Dated 13th December, 2000

I am pursuing my II year BE in Aeronautics. What are the career prospects in this field?

N. Klinton Sorson

Chennai

Aeronautical engineers can seek employment with any airline. Aircraft development, research and manufacturing organisations like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Civil Aviation Department, Indian Air Force, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and National Aeronautical Lab also offer employment opportunities for aeronautical engineers.

I have completed my Master's degree in Physics with solid-state physics as my special paper from Guwahati University but I am unhappy with my specialisation. I want to enter the IT field. Please guide me what to study and where and how will it be helpful to get ay overseas placement.

Tridib Choudhary

Guwahati

If serious consideration of a career shift is on the cards, it is necessary to equip yourself with a degree (either a graduate or postgraduate) course in the field. A background in mathematics (either at the intermediate or graduate level) is necessary to do a postgraduate course. In addition to regular courses, you have the option of pursuing MCA from IGNOU. Additional courses from private institutions can be pursued to further accelerate you learning process simultaneously. Honing your skills to perfection will give you winning edge in this dynamic profession. Diploma courses in advanced software technology from recognised institutes such as CMC and the DOEACC level courses can also prove beneficial. Internationally recognised certifications such as the MCSD, MCSE and JCP (Microsoft Certified Software Developer, Microsoft Certified Software engineer and Sun Java Certified Professional) will help you procure employment both within and outside the country.

I am a 37 year old graduate employed in the Central Government for past 15 years. I have been in the position of a supervisory category for the past four years. I am planning on a career shift as the chances of further promotion in my cadre are very bleak. I would like to take up an e-commerce course from a reputed institute. Given my age, do I stand a chance to get absorbed in the IT industry after doing the e- commerce course?

R. R. Nair

New Delhi

If you are in the field of marketing and sales, an e- commerce course might not be the right addition. You could consider pursuing an MBA instead. The software industry is constantly evolving and the preference is towards younger people and with the right skill sets. Besides which, possessing the right qualification such as a BE/B.Tech, MCA, MSc (computers) is important and necessary. You can take up marketing related jobs in the IT field and a diploma will hold good prospects as well.

I am first year M.Sc. student (Environmental Science) at JNU. What are the future prospects of the course? What should I do to get good job in this field?

Kalpana Kumari

New Delhi

Career options for those with a specialisation in environmental sciences exist in hospitals and municipal corporations, public health organisations, energy industry, chemical industry, refineries, petrochemical and polymer industries, textile industry, distilleries, fertilizer complexes, as well as several other industries that produce hazardous waste as a by product. Organisations and companies specialising in recycled products, government power plants and pollution control boards also offer employment opportunities. You can explore the alternative of procuring employment in Non-Governmental Organisations promoting environment conservation and increasing awareness levels, as an environmental activist. Openings for entrepreneurs exist in the field of eco-tourism. The Indian Forest service is another option that one can aspire to join. Entry is through the UPSC examination. IFS officers are responsible for the protection of our forest resources and wildlife.

Most of these organisations carry their advertisements in local and prominent dailies. You can scout the same and begin by applying for jobs. Leaving your resume with placement agencies like TMI Network, ABC Consultants, etc and visiting popular job sites like careermosaicindia.com, or jobsdb.com will further increase your chances of securing employment.

I am an arts graduate with English (Honours). I opted Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as an option at my 10+2, I wanted to know whether I can apply for MCA entrance and also I have some basic knowledge of computer i.e. DOS, Window, Word, and C, C++. What other computers courses I should join to get a good job in this field.

Satish Kumar,

New Delhi,

A graduate from any discipline with maths as an option can apply for MCA. There are a number of computer courses available and opting for one is dependent on your subject of interest and its applicability. You can additionally get trained in Java, Corba, Perl, JSP, EJB, Servlet, JavaScript, Com/Dcom, and XML, which are related to web programming and designing. To be a Database Administrator, you would have to get a certification from Dbase, Oracle, and SQL Server.

I am a first year student of B.Sc. I want to seek admission in BIT. Please inform me about the same and also mention their postal address.

Amit Kumar

Patna.

You can correspond directly with Birla Institute of Technology, at the following address: Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi, Bihar-835215.

Admission into the institute is through an all-India entrance test. Those qualifying through the written test have to attend the subsequent counselling session. Candidates eligible for the counselling session are required to be medically fit. The Birla Institute of Technology also has their extension centres at Allahabad, Jaipur and Hyderabad.

Questions regarding career concerns must be addressed to Career Community.com Ltd, PO Box NO. 2178, Secunderabad-500003, or email tofaqs@careercommunity.co.in

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