Dated 26th Feb. 2003

What are the career prospects for lighting technology?

SUHASINI

Hyderabad

Employment on a freelance or full-time basis exists in five main areas: theatre, film, television, broadcasting and music recording. Employment in related fields includes industrial theatre, event management, project engineering, merchandising, fashion design, window display, image consulting, graphic design and architectural lighting.

How do speech therapists help overcome speech disabilities?

CHATURBHUJ

Via email

Speech therapists help individuals overcome and prevent communication problems in language, speech, voice, and fluency (which may be caused by accidents, genetic disorders such as cleft palate, or by delayed development).

A speech therapist is trained to help people overcome speech disorders through several methods. Treatments for developmental or medical conditions may involve a variety of activities, including one-on-one therapy and group or family therapy. Yet each form of treatment is customised to individual needs. For example, if the speech therapist's goal is to make a patient's speech understandable, they will work on sounds and pronunciation. Sign language and automated devices are two of the many methods they employ. Other methods include books, pictures, toys, sound analysers or multimedia computer programs. Some speech therapists work with people who have heavy accents, and are trying to adapt to a new society or country.

Speech therapists may specialise in working with people who have a particular type of disorder (e.g. stuttering), or with a particular age group (e.g. pre-schoolers). They often work in teams, which may include audiologists, physicians, psychologists, social workers, nurses, teachers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

What are the career prospects for laser physics?

JAGAPATHI RAU

Work in laser physics will involve applications of laser and related optical or spectroscopic technologies in research and industrial arena, e.g. in control and monitoring functions in manufacturing technologies, environmental analysis, atmospheric sciences, optical communications and information processing, as well as the exploration of fundamental physical and chemical phenomena and will likewise have promising career prospects in the same. Biochemical and medical applications of lasers is another rapidly growing area with excellent employment prospects worldwide.

How does one send a CV through email?

FAROOQ

Delhi

When sending your CV, whether you send it by mail or e-mail, it is necessary to have an introduction or cover letter. This letter should be brief and simple, let the employer know which position you are applying for and how you came to know about it, when you would be available and your motivation to apply for this job.

Sending your CV by e-mail:

Keep the introduction letter short, try to avoid copying and paste your CV to the body of the e-mail or send it by attachment, if you do so, make sure your CV is written using a well known program such as Microsoft Word. Always have a clear and precise subject to your e-mail. Avoid any large picture files that require a long time to download.

To ensure high impact, your e-mail curriculum vitae must be:

Clear: Use simple and clear fonts, use the bold, italic and underline in moderation, categorise all aspects of your CV, only put in what's necessary (see below), do not add too many colours or tables.

Easy to read: Use simple text, do not elaborate too much.

Up to date: Always update your CV before you send it.

As short as possible: Keep your CV succinct and as short as possible. It should be easily scrollable and not make heavy reading.

Be honest: Take care to mention only what you have done, avoid exaggerations.

What are the career prospects for MSc Genetics?

SHANKAR, ABHISHEK

Most careers relating to genetics are based, or relate to, the health services, so employers tend to be hospitals, pharmaceutical companies and universities. As genetic-based technology develops, opportunities have arisen in food and drink companies including brewing, health and beauty care, biotechnology and research and consultancy companies - organisations which carry out specific and sometimes specialised research, development and consultancy projects for industrial and other customers. Government sponsored research councils have laboratories which recruit scientists, but they usually prefer those with a higher degree.

Geneticists are employed in the following areas:

Education: Lecturers and teachers at universities, colleges and schools.

Research: Geneticists may be employed by agricultural, biological or medical research institutes, by certain commercial firms with animal or plant breeding programs or by industrial organisations with an interest in biotechnology/molecular biology/genetic engineering, and patent law.

Geneticists may also consider opportunities related to biological sciences, eg biotechnology companies, agricultural and horticultural companies etc.

How do I start a confectionery business?

SHARON KHANNA

Bangalore

Starting a confectionery business is one of the best business ideas to make money. However, market research should be carried out to gauge food trends before you actually stock your bakery.

What you require to set up a bakery are proper bakery equipment, training for the staff, technical installation support, store planning, and auxiliary staff.

Other important aspect of a bakery is its interiors and dicor. The ambience of the place, the hospitality, the general surroundings, and good customer service are key ingredients to make your venture a success.

The FAQ column deals with career concerns addressed to the C&K Management Ltd, PO Box 2178, Secunderabad 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com

SUHASINI

Hyderabad