Dated 30th May, 2001

I am a commerce student studying in standard XII. Please can you suggest some courses that I could do either after my schooling or graduation.

Rachana

New Delhi

As a commerce student you can consider pursuing professional courses such as CA/CS/ICWA/ ICFA. These courses can be pursued along with your graduation. Another alternative for you is to pursue a course in hotel management and catering, after your class XII. After graduation you can take up a master's degree in MBA, advertising and mass communication, or law, depending on your interest.

I am a graduate and wish to become a flight steward. What are the requirements and future prospects for this profession?

Navendu Singh

New Delhi

The requirements for a flight steward are similar to that of an airhostess. Graduates (men) or those with a class XII with three- year diploma in hotel management and catering technology, below the age of 26 years are eligible to apply.

You need to be at least 165 cm (barefoot) tall and weigh in proportion to your height. You need to be physically fit and have normal vision, have a pleasing personality, be fluent in English and Hindi. Knowledge of a foreign languages is desirable. Assistant flight stewards are selected on basis of their performance in an objective-type written test to assess general awareness and mental flexibility. Those who qualify in the written test are called for group discussion and interview . Starting as an assistant flight steward, you will work alongside airhostesses, while as a senior steward you will check the cargo, keep an account of occupancy, handle the duty-free items, serve alcoholic drinks on board, collect the money for in-flight purchases and help the hostess perform her duties efficiently.

I am a B.A. graduate and want to pursue a course in B.Ed. Please let me know about all the correspondence courses available for B.Ed. all over India and about their validity. Which one is the best for pursuing teaching in Delhi?

Nitin Kumar

Via Email

Most universities offer a correspondence in B.Ed. Some of them are Alagappa University at Karaikudi, Andhra University, School of correspondence at Vishakapatnam, Bangalore University at Bangalore, Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya Institute of correspondence at Bhopal, Berhampur University at Berhampur, Bharathiar University at Coimbatore, Jiwaji University at Gwalior, Kurukshetra University, Department of Distance Education, Kurukshetra, University of Madras, Institute of Correspondence Education, Chepauk, Madras, Madurai Kamaraj University, Institute of Correspondence Course and Continuing Education, University Buildings, Palkalainagar, Madurai.

I am doing my second year B.Sc. from Delhi University. I want to do M.Sc. in audiology and speech therapy. Kindly provide the names of the universities or institutes that offer a course in audiology. What are the future prospects of the course?

Namitha

Via Email

Jobs for speech therapists and audiologist exist in hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centres and in special schools. Speech therapists and audiologists are part of a team consisting of specialists like neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists and the like. They often take off from where the doctors stop. At other times medical treatment goes hand in hand with therapy. Speech therapists may also set-up private practices once their credentials are established and when they have had a few years of experience.

Universities offering a masters degree in audiology are Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, Bandra, Mumbai, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi; Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh; University of Madras, University of Mysore, Mysore Vishwavidyalaya Karya Saudha, Kasturba Gandhi Medical College, Institute of Speech and Hearing, Bangalore, Institute of Nursing, Mysore, and the Gujarat University Ahmedabad.

I am a B.Sc. student and wish to join the MSIT program. Unfortunately, I missed the deadline for the submission of the application form. When can I apply next for the course? Do I have to wait a year to re- apply?

Sirisha. M

Vijayawada

The MSIT (3-year) program is open to BCA's and graduates in any discipline, while B.Techs/equivalent or Post Graduates can pursue the 2-year programme. You can still apply (before the year is out) as applications for the courses are invited at regular intervals, when a fresh batch starts. To qualify for the course, you need to get through the GAT Examination. It is an internationally recognised course and students with a good GRE and TOEFL scores can apply directly. For more information, you can visit their website, www.msitprogram.net

I am a second year intermediate student with Maths, Physics and Chemistry as my optional subjects. I would like to be a customs officer. What are the qualifications required and what courses should I take-up to become one?

Anoop

Kothamangalam

To become a customs officer you will have to clear the Civil Services Examination after graduation. This exam provides entry into 27 different services including the Indian Customs & Central Excise Services. The exam consists of a prelimins and mains. You can obtain further details from the Secretary, Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi 110011 or watch out for the UPSC notification in Employment News and leading national dailies in the month of December.

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