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Career Compass: Set designer
Civil Services Prelim exam
Career Hotline
course chat
career compass: space technology
12 things to know before taking an Education Loan
in conversation
smart strategy: impressive virtual profile
how to make a great impression in an interview
Leadership quality stagnates in India
bookshelf
cubicle trends
Happiness @ work
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Setting the stage right
It requires real artistic talent to create the magic of a make-believe ‘world’ of theatre and cinema Gauri Chhabra Does the excitement and the exuberance of being a part of the great caravan that is larger than life interest you? Well, if you are good at drawing and model making, and you want to work in films, TV or theatre, you can be a set designer. Set designers create the overall look of a theatre, television or film production. In the film and TV industry they are often known as production designers and in the theatre as stage designers. Eligibility and skill set
In practice, many set designers have an art-based degree. Several universities, colleges and theatre schools offer specialised courses in theatre design, performing arts (production) or design for film and television. Other useful subjects include interior design, fine arts, 3-D design and architecture.
As an aspiring set designer, you could choose to take a postgraduate diploma or degree in theatre design, scenography or design for film and television. You could also enrol for short courses to improve your skills in areas such as computer aided design (CAD). However, academic degrees are of limited use in this field as in order to establish a name in this field you will need a high level of design skill and creative vision. A beginner normally starts as a designer’s assistant or prop maker in the theatre, or as an art department trainee or runner in film and TV. You don’t need any specific qualifications but in practice many entrants have a university qualification in an art-based subject. As a set designer you would be working closely with other design professionals such as lighting, sound and costume designers. This may result in conflict of opinion, or it may be highly synergetic. Having your creations enjoyed by multiple audiences, however, can be extremely satisfying. You may utilise the services of an agent, and may have to meet with producers when being considered for a contract.
The work
As a set designer you would be studying scripts and discussing ideas with the director, communicating your ideas to costume, make-up, props and lighting designer. Apart from this overcoming logistics problems, such as lighting or complex scene changes, researching the right historical, contemporary or futuristic details for the production will also be a part of your job. A set designer has to create effective designs within the available budget, sketch design ideas to produce a ‘storyboard’, show what the sets will look like scene by scene, and use computer-aided design (CAD) packages. As you step up the ladder, you will be required to select materials and supervise the construction and production of sets and props, estimate costs and prepare a production schedule and oversee set building and decoration
All in a day’s work
“Stepping into the film industry means long and erratic working hours and late nights. You would often work long hours to meet deadlines. During the course of a production you may be very busy every day of the week. Conversely, if you are in between productions, you would have periods of inactivity, or activity solely related to marketing services and meeting producers. If you are looking for a 9-5 job, this field is not for you”, says film director Anand Nirola. A set designer can work from home or from a studio during the creation phase of a production. As the production progresses they may work indoors or outdoors to supervise set construction.
Pay cheque
Set designers mainly work on a contractual freelance basis, and because of this their personal incomes can vary significantly. The earnings of a set designer can also vary depending on their level of experience, education and reputation. The type of production a set designer works for can also have a significant impact on his earnings. For example a set designer who works for a community theatre production will typically earn much less than a set designer who works on a major motion picture.
Who will hire you?
Although some set designers may be hired as permanent employees, many work as freelancers who are contracted for specific projects. In either case, set designers are typically hired by theatre companies, film and television production companies, Opera and dance companies and festival organisers So, if you want to make big bucks and are looking for a challenging and creative calling, check out professional set designing. The writer is a Ludhiana-based career consultant
Institute watch
* Apeejay College of Fine Arts offering Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Performing Arts and Bachelor of Multi Media (each a 4-year degree course) *
Lovely Professional university, Phagwara offering MSc. Design (Film and TV Production) *
Doaba College Jalandhar, BA Journalism and Mass Communication and MA Journalism and Mass Communication *
Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune * Whistling Woods International, Mumbai Course in direction, cinematography, editing, acting and production *
Delhi Film Institute, Delhi, Diploma in Video production
Stepping from college to films
We have a film-making studio on campus named after Yash Chopra which touches upon the various components of film-making like set design, shooting, editing. Our students make films on various social issues. Recently the students conceptualised, designed and shot Chakravyuha,a short film on the over use of social networking sites. Today, more and more students are carving their careers in fields like set design, script writing, anchoring, event management and the like”.
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Civil Services Prelim exam
The Civil Services Preliminary Exam conducted on August 24 was a keenly awaited event this year due to the protest against its pattern. There were also rumours that the protesting candidates might boycott the test, but thankfully nothing of the sort happened and the test was conducted without hiccups. The paper this year was taken by an estimated 4.5 lakh candidates which is an increase of 41 per cent over 2013 (3.2 lakh last year).
