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Robotics
Career Hotline
To work or not to work
first person
careers for those who dislike the 9 to 5 routine
Memorable moments
Romancing the palate Chef
workmonitor survey
cubicle trends
Campus notes
Happiness @ work
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Robotics
Derived from a Czech word ‘Robit’, which means work and ‘Robota’ meaning menial or slave labour, Robots have become an important part of many modern tech machine. Robots that perform heart and other complex surgeries, retrieve landmines and assemble cars are commonplace today. They are ideal for performing repetitive, mundane, unpleasant or unsafe tasks with precision, quality and safety. And they aren’t just meant for manufacturing or precision work either. They can just as well be put to use literally around the house — sweeping, cleaning, mowing lawns —operated and controlled by just our smart phones. No wonder, robotics is predicted to emerge as one of the most significant technologies of the 21st Century.
Not just child's play
Healthcare and related issues will be on the top of everyone’s mind in the years to come. And we have already seen substantial growth in the use industrial robotics for performing complex surgical procedures. Similarly they are being used increasingly in the production and packaging of food. Despite the current economic crisis, some of the exciting global developments in robotics with long-term potential read like a veritable ‘Believe it or Not…’ While Korea has taken the lead in promoting the use of robots for service applications such as care of senior citizens, the US is using robots to protect soldiers on the battlefield. European companies are taking the lead in using robots to manufacture solar panels. Many other trends such as miniaturisation and mass customisation are creating new opportunities for robotics. Robotics is no longer just a “hobby” for geeky science and engineering students; it has truly emerged as a serious career option.
Getting in
To enter this field you need to study mechanical, electrical or computer engineering to begin with. In fact, a sound knowledge of all the three fields is an ideal pre-requisite. The IITs have created dedicated robotics centres that are creating innovative products in collaboraton with start-up companies incubating with them. The study of robotics prepares you to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills to support engineers and other professionals engaged in developing and using robots. It will include instruction in design, operational testing, system maintenance and repair. However, Robotics is a long-term, research-oriented career. Someone stepping into the field today will have to plan and work towards results s/he would probably achieve a few years later. High demand has created a shortage of skilled professionals. Organisations like BHEL, BARC and CAIR take in fresh engineering graduates as scientists. Further specialisation can be done at the postgraduate level.
Where to study
Here are some of the colleges that offer PG courses in robotics: *
Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani 333031 (www.bitspilani.ac.in), Course: ME in Computer Science (with Robotics as a subject). Also MS in Robotics & Intelligent Systems as an off-campus distance learning programme. *
NIT, Kurukshetra (www.nitkkr.ac.in) Course: MTech Robotics * Jadavpur University, PO Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032 (WB) (www.jadavpur.edu). Course: ME Robotics *
Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), Kochi (Ker) Course: MSc in Electronics Science (with specialisation in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics). Eligibility: BSc (1st div) with Electronics / Computer Science & Physics (with Electronics). www.cusat.ac.in *
Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT), Pune (Mah) has developed a Robotics centre in collaboration with CISCO and Intel. *
Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute, Mumbai (www.vjti.ac.in) Course: Post Diploma in Robotics & Automation (1-year). *
IT Kanpur, Center for Robotics & Mechatronics, Northern Lab Bldg, Kanpur 208 016 (UP) www.iitk.ac.in. Course: ME (Robotics & Robot Applications). *
International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), School of Interdisciplinary Science & Technology, Pune www.isquareit.ac.in Course: Adv PG Programme in Intelligent Systems & Robotics (2-years, FT) University of Hyderabad, Course: MTech. Artificial Intelligence & Robotics *
Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala Course: CAD / CAM & Robotics *
Osmania University, Hyderabad, University College of Engineering Course: ME/ MTech Automation & Robotics *
MS University of Baroda, Vadodra. Course: Master’s programme (specialisation in Automatic Control & Robotics) *
I2IT International Finishing School, Pune (M/o Communications & IT, GoI) www.i2it.co.in Course: Postgraduate Programme in Robotics (11-months) Besides these, the mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science departments of the IITs - Mumbai, Delhi, Kharagpur and Madras, IISc, Bangalore as well as some of the NITs offer Robotics as part of their courses. PhD in Robotics is offered at several leading institutions including: *
Banaras Hindu University, Institute of Technology * Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai
(www.barc.ernet.in * Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur
(www.cmeri.org) * Sastra University, Thanjavur (www.sastra.edu) Moreover, companies such as Precision Automation & Robotic India (PARI) have started engineering research and training institutes for training freshers. Similarly, The Robotics Institute (TRI) which is incubating at IIT, Powai conducts workshops for engineering college students. — The writer is career coach and counsellor, Career Guidance India
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Career Hotline Q.I have done B.Com (regular) & M.Com (distance learning) from Panjab University. I have been working with PNB for the past two years in a clerical position. I want to do MBA from New Zealand and settle with my husband who already resides there. In which stream I should do MBA and what will be the job prospects there? — Neha Bhatia A.Whichever way you look at it, management is a tough and demanding profession, regardless of what function you choose. And although HR is commonly considered a “soft” option, believe me, the reality is quite otherwise. With changes in the business and employment scenario, students’ preferences for electives and specialisations also change. But you can’t go wrong if you choose one based on your interests and skills; not simply because one is less demanding or currently more popular. It’s undoubtedly better to excel in a field you enjoy than to be a third-rater in a “hot” field. A study of managers in the US (honest to God, I’m not making this one up), finds that women managers, more than their male counterparts, tend to adopt leadership styles that encourage better worker performance and effectiveness. They’re more likely to serve as role models, help mentor and empower workers, and encourage innovation. These are qualities