Career Hotline Q I am a student of Class XII and extremely fond of computers. I can spend hours browsing the Internet, playing computer games etc. I want to make my career in the field of computers. Please advise. — Amit Chawla A All computer-users have a general idea of how to use the various software installed on their computer. However, most professions in computers require specific aptitudes and skills that a computer-user may not necessarily possess. For example, systems analysts and computer programmers need to have a highly analytical bent of mind. Animation and multimedia specialists need spatial aptitude. They need to be creative and have a sense of aesthetics. Computer operators and medical transcriptionists need speed, accuracy and excellent language skills. Call centre executives need basic computer skills but excellent communication skills. Hardware maintenance engineers should possess technical aptitude and knowledge of hardware engineering. Hardware R&D engineers must possess a high perceptual aptitude along with a keen interest in science and technology. Your creativity and flair for designing reinforced by some formal training in art will put you on a much surer footing. Even non-linear editing for television and producing instructional software etc that is essentially computer-centric requires a combination of "creativity" and technical savvy. So does web designing and developing. On the other hand, programming at higher levels can also be a highly "creative" option. For this, you will require a good course in software programming (BE/BTech/MCA/MSc) along with solid grounding in computer languages. Developing gaming software is another hot and highly paying field internationally. Physiotherapy prospects Q I want to pursue a bachelor’s course in physiotherapy and have applied to colleges offering the course. Could you please tell me something about the job opportunities, especially abroad, for physiotherapists? — Surinder Singh A A physiotherapist is a professional who treats disorders like muscular weakness, limitation of movement of various joints — by using special exercise and therapies like heat, radiation, electricity, hydro and massage. As compared to other paramedical professions, employment opportunities for physiotherapists are excellent, as this is a career where the demand exceeds supply. The requirement for physiotherapists and occupational therapists in India and abroad, especially in countries like the USA, UK, Canada and Australia is immense. However they usually ask for at least 2 years of post-registration experience. The college from which you have qualified should be recognised by the World Federation of OTs. TOEFL/IELTS scores may also be required. In return, they offer paid flights, excellent salaries, pensions and opportunities for career development. Of late, there has been a spate of such recruitment ads in the leading dailies. Like all other medical and paramedical professionals, you will work in hospitals, orthopaedic departments, rehab centres for the handicapped, schools for the mentally retarded and physically disabled children, healthcare centre and defence medical establishments. Teaching certainly remains a good option, while those with adequate capital can establish private clinics of their own. The initial remuneration in government hospitals varies between Rs 4,500 to 6000. But private hospitals offer a relatively better package. Most well-run private hospitals offer a starting salary around Rs 7,500 - Rs 10,000 pm. Established private practitioners make anywhere from Rs 25,000 to 50,000 p.m. After gaining 4-5 years of hands-on experience, you could start your own practice, in which case, you will charge according to the time given to individual patients, usually around Rs 250 to 500 per sitting. If you are adventurous, you can even incorporate acupressure, reflexology or some ayurvedic massage techniques using herbal oils etc into your treatment to make it more holistic.
Docs in defence forces Q I have recently completed my MBBS degree and would like to join the Indian Army. Could you please tell me about the selection procedure for recruiting doctors in the Indian Army? — Dr. Kuljeet Singh A The Armed Forces Medical Services recruits Medical Officers for the Army Medical Corps in the Short Service Commission (SSC) to civilian doctors who have passed the MBBS exam (although a PG degree is preferred). Lady MOs can also apply. The age limit for grant of SSC is 45 years. You must have permanent registration from state medical council/MCI. Selection is through interview and selected candidates join in the rank of Captain. Incidentally, the notification for recruitment in Army Medical Corps has just appeared. (See this week’s Deadline Column in case you have missed it). For further information, contact: The Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services, DG-1A, M/o Defence, ‘M’ Block, New Delhi 110001. Bioinformatics basics Q I want to do M. Sc in Bioinformatics. Please tell me about the job prospects in this field. — Abhishek A The biotech industry is expected to grow exponentially over the next 10 years, in turn creating a boom in job opportunities. Representing a marriage of IT and biotechnology, bioinformatics is emerging as one of the most prodigious high growth areas in the coming decades. It is expected to yield extraordinary dividends not only in designing new drugs and therapies, but also in the basic understanding of life itself. Companies will need people at all levels — biologists and biostatisticians with IT skills, or IT professionals with a serious interest in biology. In fact, according to an estimate, there is a global shortage of one million bioinformaticians. Given our expertise in IT and our traditional academic grounding in basic sciences, particularly in mathematics, bioinformatics may well script the next success story in science and technology for India. Global IT majors like IBM, Motorola, Hewlett Packard followed by our own Wipro, Satyam Computers and Infosys, and several other corporates are teaming up with biotech and pharma majors like Monsanto, Ranbaxy, Dr Reddy’s Labs. They are investing billions of dollars in biotech software and supercomputing solutions like deletion mapping technology etc. Work of PRO Q I want to do something exciting and different. I have a feeling I’ll be good at public relations as I love talking to people and I have heard that PR is a glamorous field. Is it true? — Hema A It’s very important to test our images of certain professions that we may have gleaned from hearsay or the media before we get too far down the road. Sometimes these glorified notions may not correspond to reality. While PR may appear glamorous from the outside, it requires a great deal of hard work, business savvy and persistence. Also good communication skills —particularly writing skills, and a broad acquaintance with a wide range of subjects. One good way to find out what working in Public Relations really involves is to talk to practising professionals who do this for a living. You will be amazed at how willing people are to share information and insights about their jobs with someone who is genuinely interested in knowing about their field. Just make sure they know you are seeking information and inspiration, not a job here and now. Scope for scholarship Q I am an engineering diploma holder in electronic & comm (Ist div, ’97). I have been working for the last 7 years. Now I need to do my B.E from a UK university. I have an offer from one university that is offering direct admission to the final year because of my long experience. But the bottleneck is the hefty tuition fees which I can’t afford. Is there any way I can get a scholarship? I am very confused and don’t want to lose this once in a lifetime opportunity. — Nitin Bhalla A Why do you "need" to have a degree from a UK university specifically? Which is the university that has offered you admission? Do check out it’s ranking in UK before you proceed any further. If it’s some third-grade institution, it will serve no purpose here or anywhere else. Log onto the British Council website (www.britishcouncil.org) for information, courses, and other important links. Also remember, unlike our 4-yr BE/BTech programmes, an engineering degree (B.Eng) in UK is only of 3 years’ duration. However, if your research shows that it is a decent institution, you can get a loan from a nationalised bank — if the amount does not exceed Rs 15 lakh. This is however easier said than done and requires a collateral besides a good deal of running around. Alternatively why don’t you go for the IETE associate membership instead? This or AMIE’s ceertification is considered equivalent to a BE degree by the MHRD and will work out much cheaper. Moreover, you can pursue this course while continuing to work (no loss of opportunity cost). Similarly, a number of engineering colleges will give you lateral entry into their BE/BTech programmes (FT/PT) at a fraction of the cost! Besides, our technical education is highly rated all over the world! — 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
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Q I have
done my BSc Home Science with Child Development. I will be
getting married next year and move to the US where I would
like to do my Master’s. Can you please suggest some PG
courses in this field that I can pursue within a year?
