Your Counsellor Replies

I’m in class XI (science) and keen on qualifying as an aeronautical engineer. Please suggest some reputed colleges offering this study programme.
Siddharth Mehta, New Delhi

Among the colleges that offer degree programmes in aeronautical engineering are: Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh (www.pec.ac.in); Anna University, Chennai (www.annauniv.edu); Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (www.jntu.ac.in); Sardar Patel Institute of Technology, Valsad (affiliated with Gujarat University); Hindustan College of Engineering, Chennai; Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Secunderabad; and the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (www.iist.ac.in).

Most of the country’s seven IITs also offer study programmes in aerospace engineering. While success in IIT-JEE is required for admission into the IITs, students must write the AIEEE (All India Engineering Entrance Examination) for the Punjab College of Engineering, Chandigarh. Other institutions conduct their own entrance exams.

After my Plus Two (commerce) I want to enroll in a B.Com degree and study chartered accountancy simultaneously. Please advise.
Pravin Shah, Ahmedabad

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is the country’s premier certification body which offers the chartered accountancy study programme through postal tuition and oral coaching (optional). You can obtain relevant details from www.icai.org or write to the Western India Regional Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India at ICAI Bhawan, Anveshak, 27 Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Mumbai 400 005. ICAI rules permit the study of accountancy parallely with the B.Com study programme.

I’m a final year BA (English honours) student. What are my career options after graduation?
Dhruv Kapoor, Delhi

Contrary to popular belief, there are numerous career options for English honours graduates. You could teach English after completing a one-year B.Ed course or pursue a postgrad degree in mass communications, public relations, or social work. Other options include an MBA, LLB or bachelor of library and information science.

I’m working as an electronics engineer and would like to acquire a law degree through correspondence.
Shalini Kulkarni, Pune

To practise law you need to complete a full-time bachelor’s degree programme in law or BA-LLB. If you are not keen on practising, and only want to enhance your legal knowledge, there are several part-time courses on offer. The Annamalai, Madurai Kamraj and Kurukshetra universities offer a two-year law course through distance education. The National Law School, Bangalore also offers distance learning postgrad courses in environment law, business law, medical law and ethics to graduates of any discipline.

After completing a law programme through correspondence, you can work for a non-profit organisation, advocacy group or community legal-help group. However as a qualified electronics engineer you have plenty of opportunities in your own field.

Which institutes offer courses in wine technology?
Navin Mehta, Mumbai

Not many institutions in India offer wine-related study programmes. One of the few that do is the Gargi Agricultural Research and Training Institute, Nasik (Maharashtra), which offers a diploma in fruit processing and wine technology (www.gargiedu.com). The Indian Institute of Vine and Wine is expected to become operational at Narayangaon (80 km from Pune) this year and will offer a three-year B.Sc in viticulture and oenology.

After I complete Plus Two (biotechnology), should I pursue an M.Sc or MBA degree?
Nalini Thomas, Cochin

If you are keen on pursuing a career in the sciences, M.Sc is ideal. Enrolling in an MBA programme would mean a decision in favour of a management career in scientific or non-scientific businesses. Other options include undergrad degrees in law, mass communications, film-making, social work, hospital management, film editing/direction, etc.

Would you advise me to do an MS from a US university or an MBA in India? I have just completed my BE in electronics and communication and I am working currently.
Rahul D’Souza, Bangalore

Employment prospects are good if you complete your MBA from a reputed B-school in India. On the other hand job prospects are uncertain if you graduate from the US. However, if you are looking for a career in research and development then MS would be a better choice because an MBA would mean moving into a managerial career.

Please suggest study programmes other than medicine and engineering. I will complete my Plus Two this year.
Rima Banerjee, Kolkata

Other than medicine and engineering, professional career options after class XII include accountancy, company secretary, fine art/applied art, hotel management, law, physical education, design, music and dance. Your decision should be based on an objective assessment of your skills. You also have the option of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in any discipline of your choice and then pursuing postgrad study.

I’m currently studying for a Masters degree in biotechnology. I want to know how I can pursue a career in the Indian navy.
Navanita Nayak, Delhi

Biotechnology is a booming sector and job opportunities are plenty and growing. Postgraduates in biotechnology are being grabbed by pharmaceutical companies at fantastic pay packages. After completing your Masters programme, you’ll have employment opportunities in the chemical industry, agriculture and allied industries as well as in research laboratories run by government and the corporate sector. For biotechnology postgrads, teaching is also a great career option. Why would you want to join the navy when you have so many excellent options available to you?