that cut across all functional areas in management. So if your head and heart is in the right place, you’ll make smooth-sailing of the toughest assignment. Not to worry though: the first year’s MBA curriculum at most B-schools is compulsory for all students. It will cover the basic functional areas of finance and accounting, marketing, systems, HR and operations management. You’ll also learn the basic principles of economics, behavioural sciences, information technology and quantitative methods in the context of business management. In your second year, partly based on your performance and partly your preference & interests you may choose your specialisation in any of the above mentioned areas and will acquire specialised knowledge and skills. Therefore, all the second year courses in good B-schools, are electives. So, besides helping you develop an integrated approach to solving business problems, it will give you sufficient time to choose your field of specialisation. New Zealand has a number of good B-schools namely, *The University of Auckland, Business School *Auckland University of Technology, Business School *University of Otago, School of Business *Victoria University of Wellington, Faculty of Commerce & Administration *University of Waikato, WaikatoManagement School *University of Canterbury, School of Business & Economics *Massey University, College of Business *Lincoln University, Faculty of Commerce Alternatively, you could even consider opting for a top-ranked one-year Executive MBA programme, since you’ve already done your MCom.
To work or not to work
Q.I have completed my MBA in human resource management from GNDU, Amritsar, this year. I am an average student in studies. I got a job in HDFC life insurance but left it. I want to crack the SSC graduate level test next year for which I’m working hard. But when I see my mates doing job, I get disturbed and distracted. Should I also do some job simultaneously while preparing for the SSC exam? The thing is if I go for any job I will not be able to devote that much time to studies. —
Manpreet Singh
A.Since you’re already preparing for the SSC Exam in dead earnest, I suggest you put in all your effort into the preparation else, it will be neither here nor there. More so, since you say that your academic performance is average. If you can manage to find some decent part-time work, that would of course be ideal. However, I suggest you continue looking for a good job, so that you land something the moment you’re through with your exam. Too long a break post MBA is not generally considered a good thing.
Am I eligible for govt jobs?
Q.I’m a science graduate , but I’ve done my postgraduation in arts. I’ve cleared the CTET with 73 per cent in social sciences. I’m currently doing BEd in social sciences. Please tell me if after doing BEd I will be considered for government jobs (TGT) or not? —
Uma Bhasin
A.Not only TGT, but you are also eligible for PGT posts in government as well as private schools.
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Formula to win
Geetu Vaid Fresh from his fortnight-long internship at FITM factory in Oxfordshire, Grove, UK, Raghav Saxena, student of final year of Mechanical engineering course at Thapar University Patiala, is bursting with enthusiasm to realise his F1 engineering dream soon. Raghav, a huge motorsport fan and a keen quizzer nurtures the dream to be a race car engineer and is a member of his institution’s FSAE team where they design, build and assemble a race car and then take it to race at competitions at Silverstone in the UK and Hockenheimring in Germany. This year’s winner of the Randstad F1Internship Challenge organised by HR service provider firm Randstad shares his experience with J&C. Excerpts from an interview: How did you get selected for this internship? I applied for the Randstad F1 Internship Challenge through an advertisement that was hosted on Randstad India’s Facebook page. In the first round of the contest, we were required to complete a timed online assessment quiz based on general aptitude and Formula One trivia. On the basis of this round, the top 10 names were shortlisted. The second round consisted of a telephonic assessment after which the number of participants reduced to 5. We then received a situational case study. Our task consisted of answering the questions concerning the described situation. At the end of this round, the top 3 were selected. We then had to submit a video resume, which was sent to Williams and I was finally chosen as the candidate who would intern with them in UK. What did the internship involve? Though the duration of the internship was only two weeks, it was an intense learning experience as I got an opportunity to work in four major parts of the Williams facility, which was a dream come true for me. The first day was spent with ValtteriBottas, race driver for the Williams F1 team, and his race engineers down in the race simulator where he was preparing for the upcoming race in Austin. The next few days were spent in Williams’composites department where I was asked to make a small-sized carbon fiber memento, with a mini crash helmet and a plinth. This was my first time working with the carbon fiber but I also worked at the model shop and wind tunnel, where a model car was prepared. It was an amazing experience, to watch the 2014 car being developed and to see the wind tunnel in action. Here, too, I was asked to make a model crash helmet (with resin this time). What was the highlight of your stay there? The highlight of this internship was the tremendous exposure I got of the highest level of technology and innovation in automotive engineering. I not only got an opportunity to work and collaborate with race engineers and watch them in action, but also a chance to practice assembling and building race cars. I learnt a lot at the model shops and the wind tunnel. This experience-based learning has helped me gain a profound understanding of my subject and has laid a solid foundation for my career. How is this internship going to help you academically? This internship has got me in touch with the latest technologies and methods used in building racing cars. Meeting and interacting with the engineers has given me a definitive path to achieve my goal. So, I now know what I’m looking for in my course subjects and what to look for when I apply for a master’s course. What are your future plans? For me motorsport has always been a career goal, and a master’s degree is what I am aiming for. This internship has shown me the path to reach my goal and hopefully soon I will achieve my dream goal of being an F 1 race engineer. The internship
Randstad, a leading HR services company and the official partner of the Formula One racing team Williams F1, offers a one-of-its-kind internship programme to young racing enthusiasts. The contest involves an online assessment quiz, an offline case study discussion with a panel for shortlisted candidates and a final selection by the Williams F1 team. The candidates were evaluated on a multitude of skills ranging from technical competency to logical thinking. Of the total 2500 participants this year, 30.5 per cent were from the Mechanical Engineering.
