Your Counsellor Replies

Your Counsellor RepliesI‚m in Plus Two (science) and would like to acquire an engineering degree. Please advise which specialisation I should opt for.Ravi Pillai, CochinAfter class XII you should write a pan-India engineering college entrance exam ‚ the IIT-Joint Entrance Examination, the All India Engineering Entrance Examination or a state-level admission test. Depending on your ranking in the entrance exam, you will be offered a seat in one of your chosen specialisations. If you are good at computer science, this is a promising specialisation with enormous possibilities, both in software and hardware. But a very high entrance test rank is required for entry into computer science faculties.Moreover there are excellent job opportunities for electronics and communication engineers in the field of telecommunications and in companies dealing in design, production and application of electronic equipment. Mechanical engineers are in demand in almost every industry. In short, prospects are good for all qualified engineers.I‚m in Plus Two (arts) and want to pursue a bachelor of mass media (BMM) study programme with advertising as a specialisation. What are my job prospects after graduation?Anita Rane, PuneAfter completing BMM, you can work in advertising agencies ‚ either in copywriting or client servicing ‚ depending upon your skills and aptitude. If you are interested in a wider range of jobs in advertising or corporate communications, you should enroll in a postgraduate programme in communications management at institutions such as the Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (www.mica-india.net); Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune (www.simc.edu) or sign up for an MBA in marketing. Any of these postgrad courses can be pursued after a bachelor‚s degree, not necessarily BMM.After completing my final year B.Com I want to train as an actuary. Please provide information on study programmes and job prospects.Satish Agarwal, MumbaiYou have to be at least 18 years of age with an aptitude for mathematics and statistics to qualify as an actuary. The Actuarial Society of India, 302 Indian Globe Chambers, 142 Fort Street, off DN Road, Mumbai 400 001 (www.actuariesindia.org) offers actuarial training. Usually, first class graduates or postgrads in mathematics, statistics or economics find it easier to qualify as actuaries. The more visible areas in which actuarial skills are applied include life insurance, retirement provision, healthcare financing, investment banking and short-term insurance. Actuaries work in many areas that directly benefit the public, including life and non-life insurance, pension funds, savings banks, capital projects, investment, healthcare and risk management. Actuarial calculations and projections form the foundation of the insurance and financial security industries. Prospects are also multiplying in insurance intermediaries, pension providers, teaching, financial analysis and risk management. After finishing my B.Sc in 2007, I would like to qualify as an air traffic controller (ATC). Please advise.Sridhar Raghavan, BangaloreAs a science graduate you are eligible to apply for the post of ATC with the Airports Authority of India or join the Indian Navy‚s (www.navsena-bharti.nic.in) short service commission in the Air Traffic Control Cadre (vision should be 6/9 correctable to 6/6), or the Indian Air Force (www.careerairforce. nic.in). Keep track of recruitment notifications in prominent dailies. Further training will be provided by the organisation that selects you.I‚m in class XII and want to qualify as a chartered accountant. Please advise.Aditya Chawla, New DelhiYou are eligible to register for the Common Proficiency Test (CPT) of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (www.icai.org) right now. The registration form is available on this website. Accredited institutions conducting coaching classes for CPT are listed on www.icai.org. After clearing the CPT you should commence three and a half years of practical training as an articled/ audit assistant. After undergoing at least 15 months of practical training with a practising CA, a student can apply to write the Professional Competence Examination (PCE). While studying for the PCE, you can start preparing for the final examination. You need to complete a general management skills course and the articled training of three and a half years before qualifying to write the final exam. I‚m a class XI student very good at drawing. I‚m interested in a career in fashion design. Please provide information about the National Institute of Fashion Technology. Shirin Mehta, MumbaiYou are eligible to apply for the design programmes of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (www.niftindia.com) after class XII. NIFT‚s annual admission notice is out every November. The entrance test is held in February and comprises papers on general and creative ability. Those who clear the written test have to report for a situation test/ interview. You could also apply for the various specialisations in design offered by the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (www.nid.edu) and Symbiosis Centre of Design, Pune (www.symbiosis design.ac.in).What courses can I do after completing my BMS (bachelor of management studies) next year?Deepak Sen, KolkataBMS graduates are eligible to acquire further qualifications such as MBA, MCA (if they studied mathematics till class XII), bachelor of library and information science, Master of social work, and postgraduate programmes in hospital management. You could also enroll for courses such as company secretary, cost accountancy etc as per your abilities and interest. Moreover BMS graduates have the option to write competitive examinations like the Combined Defence Services Examination (www.upsc.gov.in) and the Civil Services Examination for entry into the IAS, IPS etc.