Career Bank

Career Bank
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INDEX
Sr. No Topic Pg.No
1 Art And Design 7
1.1 Animator 8
1.2 Architecture 13
1.3 Artist 17
1.4 Ceramic Technology 23
1.5 Exhibition Designer 27
1.6 Fashion Designer 30
1.7 Garden Designer 37
1.8 Graphic Designer 38
1.9 Interior Designer 42
1.10 Jewellery Designer 45
1.11 Photography 48
1.12 Sculptor 55
2 Engineering & Technology 58
2.1 Aerospace Engineer 59
2.2 Agriculture Engineer 60
2.3 Automobile Engineer 62
2.4 Biomedical Engineer - Human Engineer 65
2.5 Broadcast Technician 71
2.6 Chemical Engineer 73
2.7 Civil Engineer 77
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2.8 Computer Engineer 83
2.9 Electrical Engineer 85
2.10 Electronics Engineer 86
2.11 Fire Fighter 90
2.12 Footwear Engineer 95
2.13 Industrial Engineer 97
2.14 Instrumentation Engineer 99
2.15 Marine Engineer 101
2.16 Mechanical Engineer 103
2.17 Mining Engineer & Metallurgist 105
2.18 Naval Architect 106
2.19 Production Engineer 108
2.20 Telecommunications Engineer 110
3 Environmental and Biological Science 113
3.1 Agriculturist 114
3.2 Biochemist 118
3.3 Bioinformatics 124
3.4 Biotechnologist 127
3.5 Dairy Technologist and Poultry Supervisor 134
3.6 Environmentalist 139
3.7 Fishery Science 147
3.8 Food Technologist 150
3.9 Forestry and Wildlife 151
3.10 Horticulturist 157
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3.11 Marine Biologist 160
3.12 Microbiologist 163
4 Finance and Accounts 167
4.1 Actuary 168
4.2 Banker 172
4.3 Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) 177
4.4 Charted Accountant 179
4.5 Equity Research Analyst 182
5 Government Services 186
5.1 Civil Services Officer 187
5.2 Customs Officer 190
5.3 Indian Administrative Services (IAS) 194
5.4 Income Tax Officer 202
5.5 Indian Airforce Officer 206
5.6 Indian Army Officer 212
5.7 Indian Navy Officer 219
6 Hospitality 227
6.1 Air Hostess 228
6.2 Hotel Management 232
6.3 Travel and Tourism Professional 236
7 Humanities and Liberal Arts 239
7.1 Archeologist 240
7.2 Curator 243
7.3 Psychologist 246
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7.4 Social Worker 251
7.5 Teacher 256
8 Information Tech and Related 260
8.1 Information Technologist 261
8.2 Medical Transcriptionist 267
8.3 Network Administrator 270
8.4 Software Engineer 272
8.5 Technology Manager 275
9 Legal and Secretarial 279
9.1 Company Secretary 280
9.2 Lawyer 283
9.3 Personal Secretary 287
10 Management 291
10.1 Brand Manager 292
10.2 Business Development Manager 295
10.3 Event Manager 298
10.4 Export Manager 301
10.5 Human Resource Development 306
10.6 Management Consultant 309
10.7 Market Research Executive 312
10.8 Retail Manager 316
10.9 Sales and Marketing Manager 319
11 Media and Communications 323
11.1 Cinematographer 324
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11.2 Electronic Journalism 327
11.3 Film Editor 329
11.4 Journalist 333
11.5 Public Relations Executive 337
12 Medical 341
12.1 Ayurvedic Doctor 342
12.2 Cardiologist 347
12.3 Dentist 351
12.4 Doctor 355
12.5 Homeopathy Doctor 360
12.6 Orthodontist 364
12.7 Plastic Surgeon 366
12.8 Veterinary Doctor 369
13 Off Beat 373
13.1 Actor 374
13.2 Astronomy 377
13.3 Chef 381
13.4 Commercial Pilot 384
13.5 Merchant Navy 388
13.6 Radio Jockey 392
13.7 Singer 395
13.8 Video Jockey 398
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Art and Design
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Animator
Did the scene surprise you where a million rats invade a pastry shop in the latest
Shahrukh Khan blockbuster? Have you watched animated films like The Lion King
and Toy Story a dozen times? And then wondered how that happens? Well, it's called
animation, and what's more, it's possible for you to do it too!
Animation is basically giving motion to an object. To animate means to give appearance

of movement using varying drawings. Drawing each and every frame individually with
gradual variation does it. The procedure is hard, and requires patience. The drawings are
then played at the desired speed, which makes its look smooth.
Animators create sequences of motion picture art that tell a story or communicate a
message. Traditional animators used to draw each picture individually on paper, which
were then transferred onto film, and when played back rapidly (about 25 frames per
second), gave the effect of motion.
Animators work as a team. Basically, the work consists of making drawings and working
under a supervising animator, who usually gives out the scenes that are shorter, and
works on the longer ones himself. Animators do the acting, gestures, mouth shapes, but
are not responsible for every single drawing in the scene. One second of 35-mm film can
consist of 24 frames, but lots of people work on it.
Most animators say it's a rewarding experience. The work of an animator is not as
technical as it sounds. It requires more of creativity. Animation gets technical though in
certain scenes, when you have to keep track of the character walking in front of a moving
background, especially if the character is also moving towards and away from the
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camera. To excel in this field you have to know the character you are animating - how
they'd respond or react to something.
Animation scenes are denoted by number of feet, so you're responsible for certain amount
of footage. Four to eight feet will take you about a week.
For a bright career in animation you need:
A good hand at sketching.

Strong imagination, visualisation, and illustration skills.
Patience
To make a mark in this line a course in animation is necessary. In fact a graduate course
in Animation Design from an institution like National Institute of Design will help you to
make a good beginning. When you join as a trainee, you get to learn more. It's all based
on the strength of your drawing and imagination. What you essentially need is talent and
a good knowledge of computer based animation packages.
However, these days, with the advent of powerful computers and software such as 3D
Studio Max, Alias, etc, nearly all animation work is being done on the computer. What's
more, animation is even taught to kids, as they grasp much faster and are more interested
in animation as compared to adults.
If you are looking for a professional course in animation, beware of the numerous
multimedia academies that offer to teach you animation. Most of them only teach you the
bare technical basics and lack qualified, talented faculty. It is wise to ascertain the
competence and experience of the faculty in teaching the software packages before
signing up at any of those institutes.
You will do well if you have a graduate diploma in Visual Communication Design from
National Institute of Design with specialisation in Animation Design/ Bachelor of Design
from IIT-Guwahati/ Master of Design from IIT-Mumbai.
Job Opportunities:
A major chunk of the work happens to be in the advertising agencies.
You'll be involved in making short animation films for ads.
Even independent television and film production houses employ animators to produce
cartoon film and the likes.
There are also some animation studios and multimedia design agencies specialising in
animation.
Once you are known in the industry, you can also get into freelancing.
Money & Other Benefit:
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As a fresher, you'll be expected to put in long hours of work for meagre Rs 4000-6000
per month depending on your talent. However, once you have acquired animation skill in
using high-end animation software, the salary increases rapidly. It could be anything
between Rs 20,000-30,000 a month.
There is good scope for freelancing as an Animator. Here you could be drawing more
than an experienced animator. Working as a professional in a studio or a firm as a
freelancers, you can charge anything around Rs 50,000-60,000 or more for a 30 second
film (depending on the animation required).
Career Prospects of an Animator:
In India, the scope for professional animators is mostly restricted to the field of
advertising. But then, the film and television segments are growing.
The animation industry the world over is also growing. With the development of requisite
skills, Indian companies are bagging orders for animation production from advanced
countries due to cheaper costs. As a result, there is a growing demand for talented
animators with the right software skills. This trend is expected to continue in the future.
How did you get into the field of animation?

After completing my class XII, I was planning to join IIT for engineering. It just
happened that the entrance test for the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad
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was before that of the IIT Joint Entrance Examination. I appeared for the exam just for
the heck of it and actually got thorough. That marked my entry into the field of
animation.
Can you tell us more about this course?

I studied Animation Designing at NID. It is a five-year course after 10+2. Besides
acquiring the requisite knowledge of various techniques of animation, I was also trained
to handle the complete process of animation film making, right from scripting to post-
production. In short you have to develop your expertise in a broad range of areas.
How did you land your current job?

I was working as a senior graphics designer with a firm making Multimedia CD-ROMS.
My skills and expertise were communicated through the projects I undertook and one fine
day I was approached to start my own design studio. That is how this set-up-Famous
Animation studio came about.
How was it like to have your set up?

Exciting and challenging to say the least. You must realise that a lot of efforts has gone
into making this place what it is today. I used to handle everything from animation to
client servicing and even marketing. This is an industry where your work speaks volumes
for your abilities. That coupled with good contacts has ensured the steady growth of our
firm.
Could you tell us about what goes on in an animation studio?

