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CAREER HOTLINE Q. I am a working in sales in the FMCG sector but I want to move into international marketing. How should I proceed? — Raman Chatwal A. Since you are already in sales, perhaps the best route would be to move into domestic sales in an international firm. As you are working, you might like to consider some courses offered by reputed B-schools like IIFT or Narsee Monjee through the distance/online/part-time mode. Even IGNOU offers a one-year PG Diploma in International Business Operations. Incidentally, international business/foreign trade is also offered as an elective subject in many MBA courses. These programmes acquaint you with the international business environment, international marketing management, India’s foreign trade, export-import procedures and documentation, international marketing logistics and business finance. While a number of FMCG companies (e.g. Nestle, Colgate Palmolive, Gillette, Dabur, etc.) hire people specifically for international marketing, you can look for jobs in shipping companies (like P&O and Maersk) and large clearing and forwarding agencies. You could even look at export-import firms (there are more than 5,000 in Mumbai itself) or large companies, including MNCs, dealing with the flow of goods between countries. India is expected to emerge as the world’s third largest economy in the next 10 to 15 years. And since all economies are driven by trade, this sector is poised for growth. Being well travelled and familiar with a foreign language is an asset in this field. Future in floriculture Q. I am very fond of gardening. What is the scope for setting up a business in floriculture? What is the qualification / training needed? What factors must one keep in mind before venturing into this field? — Asmita Asthana A. India’s agro-climatic conditions being ideal for floriculture, the country has emerged as a significant player in the global market. There is a great demand for Indian flowers, especially roses, in Europe. Flowers such as tuberoses, chrysanthemums, and zerberas are also in demand. It is easier if you have some land of your own, otherwise you need a minimum of one acre to begin with. However, before setting foot in this field you must undertake a proper assessment of various factors such as soil quality, availability of usable ground water, climate and proximity to the market. You must research into the marketing possibilities so that you get the best price for your flowers and also select the most suitable flowers for cultivation. You’ll need technical sophistication and good infrastructure. If you are creative and enterprising enough to study the seasonal demand vs. availability of various flowers in the international market, and thereafter use it to your advantage; needless to say you could "reap a rich harvest". Floriculture can be a lucrative business, if you have a green thumb and a smart business sense. A degree in floriculture would be ideal for getting started, though not necessary. A course in tissue culture will help you identify and propagate plants which are adaptable to Indian conditions, as also try out new breeds of flowers. Make sure your training equips you to set up and maintain a green house and handle green house equipment, cultivation techniques, post-harvest treatment, storage, packaging etc. Alternatively, make sure you have expert technical advice so that you don’t fall short of quality at any stage, freshness and timing being critical issues in this business. DRDO recruitments Q. I would be grateful if you could you please tell me something about recruitment of scientists in DRDO. — Navtej Grewal A. The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) formulates and executes programmes of scientific research, design, development testing and evaluation of various systems, sub-systems, devices and products required for the country’s defence. The aim is to create self-reliance in critical technologies that are relevant to our national security and development. DRDO employs highly qualified and competent scientists and technologists who constitute the Group "A" to Group "G" Technical Service known as Defence Research & Development Service. The typical eligibility is a first class M.Sc degree in science subjects, mathematics, psychology or bachelor’s degree in engineering or technology or metallurgy or a medical qualification. Relevant work experience is required for posts in higher grades. Scientists are selected on the basis of the DRDO SET and trained at DRDO’s own institutions in Pune and Mussoorie as well as at prestigious academic institutions for acquiring higher qualifications. You may also be sent on foreign deputation for training/ presenting papers and specific assignments. For details, log onto the DRDO website (www.drdo.org) and refer to the recruitment section. DRDO’s Recruitment & Assessment Centre is on Lucknow Road, Timarpur, Delhi-110054 Specialising in Net security Q. I wish to specialise in the field of Internet Security. What is the scope for ethical hacking in India? Where can I get the required training? — Ankit Malhotra A. How do credit card companies acquire foolproof safety? Who ensures safe access to bank accounts over the Net, and security of messages on local computers and servers. Hackers (as opposed to crackers) are the experts whose services are hired by organisations to test the robustness of their network security systems. What differentiates ethical hackers from crackers is that the former are actually paid to find a security breach in an organisation’s network. It is "ethical" or legal because it is done with the client’s permission. With more and more organisations moving their offline transactions online, e-security has emerged as a major issue. Almost every Fortune 500 company employs hackers to protect their critical data from possible cracker attacks. They also educate government, defense services, banks and law enforcement bodies on how to better use technology to get their jobs done securely. In