The first paper (General Studies Paper 1) that evaluates general awareness of the candidates did carry some out-of-the box queries but did not exactly rattle the examinees. It was by and large on the expected lines. Those with good general awareness and adequate understanding of polity, Indian history and art and culture would have had a smooth sailing. However, the sour part came with the General Studies Paper II which tests one's aptitude and is, therefore, generally called CSAT. It really made the examinees strain their grey cells. Not many emerged out of the exam halls smiling. But isn't this what makes a sweet and sour concoction delectable? The candidates whose protest led to the government instructing UPSC not to evaluate the English language comprehension questions in CSAT must be wondering if they have harmed themselves as these were among the easiest questions in GS Paper II. The key issue of protesters, poor translation from English to Hindi, was also not taken care of this time and Hindi medium candidates were forced to refer to the English medium pages to get a clear idea of the questions. General Studies Paper I this year was easier than the one in 2013. Geography, ecology and environment studies constituted almost a third of the paper. In a significant departure from the norm, there were only six questions from economy this year - past years' papers typically had 15-20 questions from this section. Similarly, belying the popular belief among Civil Services' aspirants that there would be a good number of questions from Modern Indian History, this time there were just four questions from this section. Questions from science, especially from biology, ecology and environment were conceptual in nature. Questions from art and culture that have seen an increasing trend over the past few years were in majority this year too with 13 questions from this area. The difficulty level of questions ranged from moderate to difficult. There was a preponderance of fact-based questions this year which was not the case during previous years. This again highlighted the importance of studying basic textbooks thoroughly, particularly NCERT books of Class VI onwards. Sixty-three of the questions were either matching-pair based or multiple-statement based and thus needed more than a single piece of information to solve them. Though these questions looked simple at first glance, the options were quite close and hence, the questions were not easy. Overall, GS Paper I was moderate to difficult and a score of 100-110 can be considered very good. The General Studies Paper II
(CSAT) this year had quite a few surprises for the aspirants. Questions in this year's paper were not only lengthier than last year's questions but also were not direct and most questions required some inferential/logical thinking. The Decision Making questions that have appeared every year since 2011 were missing from the paper. Last year's CSAT paper had six DM questions (worth 15 marks) and these were comparatively risk-free marks since these questions did not have any negative marking. Further, two of the options for these questions fetched full marks. The absence of these questions certainly made the paper slightly tougher this year. Questions in Quantitative Aptitude, Mathematical Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections in this year's paper were tougher than those last year. The options given were relatively close and this also added to the amount of time required to solve the question. Very few of the 26 questions from Reading Comprehension were fact-based and these inferential questions also increased the difficulty level of the paper. Reasoning questions were significantly tougher than those in previous years. Questions were no longer direct and/or simple. Most of the questions required aspirants to make some assumptions in order to solve the question. Two of the questions in this year's paper contained errors. This, too, would have caused some confusion to aspirants. Overall, this paper was tougher than last year's GS Paper II
(CSAT). Considering this, and the difficulty level of this year's GS Paper I, it is expected that the cut off for clearing prelims this year will range from 210-220 for general category candidates down from 241 last year. The cutoff is likely to be 190-200 for OBC candidates, 185-195 for SC and 180-190 for ST candidates.
First person
Broadly the exam was on expected lines except with the slight rise in the difficulty level of both the papers viz. General Studies and
CSAT. CSAT had higher weight-age on reading comprehension with 26 questions on it and most of them were inference based. Quant and reasoning was also of higher level as compared to last year. GS, was again as expected and was not very easy. An overall cut-off of 210 will be a good one. The CSAT Prelims 2014 had a lot of surprise element. Going through the Paper -1, the questions were more factual in orientation. Overall the paper was average but the trend has changed a lot. In Paper 2 decision making was missing and the paper was very lengthy. With a good reading speed and basic maths knowledge a score of 130+ seems achievable in the test.
— The writer is Vice-Chairman, Career Launcher
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Career Hotline Q.I am in my final year of BSc. I want to do MSc in maths and after that PhD. Is it a good idea? Could you please tell me about the job opportunities in this field? — Avaneesh Podwal A.Math and science are indeed 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 multifaceted 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 & 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 specializing 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. And now, Big Data is another BIG thing today. * 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. * The other wonderful thing about maths is that can be pursued at any time and any place. Unlike physics and chemistry, you don’t need any lab to learn the subject. You can practice it in your own mind!
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In the realm of medicine
Q.I am in Class XII and am preparing for APMT. Considering that there are very few seats in MBBS, Are there any other careers related to medicine that I could look at — just in case I don’t make it?
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Navkirat Johar A.The range of options available in this field is truly wide and varied. To begin with are all the branches of alternative or traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha, Naturopathy & Yoga. There are plenty of other interesting options which you could consider. For instance, you could also look at related fields like pharmacy, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, physiology, veterinary science and animal husbandry, zoology, agriculture, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and audiology, optometry, forensic science, clinical research and drug discovery etc. Then there’s the field of medical technology which includes ophthalmic technology, lab and X-ray technology, perfusion technology, biomedical engineering, dental mechanics, hospital administration, health management, nutrition and dietetics, food processing, medical transcription, medico-legal work, rehabilitation counselling, public health, etc.
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Q. I have recently completed my master’s in sociology. I am confused
whether to opt for private sector jobs. Should I instead go for a government
job by preparing for the UPSC exams ?
