Dated 21st August 2002

I am an electronics engineer with ten years experience. Presently, I'm working in the area of project management with an MNC for the last six years. I now understand that my company may close my division due to less business viability and fewer opportunities. I have started looking for other options and have also attended few interviews. Though I qualified through the initial rounds, I was not selected. My main problem is that I am an electronics engineer and am working inelectrical based power projects. I want to go in for IT/ automation marketing or any skill-based job where I can grow and excel. Kindly advice me on how I should look for a good job and which areas can I go in for? Do you have any suggestions for self-employment?

Deepak Jeswal

Via e-mail

Since you have already attended a few job interviews, it may pay to re-network with your contacts. Stay in touch with people from within and outside your field of specialisation, and let them know of your intention of changing careers. This should open up a few more avenues for you. Apart from this, you can consider seeking the help of placement agencies and jobsites.

With the telecom sector opening up, you can also perhaps try your luck getting a job in the telecommunications industry. Other possible openings for you could be through project-based marketing assignments in industrial engineering/automation. Self- employment is also another option, provided you have the right contacts, and the confidence to deliver qualitative service.

I'm doing my electronics and communication engineering. I want to appear for CAT and MAT-2002. Is it all right for me to shift to administration from my technical background? I want to know the scope of a degree in administration and also please provide complete information regarding how to prepare for CAT and MAT examinations. Please give details about the prescribed study material for MAT and CAT.

P.B.A. Naidu

Chennai

It is always better to be a management degree holder, as this will help you secure a job both in the technical as well as the administration departments. For example, you might start with a technical job related to your BE degree, but if you have an MBA degree, you have more chances of becoming a team leader and a manager as you gain experience. There are many coaching centers that can guide and coach you for the entrance exam. A few among them are TIME, PAGE, IMS (good for CAT) etc. You can contact these institutes for a detailed brief on the study material for these examinations. For more information on coaching institutes, refer to the classified columns in popular dailies.

I'm a software professional and a BCA graduate. This year I wish to take up my PG from Madras University. They are offering M.Sc (IT ) and MCA. I would like to know what the differences are between these courses from the point of career opportunities. If I take up M.Sc IT, will it be equal to MCA and will I be able to get similar opportunities as those offered for MCA?

Gajendra Babu

Via Email

Yes, there is a difference between M.Sc in IT and MCA. MCA restricts itself to the knowledge of use of computers (both hardware and software) whereas M.Sc (IT) not only includes the above, but also incorporates the use of information as a business tool (typically from the systems angle). In this regard, M.Sc. - IT is similar in many aspects to MBA -systems, albeit with less emphasis on the business functional aspects. In other words, M.Sc - IT offers greater scope than MCA in terms of knowledge though MCA happens to be a more specialised course.

I would like to know the job opportunities offered for an engineering graduate in medical electronics.

Remina

Via email

Graduates in medical electronics find careers in clinical engineering departments within the NHS as well as within industrial companies thatspecialise in the design and development of medical instrumentation. These graduates are also qualified for careers in other electronic industries as well as in many other health care related areas. Bio-medical engineers find employment in companies manufacturing equipment used in hospitals and diagnostic centres. Some large hospitals also employ engineers for maintenance services.

What are the prerequisites for working in a call center? Are there any day call centres?

Meghna

Delhi

Communication skills, flexibility, assertiveness, and promptness are some of the qualities that are looked for while recruiting for call centres. Usually graduation is the minimum qualification required to apply. Call centers normally function 24 hours and therefore require people willing to work in shifts. ICICI is coming up with a day call center but even that will have a skeleton night staff. They expect their staff to be proficient in: Active listening skills, establishing and building rapport, managing customer expectations, accurately capture client details, complaints handling, fluency in English and a regional language, patience, flexibility and enthusiasm.

The FAQS column deals with career concerns addressed to C&K Management Ltd, PO Box No.2178 Secunderabad - 500003,or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com.