accreditation of the university to which you’re applying. There’s no point in going overseas if the university is not great; in which case you might as well do your master’s in India from a good university. Please do visit a professional counsellor to help you choose the right university, course and country. Also, in a field like psychology a PG course leading to a PhD would carry greater value than a mere master’s.
What are the job options after PhD in
maths?
A. You don’t realise how lucky you are. For most numerically-challenged, math-phobic mortals like us, number-crunching math wizards like you seem to belong to a different galaxy altogether. Math and science are the keys to innovation and power in today’s world. And this is the golden age for master’s and PhD degree holders in mathematics. Career opportunities are truly wide and varied for those who have a talent and passion for this multi-faceted queen of sciences. If you love numbers, this is a subject you’ll really enjoy. Moreover, the skills you develop while studying for a maths degree — such as the ability to think logically and methodically — will prove to be a great asset in any profession. No wonder it is called the queen of sciences. Some of the careers where a mathematical background is particularly valued are: IT (MCA), chartered accountancy, actuarial science (insurance), taxation, business management, finance, operations research, market research (specifically quantitative), and media planning. Another growth area lies in the banking and financial services sector where the work centres on portfolio management, financial control methods and forecasting, equity research, financial planning etc. For all these, MBA (Fin), MFC, CA, CFA will hold you in good stead. Students trained in pure mathematics are also in great demand. Many financial services companies, research labs of multinational companies etc are aggressively hiring Indian mathematicians and the best part is that the pay packet is better than that offered to IT professionals. A career in mathematical research — be it pure or applied — can be a fascinating pursuit. Those specialising in mathematics or statistics can also choose to work as members of research teams in industry, statistical and data collection organisations, meteorology, information technology, aerospace and bioinformatics. Of course there is always the teaching and competitive exams option to consider. Well-paying teaching positions are available in plenty, especially in private engineering colleges. After MSc maths you can even enroll for MTech (in a host of engineering/technology disciplines including computer science at leading engineering colleges including the IITs, after clearing the GATE exam.
Is freelancing an easy job?
A. A reporter is typically on the pay-roll of a particular newspaper or a media organisation, while a freelance journalist is a journalist who specialises in a particular field and works independently by contributing articles to various newspapers and magazines. Reporters normally cover a specific beat like crime, health, education, civic matters, etc. The Chief Reporter who is in charge of city reporting allocates the reporters their beats. Reporters interpret the events they are reporting in terms of their significance or what they mean to the people. However, making a living by freelance writing is quite a hard proposition unless of course you are a celebrity or a specialist in a particular field. To quote Robert Benchley, “The freelance writer is someone who is paid per piece or per word or perhaps”. Freelancers often work as stringers or as retainers for newspapers and magazines. You can increase the scope of your work by writing promotional pieces for small local businesses. A successful freelancer is one who can tap the demand in the marketplace, is a skilled negotiator and a master of time management. A reporter usually has a background in journalism in terms of either a diploma or a degree. A freelance journalist, on the other hand, requires good writing skills and sufficient knowledge of the area s/he is writing about. Email your queries to
careers@tribunemail.com
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Pave a perfect career path for yourself
Alok Jain
Career planning is a delicately balanced subject. It remains a tricky and complex process which requires a comprehensive thought process and astute planning.
