Q.
I am a fresh BA with 54% marks from Panjab University. Along with my studies, I work as a showroom manager at the franchise outlet of a telecom company. I wish to become a social worker. Please guide me. —Reema
A.
If you are interested in social work, you can always start working with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in any development area. Social work requires – more than academic qualifications – a firm commitment and a desire to help. There are hundreds of NGOs working in various aspects of development, including poverty alleviation, education, gender issues, with physically or mentally challenged people, for environmental awareness, such as pollution, waste management and wildlife. You need to decide on the area of work you wish to do and then select the organisation that fulfils that need. Once you have identified this as a career option, you can apply for a masters in social work. While most institutions prefer to take students with a sociology, social work or psychology background, work experience and dedication goes a long way. There is a huge scope for work with NGOs and so many areas that require dedicated people. Getting a job with an NGO should not be a problem for you. If you are motivated enough to do social service, then you can easily approach an NGO for a job. There are many websites that can give you a list of NGOs in Delhi, including www.indianngos.com, www.nfi.org.in, www.indisponsor.org and many others. And once you’ve identified the kind of organisation you would like to work with, shortlist some and get in touch with them and see if they have vacancies. But, before joining, be prepared for the fact that it’s going to be a lot of hard work and the salaries aren’t too high. =========================================================
Q.
I am a Class 12 student (physics, chemistry and maths). Which institutes in India teach cosmology? Is there any BSc/MSc degree in cosmology (not astronomy) and theoretical physics? —Akshay
A.
Astronomy is basically about observing the motions of heavenly bodies in the sky and their patterns, while cosmology is the study of the history and structure of the cosmos, or the universe, as a whole. To get into these fields, you need to study physics, maths or engineering at the undergraduate level and then take up the relevant study programme for your masters or doctorate. There are no BSc programmes in cosmology but there are masters-level research programmes which cover cosmology. These include those offered by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Pune; Raman Research Institute, Bangalore and the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. In addition, the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (www.iisc.ernet.in), now offers an integrated BSc/ MSc programme in different fields of science. The programme is a balanced blend of core science and interdisciplinary topics. Do check the details of this programme as it may cover the areas you wish to take up. =========================================================
Q.
I am a final-year BCom (H) student from the University of Delhi. I am very confused about my study options after graduation. I have not taken the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2010. Whenever I ask for help, everybody advises me to pursue something of my interest but I am unable to put my finger on that. Many programmes which earlier had their own entrance exams are now available through the CAT, which is another cause of my panic. Please suggest courses which are not affiliated to CAT. I do not want to drop a year. — Mehak
A.
The BCom programme provides a good base for an array of careers. These are broadly of two types – those related to business and finance such as chartered accountancy (CA), company secretaryship (CS), cost and works accountancy (CWA), and banking, as well as those not related to finance. Depending on your aptitude and interests, you can explore careers such as: n Mass communications, journalism, and public relations, if you have good communication skills n Travel and tourism, or hospitality, if you are more practical and people-oriented. Else, hone any skill you have, whether in design and animation, languages, computers or any other. You may spend the next year exploring and developing these skills so that next year you have alternative careers to consider. Today, career opportunities are vast, so you should look at your interests and aptitudes to decide. There are also many alternatives to the business management programme depending on the area of expertise you wish to pursue. If you have good communication and accounting skills and are interested in a career related to legal affairs, then the CS qualification is a good option. If you wish to enhance your qualification in accounts, you can consider courses such as CWA, or other courses related to finance and banking such as a diploma in banking and finance offered by a number of universities including Aligarh Muslim University and the University of Rajasthan. Other courses in banking and finance for graduates include a PG diploma in banking operations offered by the Institute of Finance, Banking & Insurance, New Delhi, a joint collaboration between NIIT and ICICI Bank, as also the PG programme in banking and finance offered by the National Institute of Bank Management, Pune, for which admission is through the CAT. If you are interested in working with non-banking financial companies, or in stocks and securities, there are several courses in securities and capital markets. The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI) offers a PG diploma in treasury and forex management, and a PG diploma in merchant banking and financial services. These will enable you to get into financial consulting and finance-related services. There are a few other short courses in capital markets offered by institutes such as the Indian Institute of Capital markets, Navi Mumbai; the International College of Financial Planning, New Delhi and the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) Training Institute and the National Stock Exchange. The Institute of Financial and Investment Planning offers a one-year correspondence-cum-lecture course leading to a diploma in financial and investment planning. In addition to these, there are short courses in export-import and foreign trade offered by the Indian Institute of Foreign trade, New Delhi; National Institute of Export Management, Chennai; and KC College of Management Studies, Mumbai, which offers diplomas in export-import management through correspondence. The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers several diploma and certification courses through distance learning. =========================================================
I am a fresh BA with 54% marks from Panjab University. Along with my studies, I work as a showroom manager at the franchise outlet of a telecom company. I wish to become a social worker. Please guide me. —Reema
A.
