Dated 15th Jan. 2003

I have an offer to work in Singapore, please tell what salary and benefits I can expect.

S Kumar

Ganjam

Working abroad is not as easy as working in your homeland. When planning to work abroad it is always better to seek a work permit. Next, check the company's policy as policies vary from company to company, but at the very least, you should expect to be compensated for airfare.

Companies also typically provide allowances for you to bring (and return) household items. The employers must also furnish a $5,000 security deposit for their employees apart from the medical, transport and housing benefits. If you earn more than that you are entitled to an Employment pass. In other words, try and ensure that your accommodation is taken care of by your employer.

What are the career prospects for a horticulturist?

Samabasivam

Madurai

A career in horticulture is extremely lucrative for not only is the demand for healthy produce increasing but technology (in terms of preserving these perishable products) too is becoming more sophisticated. The export industry is instrumental in expanding the job market in horticulture.

Research and development is on the upswing and prospects in it look promising. Related careers include landscape architecture, agriculture, and food processing. Higher the qualification, better the position and pay. Knowledgeable horticulturists can work anywhere, with government organisations (horticulture officers, assistants, directors, deputy directors in the horticulture department) to farms or estates (as estate or farm managers) to opening their own farm (growing fruits, vegetables) or nurseries or working with private companies as advisors or as managers in private organisations (promoting the manufacture and supervising the processing of fruits, vegetables etc).

What are the career prospects in plastic technology?

Kaushik Sirkar

Mysore

In the public sector, plastics engineers / technologists and technicians can work for the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas, Oil and Natural Gas Commission, and Oil India Laboratories, petrochemicals engineering plants, Indian Institute of petroleum, polymers corporations of different states, petroleum conservation Research Association of India, Petrofiles Cooperative Limited and other such organisations.

Various private companies dealing with the production and marketing of plastic commodities also offer employment to plastics technologies and engineers.

What are the job opportunities for a graduate in architecture?

Basavaraj

Gulbarga

Employment opportunities for architects are available in government as well as private sectors. Some of the government organisations include Public Works Department, the Archaeological Department, Ministry of Defence, Departments of Railways, Post and Telegraphs, Public Sector Undertakings, National Building Organisation, Town and Country Planning Organisation, National Institute of Urban Affairs, Housing and Urban Development Corporation, National Building Construction Corporation Ltd., City Development Authorities etc.

Openings in the private sector exist with builders, architect firms, consultants etc. Architects with some experience can even set up their own business as consultants and contractors.

What prospects does the field of export management have?

Prabhat

Orissa

With the right qualifications, you can get a job in: Companies involved in international trade/export; Export Oriented Companies (EOU); International business/trade/export department of companies across various sectors of the industry.

Others include shipping agencies, marine insurance companies, freight forwarding and customs clearing agencies, with the Ministry of Commerce (Government of India), and firms involved in international marketing and research.

International trade development organisations (independent organisations as well as government agencies), export promotion councils, multi-modal transport agencies, teaching international business/trade/export management, international trade consultants, banks, international cargo carriers (Shipping companies, airlines, cargo and courier companies), and export processing zones also employ people holding certified degrees in export management.

What are the career prospects in biomedical instrumentation?

B.V.K. Rao

Hyderabad

Employment and career prospects for biomedical instrumentation engineers are excellent as they are in high demand in a wide range of industries such as-oil refining and gas processing, petrochemical industry, paper and steel manufacturing, food processing and water management, power plants and offshore exploration.

Furthermore, with a broad technical background and strong computer application skills, they can also work for computer manufacturers, IT and IT-enabled companies, the telecommunications industry, and the business sector.

The Faq column deals with career concerns addressed to The C&K Managememt, PO BOX NO-2178, Secunderabad - 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com.