Education advice - Counselling for Career-34

Q.
I have passed my XII board exams in English, physics, chemistry, maths and computer science this year with 81.8 per cent marks. I have a keen interest in maths. So I want to take up teaching maths as my profession. What are the future prospects of a maths teacher? Bhawna Upadhyay

A.
Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding, fulfilling yet challenging careers. You can teach maths at junior- and senior-school levels or become a lecturer in maths in a college. Junior school teachers are required to have a BEd degree after graduation, while secondary school teachers must have a postgraduate degree in the subject they teach and a BEd. To work as a lecturer in maths, you have to pass the National Eligibility Test, after taking a postgraduate degree in maths with a minimum of 55 per cent marks. With a degree in maths (honours), you can also go for research in mathematical sciences, or move to statistics and join a statistical or data collection organisation. With a maths background, you can also get into market research, specifically quantitative research, or take up an MBA degree, and make a career in the world of business. Maths is also an excellent option if you are interested in computer applications. After graduation in maths, you may consider enrolling for a two-year Master’s in Computer Applications. The IT industry will offer plenty of job opportunities and you can make a brilliant career for yourself. Else, you may get into an actuarial job in the insurance industry. Moreover, you can also explore the financial services, such as chartered accountancy, cost accountancy, chartered financial analysis, stocks and securities or any other related areas.
Q.
What is the scope of actuaries in the future? After meeting eligibility norms, can I go ahead with it? Is there any age limit for pursuing a course in actuarial science? Is it essential to have a sound maths/statistics background? Amit

A.
Actuarial science is built on the statistical evaluation of the financial and economic implications of possible future contingencies. So, an actuary’s work involves the calculation of insurance risk, premiums and pensions for different insurance schemes. Therefore, mathematical skills are important for this job. Some universities offer a BA/BSc in actuarial science. These include Kurukshetra University and the University of Mumbai. To qualify as an actuary you need to become a fellow of the Actuarial Society of India (ASI) by passing their exam. The course is at four levels – 100, 200, 300 and 400 series. On completion of the first level, you get a certificate in actuarial training. After the 300 series, you become an associate of the ASI, while clearing all the levels makes you a fellow. You can take the exam after completing your 10+2 with any subject (combination) and 85 per cent marks in maths, or after graduation in any subject with 55 per cent marks in maths, statistics, econometrics, computer science or engineering. For more details, visit www.actuariesindia.org It is a tough exam and not many qualify. So there is a huge demand for actuaries, and most insurance companies will snap up anyone who even reaches the associateship level. With private companies and several huge multinational conglomerates coming into the insurance sector, it is growing at 15 per cent per year. It is estimated there will be a demand for trained professionals in the areas of marketing and sales, as insurance agents and for surveyors and loss assessors.
Q.
I want to make a career in web designing. Is the future of web designing bright in India? Which courses should I do to be a professional web designer? What is the average salary of a web designer in India? Suraj

A.
Web designers have a wide scope in India. Most companies wishing to create their websites look for skilled web designers. A web designer can be absorbed in different fields such as advertising agencies, publishing, audio-visual media, design studios, printers and typesetters, manufacturers and department stores, marketing firms, and educational institutes and libraries. The growth depends on experience and creativity. You can get into web design after any subject stream, provided you have good computer and creative skills. There are a number of certificate and diploma courses offered in web design. You may choose one based on the level of computer competency that you possess. Most computer training institutes offer courses in web designing, and the jobs after that depend on the level of your skills and on your qualification. Graduates with a background in computers can start on salaries of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 (a month) after a course in web designing.

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