An animation studio is not just a place where you draw cartoons and make films out of
them. In fact a majority of our work is creating commercials and promos for TV
channels. We use a variety of animation techniques beyond classical animation such as
Clay Animation and even 2-D and 3-D computer animation to get the desired results. We
also make use of editing and sound recording facilities.
I have separate teams working on different projects at any given point in time. Each team
usually consists of visualisers, who come up with creative concepts and designers or
animators who actually convert that idea into the final product. Besides these, there are
co-ordinators who liaison between the team and the client ensuring that the client get
what he wants. So you see every project is a team effort, which requires every individual
to bring new ideas to the table. That is how we add value to our products.
What's an average day with you?

Meetings, meetings and more meetings. That is the common denominator of my average
day. It could be a discussion on a script or storyboard of a commercial or a brainstorming
session with a client or just a simple thing as requisition of advanced animation software.
As the head honcho, I need to be aware of the on-goings in each department. Mind you, I
still am in touch with the animator in me and never loose any opportunity to work hands
on.
What does it take to be a good animator?

You must be a person full of energy and enthusiasm. You should have basic knowledge
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of animation. One must realise that this is a career where you are learn continuously. So
you have to be someone eager to learn whether you are 15 or 50. You must be a team
player and be able to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively to others.
Everyone in the field of animation is an artist. But everyone here also needs to be a
manager. Most importantly unlike fine arts, here you are using your skills to
communicate to a specific audience. The end user therefore always has to be kept in
mind.
What is the biggest misconception about this industry?

While most animators are good at drawing, with the advent of technology, it is no longer
a necessity. What animators need to be is creative and so if you can communicate your
ideas on a computer screen as against on paper then that's just as fine.
How is the Indian animation industry vis-à-vis the West?

As far as the technology, skill and expertise are concerned, we are not that far behind
from Hollywood. What we lack is the finances to make all of our ideas come to life.
Animated films do not have too many takers in India. But definitely the future is bright.
In fact I see India becoming a major export house as far as animation is concerned.
What are your other hobbies/interests?
I love watching movies. Not just the animated ones. However with the kind of busy
schedule that I keep, it is increasingly becoming difficult to find time.
- Siddhartha Roy
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Architecture
If you have been building castles in the air, it's time to build them on ground. Just
imagine as an architect you'll live for eternity through the concrete structures you'll
build. Who knows some day even a batch of architectural students will research the
monument you built. If you strike gold you can even have an entire housing colony
named after you. Just like the Hiranandanis. If this sounds interesting you should read
more…
As an architect you'll be in the business of dreaming up new structures. As an architect

you will shape human aspirations and design their houses, theatre halls, railways stations,
multiplexes and commercial complexes. But design is only part of architecture. Once a
design has been selected, as an architect you will draft the final construction documents
and oversee the actual construction.
Architects must understand the science behind the design, down to the strengths of
various materials and the benefits and limitations of competing design. It will be your
duty to make the buildings and constructions functionally useful and aesthetically
wonderful.
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This is not a cushy 9-5 job. Here you'll have to keep in touch with your clients on a day-
to-day daily on a strict deadline. That's not all. You'll also have to handle the legal
formalities. Simply put, architecture is both the art and science of constructing buildings.
To deliver projects on time and under budget, architects must grasp the big picture and
sweat the details.
Within architecture you can branch out into:
Landscape Architecture: This is basically creating a green spot amidst a concrete

jungle. You'll study topics like fundamentals of environmental awareness, small-scale
site planning and principles of ecology, mainly abstract design and elementary graphic
techniques.
Structural Architecture: You could be building bridges and the likes. It mainly involves
the development of local infrastructures, residential and commercial sites, utility designs,
transportation engineering, geographic information system and mapping.
Feng Shui: It's the current passion among the rich and the famous. An environmental
science that describes the observations and formulas developed by Chinese scholars over
4,000 years ago, Feng Shui is about the design of an environment and the placement of
objects within that environment.
Requirement:
Don't bother to read any further if you don't have a good hand at sketching. As an
architect you'll make realms and realms of drawings for approval. You also have to have
a very good imagination (and we aren't talking of your ability to day dream). You should
be able to think in 3 dimensional figures.
As an architect, you should have a keen sense for aesthetics and lots of creativity in your
grey matter. Good mathematical and analytical abilities will also help. As an architect,
you need to be detail oriented. You need to be excellent at project management, too,
because in the process of designing and constructing a building, you'll need to work with
a wide variety of consultants.
As an architect, you could pursue a degree in Architecture directly after clearing your
H.S.C with Mathematics. Or you could also consider a diploma. As an architect, you will
be trained in environmental awareness, human behaviour, problem solving and visual
language skills, mainly drawing, painting, photography and the ability to explore and
communicate ideas graphically.
Last but not the least, as an architect, you got to have a good tongue. You'll be breaking
your head with clients, contractors and other architects. And no matter how hard you
believe in your drawing unless and until you argue your point out to your client it's of no
use. Your designs might just end up in the circular file (dustbin, if you didn't know that
already).
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Well-established architects confirm that though a degree is an added advantage there is
no escaping the practical knowledge gained from working with at an architect firm.
Renowned architect Hafeez Contractor started as an apprentice at the young age of 14
with Khareghat Associates. His first design was for Cawasji High School in Khandala.
Colleges merely teach you the theory part, which can be learnt while on the job feels
Hafeez. What they don't teach are the nitty gritties, which are more important.
One can also have a diploma in Architecture to begin with. But a Diploma will not get
you lucrative jobs. You can only work as assistants to Architects and architectural firms.
Job Opportunities as an Architect:

As an architect, you will pass from a design school with towering dreams but wait till you
touch base. The ground realities are something else. You will have to start your career by
assisting a renowned architect or work in an architectural firm as an Assistant Architect.
Don't be shy of approaching architect firms for an apprenticeship. That's exactly the way
to go about it. A portfolio of your designs as an architect, with a good resume will help.
As an architect, you will also find opportunities in construction companies, Real estate
firms, Municipal and urban development corporations, and even some large-scale
companies involved in real estate development. With a few years of experience in your
kitty you can branch out on your own.
The moolah actually depends on how complicated the design and project is and also how
long it would take for the project to be completed. But as a fresher you could start off
with Rs 4,000-8,000 a month. With a little experience, you would be comfortably earning
between Rs 10,000-15,000 or more per month depending on the firm.
Once you have established yourself as an architect, you can look forward to earning in
lakhs. But if you can manifest you talent, you should expect a meteoric rise in your
career, both in terms of position and remuneration. An established architect may earn
more than Rs 25,000 a month. Once you have earned a name for yourself you can even
earn several lakhs in a year.
Career Prospects of an Architect:

Though the construction industry is in a slump right now, the point is that people will
always need a roof over their heads. And you will provide them with that.
Moreover new cities are springing up and there is a demand for construction to keep up
with the increase in population in these areas. New areas in architecture like Landscape
architecture, urban design are coming up.
And what about human aspirations for aesthetics? It's always there. So, there will never
be a dearth of opportunities.
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Artist
The fact that you bothered to check a story on Fine Arts says it all - you are an artist at
heart. Or maybe you sketch or paint well and need to know your chances as an artist. No
sweat! You have come to the right place. Read on and find out what it takes to be another
Anjolie Ela Menon or M F Hussein.
Fine art includes drawing, painting and sculpting. Trying to express a specific and
unique vision through painting, sculpture, drawing, or mixed media characterises an
artist's life.
Commercial art is the application of various art media for commercial purposes like
creating attractive illustrations for advertisements, displays, books, magazines, posters,
packaging, etc. The extension of these arts to the industrial field translates to exhibitions,
window displays, hoardings, technical catalogues, cinema slides, etc.
Fine Arts could be broadly classified into Painting and Sculpting.
Painting: It involves painting or sketching portraits, landscapes, scenery, still life,

abstract design, murals, etc. The medium could be watercolours, oil paints or even pastel
colours charcoal and even computer paint programmes. As an artist, your choice of
surfaces could vary from the traditional canvas to creating graffiti walls a La New York.
Sculpting: As an artist, you will use your hands to give shape to your thoughts. Material
like stone, wood, clay, plaster of Paris or metals such as bronze will be your resources.
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Computers, lasers, sound, plastics, fibre and textiles are some other materials you could
dabble with. Successful sculptors continually study and learn new techniques, experiment
with different materials, keep abreast with world trends and attend art exhibitions.
Pottery: As an artist, you could also take up pottery and create designer pots. You'll
keep yourself busy with throwing, glazing and firing pots. Many potters consider pottery
as more of a lifestyle than a career even though they may have their wares located across
the nation in speciality shops or art studios.
In fine arts unless you are a M.F Hussein or an Anjali Ela Menon, you don't really have
much opportunity to make mega bucks. So you better find yourself a proper job to fall
back on. But if art is what you live for you could earn a decent living as an artist too.
As an artist, you can offer your skills and vision to commercial clients like corporations,
retail stores, advertising agencies, design houses or publishing firms. If you don't want to
be tied up in a full-time job you could work be a freelancer, or work for an advertising
agency, graphic-design firm or other organisation that has an advertising department on a
part time basis.
Commercial art involves using different art forms for creating advertisements, billboards,
book jackets, window displays, cinema slides, technical catalogues, packaging and so on.
As an artist, you will use your creativity skills to give form to someone else's ideas.
To join this field, apart from being a good artist, you also need to understand the art of
marketing and publicity. Selling your skills at times affects your ability to produce your
own work. But this is where the moolah is. Apart from this you can also work on other
forms of art like cartooning, computer animation, clay modelling and so on.
The most essential traits in this field are:

