Career Hotline
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Pervin Malhotra

Biochemistry beckons

Q I am interested in pursuing a career in biochemistry. What are the prospects in this field?

— Amit Khurana

A Biochemistry occupies a central place in life sciences as it seeks to explain the chemical processes of living organisms. With its roots in chemistry, mainly organic and physical, it also focuses on the chemical mechanisms of genetic information storage and transmission, and the chemistry of cells, blood, biological systems and products, and life processes such as respiration, digestion and reproduction. Termed as the science of the future, Biochemistry is fast developing into an extremely important subject.

Forming the basis of a great deal of research, its study can make for a successful career offering more alternatives than any other stream of science.

Its applications are of vital significance to the fields of medicine, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, microbiology, veterinary, agricultural and dairy sciences.

Biochemists study the structure and function of enzymes, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and their metabolic processes, molecular basis of the action of genes, etc.

There is an increasing demand for biochemists involved in biochemical genetic research not only in India but also abroad, especially for those with a specialisation in cell biology, genetics, proteomics, developmental chemistry, organic and medical chemistry, biochemical methods and research.

Openings for biochemists exist in R & D in scientific departments in industry, public sector laboratories, universities and hospitals. While MPhil or PhD is necessary for working as a scientist, you could work as a research assistant straight after MSc in research-oriented organisations like CSIR or ICMR or Indian Institute of Immunology. Defence labs also recruit scientists.

You can also choose to teach at the college or university level.

Set your sights on optometry

Q Can you please tell me something about optometry and the nature of work in this field? What is the difference between ophthalmology and optometry?

— Parminder Kaur

A The profession of Optometry is literally as old as spectacles — around 700 years. Listed amongst the 10 best professions in the US, there is very little awareness of optometry in India.

Often confused with ophthalmologists, an optometrist (also known as ophthalmic technician) is a professionally qualified primary eye care provider — akin to your family doctor for eyes. In India optometrists usually assist ophthalmologists or recommend patients to specialists for secondary and tertiary treatment. An optometrist tests the visual acuity and prescribes corrective lenses. Adept at handling eye-testing equipment to examine a person’s vision, the optometrist also fabricates lenses to prescribed specifications and fits them and other low vision aids to suit individual requirements.

Hi-precision machines are used to polish and harden lenses.

With an increasing aged population and the growing incidence of macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy — optometrists can be an important part of the treatment. Besides the need for spectacles and contact lenses, low vision aids and co-management of eye disorders spells good news for optometry as a profession.

Optometrists usually work in eye hospitals, clinics and opticians’ outlets or with multinational vision care companies. You may also specialise in particular types of vision disorders (i.e. squints, colour blindness). After gaining experience in a private establishment or with a lens manufacturer, you can open your own business. You will be surprised to know that optometry is also one of the top ten income-earning professions in India. This profession is perhaps one of the nearly extinct breeds of jobs that offer regular 9 to 5 work hours. And the icing on the cake is flexibility in practice and myriad choices in geographic location. Many optometrists migrate abroad after completing their course.

Every third blind person in the world lives in India, 80 per cent of which can be ascribed to preventive blindness (cataract, refractive error), underscoring the need for timely detection and treatment. Whereas, India needs at least 2 lakh optometrists, the figure stands at a measly 5,000. Approximately 400 students pass out of various institutes each year.

Moreover, with most people over 40 (and even earlier) requiring glasses/lenses, a skilled and experienced optometrist is always in demand. Faced with rising incidents of unqualified optometrists prescribing lenses in two-bit optical shops, of late there has been a demand for some sort of regularization to prevent malpractice. Besides, most of the courses are still not recognised by the Ministry of Health. So, make sure you enrol into a reputed institute.

Clear confusion

Q I am a student of plus two (with maths). I can’t decide whether to do BCA+ MCA or BBA + MBA. I am very confused.

— Vandna Ahuja

A Your confusion is very understandable. Making a successful career choice — which field to select, how to qualify, where to study — these are some of the most vital decisions of one’s life. Besides with changing times, some totally new career opportunities have opened up, further compounding the confusion.

To answer your question, both IT and Management are top-of-the-line options, which leads me to believe that you are keen on pursuing a professional career. It is, therefore, very important to go by your interests, aptitude and inclination rather than popular beliefs and media hype. The two require fairly different aptitudes and temperament.

If business, marketing and finance interest you, then you can go for a BBA/BCom and follow it up with an MBA.

But if you like computers and computer languages, then a BCA degree under your belt also makes for a win-win situation. You can top it with an MCA or an MBA degree subsequently.

If you decide to go for an MBA you have another advantage. Besides specialising in the traditional functional areas of Marketing, Finance or HR, you could opt for an MBA in IT or Systems which are highly in demand.

You can even consider going for an MBA after you complete your MCA or after working for a couple of years, by which time you will be clearer about your goals.

Even if you pursue a career in IT, you’ll find that a significant part of your job content, a few years down the line, ends up being administrative or managerial in nature — managing the project, leading your team, handling the planning and financial aspects of the project etc.

As the MBA program is more holistic and covers a wide range of subjects, it helps you develop an all-round personality and equips you with confidence to adapt to varied functions and environment.

Overcome exam fever

Q I will be taking the board exams this year. I am unable to concentrate. My mind is like a sieve – I forget everything I’ve learnt. I am very worried that I will fail. Please advise.

— Smita Gill

A ‘If you can’t remember what you forgot’ there is definitely a problem. Jokes apart, if you feel your memory is failing perhaps what you need to do some mental gymnastics, crossword puzzles and mental maths — of the kind you had to do in junior school.

Some do-it yourself mantras are interest association and confidence building. What you need to do is pick subjects of your interest — be it jokes, geography or physics and read up material on it to enhance your base memory.

Another simple exercise is taking a large piece of plain paper and drawing a circle with a five-pointed star within its circumference. Within the triangles draw something that represents the person or place you love. In the central area of the star draw something that really catches your interest. Paint it in vibrant colours and paste your artwork on your wall. Spend as much time as you can spare to stare at your masterpiece. Change and make new drawings over a period of time. This helps in improving your concentration.

Q I want to do MBA but I’ m only class XII pass. I don’t want to do graduation. I want to do MBA in maximum 2 years. I have 5 years marketing experience. Please guide. I am 25.

— Khuswant Kaur

A No reputed B-school admits non-graduate to their MBA programmes (although some in the west do).

Since you have considerable work experience, you could try some of the open universities like IGNOU. However, I doubt if you can complete the course in two years (Distance programmes are typically of longer duration).

If for some reason, you can’t directly enroll for their MBA programme, you can enroll for their Diploma programmes in marketing, finance and HR seperately — at the end of which you can get an MBA. Check out their website: www.ignou.ac.in

There are nine other open universities besides IGNOU: KSOU, M P Bhoj, Nalanda Open, Netaji Subhas Open, UP Rajarshi Tandon Vardhman Mahaveer, YCMOU. You can scan their respective websites for their course offering, eligibility etc.

You could also check out some of the shorter executive MBA programmes or online executive development programmes which may have more liberal entry norms. Best of luck!