In terms of the time when you should decide what you are going to become, two landmark years are: when you are studying in high school and are ready to decide which stream of education you will choose; and secondly when you are in senior secondary school, about to enter college, when you pick up the course of your choice. Students in Class X aiming to build a career in the field of science/engineering /medical, aim for good scores to be able to get into the science stream in good colleges and schools, before they actually start preparing for the field they would compete in - MBBS, IIT etc. With increasing cut off rates for entry into colleges, there is also a mad clamor for scores in PLUS ii. Students are often driven by peer pressure while choosing a course. "All my friends are trying to get into economics. What will I do studying literature?" some might assume. However, it is important for a student to take into account several questions before picking up a career for himself. Step1 The most important thing is to discover yourself. Objectively get the data points about your interests, skills, aptitude, likes and dislikes and personality. This aim is best achieved when the assessment is carried out objectively by a third party. This helps in getting certain latent traits out which might play a vital role in career planning. If this is not done objectively then chances of biases come in and colour your final decision. If you become an engineer reluctantly, you might well spend a life doing well for yourselves, but will more often than often, only partially enjoy your work. A person will excel in the field which he or she is the most passionate about and more importantly has the right aptitude and talent for. If Sachin Tendulkar had become a lawyer, it would have hardly made any difference to the field of law but for cricket it would have been a colossal loss. Step2 Once you have the objective data in hand, overlay it with other information like hobbies, aspirations, socio-economic and family background, advise from teachers, relatives and other mentors. Analyse this complete set of data objectively and some of the key personality traits will emerge along with some options that you can straight away discard. If you are not cut for entering your family business, doing so will cause more harm than good - both to the business and to you. On the other hand if you are an entrepreneur a heart - a resourceful person who knows how to turn any situation into a good business opportunity - you will hardly fit into any other shoes. After discarding the options that do not suit you, you have at hand the possibilities and career options that you can try your hand at. Zero in on them and decide. A decision supported by expert advice, experienced views and by people who know your personality inside out will minimise the chances of faulty and erroneous decisions. Step3 Once you know your key personality traits, look out for career(s) where these personality traits are required. This way there is a very high probability that the individual will succeed in his/her career and enjoy it at the same time. If you are a person with an artistic bent, there is no point studying commerce and hoping to become a Chartered Accountant. Look for careers that will nurture and help find a path for your artistic and creative talents. You can list animation, designing and even film making as your career options. On the other hand, if you are a keen student of science and love to immerse yourself in the concepts of chemistry, physics and mathematics, career options like becoming an engineer, a scientist, a programmer etc are open for you. Step4 Once the career(s) have been shortlisted, the next step is to find the academic qualifications required to pursue those career(s). Remember there may be multiple paths leading to the same career. It would be worth an effort to note down all those paths and then select which is the most suitable for you. For e.g if you fail for some reason to get into a computer engineering stream or an IT course you desired at a university, a number of IT courses offered by institutions like NIIT and Aptech can be pursued by students who desire to make a career in this field. Step5 Once you have decided the career and the path to reach it, selecting the stream may not be a difficult task. You need to identify the most suitable stream for Class XI and appropriate course for the under-graduation studies. Following are some of the fundamental things that one should keep in mind before deciding the stream in Plus II: Choose a stream only if it interests you, if you feel strongly for it with a keen desire to go ahead in the relevant field. If you are keen to study arts - history, literature, philosophy, but end up taking science just because everyone else is doing so, you might be on a wrong track. When you pick up a subject, make sure you are ready to give a part of your life in its pursuit. So choose a stream only if you have flair for it, don't waste your time trying to become a good engineer while you have all the qualities and flair to become a writer. This will bring only frustration and regret. Before choosing the stream, make sure it has ample scope to build a good career in. For e.g., if a student chooses arts, with an aim to prepare for civil services/IAS/IES, he or she should have enough back up options for a career if they fail to crack the civil services or other government competitive examinations. In short, choosing a career is like choosing a lifelong path for yourself that will not only be your source of bread and butter but will also stimulate your intellectual growth all your life. So, chose it carefully and with utmost sincerity. Follow your heart, rather than following your friends. But, at the same time, be mindful of the fact that you should be ready to experiment with a set of career options if your first love doesn't result in
fulfillment.
— The writer is Founder Career Co (An online Psychometric Assessment and Career Counselling organisation)
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HPU Admissions
Himachal Pradesh University is inviting applications for admission to M.Phil., L.L.M. and Diploma in G.I.S. (Entrance based)/ PG Diplomas in Clinical Psychology, Environmental Psychology and Organisational Psychology (Merit based) courses for the session 2013-2014.