Talent
A strong desire to express your feelings in art form
Dedication
An eye for form
Ability to utilise colours
Creativity
Originality
Patience
History is rife with examples of self-schooled artists with no formal educational training
who are both brilliant and innovative; unfortunately, history is also rife with examples of
starving artists, dying in obscurity. Formal training in this field is becoming the norm.
As an artist, you can go for a Bachelor in Fine Arts (BFA). It is a four-year degree
programme segmented into two courses, namely Foundation course (1 year) and
specialisation course (3 years). Further professional study can be pursued through a
Masters in Fine Arts (MFA) usually spanning over two years. Eligibility for BFA is HSC.
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You can also have a degree or diploma in Visual Arts.
Diploma in Fine Arts is another option.
As an artist, you can specialise in Commercial Art and better your chances of getting a
job. To better your prospects you should also learn computer technologies used in
commercial designs these days.
Job Opportunities as an Artist:

As an artist, you can find job as a sculptor, you could design themes for worldwide
events, seasons, specific promotions or a particular message. Sculpting is not a career,
which can be taken up off-hand. It is an art that has more to do with in-born talent.
Specialists in Fine Arts can work as freelancers or can be employed by TV and film
studios. They can teach art at the school level.
Specialists in commercial art have various job openings:

Art studios
Advertising agencies
Publishing houses
Departments of commercial establishments, etc.
Fashion houses
Art critics
As a freelancing artist, you can also earn money. Art and culture is getting increasing
attention in the media these days. You could even write features and articles for
newspapers and magazines.
Money & Other Benefits for an Artist:

Only a small number of artists can make a living by painting and sculpting alone. Though
this profession doesn't pay too well the reason why people choose to join the
unremunerative and very selective fine arts is because they love what they do.
Initially as an artist you will have to start your career by presenting your works to people
for free! You could exhibit your work in a gallery and earn anything between Rs 1,500 -
5,000 on an individual piece of work. Gradually, this could move on to the Rs 10,000-
30,000 bracket. Once your work is recognised then an individual piece could cost up to
Rs 2 lakh or more!!!
Career Prospects of an Artist:

The methods and mediums of art may change, but the intention has remained the same: to
reinvent, to communicate in a new and fascinating way. In the future, the role that art
plays will not change drastically, but painting, photography, sketching, sculpting,
metalworking, and many other mediums will be joined by computer art.
This is an industry where your reputation counts a lot. As an artist, you need to produce
work that creates hype and buzz in the artistic community. Your contacts in the
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advertising business and art dealers should get you steady amount of work. Be prepared
for a lot of frustration though. You may not always get what you want. Corporate support
and encouragement to artists is also on the rise.
B Prabha, Painter
Trained at the J.J School in Bombay, Prabha came to Mumbai from Bela, a village near
Nagpur. At first Prabha experimented with different media and themes, but contemplative
women in oils were to become her hallmark. Her paintings cover a wide range of
subjects, from landscapes to social issues like droughts, hunger and homelessness. B.
Prabha held about 50 exhibitions since 1956, both in India and abroad. She was also the
recipient of several prestigious awards.
Did you always want to be a painter?

No. Actually I dreamt of being a singer. I had a good voice. I was also good at painting.
My elder brother cautioned me that I couldn‟t master two subjects in one lifetime. So I
had to choose between painting and singing after my matriculation. And that was very
difficult indeed. After a lot of introspection I decided to opt for painting. I thought, main
apne hatho se paint karungi aur kano se gana sunugi.
What was your inspiration to take up painting?

There were not too many women painters in India at that time. There was only Amrita
Shergill. So I set out to create another Amrita. I respected her a lot. I also wanted my
paintings to reach all parts of the world. It was my ambition to be a renowned painter
based in Paris.
How did you think of coming to Mumbai and studying at the prestigious J.J. School
of Arts? How was the experience?
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I first studied art at Nagpur School of Art. Then I wanted to test my ability as a painter.
So I came to Mumbai and enrolled at the J.J School of Art where I got a scholarship to
specialise in mural painting.
The atmosphere at J.J those days was like a big family. We used to help each other. The
dean bought panels especially from Khadakvasla for us to make mural paintings. That
helped us to make huge murals.
Tell us something about your struggle period?

Struggle has taught me a lot. I came to Mumbai with only Rs 2 and 11 paise. I had to sell
my only piece of jewellery and a finger ring gifted by my grand mother to go to Kashmir
on our honeymoon. I remember we had taken along with us a stove and few utensils to
cook in Kashmir.
After coming back to Mumbai we didn‟t have a place to stay. So Vithalji‟s friend who
had moved to a bigger house gave us a room to stay in. He was kind enough to lend us a
few essential items.
Madhuri Ben Desai and Soali Batliwalawala gave us a place to put up our paintings. They
never charged us a penny. They said you could pay us back when you start earning.
Do you remember your first show?

I put up my first show as a student, much before I got married. I exhibited 100 paintings.
Can you imagine who was my first customer? My first customer was the great scientist
Homi Baba. He bought three paintings.
It‘s said that an artist is born. So where does that leave art schools?
Yes it is true that artists are gifted. But it is also important to go to an art school for
training. In a school environment you prosper because of the healthy competition. You
learn from other students. This way you can also rate your talent vis-à-vis the other
students in your class. It‟s like a race. How far can you go? If you sit and paint at home
you will obviously like your own paintings. It‟s only when you look at the world that you
will realise where you stand. And that‟s important.
What are the most important qualities for a painter?

First and foremost you have to be a good human being. Then you have to have an
appreciative nature, to be able to see the beauty around you. You have to be sensitive.
There is so much beauty around us. Just look at the sun, moon and the stars. One life is
not enough to study and appreciate all this beauty.
Why is the central theme of your paintings always woman and their sufferings?
I have seen many women and even studied them closely. And I have yet to see one happy
woman. Women can create beauty. Here I am not just talking about the urban woman but
even the women in our rural areas are extremely creative. Women crave for happiness
and appreciation all their lives. Moreover they have so many emotions to portray.
What is your advise to youngsters?

Just enrolling in an art school and passing the exams is not enough. You have to practice
from day one. Haath saaf hona chahiye. The more you practice the more you will be
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spontaneous in your work. If artists don‟t work even for a month their hands become
stiff. Like musicians and singers indulge in regular riyaaz, even artist like painters and
sculptors have to do regular riyaaz.
You should learn to draw human beings in different actions. Anatomy is very important.
Your paintings should reflect emotions. Tonal value in a painting is very important. If the
tonal value in your painting is not correct then your painting will look flat. You have to
be able to highlight your subject in the painting. Or else it will get lost in the
surroundings. You should be able to feel the distance in the painting.
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Ceramic Technology
If you thought ceramics was restricted to ceramic pottery used for decorative
purposes it's time you moved on. Ceramic engineers design and develop products, which
range from a flower vase to the ceramic nose cone for a missile. Surprised? Here's
more…
Astronauts, dentists, clumsy dishwashers, and astronomers all depend on ceramic

technologists to develop such varied products as protective tiles for space shuttles,
ceramic fillings for teeth, unbreakable dinner plates, and sophisticated telescope lenses.
Ceramics have applications in virtually any industry, which demands the use of
heat-resistant materials. Ceramic technologists are specialists in the study of these
materials, their behavior, application, and use.
Many industries now depend on ceramic materials: bricks, cement, tiles, pipe and
glass industries in the construction sector; the glassware, pottery, spark plugs industries in
the consumer goods sector; electrical insulators, cutting tools and bearings manufactured
in industries dealing with industrial products; diodes, capacitors, magnetic materials and
computer memory packages in the electronics sector and high temperature tile insulation
and composite materials in space technology, ceramic spark plugs used in aerospace
industry and nuclear fuel rods for nuclear industry.
Ceramic Technologists are mainly engaged in research, product development,

and production engineering. The exact nature of the job will depend upon your area of
specialisation and place of employment. If you choose research you will spend much of
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the day evaluating and planning new projects or consulting with other technologists and
company executives.
But at the entry level in a firm that manufactures ceramic products, ceramic
technologists work primarily in the laboratory where much of the time is spent running
physical or chemical tests on raw materials or finished products and analysing the results.
Ceramic technologists can specialise in whitewares (porcelain and china

dinnerware or high voltage electrical insulators), structural materials (brick, tile, and
turbine blades), electronic ceramics (magnetic, memory systems, and microwave
devices), protective and refractory coatings for metals, glass products, abrasives, and fuel
elements for nuclear energy.
Success in this field greatly depends on your grounding in subjects like Mathematics,
Physics, and Chemistry. A background in Physics, Mathematics, and

