Your Counsellor RepliesAfter completing my B.Sc I would like to enroll in a recognised institute offering the MCA (Master of computer applications) programme. Please provide details about eligibility requirements.Nalini Tandon, New DelhiAny graduate who has studied maths upto class XII is usually eligible for admission into the three-year MCA programme offered by several institutions across the country. This year, IIT Roorkee has introduced its All India MCA Entrance Test (AIMCET) and scores in this test are used by a number of institutions for admission eligibility. Also, various state governments conduct their own common entrance test (CET) for admission into MCA courses offered by institutions and universities in the state. To get a list of institutes participating in AIMCET, log on to www.iitr.ac.in/aimcet and www.dte.org.in/mca.I‚ll be graduating next year and would like to pursue a career in broadcast journ-alism. What are the courses available?Christina Vaz, PanjimSpecialised courses in broadcasting are comparatively fewer than print journalism programmes. The Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110 067 offers a one year postgraduate diploma in radio and television broadcasting. Other institutions you could consider include Asian College of Journalism, Kasturi Centre, Anna Salai, Chennai 600 002; Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal (www.mcu.ac.in or www.mcrpv.ac.in or www.makhanlaluniversity.org) which has affiliated institutions in other cities; the School of Broadcasting and Commu-nication, 108 Building, 4 Kamdhenu Centre, Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (W) Mumbai 400 053 (www.sbc.ac.in). The University of Mumbai (www.mu.ac.in); SNDT Women‚s University and University of Pune (www.unipune.emet.in) also offer media-related programmes. What‚s the eligibility requirement for admission into a B.Ed course? I‚ll be graduating next year.Sonali Shah, AhmedabadA common admission procedure for B.Ed has been introduced recently. The minimum eligibility is a bachelor‚s degree from any recognised university, agricultural university, open university or deemed university in arts, science, commerce, home science or agriculture science. For applicants of the open category, OBCs and special backward class category, a minimum average of 45 percent in the final year degree examination is required. For scheduled caste candidates a minimum average of 40 percent is necessary.I‚m in my final year BA. I would like to pursue a career in social work. Please advise.Uma Kolhatkar, NasikThe Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai (www.tiss.edu) offers a two-year full-time MA in social work. The course is very comprehensive and offers the option of specialisation in areas such as family and child welfare, medical and psychiatric social work, criminology, correctional administration etc. You may choose the specialisation that leads to a career of your choice. TISS also offers part-time courses in social work, which you could consider if you wish to get a job after graduation. University of Mumbai also offers a full-time Master of social work study programme.I‚m a B.Tech (electronics and telecommunications) graduate. I‚d like to learn about job opportunities available in the government sector.Aman Mujawar, LonereProspects of employment are particularly good for electronics and telecommunications engineers in the government sector. The Central as well as state governments recruit engineers regularly on the basis of an entrance examination followed by an interview. There are great opportunities also for telecommunication professionals in the private sector with multinationals having entered the fast-growth telecom industry.I‚m very keen on becoming a television news anchor. Please advise.Sandip Mehta, MumbaiNewsreaders are usually experienced journalists or even producers. They may read from a prepared script or write it themselves. They have to be well acquainted with the background of the content, develop good pronunciation especially of foreign names etc. A news anchor must have a well-modulated voice and a presentable appearance, a wide range of interests, possess the ability to think and react fast, and possess self-confidence. They have to be able to read fluently and vary the pace of their delivery to fit in with time signals. A broadcast journalism course would be ideal for you to enter this field. I‚m in class XII (science) and would like to pursue a career in dentistry. What are the admission criteria of dental colleges?Mira Pillai, TrivandrumDentistry is offered to students as a bachelor‚s degree course (BDS) after Plus Two with physics, chemistry and biology. You will have to do well in a common (i.e. open) entrance test. Please note you should have secured at least 50 percent in Plus Two (science) to qualify to write a medical/ dentistry admission test. There are more than 100 dental colleges in the country.I would like to pursue a career in photography. Kindly provide all information regarding institutes and career prospects.Naresh Rao, BangaloreYou could become a fashion, wildlife, press or industrial photographer. Professional courses in photography vary in duration from three months to four years. Certificate and diploma courses are available at polytechnics, universities, industrial training institutes and in many private institutes promoted by established professionals. Photography is also taught as part of mass communication (journalism and electronic media) programmes offered by several universities. It is also offered as a specialisation in most art colleges as part of their BFA (bachelor of fine arts) programmes. If you get to the top, photography is a well-paying career. But success demands a lot of hard work, persistence, continuous innovation, upgradation and good networking skills. Photographers may be freelancers or employed in advertising agencies, government organisations, research institutes, fashion houses, media companies, publications, news bureaus, news agencies, publicity departments etc. For full-time training, some prominent institutions are Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Mahaveer Marg, Masab Tank, Hyderabad 500 028 (BFA photography); Light and life Academy, Gandhipet, Kollimalai Road, Lovedale, Ooty 643 003; Pearl Academy of Fashion, A 21/13, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi 110 028. For short courses also checkout local art colleges and polytechnics.