Your Counsellor RepliesI want to learn the art of floral arrangement. Please advise.Mukesh Manek, MumbaiSeveral colleges with home science study programmes offer classes in floral arrangement/design. Ikebana courses are conducted in most metros by Indo-Japanese Associations with the Indo-Japanese Association in Mumbai located at Oricon House, Kala Ghoda, Tel: 22873027/ 22844772. Moreover the Floral Art School of Australia and International Floral Design School, Victoria, Australia offer diploma courses in floristry through correspondence.Likewise the School of Floristry, Sydney, offers a variety of courses which prepare aspirants for careers in the floral design industry (www.sydney-schooloffloristry.net.au). However if you want to learn floral design as a hobby there are plenty of talented women in Mumbai who conduct private classes in Ikebana and other styles. I‚m in third year B.Com and am evaluating a career in retail management. What are job prospects like?Nikhil Iyer, ChennaiCareer opportunities in retail management are great as this sector is expanding big time. Major heavyweight business conglomerates ‚ the Tatas, Rahejas, Piramals, Reliance, Aditya Birla etc ‚ are in the process of setting up retail store chains countrywide. To improve your job prospects you could enroll for an MBA or a PG diploma in retail management.I‚m an IT graduate currently working in a finance company. I want to go abroad to do my MBA. What are the eligibility criteria for entry into B-schools in the US, UK, Australia etc? Also can I get a scholarship?Suresh Mehta, AhmedabadMost top B-schools abroad require GMAT and TOEFL scores and at least three years work experience. In the TOEFL exam, 100 points (out of 120) is considered a good score while 680 and above (out of 800) is a good score in GMAT. Foreign students are usually ineligible for financial aid. Some B-schools offer funding in the form of graduate assistantships, scholarships and tuition waivers. Study loans are also often available. Check with your preferred B-schools about their loan/scholarship schemes.I read about GIA on your website www.educationworldonline.net. I want the contact details of this institute.Ridhi Agarwala, MumbaiThe Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) is located at Nariman Point and its contact numbers are 022 22870846/7/8.I have MA (economics) and B.Ed qualifications. I want to pursue a career in banking/accounts. Currently I‚m a teacher but I want to change my career. Harry Singh, DelhiIdeally, with yourMA (economics) and B.Ed degrees you should continue with your teaching career as opportunities in this sector are growing and if you want to move up the ladder, you could do a Ph D. As regards changing track for a career in banking, it shouldn‚t be difficult to land a job as private sector banks in particular are on an expansion spree.I want to study medicine after I complete class XII (science) in 2009. I will write the common entrance test but in case I don‚t get admission in a medical college in India, I want to pursue medical studies in the US. Please advise.Leena Vaz, PanjimIn the US, professional study in medicine follows completion of a bachelor‚s degree of…