Mathematics, along with a degree in Ceramic Technology/ Engineering is the preferred
qualification to work in the ceramics industry.
After your 10th standard examination, opt for Physics, Chemistry, and
Mathematics in Higher secondary. Then go for the entrance exam to an engineering
college for a four-year B.Tech (Ceramics). You can continue studying and opt for
M.Tech (one and a half years).
You can study Ceramic Technology or Engineering after your B. Sc. with
Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. It is also possible to do a Diploma in Ceramic
Technology after your 10th standard examination.
A Bachelor's degree in ceramic engineering or materials science will only get

you an entry-level job. Some firms ask for a degree in materials engineering, physical
chemistry, physics, or metallurgy if the under-graduate programme has included
ceramics. For a job in R & D you need at least a post graduation i.e. M Tech in Ceramics.
If you are aiming high - top executive positions in administration or management a
doctoral degree in ceramic technology, materials science or business administration will
help.
Talking of personal attributes you must be able to communicate your ideas to

managers, technicians, craftworkers, production workers, and customers. The core
personal characteristics required are an innovative outlook and problem solving skills.
Gift of the gab will be an added asset when you have to build a rapport and interact with
artisans, technicians, managers, production workers and customers. You must also be a
good team player and possess an innovative streak. Tension may be a part of the job
when difficulty is encountered in meeting production schedules or project deadlines.
Technologists with post-graduate or doctoral degrees in material science,

technology and business administration can seek top-notch managerial and administrative
posts.
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Ceramic Engineers are employed in industries producing glass, cement,
porcelain, enamel refractories, iron and steel and in industries manufacturing special
ceramics for power and nuclear energy projects, aerospace, R & D laboratories and
defence establishments.
Ceramic engineering graduates usually begin as junior or assistant technologists

and, as they gain experience, may advance to positions of greater responsibility.
Depending on the structure and product line of the firm, a technologist may advance to
supervising engineer, chief engineer or plant manager.
The ceramic technologist engaged in research may be given increasingly

responsible assignments with corresponding salary increases and may progress to such
positions as supervisor, project engineer or director of research.
Many ceramic technologists work in the nuclear field, as ceramic fuel materials make
nuclear power generation possible.
The electronics industry is a growth area for this technology, as ceramics are
used as insulators for transistors and integrated circuits.
Refractory ceramics are required in the refining of iron and aluminum, and this industry
is especially in need of this type of worker.
The exciting new field of fiber optics has had a dramatic effect on today's
telecommunication and medical industries, and since ceramic components are used,
ceramic technologists are playing a vital role in this new science.
Ceramic Technology
Depending on the company, your starting salary may range from Rs.6,000/- to Rs.8,500/-
a month if you are a degree holder. If you are a diploma holder your starting salary will
range from Rs.4,000/- to Rs.5,000/- a month.
Life, health, and accident insurance and retirement benefits are usually offered to ceramic
technologists on a contributing or employer-paid basis. Some employers also offer stock
options, profit sharing plans or pay annual bonuses.
Career Prospects
There is a shortage of ceramic technologists. To maintain a competitive edge in
the market, ceramic companies will often hire ceramic technologists to serve in vital
business and management areas. Since Ceramics are a part of almost all industries, one
can get into any industry of one's choice and at most places in the country. This is an area
where one may find employment abroad too, if one so wishes.
One of the top research projects of ceramic technologists is the development of a

ceramic engine, which would replace the present diesel, gasoline, and turbo engines. This
new engine would withstand extremely high temperatures, would be much lighter, would
be more efficient, and would not wear out like metal engines. Are you game?
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26
Exhibition Designer
Ever been to an exhibition and wondered who makes all these stalls and props? Well
the people who make all this happen are a specialised lot who call themselves
Exhibition Designers. Read on to find out more about this profession.
This is a communication medium for designers trained specifically to deal with

communication in spatial, three dimensional terms, be it for business specific
international trade fairs, thematic exhibitions to showcase cultural heritage, or for
museums.
Exhibition Design brings together a variety of design disciplines - primarily that of
communication design, industrial design and interior architecture - into a multi-
disciplinary whole.
Exhibition designers deal with a range of three dimensional designs like designs of stalls,
pavilion, and overall interiors of trade fairs and exhibitions; sets for theme events like
beauty pageants, musical concerts, award ceremonies; interiors and ambience for art
exhibitions; product merchandising; and even design of movie sets and theatre sets.
Requirement:
You have to be creative and imaginative
You have to be innovative
You have to have very good spatial reasoning skill, meaning that you have the ability to
visualize objects in space and the ability to comprehend relations between two objects or
systems or among multiple objects and systems
You should have an excellent ability to visualize concepts
You should have the ability and a strong urge to express your ideas in an art form
You should have an aptitude for sketching and drawing. You may not be expert at these
(because computer can do your designs), but you should have the basic ideas of lines,
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curves, patterns, and colours
You should have an artistic personality - thoughtful, individualistic, sometimes
aggressive, sometimes inward looking, independent with a keen sense of aesthetics
You should also have the ability to communicate as you will often be required to make
presentation on your ideas and design
You should have a good idea on different materials, along with good sense for colours
and patterns
You should have a sense of balance and harmony of space
You should have a good commercial sense - you understand costs and are good at
convincing people
A degree in Exhibition design from National Institute of Design or equivalent would be

the best starting point. Alternatively, you can make a beginning if you have a Master's
degree in Interior Design coupled with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, or a
Bachelor's degree in Architecture, or a Diploma in Interior Design.
Job Opportunities:
You will have to begin with assisting established exhibition designers or set designers.
Large event management companies and interior design companies also hire a few
designers. After a few years of experience, it will be better if you start your own
company.

Initially the pay is not that great. As an assistant to an established set designer you will
make between Rs 5000-8000 a month. With experience and successful projects under
your belt, you could make up to Rs 5000-8000 per assignment. Top-notch designers
could make anything from Rs two lakh to as high as Rs 50 lakh for a film.
Career Prospects:
Communication industry as a whole is coming of age very fast in India. Visual
communication and three-dimensional communication are an integral part of product
merchandising and brand communication. There are a large number of events being held
all over India every year.
As a Exhibition Designer you have various award ceremonies, beauty pageants, events
for launching products, music concerts, dance shows, and so on. Film is also one area,
which needs extensive set designs. India is the leading film producing country. So,
opportunities for exhibition designers are many.
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Fashion Designer
There's not one moment of respite in this industry. Fashion designers have to
constantly keep a track of public opinion and tastes! The life of a fashion designer is
intimately linked to tastes and sensibilities, which could change at a moment's notice.
As a fashion designer you must be able to capitalise on those trends and even better,
influence those opinions.
You'll be involved in every phase of designing, exhibiting and producing all types of
clothing, from bathing suits to evening gowns. But there's a lot of teamwork involved
here. You'll work on a piece of garment for days and even months without having your
name on it. In most fashion houses, there's a cadre of young, less experienced designers
behind the scenes.
If you think after a few years down the line you'll be as famous as a Hemant Trevedi or a
Tarun Tahilliani and people will fall over each other to buy your labels, think again.
These are just the big names in the industry. Most designers stay pretty anonymous for a
better part of their professional existence.
As an assistant designer, you'll be sweating it out at the Mangaldas market in Mumbai or

any other textile hotspot in your city. You'll also end up breaking your head with the
darzi, embroiders and master cutters.
Other tasks could include ensuring the right colour of the yarn, cutting and sewing
samples, handling trims and buttons, conducting market research and sketching design
ideas. You need great business acumen as much as design talent to succeed. And
balancing the two can be like walking a tightrope.
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But, if you survive all this, you get to work with none other than geniuses like Tarun
Tahiliani and Hemant Trivedi. What's more, you even get to travel with them for their
fashion shows and shoots abroad. As a designer you'll be working in any of these
segment:
Haute couture
You are on your own designing for a select group of people known to you. You'll keep in
mind their lifestyle, likes and dislikes. Pots of money in store here. If you click that is.
Some famous names in this field are Hemant Trivedi, Wendel Roudriques, Tarun
Tahiliani, Shaina NC, Rohit Bal, etc.
Designer ready-to-wear
These are sold in specialist outlets like Melange, Timble, Ensemble, etc. Relatively small
numbers of each garment are produced, and they are bought for exclusiveness. The
designer works for a company (the shop), but still retains a fair amount of freedom and
can retain personal style in their designs.
High street fashion