— Kavit Yadav A. While private sector jobs can be satisfying and well-paying, it’s a fact that in a downturn job security can be an issue, which is what makes Indian middle class jobseekers look at government jobs with renewed respect. In fact, the number of applicants for the UPSC exam this year has seen a steep rise — to a little over 9 lakh (although 4.5 lakh took the exam last week). Moreover, the rise in government salaries after the Sixth Pay Commission and a larger number of vacancies in the services seem to have contributed to the resurgence. The government’s decision to increase the number of vacancies for civil services by almost 100 per cent this year has also increased the number of applicants. The intake which was a mere 425 in 2007, has now been increased to a respectable 1291. But cracking the UPSC exam is no cakewalk. It calls for steady and sustained effort to succeed. You’ll face stiff competition from some of the top notch professionals such as doctors, engineers and managers, etc. But the taste of success is always sweet, so if you’re craving for a prestigious government job and lay great store by job security, then stop worrying and start preparing for the exams in dead earnest. In the meanwhile, if you manage to land a decent job in the private sector, do give it a try. What about teaching, journalism and content writing, development studies? These are some of the myriad other options you could look at. Your preparation for the CS exam, although easier said than done, can move in tandem. email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com
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Executive Programme in Management
UC Berkeley Center for Executive Education has launched its first one-year India focused programme in partnership with Northwest Executive Education. This programme comprises the successful executive education offerings from the Center at the Haas School of Business and cater to the needs of senior executives looking to enhance their C-Suite readiness. The programme will commence in India from November, 2014. The course: Participants will undertake four modules focusing on leadership, innovation, strategy, marketing, product management and communications, conducted in classroom in India and at the UC Berkeley Campus. They will participate in several workshops, and complete a project covering the entire general management learning landscape. Participants will graduate from the Berkeley Executive Programme in Management as members of the elite Berkeley alumni community, otherwise applicable only to graduates of the world-famous HAAS School of Business Full Time MBA, Executive MBA and PhD programmes. Location: India (Delhi, Bangalore & Mumbai), Online and at the UC Berkeley campus (California, US) Selection criteria: Admission is on first-come-first-serve basis How to apply: Online. Fees: $25,000 plus applicable service tax. Check out: http://northwest.in
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career compass: space technology Preetinder Kaur Are you interested in solving the unknown mysteries of the universe and love to take on the challenges of an unconventional career? Well, if you have answered in the affirmative to the above question, a career in space science and technology is worth taking a look at. Space technology education deals with the design, development and application of space science and technology in national and regional development and environment management. Technologies such as weather forecasting, remote sensing, GPS systems, satellite television, and some long distance communications systems are also dependent on space technology. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was instituted to play a meaningful role in harnessing space technology. The Indian Space programme also focuses on developing capability to build and launch communication satellites for television broadcast, telecommunications and meteorological applications; remote sensing satellites for management of natural resources. Courses and avenues
If you are interested in space technology then you can also pursue MTech in Aerospace Engineering. Typically, this course covers the areas of aerodynamics, space technology, design, propulsion and structures. Completing your BTech in ECE will make you eligible to apply for this course. You need to have excellent GATE scores to secure a seat in this stream in a reputed institution. GATE scores get 70 per cent weightage while the remaining weightage is given to one's academic record and performance in the interview. Hence, you need to ensure that you have a good academic track record and good scores in all semesters. *
The Centre for Space Science and Technology Education in Asia and the Pacific (CSSTEAP) also offers postgraduate courses in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System, Satellite Communication, and Satellite Meteorology and Global Climate and Space and Atmospheric Science. Details of the postgraduate courses are available at these links: http://www.cssteap.org/post_graduates_course.html and http://www.cssteap.org/edu_programme.html *
The CSSTEAP postgraduate courses include a set of standard curricula developed by the United Nations and adapted for educational programmes. Some other institutes offering this course are: *
Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun * Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad *
Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad * The Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, offers postgraduate courses in space science and technology. The courses include MTech in Soft Computing, MTech in RF and Microwave Communications, MTech in Applied and Adaptive Optics, and MTech in Chemical Systems. However, the eligibility criteria to pursue one of these programmes is a BTech in ECE along with work experience in ISRO/DOS. (view further details at www.iist.ac.in/.) Sciences/engineers are recruited with MSc./BE/ME or Ph.D. depending upon the specific qualifications required for different posts. Job opportunities are also available for those having industrial training, certificate in various trades/skills such as Electronics Instrumentations, Computer Electronics & Mechanical trades. Besides ISRO/Centre of Development of Space, certain industrial sectors, too, offer employment opportunities to those who are technically/professionally qualified and possess relevant skill and knowledge. Space Technology is one of the most sought after fields of career. So to secure a seat in the above institutes and later succeed in the field, one has to work really hard. More importantly, one should be eager to gain knowledge beyond the academic syllabus. Reading subject specific journals, attending relevant seminars and workshops, and participating in discussions on the Internet forums will help you upgrade your knowledge.
Career prospects
Engineers with space science or technology qualification can be absorbed in Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) or can be employed with DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) or NAL (National Aeronautical Laboratories) etc.
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12 things to know before taking an Education Loan
An education loan is an attractive prospect for those aspiring to fulfil their dreams of pursuing higher studies. Though education finance has been a stepping stone for many deserving students to accomplish their dreams over the years, some common doubts and ambiguities remain over process challenges, repayment, processing fees, course of choice and financing, and so on.
