Dated 04th October, 2000

I am B.Sc. final year student keen on pursuing a course in computers. Kindly suggest a course that I could take up which could be useful in relation to my academics. Should I enrol for a computer course from a private institute or take up MCA from a recognised university? Kindly suggest the better option for my future.

Dinesh Kumar

Haryana

Pursuing MCA would be a better option because apart from being a widely recognised course it also carries better career prospects. You can enrol for a diploma course in computer application for a period of six months. You also need to acquire training in the latest technologies- Java, ASP, Corba, and Perl as they are in high demand now. You can also appear for JCP (Sun certified Java Professional) and with this certification you can apply for jobs in software companies.

I am graduate and at present preparing for competitive examinations. I am keen to acquire a post-graduate degree. Can I appear as a private candidate for the exam? If so please give me the name of few such institutions. I also have a keen interest to work in the UNO. How can I fulfil my ambition? Kindly advice.

Tashi Tsetan,

New Delhi

You can pursue a postgraduate degree through correspondence from any recognised University. Recruitment into the UN is usually through direct recruitment by UN Agencies advertised widely. As employment notifications by the UN are quite infrequent, you can begin by securing employment in any organisation funded by the UN, this may heighten the possibility of you getting a job in the UN.

I have completed my graduation in zoology and am planning to take up a postgraduate course in the same. What are the job prospects in this field? I am also interested in mass communication, does a mass communication degree from IGNOU hold the same weightage when compared to a regular course? Can I secure a job as a journalist with this course? Also, are there any special courses required to become a social worker? How can one become a social activist? Is it a progressive career?

Farhat Naz

Patna

With a postgraduate course in zoology, the options available for you would mostly be in the area of academics (teaching), as a practicing zoologist and in research. You can also take up technical writing, as you seem to be interested in journalism, which the course in mass communication will help. As already mentioned before, any course taken through the regular stream enjoys wider recognition than a course done through distance education. Anyone with an abiding interest in social causes and issues can become an activist or a social worker. You can volunteer at any of the local NGOs or welfare organisations initially and then decide on a future study programme (Masters in Social Work) if still inclined so.

I am doing my BCA and also a course in ' web-centric computing' from NIIT. What are the prospects for these two courses? Kindly advise on which area/ areas besides the above two, should I pursue computer courses in order to enhance my knowledge and skills for future growth.

Ashish Kumar

New Delhi

The prospects for BCA and a Diploma in web centric technologies are good. If you desire a career in Internet programming, it would be advisable to concentrate on perfecting your skills in Java programming besides which gaining practical experience is essential. You can also get a certification in Java.

With adequate proficiency in programming languages such as C and C++, you can be a programmer. Opportunities in both the courses are equally good, hence you could choose to specialise in any one or both the courses. Also get an MCSD certification if you choose this option.

I am a B.Sc (Computer Science) graduate pursuing an MCA from IGNOU. I am also working as a programmer in a private software development organisation. I hope to join DRDO or DRDL . Is a B.Sc degree adequate qualification for it? Please give me details on how to apply. I also want to know about IIT M.Tech (Information Technology) entrance exam and the related procedures.

S. Murugan

Tamil Nadu

You have to take an aptitude test in engineering so as to apply for a postgraduate course in IIT . One of the eligibility criteria is a masters or a bachelor's degree in the related field. IIT, Kharagpur organises GATE-2000 at different centres all over India usually scheduled for the second Sunday of February every year. The notification appears in prominent dailies and Employment News in September and the score is valid for two years.

The Ministry of Defence Research and Development Organisation and Defence Research and Development Laboratory usually employ engineering graduates and postgraduates. For further information, you can visit websites such as:

www.expressindia.com/newads/drdo2/form.htm,

www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/facility/hyderabad-drdl.htm,

www.fas.org/nuke/guide/india/facility/ikonos-hyderabad-010- 08.htm,

www.expressindia.com/newads/drdo2/form.htm, and

www.iitb.ernet.in/admissions/master/mtbro.html.

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