Lot's of openings for graduates. Clothes are made in large quantities for a mass market,
and sold across the country or even internationally. The design is less creative, and each
designer tends to work on one garment type only. A typical example would be Cotton
World in Mumbai.
A typical fashion designing house or fashion design department comprises of following

people:
Designer - You'll design and experiment with ideas in line with the trend. Draw the initial
sketches and chart out the details of fabric to be used, colours, threads, buttons and other
materials. Co-ordinate the activities of other people in the house or department. Big
fashion houses usually have assistant designers to assist the head designers.
Junior designer - Puts together the samples. The work involves surveying the market for
fabric and other materials and their procurement. Co-ordinates with the cutting assistants
and the other production people. Prepares art works and samples for presentation to the
prospective buyers and clients.
Cutting assistants - You cut sample pieces, alter patterns, assist in the design room and
cut the fabrics for the actual production.
Fashion co-ordinators - Your main job is to understand and predict the trends in the
market. Co-ordinate between the clients and the designers and look after the production
process.
Talent, vision, determination and ambition will decide your popularity in this difficult,
demanding and highly competitive industry.
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* You have to constantly keep yourself updated about the current trends and tastes
through fashion magazines, newspapers and other media. As a bonus you also get to
attend fashion shows.
* You should be able to communicate your design and vision clearly through sketches,
discussion and occasionally samples. A good hand at sketching would be of advantage.
* For street fashion - the kind of clothes available at shops like Cotton World - you don't
necessarily need creative sense. But if you are working for a reputed fashion house like
Ensemble or Melange, you have to create your own lines and that need loads of
creativity.
* Communication skills are a must if you want to convince your client about the design.
No matter what your personal style, as a designer you must be able to produce a creative,
exciting and profitable line of design. Those who want to make it big in this field should
have a good eye for colour, style and shape. A fair knowledge of textiles and a
familiarity with the nuances of a variety of fabrics is also a must.
* Knowledge of different fabrics, dress materials, colours, shapes and patterns will be an
added advantage here.
You can do a course in Fashion Designing after 10+2. The duration of most diploma
courses varies between one and three years and includes practical training.
A degree from NIFT (National Institute of Fashion Technology), or a Diploma from NID
(National Institute of Design) will give you a good start. Both these institutes are run by
the government and are reputed for their excellence in training.
Can I make it without a degree?

Yes you can! This is one profession where you won't have to flaunt your degree. There
are reputed designers with no formal training in designing. If you already have the talent,
design schools will only fine-tune it.
This is a very creative field and unless you are confident that your talent will get you
places or have a Dad who's ready to open a boutique for you, you need to slog your way
up.
You can start off by working as an apprentice for a garment house like Sheetal Design
Studio, Ensemble or Timble. If you don't want to do that, you can also be on your own by
designing for individual clients and get paid per garment. But it's always wiser to first try
your hands at a boutique or by working with a fashion designer. Here you'll get hands-on
experience, which you could put to use when you branch out on your own.
Apart from a good infrastructure, you need at least five people on your pay roll. You will
have to deal with master cutters, procure material from the wholesale market and then
sell your designs to boutiques. Something they never taught you at the design school.
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So even if Dad is ready to back you up, it makes sense to start your solo career after
getting some experience.
You could work in:

Fashion designing houses generally run by famous designers
Garment manufacturers both for domestic markets and for the export markets
Garment export houses
Textile manufacturers
Fashion show organisers
Trade Fair authorities
Fashion magazines
Fashion consultants
Stipend for apprentice at a design house: Rs 2,000-2,500. Once you are inducted the pay
ranges from Rs 5,000-10,000 or more.
Senior designer (in medium to large scale export houses, designer houses, garment
manufacturers or textile manufacturers): Rs 10,000-50,000 or more a month. Fashion co-
ordinators and merchandisers also earn as much.
If you branch out on your own later on, you could earn anything between Rs 1,000-
5,00,000 or more for a single dress. And once you become a name to reckon with, you
can call the shots the way you want.
Going by the increasing amount of fashion awareness among people in India, Fashion
designing aspirants have a very bright future. The government is also encouraging
expansion in garment export. Even the international fashion bigwigs are taking cues from
the Indian fashion gurus.
India is slowly but steadily being recognised as a trendsetter. Indian models are achieving
accolades in international competitions and Indian clothes are being considered as
fashion statements in the West.
The market for designer dresses is expanding very fast creating career opportunities for
young minds with artistic inclinations.
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Shaina NC, Fashion Designer
Shaina is one of the young designers in the fashion industry with a F.I.T New York
graduate degree under her hat. She caters to the quality conscious women of India and the
young executives of the corporate world. At her boutique 'Golden Thimble', she stocks
affordable, classy, sarees.
Shaina is an unusual name. What does it mean?

Thank you. It‟s a made-up name and has no meaning.
Political Science is not remotely connected to fashion designing. How did you make
the shift?
I completed my high school in Vancouver, went on to graduate in Political Science from
Xavier‟s with every intention of doing law. And then strangely I branched out into
fashion. I think it's because my mom's been in the trade for 30 years, so I've grown up
seeing tailors and embroiderers. But at that time I used to always think of fashion as a
career for 'dumb-blondes' - there was no mental stimulation. As I got more interested in it
I went ahead and got a degree from F.I.T. (New York).
How did you think of reinventing the age-old saree?

I am truly fascinated by the saree. It is the only garment that can be draped in 17 different
styles and each one looks different from the other.
You would be amazed to know that the saree is the only outfit, which makes a thin person
look voluptuous and a fat person look thinner, if draped correctly with soft fabrics. Most
people don‟t know the potential of six yards of fabric.
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What is the most important thing for a fashion designer?
You have to be able to visualise. If you are not able to visualise what you want to create,
it is never going to work. If for instance you sketched some thing on paper and it looks
fabulous. But when you translate it into reality it does not look the way you sketched,
then there is no point. Your test as a designer is to translate your sketches into reality.
Is formal training a must for fashion designers?

Professional training is a must in today‟s world. Or else you will be left far, far behind.
The knowledge of fabric, silhouette, sketching techniques, etc is utmost important. One
more thing, the Indian ethic wear market is totally saturated. Branch out in to children‟s
wear, men‟s wear, accessories, etc.
What is the best training ground in India to become a fashion designer?

The courses at SNDT and NIFT are quite competitive.
What do you love most about being a fashion designer?

Fashion is one line, which has tremendous creative stimulation and one gets a lot of
mental satisfaction when your creations are appreciated.
What is your fashion philosophy?

I am a very conservative designer. I don't want to experiment every single day, and come
up with things like shell caps as blouse bustiers. It's just not me. Also, I've never believed
that the more flesh you show, the more expensive the garment should be. My fashion
philosophy is simple - wearable, designer clothing for the Indian woman, at affordable
prices.
Not all of us have a body like Naomi Campbell. We have our reservations in terms of
height, figure and complexion. That's why it's a bigger challenge to dress the average
Indian woman rather than a model.
What would you term as your career highlights?

I think they're yet to come. But in a sense breaking into the Indian ready-to-wear market
can be considered one of them. Also, I have done shows abroad in New York, Colombo,
London, which I feel have catered to an appreciative NRI market.
Do you have any specific clientele that you design for?

I love signing for women like Shobha De and Anuradha Mahindra. I also design for
Anjali Mendes, Malvika Sanghvi, Dolly Thakore, Sathya Saran and business houses like
Birlas and Ambanis.
But why only women‘s clothing?

The reason I haven‟t really adventured too far into men's clothing is because men come
and buy one kurta after half-an-hour, whereas women will pick up five outfits in the same
time. Plus, I'm truly in love with the sari.
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Shaina, how do you keep yourself updated on fashion on a daily basis?
I keep myself updated by reading a lot of international fashion magazines, travelling and
of course surfing the net.
What do you do when not working out designs?

I like reading biographies, autobiographies, exercising and travelling the most.
Who is your source of inspiration in the field of designing?