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Interested candidates can apply for the Chevening Gurukul Scholarships for Leadership & Excellence. The Chevening Gurukul Leadership Programme at the Kings College London (KCL) is the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s premium scholarship scheme for India. Through a combination of closely supervised project work, academic courses, field visits, seminars, debates and interactions with some of the world’s most influential thinkers and decision makers, this is a unique opportunity for the best and brightest minds in India. Twelve future leaders of India will be offered an intense, all expenses-paid, 12 week course at the Kings College London (KCL). Eligibilty: Mid-career professionals with a minimum of five years work experience, proven academic ability and leadership skills. The scholarship is open to Indian passport holders only. Scholarship covers: *
KCL study fees * Accommodation for the Scholars. * A subsistence allowance *
Return airfare from India to UK * Travel to and from London and local travel in London *
A Gratis UK Visa * Travel and accommodation on study visits How to apply: Online Deadline: January 24, 2014. Check out: http://www.chevening.org/india/ University of Warwick University of Warwick, UK, offering master’s scholarship for Indian students for studying MSc in Tunnelling and Underground Space programme at University of Warwick. Eligibility: Applicants must have already applied to the uniand hold a valid offer from the School of Engineering for the MSc in tunneling and underground space programme. Applicants will be selected on the basis of merit. Details: The School of Engineering offers a 20 per cent fee reduction. How to Apply: The mode of applying is online. Deadline: May 30, 2014. Check out: warwick.ac.uk
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careers for those who dislike the 9 to 5 routine Do you dislike sitting at a desk from 9 to 5? Do you look forward to something new and different every day? If the thought of fresh and exciting activities every day really excites you there are many interesting careers that can add a real zing to your life. Other than the more rigorous, where you are chasing emergencies and night duties in medicine, or the story chasing excitement felt by a journalist, there are new and exciting work options for those who hate a 9 to 5 routine. Tourist guide has possibly the most envious job in the world.
Tour guides can work at one site or destination, or be the travel escort who accompanies tour groups on package tours and handles the entire itineraries, including stay, meals, and sightseeing for a group of tourists, and must know everything about the history and culture of the place they are showing to the visitor. They are often employed by tour operators, travel organisations, airlines, hotels, corporates or local tourism departments. Of course you need to be prepared for the cranky ever complaining passenger who is unhappy with any of your arrangements, or the over enthusiastic first timer who finds himself locked in a public lavatory, or the wallet that gets pinched, meals that fail to satisfy and the fact that you hardly get to enjoy that evening drink admiring the sunset. But you can be sure as a tour guide no two days are the same and if you have a passion for travel, an interest in people, places and areas of interest this is one career that can never get boring. Skill set Some organising ability, good interpersonal skills, and a friendly and amicable temperament and appearance will go a long way in this profession. Getting in You can get into this field directly after graduation or with a travel and tourism degree or diploma. As this is a highly competitive field, it is an advantage to have access to a wide range of information and data on transportation and destinations, be good at planning and time management, as well as resourceful and adaptable. A second language specially a foreign one is also a big plus point in this career.
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Memorable moments
If you love meeting and inter-acting with people, have loads of initiative, some creative talent and a good sense of salesmanship, an exciting and on-the-go career is Event management. Whether it is the Femina Miss India, the Lakme Fashion week, a car launch, an exhibition, a concert , a seminar or workshop or a film award function, you will be on your toes throughout the day.