Eligibility: Admission for M.Phil. Courses including LL.M./ Advanced Diploma in GIS will be made on the basis of merit of Entrance Test. Admission for P.G. Diplomas in Clinical Psychology, Environmental Psychology and Organisational Psychology on the basis of merit of marks obtained in the qualifying exam. Other details/ information regarding admission, date of counselling/ Interview, etc. are available in the Prospectus. How to apply:
The detailed prospectus can be purchased from the university for Rs 160 or can be got through post by making a DD for Rs 200 in favour of Finance Officer H.P. University, Shimla-5. Deadline:
September 9, 2013 Check out: www.hpuniv.nic.in Online course in advertising mamangement Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA) is offering a one-year PG Certificate in Advertising Management & Public Relations in association with Ivory Education. The programme is offered across India and globally through world-class e-learning environment. The course:
The programme is designed for building a domain expertise in the area of Advertising Management and Public Relations and prepare professionals to address the growing needs of the industry. The participants can attend the classes with broadband connectivity at their homes, offices or any other place of their convenience. The classes are held twice a week. Answer to any queries about the programme is available at mica@ivoryeducation.com. The course is likely to commence from July 2013. Eligibility:
Graduates in any field from a recognised university are eligible for this course. Ivory Education will also provide placement assistance to those who successfully complete the programme. How to apply:
Prospectus and application form for the programme can be downloaded free of cost at www.ivoryeducation.com.
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Working more than 50 hours a week can ruin your health, says study Employees who work for more than 50 hours a week may be harming their mental and physical health, a new study has warned. Researchers from Kansas State University found a preliminary link between workalcoholics and reduced physical and mental well-being. Sarah Asebedo, doctoral student in the University, working with colleagues Sonya Britt and Jamie Blue used the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 for the study. “We found workalcoholics — defined by those working more than 50 hours per week — were more likely to have reduced physical well-being, measured by skipped meals. “Also, we found that workalcoholism was associated with reduced mental well-being as measured by a self-reported depression score,” she said. The link between workalcoholism and well-being has been assumed for years; however, there was a lack of research supporting the link until this study, Asebedo said. To understand why people work overtime even when they know it is not good for their well-being, the researchers used Gary S Becker's Theory of the Allocation of Time, a mathematical analysis for choice measuring the cost of time. “This theory suggests that the more money you make, the more likely you are to work more. If you are not engaged in work-related activities, then there is a cost to the alternative way in which time is spent,” Asebedo said. “Even if you understand the negative consequences of workalcoholism, you may still be likely to continue working because the cost of not doing so becomes greater,” she said. According to Asebedo, Becker’s theory suggests that not only can working more make a person wealthier but it also creates less leisure time to spend money. As income increases a person may be more likely to work more and create an unhealthy habit.
— PTI
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LinkedIn lowers age limit to
13
LinkedIn, the professional networking website, has launched a push to recruit career-minded youngsters by lowering its minimum age requirements — targeting users as young as 13 as it seeks to expand its reach.
From next month, 14-year-old Americans will be able to sign on to the website, which has become a favourite hunting ground for employers and professional recruiters. In the UK, the age requirement will drop even further, to 13. Around 200 leading institutions from the US and other countries, including the France-based business school INSEAD and Brazil’s Fundação Getúlio Vargas, have already set-up pages on the website that allow prospective students to, among other things, browse alumni profiles to see the kinds of career paths that might lie in store for them. “We believe University Pages will be especially valuable for students making their first, big decision about where to attend college,” Christina Allen, LinkedIn’s director of product management, said in a blog post announcing the new features. “We will be making LinkedIn available to high school students who can use LinkedIn to explore schools worldwide, greatly expand their understanding of the careers available, and get a head start on building a network of family and friends to help guide them at every milestone.” — The Independent
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Newsboard
The 10th season of the Tata Crucible Business Quiz was kicked off at Coimbatore on August 22, 2013. The winners of regional rounds will compete in four zonal finals in the respective zones. The top two winning teams from each zonal final will participate in the national finals to be held in Mumbai on October 13, 2013. This year four more cities Jaipur, Raipur, Guwahati and Navi Mumbai, have been added to the regional rounds namely taking the overall count for the non-Tata track to 24 cities, while Tata track will be held in 8 cities, (total 25 cities).
The winners of the national final will receive a higher grand prize of Rs 7,00,000 along with the coveted Tata Crucible Trophy, while regional winners and runner-ups will receive prizes of Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50,000, respectively.
