Career Hotline
Potter(y)ing around
Pervin Malhotra

Q Could you please tell me about the job prospects for someone specialising in ceramic technology?

— Vishal Duggal

A With new developments in technology, ceramics engineers and scientists have acquired a better understanding of the uses of clay and other earthen substances.

A whole lot of industries now depend on ceramics materials: bricks, cement, tile, pipe and glass industries in the construction sector, the glassware, pottery, spark plugs industries in the consumer goods sector; refractory materials, electrical insulators, cutting tools, and bearings manufactured in industries dealing with industrial products, diodes, capacitors, magnetic materials and computer memory packages in the electronics sector and high temperature tile insulation and composite materials in space technology, ceramics spark plugs used in aerospace industry and nuclear fuel rods for the nuclear industry.

Ceramic engineers work with highly advanced materials which are produced by complex chemical processes while ceramics artists and craftsmen use clay and sand for basic ceramics materials.

Ceramic engineering deals with the study of the properties, manufacture, design and applications of ceramics elements in a wide range of consumer and industrial products ranging from table and sanitary ware to diodes and semi-conductors, irrigation pipes and construction material to components for nuclear and computer hardware, besides dentistry and a host of other applications.

Ceramic engineers are involved in any of the following areas of work:

Research: Ceramic technologists use their scientific knowledge to anticipate new applications to replace existing products. Research work involves the study and application of chemical and thermal interactions of oxides, which make ceramics.

Design: Ceramic designers combine their artistic talent with research. A major challenge for designers lies in reducing the cost of the product and making it safe and convenient to use. A good aesthetic sense is the prime requisite. Ceramic designers work in industries manufacturing tableware, light fittings, pottery, decorative porcelain and industrial material.

Production: Since ceramics has such diverse uses, ceramics technologists generally specialise in the technological developments of specific production processes. They may specialise in glass for working in industries engaged in manufacture of tableware, fiber optics, bulbs, windowpanes and electronics ancillaries. Specialists in structural clay work in the manufacture of enamelled articles and pipes, engine parts, tools, artificial limbs or cement used in construction or ceramics wares such as tiles, pottery and bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Manufacturing integrated circuits, sensors etc for the electronics sector is another highly demanding specialisation.

Testing: The samples prepared for production are tested for colour, surface finish, texture, strength, uniformity, quality of raw material and the correctness of the manufacturing process by engineers in testing labs.

Sales: ceramics engineers also work in sales for understanding customer needs for projecting these requirements to guide further research.

Since ceramics technology caters to industrial customers, you will interact with engineers from other industries.

Q I am studying in Class XII (Science with Computers). I recently read an article about actuarial science. But I am still confused about it. Can you please tell me what the work actually involves and how I can become an actuary?

A An actuary applies the mathematical theories of probability, compound interest and statistical techniques to financial matters with long-term implications and possible future contingencies, particularly in areas such as life insurance, investment and pension schemes. In developed countries, actuarial techniques are also used to appraise capital projects.

Combining the skills of a statistician, an economist and a financier with knowledge of law, marketing and management, actuaries form the backbone of the insurance and pension business.

Since their judgement is heavily relied upon, their career paths often lead to upper management and executive positions.

In short, their professional competence ensures that today's liabilities are met, and those of tomorrow are correctly anticipated by carefully managing the inflow and outflow of investment funds.

As the key technical persons in any insurance company, actuaries are globally in demand and command hefty salaries and perks. In fact, it is rated amongst the best jobs in the US.

Actuarial skills are valuable for any business managing financial projects, both in the public as well as private sector.

To become an actuary, you can enrol as a student member of a professional examining body such as the Actuarial Society of India (ASI), DN Road, Mumbai (www.actuariesindia.org) after your graduation, or of the Institute of Actuaries, London, which conducts exams in different centres in India (www.actuaries.org.uk).

While actuarial science can be pursued at various universities, the ASI alone confers the Fellowship. Exemptions are allowed in a few subjects only at the Associate level for students who have taken these courses from universities recognised by the ASI. The minimum qualification is a Bachelor's degree with a strong base in maths/stats.

Several courses in Insurance Management are also available at the postgraduate level.

Q What is electronic design automation? What kind of courses can a student opt for to make a career in this field?

— Kanwaljeet

A Electronic design automation (EDA) is a set of design methods and tools used by electronic design engineers to create complex electronic components and systems. Some form of EDA technology is now used by most working engineers across the world.

Electronic products such as personal computers, telecommunications equipment, and complex control systems for transportation and industry, would not be possible without EDA tools and technology.

Generally speaking, EDA tools fall into the following categories:

1) Design entry tools, including such products as schematic editors, block diagram and state diagram entry tools, hardware description language (HDL) editors, and high-level design systems.

2) Simulation tools, including analog and digital simulators, timing simulators, HDL simulators, and signal integrity analysis tools.

3) Synthesis tools, which help automate the process of creating actual hardware from higher-level design descriptions.

4) IC layout tools, including layout editors, routing tools, and other device-specific tools.

5) Printed Circuit Board (PCB) layout tools, including layout editors, automatic routing software, and design rule checkers.

These tools and many more, make up the universe of electronic design automation today. However, the biggest news in EDA tools today is a shift away from high-cost, workstation-based tools to more flexible, lower-cost versions that are available on PC platforms.

The lower cost of the new breed of "personal EDA" tools has resulted in thousands of engineers gaining access to EDA technology. These tools have directly contributed to the success of many small, innovative technology companies, and to the development of exciting new electronic products and technologies.

To answer your next question, engineering degree holders in Computer / Electronics / Electrical Engg (UG/PG) are ideally suited for getting into this field.

Companies look for candidates with an excellent academic background.

Some of the top companies also go for campus recruitment (IIT - Kanpur, Kharagpur and Delhi, IT-BHU, IISc, Bangalore, IIT-Mumbai, IIT-Chennai, NIT-Warangal). The candidates are then put through an intensive in-house training programme to familiarise them with EDA tools.

— The writer is a noted career consultant

— 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