Event management is an activity that involves the planning, organising and execution of live events, which means working on a new idea, creating the theme, organising press conferences, sourcing caterers, sending invitations, producing brochures and press releases and being on hand to ensure that all goes according to script on the day of the event. While Production handles the logistics of organising the event, marketing entails selling the concept, and the creative department involves conceptualizing the whole event. With the growth of the TV and entertainment industry, event management has expanded and increased in importance as a separate business activity. The burgeoning of satellite channels and the popularity of Indian and foreign artists have been other factors responsible for the accelerated growth of this industry in recent years. Where you can work Other than event management companies, which are growing in number, jobs for those in this field can be with advertising agencies and public relations firms where a separate department handles events for their clients. Some corporate organisations and multi-nationals whose business activities require organising of regular launches, exhibitions and the like, also recruit qualified professionals. As many events are held in hotels, several have set up event management departments to look after the requirements of their clients. Getting in A good way to get into this field is through an event management course, most of which are diploma courses after school or after graduation. Some public relations courses also include training in event management with internships too. Most are offered as post-graduate diploma courses that require a BA degree in any discipline, preferably with a Humanities background. There are also some short-term and refresher courses for those working in the field or wishing to make a career change. Skill set Of course those with a certain initiative and a willingness to take risks can set up an independent event management service. If you are able to handle the initial events with efficiency and panache, many others may be willing to have you organise their event too. There are several prominent event management companies that have started out in this manner. The future is certainly promising for those with the sauce and savvy for a job which keeps you on the run. From a chic fashion event today, to a dreary business workshop tomorrow, and a glitzy new store opening the day after- there is a new challenge every day for anyone who opts for this profession. You may not get to shake hands with Katrina Kaif when she cuts the ribbon, because you are holding up the stage buntings somewhere behind the screen, but you will definitely get close enough to get a heady whiff of the action.
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Perfect Anchor
If you are easily bored with a 9 to 5 routine, and love the thrill of show biz, a job as an RJ or radio jockey may be just the right option for you. Today FM Radio has ushered in a brand new style of radio presentation, making it interactive and a lot of fun. Rjs on Radio Mirchi, Radio 91 and so many others are part of our daily lives and have become household names and almost like pop idols in India.
RJs anchor programmes on radio. There are no fixed hours of work for an RJ. You can be called to anchor a radio show at any time - as radio channels broadcast musical programmes 24X7. RJs have to play musical requests from listeners, interview guests, manage contests and generally entertain listeners through the sound waves. An RJ should be able to connect to the listener who he/she cannot see, and so, should be friendly, spontaneous, warm and friendly, have a good voice and good command over the language.
Where you can work
In addition to playing music on air, they also provide information on the music, weather and traffic. Most of the FM channels prefer to take on youngsters as they have new ideas, concepts and are bubbling with enthusiasm. RJs are also called to host a variety of programmes, including talk shows with film stars and other personalities, dial-in shows where you can dial in to chat with the host and get your message across, as well as shows where you can page in your messages. RJs work on these programmes at the radio stations where they select the kind of music pieces listeners would like to hear and most often write their own scripts. They are also required to have some knowledge about the music, or the composer, and other information that will be of interest to listeners. This often involves some amount of research work.
Getting in
There are no specific eligibility criteria or training courses for being a Radio Jockey, although most channels prefer to take on a graduate. You might have to undergo a written test or audition for selection. At present, there are a few institutions in India that offer courses in Radio Jockeying. Some institutes offer courses in TV and radio presentation which includes modules on 'DJaying', or in announcing, broadcasting and compering. Some well known DJs have opened their own training schools. There are also short-term workshops that focus on pronunciation, reading styles, music appreciation and creative thinking conducted from time to time. Some institutes also offer Diploma and Certificate courses in music, and sound recording. But more than training, to be a good DJ, or RJ you need a good voice, a strong vocabulary, coupled with good diction. And an innate ear and interest in music is another definite prerequisite. Moreover, a knowledge of acoustics and sound recording can be a major help. And it is not just RJs for whom opportunities are growing. It is jockeying in general, which has opened up new avenues in the world of entertainment. So if you have the gift of the gab, can talk non-stop and like to lose yourself in the world of music, this off-beat career could mean a new world of opportunities.
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Romancing the palate Chef
Another fascinating career is that of the food specialist, or Chef. If you enjoy food, love trying out new dishes, and wouldn’t mind joining the ranks of Sajeev Kapoor, or Madhur Jaffrey, then you can cook up a great career.