India, as the concept of e-security is still not fully developed, ethical hacking is not as popular. However, it is fast catching up and very soon ‘constructive hacking’ will become part of technology consulting. To be a good hacker, you need to be an experienced and intelligent programmer in the first place. You need to know at least one operating system inside out. You have to be comfortable with networking, TCP/IP and various other protocols. There are no shortcuts and the best approach is to get hold of as many technical manuals. You can learn hacking techniques from three main sources: The Net, books, and hacking clubs. In India, Ankit Fadia’s "hackingtruths’ club distributes training material to members. Some organisations (e.g. SANS, Foundstone etc) do offer courses in ethical hacking. However, the best training is on the job, which requires expertise in different tools and techniques. As a fresher you would require rigorous training on various networking technologies, operating systems, scripting, languages, security tools etc. Experts in this field command huge salaries. Starting salaries would be higher than standard networking and software professionals. Avenues in accounts Q. I have completed B.Com. I wish to pursue a career in finance and accounts. Please advise. — Rajeev Sandhu A. There are a host of specialisations available in the field of finance and accounts. You could specialise as a Chartered Accountant, Cost & Works Accountant (now also called Cost Management Accountant), Company Secretary, Financial Manager or Financial Analyst or Financial Planner. You could also join the banking or insurance sector, which is opening up in a big way. Another big area you can look at is the BPO sector of which outsourced financial services is a emerging as a major upcoming segment, to ERP at a higher level. Each of these options differs in terms of entry and study requirements and job opportunities. Security analysts constitute the largest single group of professionals in the investment advisory category. Nursing exam Q. I am a nurse with two years’ experience working in a children’s hospital. Can you please tell me something about the CGFNS exam? — Heetal Agarwal A. The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is an independent non-profit organisation sponsored by two principal nursing bodies in the US — the American Nurses Association and the National League for Nursing. Passing the CGFNS qualifying exam is the first step to be taken by foreign nurses who wants to practice in the US. The exam which has been prepared by nurses, leading US educators and practitioners, tests a nurse’s knowledge of medical, surgical, obstetric, paediatric and psychiatric nursing. It also covers the five areas of the nursing process: assessing, analysing, planning, implementing and evaluating that first level registered nurses are taught in the US. The examination is designed to measure an applicant’s qualification and background in the practice of nursing and proficiency in English, which is imperative in this context. The exam is conducted thrice a year — in March, July and November simultaneously at 40 centres throughout the world, including Bangalore, Cochin and Delhi in India. However, the low passing rate underscores the importance of intense and serious preparation for clearing this exam. Exam structure: The full-day exam is broken down in the following parts: 1) 2 `BD hours for Part-I of the nursing section of the exam, 1 hour for lunch, 1 hour for TOEFL, and 1.40 hour for the second part of the nursing section. 2) The nursing section
consists of multiple-choice questions in English, covering the major
areas of nursing and the nursing process. The following qualifications are mandatory for taking the CGFNS Exam: 1. A degree in nursing (after Class XII) from a government-approved institution whose two or more general nursing programs include both theory and clinical practice in each of the five areas of nursing — Medical, Surgical, Obstetric, Paediatric, and Psychiatric. 2. A valid license/registration to practice as a general nurse in the country, province or state where they obtained their general nursing education. For details, log on to: www.cgfns.com Look after labour welfare Q. I would like to enrol for a PG Diploma in Labour Welfare through correspondence. Can you please suggest some universities/institutes that offer this course? — Pritam Singh A. You have several options. The Directorates of Distance Education of the following universities offer courses in labour law — either singly or in combination with related subjects: Alagappa University, Karaikudi offers Diploma in Labour Laws (1-yr). Eligibility: 10+2. Annamalai University, Annamalainagar offers Diploma in Labour Laws & Admin Laws (1-yr). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree. Bangalore University offers Diploma in Labour Law (1-yr). ). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree Kota Open University offers Diploma in Labour Laws, Industrial Rel & Personnel Mgt Admin (1-3 yrs). Eligibility: LLB/Master’s degree University of Madras, Chennai offers Diploma in Labour Law (1-yr). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree. Madurai Kamaraj University offers Diploma in Labour Laws & Admin Laws (1-yr). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak offers a PG Diploma in Labour Laws, Labour Welfare & Personnel Mgt (1-yr). Eligibility: BE/BGL/LLB/MA or equiv. NALSAR, Hyderabad offers a PG Diploma in Industrial Law & governance Indian Law Institute, Bhagwan Das Road, New Delhi offers a PG Diploma in Labour Law (evng) for those who have completed their LLB. Tha diploma is recognised by the Government of India for appointment of Labour Officers. (The list of courses is not exhaustive) — Pervin Malhotra Please send in your query, preferably on a postcard, along with your full name, complete address and academic qualifications to: Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at careers@tribunemail.com
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