It's only Shahab Durazi.
Future plans?
I'd like to take on the political system and get politicians to wear smarter clothes. Just like
film stars have their own personal designers, why can't our politicians?
- Nivedita Jayaram Pawar
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Garden Designer
Professional garden designers are experienced in dealing with all aspects of garden and
landscape design, mostly working in the private sector, with garden owners, to enhance
their private spaces. The designer's contribution can vary from a consultation and
professional advice on a small area to a complete transformation.
Most garden designers offer project management as an integral part of their service,
recommending landscape contractors and monitoring their works to ensure the integrity
of the design and the best standards of workmanship are achieved.
One of the exciting aspects of the garden design profession is the way in which it has
developed over the years. This is not only in terms of professionalism and public
awareness but also in the approach to contemporary design, the new materials available
and the possibilities of creating innovative gardens and landscapes.
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Graphic Designer
Have you been intrigued by the gooey, slimy aliens that threatened the very
existence of mankind in Independence Day, or the disastrous cyclone in Twister,
and the mind boggling effects in Matrix? Who does these breathtaking special
effects? Graphic artists of course!
And you thought artists only dabbled with paint and brush. Well, not any more. With the
advent of the World Wide Web graphic artist have now armed themselves with a
computer. And a mouse now has replaced the brush. Unbelievable? Read on…
A graphic designer as regards to a web designer would mean a person who decides on the
layout and aesthetic value of a site. The job would entail knowing how to present the
design content of a site, to optimise the use of graphics so as to minimise download time.
As a graphic designer, you have to structure links in such a way so as to give maximum
ease of navigation to the visitor on the site. In short you have to integrate creativity with
technology.
Basically, letting your creativity flow is the most essential part of being a graphic
designer. Everyone of us is creative - we just need to consciously bring it out. If you
choose to work for a website you should be able to grasp the gist of the content for the
website you are designing. You should also have a fair idea of the kind of crowd that is
likely to visit the site.
"Great design is born out of pure emotion. You have to feel rather than reflect. Designing
is cultivated from within. The more you are in tune with your intuition, the more you will
shine," says graphic designer Sudarshan Dheer, one of the top graphic designers in India.
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Your work doesn't end at luring surfers to your site by means of attractive designs and
concepts. You have to constantly work at retaining the number of surfers and stopping
them from leaving the site by introducing new designs, concepts and ideas. And trust us,
this is not half as easy as it sounds.
In order to increase the number of hits on your site, you will have to constantly come up
with newer design ideas and concepts so that the user finds something new each time
he/she visits the site. For this, you will need to arm yourself with loads of imagination
and you also have to have a fair idea of what's happening in the world (in short, brush up
your knowledge of current affairs) of arts and design.
How often have you left a site just because the visuals and graphics on the site were not
good enough? Often, isn't it? Well, as a graphic designer you will have to ensure that the
page designed by you is not dull and drab. Breathe life into it the page with good graphics
and images.
As a graphic designer for a dotcom company, you will be exposing your designs to
anyone who has access to the Internet across the globe, as compared to the publishing
industry where your designs would be viewed by only a few thousand people who
subscribe to that particular magazine or newspaper.
Requirement:
Graphic designers have to work under extreme time pressures and very defined financial
and design limits to produce quality work. "The process of becoming a good artist is to
start with no assumptions, and no fixed ideas. I have disowned all my previous work as
one needs to begin with nothing to end up with something original," adds Dheer.
This profession takes a person who can:
Listen to comments
Has a good eye for aesthetic design
Has a flair for colour
A good understanding of the needs of the corporate world
Good communication skills are very important if you want to see your designs accepted
Good aesthetic sense
A good hand at sketching
An ability to work long hours
The job is highly visible; successes and failures alike are recognised and are put on
display. Those who are insecure about their skills or their ideas have a hard time
accepting the amount of risk and rejection this career entails.
A graphic designer in the publishing industry is expected to know packages like:
PageMaker
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CorelDraw
PhotoShop
Director
3D Max
Adobe Premier
For a web site:
PhotoShop
Flash 4
Other animation packages plus knowledge of IBM and Mac platforms are the need of the
day
Knowledge of HTML
Freshers must assemble a portfolio to approach companies for work. Unfortunately,

despite the great prospects, none of the art institutes teach computer-based art.
Some private design schools that teach you graphic designing charge around Rs 15,000
for a two and a half-month course, which includes basics of CorelDraw and PhotoShop
among other packages. Advanced courses and higher level classes cost more. Talking to
the ex-students of the institute is the best way of gauging the authenticity of the institute.
Job Opportunities:
A graphic designer is almost an indispensable part of any media or web organisation. The
primary job of a web designer is to give an attractive look to the site and design the
various images and animations that have to be displayed on the web pages.
With websites vying with each other to offer enchanting e-greetings, wallpapers,
screensavers and animated pictures to surfers, the dot com companies have come to rely
heavily on graphic designers.
In print and television media, and advertising agencies too, a graphic designer is required
to draw cartoons, visuals, illustrations, charts, etc. One may also land a job at garment
manufacturing firms, publishing houses and film and documentary companies.
Apart from working in a dot com company you can also be employed in newspapers,
magazines, television, films, special effects companies, technical publications,
advertising agencies, etc.
At a publishing house you will be known as an illustrator and your job will involve
providing visual relief to articles where pictures don't help. A typical example would be
the design on the front page of Ascent (the employment supplement of the Times of
India).

According to Dheer, whose career began in 1955, graphic designing is not a highly
profitable profession. "Financial incentive for professional in this field has augmented
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marginally in comparison to the existing rate of inflation. The number of designers opting
to work in the field of multimedia, though is on the rise," he says.
Fresher out of college can expect Rs 3000-5000 a month, which goes up to Rs 8000-
10,000 after a year. A seasoned professional with 2-3 years of experience can command a
salary of Rs 10-15,000. There are many instances of graphic designers earning more than
half a lakh rupees per month.
What's more, there is vast scope for freelance in this profession. Everyone wants to have
a presence on the web these days and that makes for a lot of work for web designers.
Initially, the going might be a little tough when you have to depend on friends and
acquaintances to get you work, but once you make a name for yourself then sky's the
limit.
Career Prospects:
Graphic design will become ever more significant as computer technology becomes more
universally available and as more and more companies realise that a definitive, distinctive
logo and product design can make an enormous difference.
A graphic designer can work in newspapers, magazines, television, films, special effects
companies, technical publications, advertising agencies, web sites, etc.
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Interior Designer
You don't necessarily have to be a bored star-wife to make it as a good Interior

Designer (with due respect to star-wives). All you need is a sense of space and a well-
defined aesthetic sense. Then, you probably have all that it takes to be a good interior
designer. Here's more dope on the career.
First of all, interior designing is not the same as interior decoration. The former is all
about intelligent and aesthetic use of space. Interior Designers work with engineers,
illustrators, administrators and the likes. Good designers pay attention to style as well as
function. To be successful in this field you need to be creative.
As an interior designer you will not just design the space but also plan, develop and
execute the site. Once that is done you will also design furniture pieces. Your work will
focus on researching, planning, developing and implementing designs for indoor
environments, such as living rooms or office lobbies. The space designed will have to be
beautiful and functional as well.
Interior decoration on the other hand, is a less tedious process. Here all you have to do is
select readymade furniture pieces to suit the space and fit it in. Most interior decorators
are not academically trained.
For now, let's stick to Interior Design. Apart from having a strong design sense you also
need to be fully aware of what your client wants. Often you will work within tight budget
constraints and close deadlines. Making innumerable blueprints of your ideas will be a
part of your job as an interior designer you.
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In addition to structuring space and drawing blueprints, you'll also be responsible for
choosing furniture, carpeting, paint and fixtures. It also includes preparing tender
documents, selecting and entrusting the work to suitable contractors, supervising,
checking, certifying bills, etc. Be prepared to break your head with the clients,
contractors, electricians, plumbers, and what have you.
Computer skills will come handy while preparing those innumerable blueprints. Most
design fields, these days rely heavily on CAD (Computer Aided Design) and illustration
programmes such as AutoCAD.
As an interior designer you could specialise in designing restaurants, private homes,

office spaces, hospitals or hotels. Two new avenues related to interior designing - Vaastu
Shastra and its Chinese counterpart Feng Shui have only made it richer. If you weave
your designs around it, well then you have finally arrived!
Requirement:
Artistic talent (creativity)
Strong communication and listening skills (you have to listen to know exactly what your
client wants)
Innovative
Good reasoning skills
Excellent ability to visualise concepts (ability to think in 3-dimensional)
Good commercial sense - you understand costs and are good at convincing people
Patience
Above all you have to be creative. A strong vocal chord is another essential criterion. It
will come handy when you have to visit sites and scream your lungs out with the
workers. As an interior designer, you will need loads of confidence and never let your
client know that you aren't sure of something (that would amount to professional suicide)
A diploma or degree in Interior Designing/Furniture Design is a must. Graduation in

Commercial Arts or Architecture with specialisation in Interior Designing is a better
option.
You could even opt for a diploma after HSC or after graduation in Fine Arts or Applied
Arts or Architecture. A B.Sc. in Interior Design is also possible.
Job Opportunities:
Fresh from a design school, your first option is joining an interior designing firm to gain
hands-on experience. Nothing can match the real experience you'll gain by actually
working at a firm as an apprentice/assistant to an established interior designer. You will
hone your skills here.
Once you gain experience (after 2-3 years) and confidence that you can handle a project
all by yourself, you can branch out on your own.
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As an interior designer, you can even work as a consultant in furnishing companies,
stores, paint companies and in educational institutions.
But the real opportunity lies in setting up your own firm. Of course it is easier said than
done, but once you establish a name for yourself work will just pour in.