That’s an active work day and certainly one with lots of action and variety. From providing in flight meals, to catering for private parties and social events, a career as a chef is undergoing rapid growth, and offers dynamic opportunities for all those with a taste for food. Where you can work You have the option of joining a hotel chain —many of which run their own catering schools, or a specialty restaurant, fast-food joints, private clubs, airlines catering and cabin services, office catering services, hospitals, institutional and industrial catering, and tourism associations. Cruise ships with their multi-cuisine restaurants and eateries also hire large numbers of chefs, and provide on ship training as well. Opening your own specialty restaurant can also be a good option and a great business! Today, with the boom in the number of hotels and eateries in the country, there is a huge shortage of Chefs, and that too, in a field that pays extremely well. Skill set A love, more than that, a passion, for food and food preparation is possibly the most important pre-requisite for getting into this career. You should also be creative, like experimenting and have a curiosity about different food ingredients. A practical knowledge about different kinds of foods and cuisines is useful, as also great patience and stamina. As most chefs work in a team, and also have to interact with customers, good inter-personal and communication skills are required, and an aptitude for service and hospitality. Getting in If you have the above mentioned qualities, you can start your career learning on the job, even without a formal qualification. However, some training is always useful particularly when looking for a job, as distinct from starting one's own restaurant, or eatery. There are different kinds of courses - certificate, diploma and degree courses in culinary arts or food production. You need a basic pass in Class X for a diploma course in food craft, while you would need to have completed Plus II in any stream to opt for a degree or diploma course in culinary arts. There’s much in store for chefs — you can conduct cookery classes too, or become food writers, or food columnists, or feature in a cookery show a.k.a. Sanjeev Kapoor! So there are many wonderful options for those who are willing to stretch their minds and their ambitions to the not so tried and tested - and are looking to making a leap into an stimulating future where each day is anew one! — The writer is Director, Careers Smart Pvt Ltd., New Delhi
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The right script
Having a successful career is the priority for everyone in a workplace — right from the edgy fresher to a senior level executive to the CEO. Actually, it is this quest that propels everyone who has a dream to realise or a goal to achieve. But generally the environment around a person is negative with everyone saying that it is not possible to achieve his dream or goal, so much so that a large number of youngsters give up on their dreams even before they start trying to pursue them.
It is with this goal in mind that Anubhav Srivastava has come up with his motivational film Carve Your Destiny, which is an attempt to capture some real-life inspiring stories with an insight on what it takes to pursue your goals and never give up to be successful. For this film, Srivastava has interviewed some of the most well-known personalities in India and also the UK like Kiran Bedi, Jatin Das, Som Mittal, Shiv Khera etc. According to Srivastava one can be successful if one follows some key core principles of success. These are: Self belief Only if you believe in something that you will put in the efforts to make it possible and eventually you can achieve the impossible. If you believe that you can’t do it then you will quit immediately. Take the example of Kiran Mazumdar Shaw when she started off and wanted a bank loan for her venture no one was ready to believe in a young 20-something woman who was talking about biotech. But she stuck to her belief in herself and in her idea and is now among the most powerful women in the world. So, a strong self-belief is the foundation to success in any venture. Remember if you don’t have self-belief, you will defeat yourself. Ignore criticism The second important point is to be aware that there always would be criticism of your idea and there will be several who will debunk your vision and ask you to forget your dream. But you have to withstand and ignore such criticism. Remember that criticism will continue even after one has achieved one’s goal and become successful. For example take the case of Sachin Tendulkar, he hit a rough patch after the world cup loss and there was tremendous pressure on him to retire but he continued ignoring the criticism and went on to achieve much greater goals. However, at the same time it is necessary also to have the wisdom to differentiate bad criticism from good criticism. This constructive criticism can be a key building block of your success story so never ignore it. No excuses Never let your limitations limit your dreams. Every person has some limitations that can be used as excuses for not performing well or for abandoning one’s goals, but this has to be avoided if you want to be successful. Take the example of Olympic medal winner wrestler Sushil Kumar. This boy from a poor family did not let his financial constraints come in the way of his dream and went on to win medals in two successive Olympics. Adaptability Always learn from failures and be ready to adopt a different approach to get to your goal. While one should persevere it doesn’t mean that you keep on repeating the same mistakes and be obstinate. Being adapatable and flexible is very important for success. Thus, if you find that your initial approach is not taking you forward, change the strategy and adopt a different approach to achieve what you want to achieve. Goal setting One should have clarity about one’s goals. For example in 1957 first man made satellite was launched and in 1969 man set foot on the moon but 40 years hence man hasn’t been able to improve upon this feat. Why did this happen? It was all because of the fierce competition between USA and Russia in the late fifties and it was due to this that Kennedy had set a goal that by the end of the decade USA would send a manned mission to moon, With this kind of goal setting measures were taken to provide funding and other aid to facilitate the moon mission. But after that in spite of the technology being available and advancement in the technology, nothing much has been achieved. Why? Because there is no proper goal setting. On the individual scale, you should know that if you don’t set a deadline and know exactly what you should achieve in how much time and how you want to go about it, you will not succeed. So focusing on your goal is very important. Now’s the time Procrastination can be suicidal for your dreams. Remember always that now is the time to get about doing what you have to do. Never use words like “I hope to do it” or “I wish I could do it”, as these erode your chances of success. Choose passion and value Being passionate about something is important, but at the same time it is also important to pursue something that you are good at. You may be passionate about something but it is not necessary that you will be good at it also. So do something that you are good at and you will surely excel in it. To be successful it is important that whatever you are doing provides value to people as people are not interested in what you can do but in what you can do for them. — As told to Geetu Vaid
