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— Gabbs Patial A Private detectives and investigators work either with private detective agencies or independently. The work could involve celebrity protection, pre-employment verification, corporate or bank fraud, infringement of trademarks, asset verification and individual background profiles, discreet interviews, examining records, shadowing suspects and participating in raids. Private detective agencies are mostly run by former policemen and ex-army officers. Many of these start off by offering security services for homes and establishments and gradually move on to more sophisticated surveillance and detection work. Since most registered detective agencies have their counterparts in foreign countries, there are employment opportunities both in India as well as abroad. Seasoned detectives can set up their own investigative or security agencies after acquiring sufficient experience. Being a growing industry, the requirement of competent professionals is ever increasing. There are no formal academic requirements for most private detective jobs, although a college degree is essential. It also helps to be IT-savvy. Fresh entrants into a detective agency can expect between Rs 4,000 - Rs 9,000 p.m. if they are confident enough to handle responsible assignments. This is a field where girls as well as boys are in equal demand. Just look up your city’s Yellow Pages Directory to access the list of companies operating in this segment (4 full-pages in the Delhi one!). Spouse fidelity cases cost a pretty penny — anything between Rs 8000-15,000 to shadow an errant better/worse half. However, no fees are charged for corporate fraud. Clients usually shell out 15-20 per cent of the recovery amount. Remember one thing though: a detective’s real work is a lot different from what is portrayed in movies and thrillers. It can be quite tedious often involving long and irregular hours. Hot chases and thrilling encounters are a rare occurrence. Also, the work has become increasingly hi-tech. gadgets like mini cameras, voice recorders are the stock-in-trade of the modern day sleuth. Just make a trip to your local electronics market and you’ll be amazed at the variety of sophisticated low-cost options on display: a matchbox wireless camera for as little as Rs 1200 and a digital recorder for Rs 2,000. Options with English Q I have completed MA (English). I would like to know what are the job opportunities in this field other than teaching? — Puneeta Rani A If you have an excellent command over English, you don’t need to restrict yourself to teaching. You can join the print or electronic media as a journalist, web content creator, compere, announcer, newsreader, anchorperson, scriptwriter, copywriter in an advertising agency, technical writer, public relations executive, etc. Creative writing is yet another option. With the proliferation of the media, there is a growing demand for those who can communicate with style, ease and competence. An additional course in PR, journalism, advertising or mass communication would give you the necessary professional edge. You can also look at openings in leading call centers. Starting out as a call center executive you can move up the ladder to the position of team leader and business development manager if you have what it takes. If you have excellent people skills and a passion for training you can start working as voice and accent trainer. Wing your way into aeronautics Q I am a student of Class 12 (non-medical) stream. I would like to take up BE (Aeronautics). Can you please tell me about the admission procedure for recognised engineering colleges offering this course in Punjab? — Ramandeep Kaur Siddhu A Technologically speaking, one of the most advanced branches of engineering, aeronautical engineering is all about the design, construction and maintenance of commercial as well as military aircraft and even satellites, spacecraft and missiles. There are very few courses in aeronautical engineering at the bachelors level. In Punjab BE/BTech course in aeronautical/aerospace engineering is offered at: lPunjab Engineering College (PEC), (Deemed University), Chandigarh 160012 Eligibility: 10+2. Selection: AIEEE. For details log onto www.pec.ac.in lThe Aeronautical Society of India (ASI) conducts an Associate Membership Exam twice a year. Sections ‘A’ and ‘B’ of this exam have been recognised by the M/o Education, on a par with a Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from an Indian university for purposes of recruitment to superior posts and services in the Central Government. Those who have cleared plus two with science subjects can directly enrol for Section A. For details log on to the ASI website: (www.aesi.org). — 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 want to
become a private detective. Can you tell me a little bit about the
work entailed? What are the prospects in this field?