If you are interested in social work, you can always start working with a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in any development area. Social work requires – more than academic qualifications – a firm commitment and a desire to help. There are hundreds of NGOs working in various aspects of development, including poverty alleviation, education, gender issues, with physically or mentally challenged people, for environmental awareness, such as pollution, waste management and wildlife. You need to decide on the area of work you wish to do and then select the organisation that fulfils that need. Once you have identified this as a career option, you can apply for a masters in social work. While most institutions prefer to take students with a sociology, social work or psychology background, work experience and dedication goes a long way. There is a huge scope for work with NGOs and so many areas that require dedicated people. Getting a job with an NGO should not be a problem for you. If you are motivated enough to do social service, then you can easily approach an NGO for a job. There are many websites that can give you a list of NGOs in Delhi, including www.indianngos.com, www.nfi.org.in, www.indisponsor.org and many others. And once you’ve identified the kind of organisation you would like to work with, shortlist some and get in touch with them and see if they have vacancies. But, before joining, be prepared for the fact that it’s going to be a lot of hard work and the salaries aren’t too high. =========================================================
Q.
I am a Class 12 student (physics, chemistry and maths). Which institutes in India teach cosmology? Is there any BSc/MSc degree in cosmology (not astronomy) and theoretical physics? —Akshay
A.
Astronomy is basically about observing the motions of heavenly bodies in the sky and their patterns, while cosmology is the study of the history and structure of the cosmos, or the universe, as a whole. To get into these fields, you need to study physics, maths or engineering at the undergraduate level and then take up the relevant study programme for your masters or doctorate. There are no BSc programmes in cosmology but there are masters-level research programmes which cover cosmology. These include those offered by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore; Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Pune; Raman Research Institute, Bangalore and the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. In addition, the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (www.iisc.ernet.in), now offers an integrated BSc/ MSc programme in different fields of science. The programme is a balanced blend of core science and interdisciplinary topics. Do check the details of this programme as it may cover the areas you wish to take up. =========================================================
Q.
I am a final-year BCom (H) student from the University of Delhi. I am very confused about my study options after graduation. I have not taken the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2010. Whenever I ask for help, everybody advises me to pursue something of my interest but I am unable to put my finger on that. Many programmes which earlier had their own entrance exams are now available through the CAT, which is another cause of my panic. Please suggest courses which are not affiliated to CAT. I do not want to drop a year. — Mehak
A.
The BCom programme provides a good base for an array of careers. These are broadly of two types – those related to business and finance such as chartered accountancy (CA), company secretaryship (CS), cost and works accountancy (CWA), and banking, as well as those not related to finance. Depending on your aptitude and interests, you can explore careers such as: n Mass communications, journalism, and public relations, if you have good communication skills n Travel and tourism, or hospitality, if you are more practical and people-oriented. Else, hone any skill you have, whether in design and animation, languages, computers or any other. You may spend the next year exploring and developing these skills so that next year you have alternative careers to consider. Today, career opportunities are vast, so you should look at your interests and aptitudes to decide. There are also many alternatives to the business management programme depending on the area of expertise you wish to pursue. If you have good communication and accounting skills and are interested in a career related to legal affairs, then the CS qualification is a good option. If you wish to enhance your qualification in accounts, you can consider courses such as CWA, or other courses related to finance and banking such as a diploma in banking and finance offered by a number of universities including Aligarh Muslim University and the University of Rajasthan. Other courses in banking and finance for graduates include a PG diploma in banking operations offered by the Institute of Finance, Banking & Insurance, New Delhi, a joint collaboration between NIIT and ICICI Bank, as also the PG programme in banking and finance offered by the National Institute of Bank Management, Pune, for which admission is through the CAT. If you are interested in working with non-banking financial companies, or in stocks and securities, there are several courses in securities and capital markets. The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI) offers a PG diploma in treasury and forex management, and a PG diploma in merchant banking and financial services. These will enable you to get into financial consulting and finance-related services. There are a few other short courses in capital markets offered by institutes such as the Indian Institute of Capital markets, Navi Mumbai; the International College of Financial Planning, New Delhi and the BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange) Training Institute and the National Stock Exchange. The Institute of Financial and Investment Planning offers a one-year correspondence-cum-lecture course leading to a diploma in financial and investment planning. In addition to these, there are short courses in export-import and foreign trade offered by the Indian Institute of Foreign trade, New Delhi; National Institute of Export Management, Chennai; and KC College of Management Studies, Mumbai, which offers diplomas in export-import management through correspondence. The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) offers several diploma and certification courses through distance learning. =========================================================
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