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Social and digital skills take centre stage
Social skills and digital literacy are becoming a major "must - haves" for new age employees, says the recently released Randstad India’s latest global Workmonitor Survey 2013. The survey indicates that employees’ social skills (91 per cent), digital skills (91 per cent), education (90 per cent) and experience (94 per cent) are more important now than these were five years ago. The survey also reveals that 90 per cent of the respondents believe that their job requirements will become more demanding in the next five years and this is much above the world average of 76 per cent. Commenting on the findings, Moorthy K Uppaluri, CEO, Randstad India & Sri Lanka said, “As corporate India is becoming more global and diverse, organisations across industry sectors are recruiting talents from various geographies. Companies are, therefore, looking for employees with effective social skills who can fit into the organisation’s culture. And since technology is the adhesive that connects a distributed workforce, digital literacy and netiquette have become vital qualities employers look for while recruiting.” “India is fast emerging as a Human Resource Powerhouse for the world where 11 million workforce is getting added to the job market each year. This paves way for tough competition that will result in high demand and expectation from the organisations. With high demand on job requirements, employees should prepare themselves for this scenario and hone the skills accordingly”, he added. Other key findings from India report include an increased demand for employee competency. And because of this the jobs are going to be more demanding over the next five years. According to the survey 91per cent of the employers believe that they themselves are responsible for ensuring that skills and competencies of the employees match the job requirements. On the other hand, 91per cent of Indian employees attach a sense of responsibility upon themselves for ensuring that their skills and competencies match the job requirement. Therefore, achieving the right ‘Job - Candidate fit’ is the collective responsibility of the employer as well as the employees. This survey is a quarterly review that tracks jobseekers’ confidence and provides a comprehensive understanding of job market sentiment and trends relating to the employment market across 32 countries.
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Fun at work promotes employee retention
Bosses, please note! Allowing your employees to have fun at work may encourage them to stick around for longer, a new study suggests. Within the hospitality industry, manager support for fun is instrumental in reducing employee turnover — the rate at which a company gains and loses employees — particularly for younger employees, researchers said. However, manager support for fun also reduces employee productivity, which can negatively impact sales performance. “High employee turnover is consistently quoted as being one of the problems that keeps managers up at night because if you’re involved with recruiting and training constantly, then you can’t focus on effectively managing your existing staff and providing a high-quality service experience,” said Michael J Tews, assistant professor of hospitality management, Penn State. The team, which included researchers at Penn State, Loyola University of Maryland and Ohio State University, surveyed 195 restaurant servers from a casual-theme restaurant chain in the US. The survey included items related to different aspects of fun at work, including “fun activities” and “manager support for fun”. The researchers then compared the survey responses to sales performance and turnover data. In the survey, questions related to “fun activities” focused on social events, such as holiday parties and picnics; team-building activities, such as company-sponsored athletic teams; competitions, such as sales contests; public celebrations of work achievements; and recognition of personal milestones, such as birthdays and weddings. The research yielded three key findings. First, manager support for fun lowers employee turnover, particularly among younger employees. Second, fun activities increase sales performance, particularly among older employees. Third, manager support for fun lowers sales performance irrespective of age. “The question becomes, is the productivity loss associated with manager support for fun worth the significant reduction in employee turnover?” Tews said. “We think if you have both manager support for fun and fun activities, the dip you see in productivity as a result of manager support for fun may be cancelled out by the increase in productivity you see as a result of fun activities. In this scenario, you also see the greatest reduction in employee turnover,” Tews said. “The take-home message is that fun can work, but it’s not a panacea,” Tews said. — PTI
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Campus notes
Review Meet of DBT network
The first annual two-day review meet of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Government of India, network project on "Brucellosis" was organised at the School of Public Health and Zoonosis, at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana, recently. Sixteen principal investigators (PIs) along with Co-PIs from seven different states participated in the meet. Dr S. R. Rao, Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, was the chief guest, while Dr V.K. Taneja, Vice-Chancellor, GADVASU, presided over. Dr N.K. Ganguly, former Director-General Indian Council of Medical Research, Dr H.V. Batra and Dr L. Gunaseelam contributed as experts. Dr Taneja welcomed all the experts and participants and hoped that the deliberations will help in formulating policies for prevention and control of brucellosis in India. He said brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria from the genus Brucella. It is an infection that affects mainly animals, including goats, sheep, camels, pigs, elk, deer, cattle, and dogs. Humans develop brucellosis when they come in contact with contaminated animals or animal products. Training course The 21-day training course on "Male Infertility" organised by the Centre of Advanced Faculty Training (CAFT) at the Department of Veterinary Gynaecology and Reproduction, GADVASU, under the auspices of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, concluded here recently. As many as 19 faculty members from universities and ICAR institutes of eight states of India participated in this course. Participants were trained with hands-on experiences in diagnosing and treating male infertility in cattle, buffaloes, equine, caprine, swine and canines and for production of quality embryos. Expert for lectures on wild animals, canines were invited from Bombay and Hyderabad. — Inputs by Charanjit Singh Teja
