Since Im not keen on enroling in an MBA or chartered accountancy programme after acquiring a B.Com degree next year, what higher study options do you recommend?Cecilia DSouza, Panjim
You could read for an M.com degree and follow it up by writing UGCs National Eligibility Test (NET) to qualify as a college lecturer. Alternat-ively you can complete M.Com followed by a B.Ed to qualify for teaching positions in junior colleges and senior secondary schools. Other options include a cost and works accountancy or a company secretarys course, LLB degree, MA in journalism and mass communication, postgrad diplomas in journalism/advertising/public relations/cinematography/film editing/ direction, MA in social work/development studies or a bachelor of library and information science.
Can I read for a course in actuarial science simultaneously with my B.Com degree programme? Please advise.
Raghav Rao, Bangalore
My advice is that you first complete your B.Com with statistics as a subject and subsequently opt for actuarial training through the Institute of Actuaries of India (www.actuaries india.org), or sign up for an M.Sc programme in actuarial science. Actuaries are currently in great demand and theres no dearth of job oppor-tunities for trained professionals.
Im in class XII (science) and interested in a career in biology/life sciences. Please recommend undergraduate study programmes in the subject.
Srinivas Iyer, Chennai
You could enroll in a B.Sc life science/botany/zoology or B.Sc in optometry degree programme after finishing school. If your grades in science subjects are not high, opt for non-science disciplines. While interest is an important factor in determining further study choices, it should also be backed by ability and aptitude.
Im a B.Com graduate with keen interest in art and want to pursue further studies in the business of art abroad, preferably in Europe. Please suggest institutions/universities offering this subject.
Neelam Patil, Pune
Sothebys Institute of Art in London offers a unique Masters in the art business. An important component of the programme is analysis of art markets worldwide. The programme is designed for students with a background in art aspiring to understand the business as well as technical and structural elements of the international art market. Students learn how to evaluate and market objets dart ranging from antiques to modern art. Europe also hosts a number of respectable centres/institutes offering programmes in the business of art.
To qualify for management positions in the pharmaceutical industry, should I study for a B.Pharm or an MBA (Pharma Tech) degree?
Naveen Bhatia, New Delhi
From the career progression perspective, an MBA (Pharma Tech) is definitely a better option since it covers pharmacy as well as management subjects. It is designed to prepare students for management positions in the pharma industry. A B.Pharm study programme, on the other hand, is more technical and research-oriented.
I will complete my bachelors in business management next year and am interested in a career in finance. What courses do you suggest I sign up for?
Nilima Shah, Mumbai
An mba in finance is ideal but alternatives include a Masters in finance and control, Masters in economics or chartered accountancy or cost and works accountancy. Its advisable to work for a few years after graduation and then sign up for an MBA degree programme.
Do I need to write both the IELTS and TOEFL English language proficiency tests to qualify for admission into a university abroad?
Dilip Das Gupta, Kolkata
Both IELTS and TOEFL are tests which assess students ability to speak, write and comprehend the English language. You can take either test if you are planning to study abroad. IELTS (www.ielts.com) is conducted by the British Council, UK and IDP Australia, while TOEFL (www.ets.org) is conducted by Educational Testing Services, a US-based organisation. Both tests are of a similar format and you can register for either test on their websites.
Im a second year B.Sc student. Does an engineering degree offer better job prospects than a BBA, B.Sc followed by M.Sc or an MBA?
Nikhil Raghavan, Bangalore
Theres no doubt that an engineering degree being a professional qualifi-cation, provides better employment opportunities and for admission into MBA degree programmes. Students with professional degrees/qualifications such as BE/B.Tech, CA, CWA etc get preference over BA, BBA, B.Com and B.Sc graduates. However, if engineering is not your cup of tea, you could try enroling in an M.Sc or MBA programme after acquiring a bachelors degree in a subject that interests you.
Im a second year BMM (bachelor of mass media) student interested in working on brand conceptualisation. Would you advise me to work in advertising or marketing, and which among the two offers better prospects?
Daisy Sidhwa, Mumbai
You should work in a company where you get experience of both advertising and marketing. After acquiring work experience for at least two years, you could sign up for an MBA (marketing) or MBA in communi-cations management to improve your career prospects.
Im very keen on becoming a television news anchor. Please advise.
Sandip Mehta, Mumbai
Newsreaders are usually experienced journalists. They have to be well acquainted with current affairs and develop good pronunciation skills. A news anchor must have a well-modulated voice and a presentable persona, a wide range of interests, possess self-confidence, and the ability to think and react fast. 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.