Given below are 12 quick points that will help you understand education loans better. This will enable you to make the best of this proposition and choose from the best available options in the market. 1.Before opting for an education loan, the first thing to do is to assess your current available funds. Funding through scholarships, for example, would reduce your upfront loan burden considerably. Once you have shortlisted your choice of programme and institute/university, speak to the institute on the scholarship options that you can avail. This applies to universities in India as well as abroad. 2.Check if the institute that you have applied to has any association or affiliation with banks or NBFCs for education loans. This affiliation expedites loan processing. Specialist education loan providers offer special financing solutions for specific institutes, with concessions in rate of interest and other benefits like easy and quick processing of the loan. 3.Look up for information on your institution, its placement history, average remuneration for campus placements and earning potential after completion of your course. Education financing institutions take the expected future income into consideration to arrive at the loan eligibility. Do a rough calculation on the expected monthly income you are likely to draw as a fresh employee and deduct your average living expenses so that you can plan your loan repayment and other expenses. Don’t just concentrate on your school’s overall ranking or graduation rate as starting salaries greatly influence the loan repayment period. 4.After you have decided on the actual amount of loan required, identify a Loan Provider who would not only meet your requirements in terms of the loan amount but also agree to fund your choice of programme. There are lenders who can provide you 100 per cent loan amount without any margin money. While banks provide loans up to Rs 20 lakh, select specialist lenders provide education loans as high as Rs 1 crore. 5.Check the expenses covered within the loan amount i.e. whether the loan covers complete tuition fees and living expenses for the entire duration of the programme. For example, ascertain whether components like cost of books and study materials, insurance amount and travelling expenses are included in the loan. 6.Are you eligible for an Education Loan? This is an important question that needs to be answered. It can be easily checked by visiting the websites of different lenders. Some lenders even have an Eligibility Calculator to help you determine the approximate eligibility value. 7.Explore whether one’s parental income will suffice to meet the eligibility criteria or an additional co-borrower would be required. 8.Do you have sufficient collateral security like house, flat, non-agricultural land or FDs, to support the loan? While banks need security equivalent to your loan amount or more, some lenders process the loan even with 80 per cent of the necessary security. Having said that, it is important to remember that collateral security is always preferable since it also ensures a comparatively better rate of interest. 9.Compare not only the rate of interest but also other benefits in terms of easy repayment options, flexibility to pay from abroad, online customer services etc. from your loan provider. 10.Obtain a checklist from the lender beforehand and prepare all the necessary papers and documents to ensure expedition of the process. This will help you and also the lender in taking quick decisions, and thereby process the loan. Generally, documents required for any education loan are KYC, educational qualifications, proof of income (of parents) and collateral security document copies. 11.Decide the repayment option in consultation with your parents. That is, if you want to start EMI, or simple interest or want to go for moratorium. If you start simple interest payment or monthly instalments, it will reduce the burden once you graduate. It is advised not to go for moratorium unless required since it adds to the burden. 12.Know the terms of your loan - what is the interest rate, what is the repayment period, and when precisely will the payments begin. More importantly, find out what your expected monthly payment will be upon graduation. Note: It is important to know and understand that any default in EMI payments reflect in your credit report, lowering your credit score for any future borrowings. Another important point to remember is that if parents co-sign on the loans, they are liable for the loan.
— The writer is CEO, Avanse Education Loans
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Real-time exposure to policy making
As an initiative to make the students more participative towards the policies in the education sector, the Union Human Resource Development Ministry has introduced an internship programme for the college students inviting them to engage directly in the policy making. The programme named as MHRD Internship Scheme 2014 will provide a platform and real-time exposure to students enrolled in the policy making courses. The domains available for the students are technical education skill development, distance education, school, and vocational education depending on their area of interest. Prof. Avanish Kumar, Associate Professor & Area Chairperson Public Policy and Governance, MDI , Gurgaon shares details of this internship programme in an interview. Excerpts: How will this internship benefit the students perusing the policy making courses? The internship programme by creating a collaborative opportunity for interns is expected to create understanding about the knowledge that is needed or produced to transform policy decisions and its usage in a political setting. It has created structure for understanding policy development. Inherently, it is an outcome of recognition and appreciation for engagement of multiple stakeholders, especially youths — the consumers of the policy. With this experience, the interns will carve their long-term constructive role in policy making while recognising the complexity of reality. How can the direct involvement of students with the government prove valuable for the education sector? Public Policy predominantly fails when it exists in a cultural vacuum as politics and policy making is not only about finding best solutions, but is also about finding formats that generate trust. Policy is no longer the direct outcome of politics, but politics results as policy initiatives are made public. Lack of recognition of this fact has resulted in public disenchantment. Be it the use of language in UPSC, moderation in IIT entrance exams or Delhi University’s four-year degree course — the decisions reflect the limitation of armchair policy making processes that remained limited to a few “think tanks”. This scheme, if followed more as purpose than programme, can redefine the rules of the game. Will such an initiative popularise public policy courses? This programme is going to attract young minds who have so far had a limited or no role in policy making. This is a paradigm shift from authoritarian model of policy formulation to a structured social construction model. If the scheme is able to attain and sustain its purpose — acquiring policy tools and contemporary discourse are bound to take center stage as a career choice. — As told to Geetu Vaid FACT FILE
Eligibility: * Candidate should be pursuing graduation/post graduation/research in education, social sciences, humanities, management, engineering, ICT, Law from any recognised university/institution within India or abroad; *
Students pursuing three/four-year programme should have at least completed two years of course and those pursuing five year integrated programme should have completed three years. Details: After successful completion, the government will pay a token stipend of ~ 10,000 per month to the student along with a certificate. Interns will get a nominal office space, internet, intercom telephone and stationary. How to apply: Candidates may send their application in the Performa (Annexure-1) along with their CV. They should mention the batch for which she/he wishes to undertake internship. Applications may be sent by post to Section Officer (Establishment -IV), Room No 235,C-Wing, Shastri Bhavan, New Delhi-110115. Candidates are required to produce a letter from their supervisor/Head of Department/Principal indicating their status in the institution and a ‘no objection certificate’. Candidates will also have to submit a character certificate from Head of their institutions /department/ guide before taking up internship. All the application will be scrutinised by the Standing Selection Committee duly constituted by the ministry. Deadline: The scheme is scheduled to commence from October 1, 2014 and will be available for a period of one year. There will be six batches in all. The deadline for applications invited for batches I-III (each batch two month duration) is August 30, 2014. The last date for receiving duly complete applications for IV-VI batch is February 28, 2015.The decision of the Selection Committee will be binding and no queries shall be entertained. Exit points: Internship is offered initially for two months only and is extendable up to six months, if required, in individual cases. No stipend will be paid for the extended period. The ministry can terminate at any point of time, without assigning any reason. An Intern can quit the internship programme by giving prior notice of seven days to the concerned Bureau Head.