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Course cruising
MBA
Eligibility: MBA, MBA (IB), MBA (HR) A. A bachelor's degree in any discipline of the university or from any UGC recognised university with not less than 50 per cent marks in the aggregate. For MBA (Biotech): Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, i.e. Biology, Botany, Microbiology, Zoology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Genetics,
B. Minimum of 10% score (5% in case of SC/ST/BC candidates) in each component of the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2013 viz., quantitative, logic & data interpretation, and verbal and/or any other component which may be added later at any stage to the CAT 2013. How to apply: Online registrations can be done at http://ubsadmissions.puchd.ac.in/registration.php Candidates have to submit the copy of printout of their filled Application form along with the requisite documents to Assistant Registrar, University Business School, Arts Block - III, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160014 by registered post/speed post or by hand Deadline: Last date for submission of information on the website to generate the bank chalan is January 25, 2014 Check out: http://ubsadmissions.puchd.ac.in/ubs-handbook.pdf International Hospitality Management courses Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Marbella, Spain, a leading university for career in international hospitality management is inviting applications for Post Graduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management and Bachelor’s in Business Administration in International Hotel Management courses for January and February 2014 session. Eligibility: Bachelor's degree in any stream, IELTS score of 5.0 or equivalent TOEFL or PTE for the PG diploma and Plus II in any stream for the bachelor’s degree course. How to apply: Log onto www.lesroches.es enter your details on the landing page. Deadline: December 5, 2013
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Newsboard
Tie up with Monaco varsity
The International University of Monaco (IUM), has announced a partnership with the Luxury Connect Business School (LCBS) in New Delhi. LCBS now offers to its students various diploma courses in luxury management offering the possibility to undertake specific courses at IUM. The International University of Monaco will welcome Indian students from three programmes offered by LCBS — Executive Diploma in Luxury Brand Management (EDLM), Post graduate Diploma of Luxury Management (PGDLM) and Executive Master in Luxury Business Management (EM-LBM). The students will spend 70 per cent of their academic time in India and 30 per cent at the IUM campus. The students will participate in certified tracks offered by IUM. The first batch of EDLM is scheduled to commence from February 2014 with the first exchange programme taking place in April 2014. The International University of Monaco will be providing teaching staff, and will deliver a certificate for the courses. Jean-Philippe Muller, General Director of the International University of Monaco, said, “The LCBS programme’s main focus will be to provide to Indian students a strong business insight into both local and international markets”. TNS
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Happiness @ work An eye for detail is needed to ensure success. By it, errors can be prevented and wastage of time and resources in corrective action can be avoided. Pleased at the service of his daughter-in-law princess Satyavati, sage Bhrigu told her to seek a boon. “Give me a son and a brother,” she said as her father King Gadhi had no son to succeed him.
As a result, Gadhi’s son, though born to Kshtriya parents, led the life of an ascetic and became renowned as Brahmrishi Vishwamitra. As her son was destined to be a warrior due to the goof, Satyavati went to the sage and sought a modification. “Let my grandson, and not my son, be the warrior.” So Parashuram, her grandson born of Brahmin parents Jamadagni and Renuka, wielded the axe and wiped out the warrior class 21 times. In the Mahabharata, leaving prince Uttara in charge, all the men of Matsya went to rescue the cattle seized by the Trigarta army. In their absence, the Kaurava army attacked from the north. Taking eunuch Brihannala as charioteer, the prince singlehandedly went to take on the Kaurava might. When the Matsya army returned victorious, King Virata got the news that the Kauravas too had been defeated on the northern front. The King praised his son while wise courtier Kanka gave Brihannala the credit. This irked Virata and he flung the dice that they were playing with at Kanka, thereby injuring him. But when Virata came to know that Kanka was no other than Pandava Emperor Yudhisthira in disguise and Brihannala was the gifted Arjuna, he not only had to apologise to Yudhisthira, but also married off his daughter Uttaraa to Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu. In the 14th century, Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq’s forces had besieged Warangal fort. It was rumoured that the Sultan in Delhi was dead. When King Pratapa Rudra of Warangal and the valiant brothers Hakka and Bukka heard it, they decided to spread the rumour in the enemy camp to demoralise it. Without waiting for a confirmation, many chiefs in the Sultan’s army started for Delhi without informing their Commander. On their way, they were ambushed and butchered by Hakka, Bukka and their men. The brothers later went on to found the Vijayanagara Empire. When Lord Brahma came to bless him, Kumbhakarna’s tongue slipped and he asked for ‘nidrasan’ (bed) instead of ‘Indrasan’ (Indra’s throne). As a result, he used to sleep for six months and stay awake for a day. To be fine, don’t neglect the fine print. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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1. Name the new world chess champion.
