Dated 13th June, 2001

Questions answered on career concerns

I want to know about the M.Sc. in ecology and environment being offered by Sikkim Manipal University in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment, (SAKET, New Delhi) how far is the course useful in getting employment? What are the job avenues open? Is it worth doing this course?

Kesavan,

Trivandrum

The Sikkim Manipal University is a recognised institute and is among the better universities offering the particular course through correspondence. The Government has introduced tough measures for the protection of the environment and pollution control. As a result, there is a good demand for environment technologists particularly in the private sector and this trend is expected to continue.

You can find job openings at various industries such as refineries, petrochemical and polymer industries, textile industry, distilleries, fertiliser complexes, chemical industries as well as several other industries that produce hazardous waste as a by product. Openings also exist in the government especially power plants, the various pollution control boards and municipal corporations. Several companies and consultancies also focus on pollution control and offer job opportunities. Jobs also exist in companies involved in developing recycled products.

I want to do my PG in Public Administration. Kindly list the universities offering the course. What is the mode of selection and job avenues open other than civil services? Please mention the courses offered by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences?

Manisha Mishra,

Lucknow

Aligarh University, Kurukshetra University, University of Lucknow, Osmania University, Punjab University, and the Utkal University are some of the universities that offer a postgraduate degree in public administration. Admission into a postgraduate course is usually through an entrance examination.

Candidates majoring in public administration can work for the government or for community agencies as urban planners, managers, policy analysts, mediators or enforcers. Public Administrators may work at the local level for the city or at the national level for the government. For the list of courses offered by the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), please visit their site, www.tiss.edu.

I have completed my Intermediate and am interested in pursing a career in the Indian army. Please let me know which subject I should opt for in graduation. Kindly clarify as to whether graduation is compulsory for girls and are we eligible to join the Army? Also mention the institutes offering training for girls?

Parul Jain,

Agra

After intermediate (10+2), women can be inducted into the armed forces only in the medical and nursing corps. They are eligible for permanent commission jobs. While you can join the Armed Forces, the Medical Services or the Military Nursing Service, the former after completing MBBS from the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, the entry to the latter is on completion of B.Sc (Nursing) from the same medical college. You can also seek entry in the non-technical, technical or specialist services in accordance with your preferences, educational background etc.

The non-technical services include the Army Services Corp (ASC), Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), Corps of Engineers (ENGRS), signals (SIGS), and Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engg. A graduate in any discipline with a minimum aggregate of 60% and above can apply for the non-technical services.

Engineering graduates and post graduates can apply for technical services like the Corps of Engineers(ENGRS), Signals (SIGS), and the Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engg. A specialist (postgraduate degree holder) in a particular field like Organic chemistry, hotel management, journalism, public relations, mathematics, English, etc can opt for the openings for specialists as in the Army Services Corps (ASC), Intelligence Corps (INT), and the Army Education Corps (AEC).

I am a postgraduate in botany and interested in doing a course in plantation management. Please provide details about the institutes, which offer the course. Please give their relevant details and websites.

R. Aruna Giri,

Chennai

The Indian Institution of Plantation Management at Bangalore offers a one-year PG diploma in plantation management. Graduates in any discipline with at least 50% marks in their graduation are eligible to apply. All candidates have to appear for the institute's Professional Aptitude Test (PAT).

The final selection is made on the basis of past academic record, PAT scores, group discussion and an interview. For further details, contact the institute at IIPM, Jnanabharathi Campus, Malathalli, Bangalore, or you can also visit their website, www.iipmb.com.

I am doing my 12th standard now. I would like to pursue higher studies in USA. What is the need for writing SAT-II? Kindly help.

Ajit,

Chatisgarh

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and TOEFL are scores are necessary to pursue an undergraduate study program in the US. The test is conducted five times a year, worldwide. It is a three- hour examination that tests your verbal and mathematical reasoning skills.

For information regarding the test dates and test centers, you can contact the Institute of Psychological and Educational Measurement (IPEM), 119/25-A Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Allahabad- 211001, UP, India. OR contact any of the USA Educational Foundation Offices in India. The SAT Programme of the College Board provides tests and other related services for students, schools, and colleges in the US.

For general information about education in the U.S., you can contact the Institute of International Education, 809 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017.

I have done my graduation and I am interested in remote sensing. Please let me know the Universities/institutions offering this course.

Dheeraj,

Mumbai

Most universities offer a course in remote sensing and few among them are the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing at Dehra Dun, Barkatullah Vishwa Vidyalaya at Bhopal, MP; Andhra University, College of Engineering, Waltair, Vishakapatnam, AP; Birla Institute of Technology at Ranchi, Bihar; Sri Venkateswara University at Tirupathi, AP; and the Anna University at Chennai are some of the universities which offer an M.Sc/M Tech in further studies in remote sensing. Only science and engineering students either with a bachelor's or a master's degree are eligible for the course.

You can write to the universities for further information.

Questions regarding career concerns must be addressed to Career Community. Com Ltd, PO Box NO. 2178, Secunderabad-500003, or email to faqs@careercommunity.co.in