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smart strategy: impressive virtual profile Having your own blog can serve as a great career booster but for those in the know maintaining a professional blog as a part-time or full-time blogger has never been this easy and difficult. Use the tips to make a success of your blog and help promote it in the virtual world for free Swati Rai Maintaining a blog is one among many ways of promoting your product, idea or just existence in today’s cut-throat virtual existence. Breaking news or a riveting view a fancy product or a whacky idea whatever it is that you may have can be sold virtually! The trick is to follow simple dos and don’ts to make a mark in the virtual viewership. But first things first, know that you are one among the many bloggers who are vying for virtual eyeballs what with the free blog hosting services of many a handy website. Whys and the wherefores
Be clear about why you have taken the virtual verbal plunge. Even if it’s visual one with instagram and Twitter, keep the audience in mind and the ‘what’s in it’ for them factor. The age, intention and motivation of the viewers and readers is an important factor that will govern the number of followers or loyalists your blog garners. Pitching it to the right audience can do wonders to your blog entries, and save them from being isolated monologues.
Form and format
The trick is to keep it simple and reader friendly. With the many add-ons, plug-ins and widgets options with the many websites a newcomer is likely to get confused and misled. Keep a header that is easy to understand and not clogging it with images that are unnecessary and unwanted. There are settings that one can choose to make the blog visually appealing and a font size that is not an eye sore. Writing about what you know best also helps.
Sell, sell and hardsell
With many a social networking website offering direct links to the blogpost it becomes easier to promote it via short links on Twitter and a direct post on Facebook. Repeated reminders, bordering on spamming the walls of your friends and followers help in spreading the word and increasing visibility. The trick about sustaining the blog is to garner more and more eyeballs with relevant, interesting content and design.
Write right
Tagging key words and sharing your blog post on websites is another detailing that can be looked at thoroughly. Sometimes paying for a customised theme and a branding of the blog can go a long way in establishing the visual appeal of the blog. Premium space and design are also available in most blog sites. Links to You Tube with extended video blogs, introducing yourself in the video and personalising the experience for the reader can also help in sustaining the traffic. There are many sites on which one can even begin by being a guest blogger to boost one’s credibility. Organising quick virtual meet ups, collaborations and even small competitions can help increase the number of people and with word-of-mouth the circulation can grow — of course no compromising with the quality.
Read up
In this constantly changing and upgrading virtual world, it is a great idea to read up a bit, do your research, keep an ear to the ground on the ground breaking changes in the ways of sharing and promoting your blog. Have enough variety in your writing posts, keep an additional one ready at all times and have at least three blog posts up every week. Blogging is a lot of hard work and a sustained one at that.
Face the reader
The challenge doesn’t end once your blog is on a roll. Respond and acknowledge comments, appreciate positive feedback and accept criticism. Keep innovating the design and even the content on a regular basis. Upping your blogging skills by learning from others will go a long way in ensuring the longevity of your blog. Keep in mind that it’s the survival of the fastest in the virtual world.
