After I complete Plus Two (arts) in 2011, I want to pursue a career in psychology. Which branch of psychology offers best career prospects?
Nalini Subramaniam, Bangalore
Career opportunities for graduates in clinical and industrial psychology are good. Other specialisations in psychology — counselling, social, and educational — also offer excellent employment prospects. Psychologists who work in the corporate sector enjoy high remuneration as do private consult-ants. If you are of academic bent, there are numerous opportunities in univer-sities, colleges and professional schools.
I expect to be awarded my B.Sc (chemistry) degree next year. What postgraduate study options do I have apart from MCA and M.Sc progra-mmes? I expect to average 55 percent.
Ravi Kelkar, Pune
You could enrol in a postgrad diploma programme in plastic technology/packaging technology/dietetics and nutrition or alternatively in a LLB/MBA/hospital management degree programme. Another option is to write the Indian Forest Service examination conducted by UPSC (www.upsc.gov.in) or the state forest service exam conducted by the State Public Service Commission. The choice of study options will be restricted on the basis of your score in the qualifying exam but you can make good by doing well in the entrance test.
I want to enrol for a degree programme in aircraft maintenance engineering (AME). Please advise.
Shekhar Rao, Chennai
Aircraft maintenance engineering is a training programme which qualifies students to write the licensing examination of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It is not an engineering degree programme, and if you don’t pass the DGCA exam you won’t really have alternative employ-ment options. Therefore it’s advisable to write the DGCA licensing exam after acquiring a four-year bachelor of engineering (BE) degree. Institutions which offer the AME course have to be recognised by the DGCA (visit www.dgca.nic.in).
Currently I’m a senior manager in a reputed company. Since I want to move up the corporate ladder I plan to do a one-year full-time executive MBA programme offered by B-schools such as IIM-Ahmedabad, IIM-Bangalore, SPJIMR etc. Is this is an advisable career move?
Naresh D’Souza, Mumbai
After putting your career on hold for a year and coughing up huge fees, there are no guarantees of direct campus placement or a big jump in your career prospects because recruiters may or may not have a profile like yours in mind. It makes better sense to opt for a part-time MBA programme from a locally reputed B-school where the risks are lower (you aren’t giving up your job or incurring huge expenditure).
Should I pursue an M.Tech in biotechnology or an M.Pharma degree to land a job in a reputed pharmaceutical company? Do I need to follow this with a Ph D?
Ashwin Chawla, New Delhi
Both these qualifications are excellent. You need to determine which field or programme suits your abilities and interests better. A Ph D is always good for career advancement.
Which B-schools offer an MBA degree in agribusiness management? I complete my B.Com degree in 2011.
Rajesh Kothari, Bangalore
Most institutions offering this course target graduates of agricultural and allied sciences but graduates of other disciplines with work experience in agri-business industries may also apply. Among the institutes which offer postgraduate programmes in agribusiness management are Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari (www. nav.in); Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi (www.baujarkhand.org); Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni (http:www.ysp university.ac.in/); Gobind Ballabh Pant University of Agricultural Technology, Pantnagar, College of Agribusiness Management (http://www.gbpuat.ac.in/acads/cabm/univ.CABM.htm); IIM-Ahmedabad (www.iimahd.ernet.in); IIM-Lucknow (www.iiml.ac.in) and the famous Indian Institute of Rural Management, Anand, Gujarat (www.irma.ac.in).
Please suggest reputed American universities offering an MS degree in sports management.
Surjit Singh, Chandigarh
Sports management is fast maturing into a great career option. Sports related industries such as media, advertising, public relations as well as formal sports entities are always looking for specialised managers with superior management skills. Among universities in the US, you could apply for the Masters in sports management progra-mme offered by the University of San Francisco, and MA in sports adminis-tration of North Western University.
I’m an MA (economics) working in a bank for the past two years. I’m interested in doing an executive MBA from a reputed B-school in India. Please advise.
Dolly Mehta, Nasik
The minimum requirement for an executive MBA programme is at least five years (preferably seven years or more) of work experience after graduation. The potential for placement is linked to the reputation of the B-school you seek admission in and is dependent upon your work experience. However please note that B-schools don’t guarantee placement for executive programme students.
What job options are available to medical electronics engineering graduates?
Subhash Chakravarty, Kolkata
Medical electronics is a specialised discipline that advances know-ledge in engineering and medicine through cross-disciplinary activities integrating the engineering sciences with biomedical sciences and clinical practice. Medical electronics engineers design devices used in medical procedures — imaging systems such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and devices for automating insulin injections or controlling body functions. Specialisations include biomaterial, biomechanics, medical imaging, rehabil-itation engineering and orthopaedic engineering. Career prospects for qualified medical electronics engineers are excellent.