Your Counsellor Replies

After my graduation I would like to pursue a career in travel and tourism. Please advise.
Nisha D’Souza, Panjim

For a career in travel and tourism you could sign up for the IATA-UFTAA course offered through home study or authorised training centres (locate through www.iata.org/ps/training/atc_ list_uftaa) or you could complete your graduation and then consider a postgraduate diploma or degree in travel and tourism management. The latter is the best road-map for a successful career in the booming tourism industry.

I would like to qualify as an airhostess. I’ll be completing my Plus Two (arts) next year. What are the eligibility requirements?
Nalini Chavan, Pune

Airhostesses are recruited by private and foreign airlines from among unmarried women who have completed at least Plus Two, have a pleasing personality, excellent communication skills, radiate good health, confidence, clear complexion, and are over 157 cm in height. Indian Airlines and Air India prefer applicants to be graduates or hotel management degree holders. Since most airlines prefer to conduct their own training programmes, differing selection processes are used to shortlist candidates with potential for training as airhostesses. Hence, though enrolling in a training institute is not essential, it may give aspirants the confidence to give a good account of themselves during the selection process.

I’m in class XI (science) and would like to pursue a career in robotics. Where do I study and what are the eligibility criteria? Also what are the job opportunities?
Vikas Rao, Bangalore

A bachelor’s degree in mechanical/ electrical engineering or computer science could lead to specialised postgraduate studies in robotics. There are no BE/ B.Tech programmes in robotics. In India, study choices could be ME/ M.Tech at University College of Engin-eering, Osmania University, Hyderabad (automation and robotics); MS University, Baroda (automatic control and robotics); Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala (CAD/CAM and robotics); IIT Kanpur (mechanical-robotics and robot applications). Job prospects in India and abroad are good.

I want to enroll in a MS degree course in astronomy. Please suggest the names of US universities offering postgrad programmes in astronomy. I’ll be writing my final year BE (electronics) exam next year.
Srikrishna Iyer, Chennai

American universities reputed for their astronomy study programmes include California Institute of Technology (www.caltech.edu); Princeton University (NJ) (www.priceton.edu); Harvard University (www.deas.harvard.edu); University of California, Berkeley (www.berkeley.edu); University of Chicago (www.uchicago.edu), among others. Excellent and consistent academic performance, above average GRE and TOEFL scores, a well-formulated statement of purpose and a wide range of extra-curricular activities are required for admission into these blue chip universities.

What are the eligibility requirements for qualifying as a solicitor?
Naresh Advani, Mumbai

To qualify as a solicitor you need practical work experience after LLB. Usually, one has to complete three years of apprenticeship with a senior solicitor and then write the solicitors examination conducted by the Bombay Incorporated Law Society. Everyone with a law degree and on the rolls of the state Bar Council is an advocate and can become a solicitor through the above process. None can style himself/ herself as a solicitor without clearing this examination and being admitted into the Law Society. Till the 1970s, counsel appeared in court, drafted pleadings, researched law and gave advice in conference following briefing by solicitors or attorneys. While the ‘dual’ system was in vogue, attorneys/ solicitors were not permitted to address the court. After the abolition of the dual system, attorneys can and do appear in courts. Though abolished, the system continues in a reduced fashion even today, being widely regarded as reasonably efficient division of labour.

What are the eligibility criteria for admission into the Master’s degree programme in biotechnology?
Shankar Menon, Trivandrum

You need a graduate degree in biological/ physical/ agricultural/ veterinary science or in engineering/ medicine or forestry/ fisheries with an average of at least 55 percent in the qualifying examination to apply for the M.Sc (biotechnology) programme of the University of Mumbai, department of life sciences/ biotechnology/ biophysics, Vidyanagari, Santa Cruz (E), Mumbai 400 098. The Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (www.jnu.ac.in) conducts a common entrance examination in biotechnology through which you could apply for admission into M.Sc (biotechnology) programmes offered by more than 20 prominent universities in India including University of Pune, JNU, MS University of Baroda, BHU Varanasi etc. Expect the admission notification in February and the entrance test in May.

I’m keen on a career in child psychology or counselling. Please advise.
Shweta Puri, New Delhi

For a career in counselling/ child psychology, you need to acquire a Master’s in psychology with specialisation in counselling/ child psychology. Without a psychology major at the graduate level it is difficult to get into a Master’s programme. There is also a one-year postgraduate diploma in guidance and counselling (PGDGC) offered by the Regional Institute of Education, Bhopal. It is open to those with MA/ M.Sc in psychology/ educational psychology/ education, M.Ed in social work/ child or human development.

I am doing my Master’s in economics. What careers will be available to me after I complete my MA? Please also advise me on courses available in banking.
Sanjeev Patel, Ahmedabad

Job options for economics graduates could be in research, analysis and teaching. Institutions, including comm-ercial banks employ economics postgraduates in their specialist cadres/ departments. The Reserve Bank of India recruits them for its department of economic analysis and policy. For a career in banking, you could consider applying for the position of economist in banks or survey the courses offered by the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (earlier known as Indian Institute of Bankers) by visiting www.iib-online.org.

The National Institute of Bank Management, NIBM post office, Kandhwe, Khurd, Pune 411 048, offers a one-year full-time postgraduate programme in banking and finance.