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how to make a great impression in an interview Jappreet Sethi It takes less than a minute for people to assess and make a first impression about the personality of a stranger. When it comes to getting a job and placing yourself before the interview panel, you must be extra careful not to disappoint. There is never a second chance to make a great first impression and failing here could mean failing to get the job. Interviews might be a stressful affair, but there isn’t anything to worry about if you can exude confidence and be prepared for what’s coming. Here are five things to take note of when you want to make that first impression during the interview count. 1.Dress the part: The first thing that hits the eye of the interviewer when you walk in through the door is your attire and the way you carry it. You may be a regular sweatshirt and cargo user, but the interview desk is where you need to get professional. It is not about changing your habits and style but about proving to possible employers that you care about the professional standards of a workplace. Dress according to the job you are interviewing for. You need not be suited in straight trousers and blazers when looking for the position of a sketch artist or a photographer (although even these sometimes need you to be suited depending on the company you are applying to). Your dress also includes your overall hygiene – clean nails, shaved chin or neatly trimmed beard, subtle fragrance, neat jewelry and tasteful accessories. 2.Have a firm handshake: Shaking the hands of the panelists as you are introduced to them is considered a positive gesture. Even if the interviewer doesn’t offer his hand in return, it is standard protocol to, at least, initiate the gesture. If your palms happen to be sweaty, do carry a tissue and wipe your hands well before entering the room. Make sure your handshake is firm, not floppy and weak, but also avoid gripping the other person’s hand too tight. A firm handshake implies confidence and makes a good impression on the interviewer. 3.Avoid fillers: Don’t talk too much, and don’t try to be over smart in an effort to conceal nervousness. If you don’t know the answer to a question, be polite and straightforward about your ignorance. It is not a sin to say, “I don’t know.” This could even chalk up some points for honesty. If you need a few moments to compose your thoughts, start by repeating the question before answering. Avoid filler statements that have nothing to do with the question asked. 4.Sport a good posture: An office is an uncomfortable place to be in, especially if you have just passed out of college and this is your first job. Resist slouching over while you are getting comfortable talking to the interviewers. It may even help if you practice interviewing yourself in front of a mirror and affecting a good, steady posture. 5.Be grateful: When you have done all you could possibly have and concluded a good interview session, don’t forget to thank the interviewers for their time. The heavy sighs of relief can wait until you are out in the hallway and away from the sight and sound of the interviewers. Going to a job interview is always a stressful experience. But, if you are confident in your abilities and remember these tips, you are more likely to tackle the interview session calmly and improve your chances of getting the job. — The writer is an HR & Strategy consultant and authors www.humanresourcesblog.in
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Leadership quality stagnates in India
India has not seen an improvement in leadership quality, and the countries where leader quality has improved, their leaders are still failing to keep up with their peers, reveals a global leadership forecast. India ranks very high in both current leader quality and future bench strength.
However, far too many countries, including India, have not seen an improvement in leadership quality over the past four years, said research report titled The Global Leadership Forecast (GLF) 2014 | 2015, Ready-Now Leaders: Meeting Tomorrow’s Business Challenges from global talent management expert Development Dimensions International (DDI) and Conference Board. The report directly connects a critical difference between the top and bottom corporate financial performers. i.e., companies with higher percentages of women in leadership roles perform better. Andrew Warren Smith, Managing Director of India and Director of Affiliate Operations, DDI said, “The report has been an eye opener about the Achilles heel in business organisations globally and in India. There is an urgent need for the organisations globally to deliberate and introspect about the underlying issues and look at requisite measures that could be adopted to lead the change.
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Finding the space to lead
Seerat Toor Grewal The worklife in today’s world is not an easy pie. One has to juggle many roles in a day, each with its own demands and responsibilities. The corporate lifestyle takes a heavy toll on one’s mental and physical health. The joy, the pause and also the sensitivities of the present are lost in the smartphones, tablets and laptops. Looking at such drastic changes very closely Janice Marturano has come up with a comforting read and lessons on how to bring the spark back in the mundane work days. Mindful Leadership as she has called it opens new doors to self-discovery and realisation of the inner strengths and capabilities that have been eroded as an after effect of this digital life. It brings a warehouse of simple techniques and routines that can bring about tremendous change and excellence in your performance. These encompass meditation types, reflections, and purposeful pauses etc. that have been tested in workshops over many years in a row. The importance of Mindful Leadership can be gauged from the fact that the author’s institute was invited by the World Economic Forum held at Davos, in 2013 to conduct workshops for the participants from diverse countries, organisations and platforms. The book is divided over 15 engrossing chapters which keep one focused on the wondrous solutions that the author suggests for day-to-day crisis and conflict situations. It paves a way to reconnect with the present and unearth the potential of self-realisation.
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Boss’ rudeness toxic for team too
A new study has found that leaders who are insulting towards their teammates, could end up creating a conflict amongst the whole team, putting their productivity in jeopardy. The research led by a Michigan State University business scholar, Crystal Farh, was conducted in China and the United States, and suggested that the toxic effect of non-physical abuse by a supervisor was much broader than believed. Farh said supervisors who belittled and ridiculed workers not only negatively affect those workers’ attitudes and behaviours, but also cause team members to act in a similar hostile manner towards one another. For the study, Farh and Zhijun Chen from the University of Western Australia studied 51 teams of employees from 10 firms in China. Average team size was about six workers and the teams performed a variety of functions including customer service, technical support and research and development. The study looked at non-physical abuse such as verbal mistreatment and demeaning emails. Employees who directly experienced such abuse felt devalued and contributed less to the team. At the same time, the entire team “descended into conflicts,” said Farh, which also reduced worker contributions. The study was replicated in a controlled laboratory setting in the USA, with nearly 300 people participating. The findings are published in the Journal of Applied Psychology. — ANI