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Finding one’s way through the maze of taxation norms is not everyone’s cup of tea, hence the need for the helping hand of a taxation expert. A course in the field of taxation can thus become a key to a great career
The
Microsoft Research is offering graduate women scholarship programme for the
students enroled as a full-time graduate student in the computer science,
electrical engineering, or mathematics departments at a US or Canadian
university. It is a one-year scholarship programme for outstanding women
graduate students and is designed to help increase the number of women pursuing
a PhD. This program supports women in the second year of their graduate studies.
Women who are interested in this scholarship must apply during the first year of
their graduate studies.
Students
seeking admission to engineering courses are generally in a dilemma during
admission counselling sessions when it comes to choosing a branch that doesn’t
fall in the traditional core branch trio of mechanical, civil and electrical.
There is apprehension over limiting the horizons of their career to a very niche
area. But the fact remains that the scope of a career in engineering has become
much wider with the introduction of specialisations like automobile, petroleum,
mechatronics, avionics engineering courses.
This is the age of brands and these are all around us. The workplace is no exception to the preence of brands, and mind you one is not talking about the Gucci, Prada or Armani that some like to flaunt unabashedly all the time. Most people create a brand of their own and wear that personality to achieve their career goals. I am reminded of a gentleman that I once worked with. He was called ‘High Level’. No kidding, not only did we call him that, but he himself used to refer to himself with this moniker. The name probably stuck because all his conversations were peppered liberally with this phrase. “How was the meeting?” ‘High Level’
Career planning is a delicately balanced subject. It remains a tricky and complex process which requires a comprehensive thought process and astute planning.
In terms of the time when you should decide what you are going to become, two
landmark years are: when you are studying in high school and are ready to
decide which stream of education you will choose; and secondly when you are in
senior secondary school, about to enter college, when you pick up the course
of your choice.
Students in Class X aiming to build a career in the field of
science /engineering
The Central Government levies taxes on income (except tax on agricultural income, which the state governments can levy), customs duties, central excise and service tax, while Value Added Tax (VAT), stamp duty, state excise, land revenue and profession tax are levied by the state governments. There are also other taxes such as property tax, octroi, and some minor taxes levied by the local authorities. 
Public sector undertakings and corporate houses are always in need of proficient people to handle taxation. 
A series of Common Written Examinations (CWEs) conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) as a pre-requisite for the selection of personnel to serve as Probationary Officers / Management Trainees / Clerks / Specialist Officers in 20 Public Sector banks (including IDBI) and for Officers and Office Assistants in 82 Regional Rural Banks
Workscape
A chemical engineer is involved in the design, development, construction and operation of industrial processes for the production of a diverse range of products, as well as in commodity and specialty chemicals. Relevant industries include oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, energy, water treatment, food and drink, plastics and toiletries. Modern chemical engineering is also concerned with pioneering valuable new materials and techniques, such as nanotechnology, fuel cells and biomedical engineering. The role may focus on one or more of the following: researching new products from trial through to commercialization; managing scale-up processes from plant to full industrial-scale manufacturing; improving product lines; modifying the processing plant that produces the products; and designing and commissioning new plants. 
About Course
The Gita has a recipe for an efficient system that, surprisingly, doesn’t tax workers. The formula is simple: Do your assigned work well (verses 2.50, 12.16) and limit oneself to one’s work (3.35, 18.47). While the former ensures efficiency, the latter prevents worker’s burnout.
Research and development; experimentation is an important part of the job. These professionals essentially create unique flavour combinations in a laboratory setting known as test kitchens. Laboratories are frequently equipped with standard kitchen equipment such as microwaves, stoves, blenders, and even complete kitchens. The most challenging aspect of this profession is that the materials and chemicals that a flavourist utilises for flavour creation make the food tasty, but it must also meet the standards prescribed by the Indian government. To be more specific, the added flavours must be safe for human consumption.
Q. I have done BSc and now I want to do master’s in mathematics and after that a PhD. Is that a good option and can you please tell me about the job choices in this field?
— Ruchika Handa
Q.
What is the difference between a reporter and a freelance journalist? Does one need to have a degree or diploma in journalism to be one of these? Is freelancing easy?
— Umesh Katyal 