2. Who were conferred with the country’s highest award Bharat Ratna recently? 3. Name India’s exclusive bank for women that was inaugurated recently. 4. Name the German Chancellor chosen for the prestigious Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2013. 5. Name the 44,500-tonne aircraft carrier that was recently inducted into the Indian Navy. 6. How many years ago was the US President John F Kennedy assassinated? 7. Which day is celebrated as the National Integration Day? 8. Name the two Indians who have been honoured with a postage stamp in their lifetime. 9. Name Mumbai’s 14-year-old boy who recently made 546 runs in an international match for the prestigious Harris Shield. 10. Which Indian batsman recently equalled Sir Vivian Richards’ record of scoring 5,000 runs in 114 one-day international innings? —Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 451: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Komalpreet Kaur (Saini); Class X-B; Guru Teg Bahadur Public School, Khankot, Amritsar -143501 Second: Meenakshi Bhatia; Class IX; S.A. Jain Vijay Vallabh School Third: Vasu Sharma; Class VIII-C; Apeejay School, Mahavir Marg, Jalandhar, Punjab; Pin Code - 144001 Answers to quiz 451: Mangalyaan; Chattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram; Reshma; Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel; Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting; Venezuela; Cairn India; Chess; 9/118; Rohit Sharma 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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Derived from a Czech word ‘Robit’, which means work and ‘Robota’ meaning menial or slave labour, Robots have become an important part of many modern tech machine. Robots that perform heart and other complex surgeries, retrieve landmines and assemble cars are commonplace today. They are ideal for performing repetitive, mundane, unpleasant or unsafe tasks with precision, quality and safety. And they aren’t just meant for manufacturing or precision work either. They can just as well be put to use literally around the house — sweeping, cleaning, mowing lawns —operated and controlled by just our smart phones. No wonder, robotics is predicted to emerge as one of the most significant technologies of the 21st Century.
Pervin Malhotra email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com
Q.I have completed my MBA in human resource management from GNDU, Amritsar, this year. I am an average student in studies. I got a job in HDFC life insurance but left it. I want to crack the SSC graduate level test next year for which I’m working hard. But when I see my mates doing job, I get disturbed and distracted. Should I also do some job simultaneously while preparing for the SSC exam? The thing is if I go for any job I will not be able to devote that much time to studies. —
Manpreet Singh
Fresh from his fortnight-long internship at FITM factory in Oxfordshire, Grove, UK, Raghav Saxena, student of final year of Mechanical engineering course at Thapar University Patiala, is bursting with enthusiasm to realise his F1 engineering dream soon. Raghav, a huge motorsport fan and a keen quizzer nurtures the dream to be a race car engineer and is a member of his institution’s FSAE team where they design, build and assemble a race car and then take it to race at competitions at Silverstone in the UK and Hockenheimring in Germany.
Tourist guide has possibly the most envious job in the world.
“If it is Tuesday it must is Belgium” as a movie once announced, may be the beginning of a fascinating career if you enjoy travel and have a willingness to work hard and on weekends and holidays.
Tourist guide has possibly the most envious job in the world. “If it is Tuesday it must is Belgium” as a movie once announced, may be the beginning of a fascinating career if you enjoy travel and have a willingness to work hard and on weekends and holidays.
Social skills and digital literacy are becoming a major "must - haves" for new age employees, says the recently released Randstad India’s latest global Workmonitor Survey 2013. The survey indicates that employees’ social skills (91 per cent), digital skills (91 per cent), education (90 per cent) and experience (94 per cent) are more important now than these were five years ago.
Take for instance, hybrid and electric cars which will dominate the future of the auto industry. Assembling these new cars requires new and often complex processes that robots are ideally suited for. As a result, new opportunities will emerge in the automotive and transportation industries throughout the world.
Specialised courses such as those in artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced robotics systems, intelligent control, image processing, neural networks and fuzzy logic are offered at the IITs, BITS-Pilani and other engineering colleges.
Chevening Gurukul Scholarships
“If it is Tuesday it must is Belgium” as a movie once announced, may be the beginning of a fascinating career if you enjoy travel and have a willingness to work hard and on weekends and holidays. 
In most event management companies, there are three major departments which handle the work. These are: Production, Marketing; and the Creative Department. 
As a chef you would need to prepare food quickly and in quantity while working with others. You would also plans the menus of the day, create wonderful new dishes, take stock of inventory and place orders for next day requirements, checking the important catering events lined up for the day, supervising kitchen operations for dinner and leave only once dinner is wrapped up. 
As success is considered to be 99 per cent inspiration, the best way to achieve one’s goal is to learn from the experience of role models. 
The University Business School, Panjab University, Chandigarh, has invited applications for admission to MBA courses including specialisation in IB, HR and Biotech for academic year 2014-16:
Bhrigu prepared two potions — one for Satyavati and the other for her mother — and specified the one each had to take. But in excitement, the two women partook the dose meant for the other.