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Art courses
National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology, New Delhi invites applications for the following two short-term courses of 6- month duration spreading over 20 lectures of 2 hours duration each: *
Art appreciation(English Medium): Classes on every Thursday (5 pm. to 7pm) *
Bhartiya Kalanidhi (Hindi Medium): Classes on every Friday (10.30 am to 12.30 pm) How to apply: Forms may be downloaded from the Institute’s website: www.nmi.gov.in Filled in application form affixing passport size photograph enclosing with a statement of purposes of upto 250 words as to ‘What will the above course help you to achieve’ be sent to the Assistant Registrar (Academic) latest by 20.08.2014. Minimum age required for applying to these courses is 19 years (please attach self-attested photocopies of Date of Birth Certificate, qualifications etc.). The admission will be made on the basis of information given in the application form (statement of purpose upto 250 words). The fee for the whole course (each course) is
Rs 3000 to be deposited at the time of admission only. Check out: www.nmi.gov.in
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Indian Oil scholarship scheme
Eligibility: Engineering & MBBS : Bonafide students (full time/regular) in the first year of Engineering/MBBS degree courses in 2014-15 (minimum 4 years’ duration course) are eligible to apply. MBA: Bonafide students (full time/regular) in the first year of minimum 2 years post graduate course in Business Administration/Management in 2014-15 are eligible to apply. Students should have scored minimum 65 per cent marks in the qualifying examination. The gross joint annual income of the family of the student from all sources during financial year 2013-14 should not exceed
Rs 1,00,000. However, in case of tie, preference will be given to the students whose family income (gross joint income from all sources in 2013-14) is upto ~60,000. Students should not be over the age of 30 years on July 1, 2014. Duration: Four years for BTech and MBBS and two years for MBA. How to apply: Interested students meeting above eligibility criteria can apply online by logging on to http://ioclscholar.sifyitest.com or at http://www.iocl.com/Aboutus/Scholarships.aspx. These sites shall be kept open to receive online applications from 12.07.2014 to 30.09.2014. Once the online application is submitted by an applicant, the system will generate a unique Registration Number. The applicants should note down this number and also take a print out of this Online Registered Application Form for future reference/correspondence. Details:
Rs 3,000 per month for the duration of the course. Those qualifying in the merit list of the particular course (Top 3 in graduate/post-graduate) will get a lump sum Bonus Prize of
Rs 10,000. Selection criteria: Merit and family’s income. Deadline: October 15, 2014. Check out: ioclscholar.sifyitest.com Joyce Nield scholarship The Manchester Writing School at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), UK, is awarding Joyce Nield Scholarship which is MA scholarship in Creative Writing for the citizen of a Commonwealth country. The successful applicant will be expected to act as a “Masters Scholar” and make a modest, but important, contribution to the learning community of the Manchester Writing School. Eligibility: The candidate should: -Be a citizen of a Commonwealth country -Demonstrate his eligibility, excellence, commitment, and potential through application to the MA Detail: Scholarship will pay 50 per cent of the tuition fees for the MA, whether for full or part-time study, on campus or online. Number of award(s): One How to apply: Candidates need to submit their application to the MA Creative Writing programme . Deadline: August 29, 2014. Check out: www2.mmu.ac.uk
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XAT test dates
Xavier Aptitude Test (XAT) for admission to Xavier School of Management (XLRI) will be held on January 4, 2015. The last date for applying is November 22, 2014. This year, XAT will be conducted from 47 centers all across India including — Agartala, Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Berhampur, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Cuttack, Dehradun, Delhi, Goa, Greater Noida, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jabalpur, Jaipur, Jammu, Jamshedpur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Nasik, Noida, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Ranchi, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Surat, Tiruchirapalli, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam.The test will also be held in two international cities of Dubai and Kathmandu. Candidates holding a recognised bachelor’s degree in any discipline or equivalent from a recognised university or a deemed university or completing their graduation by June 10, 2015 are eligible to appear for XAT 2015. Last year, 106 B-schools accepted the scores of XAT exam as part of their admission criteria. XAT 2015 will be having a 3-hour test divided into two parts. The first part will consist of multiple-choice questions on data interpretation & quantitative ability, analytical reasoning & decision making ability and verbal & logical ability and the time allotted will be 2 hours 20 minutes. The newly introduced 40 minute exam section includes essay writing and general awareness. The details of XAT 2015 are available at http://xatonline.net.in/.
Tech Mahindra launches job cards
IT major Tech Mahindra recently announced the launch of ‘SaralRozgar job cards’ in Rajasthan with an aim to create a common platform for employers and jobseekers. We target to enroll maximum under-graduate job seekers for the low-cost service that would help them access to a plethora of jobs, Vivek Chandok, Vice President, Mobility, VAS Product & Portfolio, Tech Mahindra, told PTI in Jaipur. “We have a low-cost service for job seekers and separate packages for employers. The service does not guarantee a job but provides a platform for both job seekers and employers to get connected in an easy way,” he said. Chandok informed that the company’s main revenue would generate from employers. Job-seekers can access the service by buying the SaralRozgar job card and registering through a simple voice call from his mobile from anywhere in India in his own language by a number. He said that the company will connect the job-seekers from employers. “At present, we have one lakh jobs with various companies across the country available, including 5,000 in Rajasthan,” he said. — PTI
Rotary International District 3010 and NIIT Yuva Jyoti (NYJ) enter into a partnership to enhance livelihood of youth in Delhi-NCR
Rotary International District 3010 and NIIT Yuva Jyoti (NYJ) — an alliance between NIIT and National Skill Development Corporation — entered into a partnership to enhance livelihood of youth from less privileged sections of society across Delhi-NCR & surrounding regions through skilling and employability training. Under this partnership, Rotary International District 3010 plans to sponsor over 5000 youth over the next one year for job-oriented courses offered by NIIT Yuva Jyoti (NYJ). The tie-up will help youth from less privileged sections of society chart ambitious careers by opting for the programmes that suit their aptitude. NYJ imparts training across different service sectors – Retail, IT/ITeS, Hospitality, Banking, Telecom etc. — TNS
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Gems of ancient wisdom There’s always a first time Inventors and discoverers are different from others as they didn’t wait for the rest to do it — using their skill, bending their back and taking a risk.
In England, mathematics engulfed Srinivasa Ramanujan so much so that he worked too hard, ate little and barely saw the sunlight. In 1917, he fell very ill. He moved from doctor to doctor and from nursing home to sanatorium, but to no avail. In depression and illness, he was spotted by a guard on the tracks at an underground station and was taken to a police station. His associate GH Hardy of the Cambridge University pleaded for his release by lying that Ramanujan was a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). Soon after, Hardy put up Ramanujan’s name for election and he became the first Indian FRS. Basaveshwara, 12th century social reformer, was one of the pioneers of Indian democracy. He formed a model parliament called Anubhava Mantapa, a forum of spiritual experience where social and religious issues were frankly discussed by people from all parts of the country without any discrimination on basis of caste or gender. Despite the Mahad municipality in Maharashtra having opened the public tank four years earlier, members of the “lower castes” had not drawn water from it. On March 19, 1927, Bhimrao Ambedkar went to the tank and consumed some water from it. Thousands of his followers followed suit and created history. In 1857, rumours were afloat that the ammunition that the Indian soldiers were using was greased with animal fat. On March 29, sepoy Mangal Pande of the 34th Native Infantry Regiment at Barrackpore — fearing defilement — exhorted his colleagues to revolt. When Adjutant Lt Baugh arrived on horseback, Pande fired, knocking the animal and its rider to the ground. Then, in the sword fight with Baugh, Pande would have killed him but for Sgt Hewson’s intervention. Then, Pande made Hewson bite the dust. As no compatriot joined him, Pande tried to take his life with his musket. He didn’t die, but was severely injured. On recovery, he was tried and sentenced to death. On April 8, 1857, he was hanged. He became an immortal for firing the first shot in the First War of Indian Independence. Why wait for somebody to bell the cat? — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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1. Name India’s biggest indigenously built warship that was commissioned into the Navy in Mumbai recently.
2. Name the maker of acclaimed film ‘Gandhi’, winner of eight Oscars, who died recently. 3. Who is known as the Iron Lady of Manipur? 4. What is the full form of AFSPA? 5. Name the head of Pakistan’s Tehreek-i-Insaf party. 6. Name the Hollywood comedian, who starred in films like ‘Mrs Doubtfire’ and ‘Aladdin’ etc, who died recently. 7. In which state is the Kousar Nag lake situated? 8. How many Indian firms feature in the Forbes’ latest list of the world’s 100 most innovative companies that are likely to “generate big, new growth ideas”? 9. Which Sri Lankan cricket captain, record holder for the highest partnership of 624 runs in Test cricket, retired from Test cricket recently? 10. Which celebrated Indian woman boxer’s book is titled ‘Unbreakable: An Autobiography’? Winners of quiz 470: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Kushal Thaman; Class 6 G; Delhi Public School (DPS); Sector 40-C; Chandigarh; Pin Code — 160036 Second: Nakkashi Sharma; Class: 11th; Sudesh Vatika Senior Secondary Convent School, Bagiwandar; district Bathinda; Pin Code — 151001 Third: Siddharth Pathania; Class VII- A; St Edwards School, Milsington, Shimla-1; Pin Code —171001 Answers to quiz 470: Ebola; US, UK, France, Russia and Germany, Austria, Hungary; Pran Sharma;
Mosul; Jaisalmer (Rajasthan); K Natwar Singh; $400,000; Discus throw; Parupalli Kashyap; 15 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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An education loan is an attractive prospect for those aspiring to fulfil their dreams of pursuing higher studies. Though education finance has been a stepping stone for many deserving students to accomplish their dreams over the years, some common doubts and ambiguities remain over process challenges, repayment, processing fees, course of choice and financing, and so on.
As an initiative to make the students more participative towards the policies in the education sector, the Union Human Resource Development Ministry has introduced an internship programme for the college students inviting them to engage directly in the policy making. The programme named as MHRD Internship Scheme 2014 will provide a platform and real-time exposure to students enrolled in the policy making courses.
Sandeep Chahal, PG Department of English, PRO Doaba College, Jalandhar, says, “The college campus serves as a nursery for various careers in film-making. Our college offers both bachelor’s and master’s degree in Journalism and Mass communication and has served as a training ground for stalwarts in the field like Yash Chopra, and comedy kings like Gurpreet Ghuggi, Chacha Raunki Ram, music maestros like Surinder Laddi.
Ankit Agarwal 
Sonu Kumar Singh
IndianOil is offering 600 scholarships to students pursuing professional courses (Engineering-300, MBBS-200. & MBA-100). The scholarships will be proportionately distributed zone-wise viz. North, South, East & West, based on “Number of students who appeared for Class XII examination during 2013-14”. THe scholarships are offered on merit-cum-means basis. 
When Kalpana decided to do engineering from the Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, there were many conventional options — like mechanical or civil — to choose from. But she stuck to her option of aeronautical engineering despite knowing that there were no girls in that course. Plus, the seven girl students that year had no hostel on campus. In 1982, Kalpana Chawla became PEC’s first woman aeronautical engineer and the first Indian woman in space on November 17, 1997.