Salaries range from Rs 2,000-5,000 or more per month for trainees. On an average a
freelance designer makes at least Rs 10,000 a month. The earnings grow with experience.
A reputed designer can earn Rs 2 lakh a month or even more.
Consultants generally charge Rs 10 per square feet for drawings, or around 10-15 per
cent of the total cost of the project. The latter goes for turnkey projects too. The contacts
you make through networking will often lead to jobs down the line.
Career Prospects:
Opportunities for Interior Designers are definitely on the rise. Plush interiors are no
longer just the privilege of the rich and famous. With the increase in the average income
of the middle and upper middle class Indian families, interior designing is fast becoming
a done thing for homes.
The scope has only widened with increased awareness among the corporates to develop a
very employee friendly office.
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Jewellery Designer
Are you fascinated with anything that razzles and dazzles? Are you creative? Then, we
have a dazzling career for you - one that comes with a goldmine of opportunities. Yes we
are talking of a career in jewellery designing.
If you want to see your designs adorned by svelte, beautiful lass, then this is your golden
opportunity…
Not so long ago, people bought gold ornaments as an investment or asset. Aesthetic value
stood second. But now people are beginning to look for 'exclusivity' in jewellery. And the
designs are no longer restricted to the traditional, neighbourhood goldsmith with names
like De Beers and Swarovski becoming the all-familiar jewellery brands.
Students opting for jewellery designing can work as:
Jewellery designers - You'll design various patterns using different stones and metals.
Ornament makers - You will use your expertise in the production aspect and see your
designs turn to reality.
Gem and Stone consultants - You will ascertain the value of precious stones.
Though your work will essentially involve creating ornaments, there is much more to the
job than just that. It also needs detailed study of subjects such as metallurgy and
gemmology, insight into current styles, comprehensive planning and even marketing the
creations.
Jewellery designing is a multi process job, which starts with conceiving a pattern. You
will then have to sketch it in detail on paper. Then comes making the sample model. The
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last and the most important step are looking for buyers for your piece.
While gold, silver, pearl, diamond and other semi-precious and precious stones remain
the most popular medium of making jewellery, designers these days are also keen to
experiment with new materials like wood, brass, copper, shells, glass and even dried
flowers and papier mache.
As a jewellery designer you'll work on a wide range of products from traditional and
bulky pieces to contemporary, wacky and delicate ornaments. Traditional jewellery
includes pieces created from gold, silver or diamond, which are heavy, formal and suited
for special occasions like marriages. Contemporary designs are comparatively more sleek
and delicate.
Previously, the only way one could learn this craft was as an apprentice to an experienced
jeweller. These days there are various courses in jewellery that will teach you the craft.
Of course you got to have a talent for designing.
Courses in jewellery designing can be done after class XII. You will learn amongst other
things Elements of Fashion, Gem Identification and Colouring, Metallurgical Processes,
Drawing Techniques, Design Methodology, Computer Aided Designing, Traditional and
Modern Processes, etc.
The course will also give you basic information on different kinds of stones, colour
schemes in jewellery designing, design themes, presentation and framing of designs,
designing individual jewellery pieces, men's jewellery, costume jewellery, jewellery
costing, etc.
This upcoming profession requires creativity in abundance and a knack to catch trends
early on. People want newer designs and you should be able to keep pace with that.
Accessory designers need to be creative, have an eye for detail, keen observation, fashion
awareness and precision. This field requires working with materials, which are expensive
and precious. A meticulous and precise approach is required.
You got to have an excellent aesthetic sense, imagination, and ability to innovate and
create designer pieces. Keen observation and concentration too are necessary to succeed
in the field.
If you wish to take up this career you can't be colour blind. A good sense of colour
coordination and fashion consciousness is imperative here. Also, you should be ready to
adapt your creations to suit your client's specifications and market requirements. Good
communication and planning skills too make a positive difference.
The best way to start off would be to work under a jeweller and learn the tricks of the
trade.
Though it won't pay too well but this is necessary if you want to solidify your base. You
could specialise in any of the types of jewellery like South Indian Jewellery, Bengali
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Jewellery, Mughal Jewellery, Maharastrian jewellery etc.
Most professional in this field branch out on their own. Apart from loads of confidence
and creativity you need a rich dad to finance you. You also need to have the right
contacts. Be warned that you'll have to break you head over workers who refuse to see
beyond the traditional designs.
This is one business where trust matters a lot and word-of-mouth spreads quickly. The
clients that you cultivate would keep coming back to you for generations and generations.
Another alternative (for the ones without a rich dad) is getting your designs made in a
workshop. There are many workshops in Zaveri Bazaar, Mumbai where karigars will
execute your designs. This could be a good way to start off.
As with most creative fields, the work is tedious and the rise steep. It is advisable for new
entrants to first find work with an established designer, or jewellery house and learn the
ropes. At this stage, the pay is are not very high, ranging from Rs 3500-5000.
Once successful in establishing a name for yourself, you can command your own price,
depending on the exclusivity of the design and the clientele you are catering to.
The job involves visualising and creating attractive jewellery pieces, keeping in mind the
latest trends and customer needs. As a jewellery designer you are supposed to keep
abreast of the various gems and metals, manufacturing details, traditional and
contemporary designs and ornaments, financial aspects of the business and also the latest
fashion. The job would interest those who want to stay away from 9 to 5 routines or
convert their hobby into a career.
The diamond kings' arrest notwithstanding, this still is a lucrative business. The margins
you make are pretty high. If you make a name for yourself, your designs could be the talk
of the town. Indian craftsmanship has always been appreciated. The Indian market too is
moving away from traditional jewellery to work wear. Platinum is the latest metal
making its presence felt.
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Photography
"If I can't shoot with Atul, I'd rather shoot myself," said Shah Rukh Khan about ace
photographer Atul Kasbekar, who quit chemical engineer to pursue fashion
photography. After all, you can't meet super models in a chemical factory, can you?
If you want to shoot everything from perfect pouts or perfect products, all you need as a
photographer is a discerning eye and a technical bent of mind. Join the likes of Ashok
Salian, Rakesh Shresta and Gautam Rajadaksha in the hall of fame. Ready to shoot?
Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. A photographer reveals what the
naked eye may have missed. Photographers capture history for posterity. As a
photographer you'll take pictures of people, places, objects, and events and try to
artistically capture and evoke a mood, feeling, or drama.
In a way, it is an artistic job as you'll use your camera much the way an artist uses his
brush, as a tool to capture your unique perspective of the world around you.
This job calls for a great deal of practise in order to master the technical knowledge of
light, camera settings, lenses, film, and filters and apply this knowledge creatively.
Photographers use a wide variety of lenses and filters designed for close-up, mid-range or
long distance photography.
As a photographer you have the option of developing and printing your pictures (most
photographers prefer to do that), but you can even hand your film over to the company
you work for or to a commercial lab for processing.
The work hours are long and irregular. Sometimes you even have to make yourself
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available on short notice. It's a high-pressure job with tight deadlines. But if you are a
self-employed photographer, your work hours will be more flexible.
There are various categories of photographers:
Press photographer: You'll work for newspapers and shoot pictures of the day's events,
that will accompany the article in the newspaper the next day. The photographs you shoot
are also stored in archives. You could be working for magazines, newspapers and
sometimes book publishers (for covers). It's a dare devil job where you often have to risk
your life in attempting to take pictures of newsworthy events, people and places.
Photojournalist: This is slightly different from press photography as your photographs

itself have to tell the whole story. This means that they have to be more precise.
Technical/Industrial Photographer: You'll use specialised photographic instruments to

photograph industrial equipments to be used in company brochures and other publication.
Scientific photographers: You'll specialise in areas like astronomic photography,

astrophysics photography, photography of chemical and biological materials, specimen,
etc. You will photograph laboratory experiments, etc.
Commercial Photographers: It involves taking pictures of merchandise, buildings,

machinery, fashion, livestock, and groups of people to be used in advertisements,
marketing reports, brochures, catalogues and postcards. You will also be photographing
events, marketing promotion operations, etc.
Fashion Photographer: You'll take attractive images of fashion products like designer
clothes, accessories, etc.
Personal Photographer: This is the best part. Here, you'll hobnob with the best faces in
the fashion industry like models and film stars. You'll specialise in capturing images of
people. You will also work in fashion photography.
Nature And Wildlife Photographer: If you are green at heart, this is it. Here, you'll
capture animals in their natural habitat. Sub marine or under water photography is
another branch of this stream.
Film Photographers: You will shoot feature films, advertising films, documentaries, etc.
Video Photographers: You will shoot moving films with a video camera. Your subjects
can be anything from a marriage ceremony to a 16 mm film.
Forensic Photographers: Here you'll travel with the police to crime scenes to
photograph evidence. Adventurous, isn't it?
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Some photographers specialize in special events such as wedding, awards ceremonies,
etc.
For pursuing photography as a career you need:

A keen visual sense
A good understanding of shapes, colours, patterns and hues
A perfect eye for observing everything around– life and nature
An interest and ability to express life and nature in a visual art form An excellent spatial
perception - the ability to capture and understand objects from different dimensions and
locations
A love for details - you will know what is missing in a given scene.
A successful career in photography doesn't call for a degree or diploma in the subject. All
you need is a strong sense of aesthetics and creativity. And loads of focus. You should go
the extra nine yards to make your work a satisfying experience for your clients.
But you will do better with a basic course in photography. Certain skills have to be learnt,
and you will have to know the instruments and equipment. A formal training course will
give you confidence and make you aware of the latest technologies. For film and video,
you must have a formal training.
There are ample opportunities for a budding photographer.
You could work for an advertising agency, newspaper houses, magazine or a photo
studio.
You can work for television channels, television software (what you call television
serials) producers, film producers, web site.
There is immense scope for freelancing. There are agencies where your photographs can
be syndicated and you can earn royalty in the process.
Other avenues for employment include scientific laboratories, research institutions and
industries.
You can even operate as a full-time outdoor photographer and send your transparencies
to stock picture agencies like Dinodia Picture Agency (DPA) in Mumbai.
Money & Other Benefits:

Though the initial investment (in terms of a sophisticated camera with all state-of-the-art
accessories) is quite high, the returns may go through the roof.
Beginners get Rs. 3,500-7,500 a month. Experienced photographers charge Rs. 10,000-
35,000 or more a month. In fact, once you have established yourself you can command
up to Rs. 5,000 or more for a day of shooting and earn more than a lakh in a month.
Fashion photographers charge Rs. 5,000 a day at the minimum. The best in this field can
command up to Rs. 75,000 per shoot and more than 5 lakh for one campaign.
Specialist photographers like wildlife photographers, under water photographers are paid
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on a project-to-project basis. These may go up to Rs. 2-10 lakh or more per project.
Photojournalists and press photographers get Rs. 4,000-25,000 a month or more.
Assistant film photographers get Rs. 50,000-100,000 a film. But when you are reputed,
it's better not disclosing the figure, as the taxmen will come chasing!
However, those salaried in a company/newspaper house should not expect these

astronomical figures. You will get about Rs .7,000-40,000 a month as your salary.
Career Prospects:
Bombay is India's advertising capital and the other metros source photographers and
filmmakers from Bombay. Your prospects depend more on your quality of work more
than anything else.
There is a demand for photographers but more often than not it is the good ones that
capture a large share of this market. So try to develop your reputation real fast in this
field. Dotcoms are a new industry, which is in need of photographer
Daboo Ratnani, Photography

One of the renowned names in photography, Dabboo Ratnani started as an apprentice to
Sumeet Verma. Today he is the last name in Fashion photography. His trademark
however, is outdoor photography and his favourite model? You guessed it right - Pooja
Bhatt.
Tell us, did you always want to be a photographer?

Not at all. Actually, it all happened by accident. I used to help my dad in his business.
After my HSC I told my mom that I wasn't interested in studying anymore and that I
wanted to be a photographer. I said I'll give it a shot. If it works, great. Or else I have my
dad's business to fall back on.
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But why a photographer?
I had a flair for photography and I liked it as a subject. Even in school picnics and family
holidays, I was the one with the camera. I am basically a gadget freak. Everything from
computers to music systems excite me.
My bother's friend was an amateur photographer. Maybe even that influenced me. Also,
when I first walked into Sumeet Chopra's studio I was overwhelmed by the huge prints
on the soft board and all the numerous pictures there. I thought to myself I would never
be able to do this.
So how did you start off professionally?
I first bought myself a camera and did some amateur photography. After seeing the
photographs I decided to give it a shot. I assisted Sumeet Chopra for 4 years, before I
finally ventured out on my own.
Do you remember your first shoot?

Of course, I do. It was in March 1993 when I was still assisting Sumeet. I did the film
publicity for Aatish. We were in Mauritius for 40 days. It was a major assignment. I shot
some pictures of Sanjay Dutt while we went fishing and those pictures appeared in
Stardust. Then, there was no looking back.
Even during the four years that I was with Sumeet I used to do my own shoots and
portfolio on weekends. I would show them to Sumeet and take his inputs on them. This
helped me a lot.
You did a major chunk of your work with Pooja Bhatt? Tell us about that?
Well, I had just started out then and I was thrilled to have Pooja Bhatt the actress pose for
a beginner like me. She has been my favourite face. In terms of attitude in front of the
camera and also in terms of her inputs in the picture, she is just fabulous. She enjoys
photo sessions with a vengence. In fact she enjoys it much more than her film shootings.
And that comes across in her pictures.
Of course, Aishwayra is the prettiest face to shoot. You can't go wrong with her. But
Pooja is the most versatile.
You deal with stars all the time. Is it difficult to manage all the egos?
Not at all. My approach is very straight. If the person vibes well with me and I am
comfortable, only then we decide to go ahead with the shoot. But, if a person makes me
uncomfortable or throws attitude at me, I would not like to work with that person.
However, till date that hasn't happened to me.
I am not a pushy person at all. I let the star wear whatever he or she wants to wear. I don't
force my opinion on anyone.
In fact, a lot of photographers have an attitude. More than the stars themselves. But I
have had no problems with anyone so far.
How important is professional training for a photographer?

To be frank, I have never had any professional training in photography. But you do need
to assist a photographer to learn the tricks of the trade. That is very important.
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A course can only give you technical knowledge - the theory part of it. Finally, it all boils
down to your eye - how you look at things, your approach. The course cannot teach you
how to visualise. That is your input as a photographer.
What differentiates the work of one photographer from the other is basically his eye. His
way of looking at things. Technically everybody learns. Finally, it is your style, approach
or composition that will set you apart from the rest.
I believe to be a commercial photographer you don't need to know how your roll is
processed or even the history of photography. You should know what you want as the
end result and you should be able to explain that to your printer. I didn't need to know
when the first camera was invented. Although I did want to do a course in photography
from Santa Barbara, it was too expensive for me at that time.
How do you improvise on your art?

A photographer tells a model what to wear, how to do the hair and the makeup. For that I
attend fashion shows to see what clothes are in. I also surf the net a lot. You have to keep
up with the latest both in terms of technique and the gadgets. I also watch a lot of foreign
film to see camera angles and techniques.
You need inspiration to drive you. The day you feel you are stagnating you might as well
give it up. When I am bored I go and buy myself a new camera or lens. So that there is
some excitement in my life. Then I am all charged to use my new gadget and see the
results.
What are the personal attributes needed to excel in this field?

You have to be technically sound. Apart from that you have to have a good aesthetic
sense. A sense of style is imperative for a good photographer. It is the photographer who
dresses up the model. So unless you have style the models you dress up are going to look
bad.
My style is more casual and candid. A photographer who dresses up snazzy and gaudy
will make his models look snazzy and gaudy. You also have to be down to earth and not
high-headed.
Has the photography scene changed much from the time you started and now?
I started off as an ad photographer. In fact, I never intended to be a film photographer.
Those days all advertising photographers looked down on film photographers. They
didn't think it was cool at all. But today all the very same people who told me that are
here with me doing what I am doing.
Moreover, stars were used to studio shots where they were made to look overly
glamourous and very staged. I introduced the outdoor pictures. I shot the stars on road
dividers and bars.
Of course, I took a lot of flak for it. Film magazines said it's a phase. "The stars will
cooperate with you for 2-3-6 months. What will you do after that? This outdoor thing is
not going to work." But on the contrary, there has been no problems so far. I also did a lot
of black and white pictures."
Do you have any tips on how should an aspirant go about being a professional
photographer?
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First and foremost you need to buy an SLR camera. The first step is to try and get the
technique right - understand basics like film speed, etc. You can even learn through
books or surf the net. I shot a lot of films during my training phase.
Get a personal portfolio of your pictures ready and show it to ad agencies and magazines.
You have to convince them to give you work. Otherwise why would they take a chance
with a newcomer? For that you have to create your own personal style.
Anyone who assists me for some years and branches out on his own should not do work
that is identical to mine. Then why would anyone go to him? They'd rather come to me.
You have to have your own style. Initially it's going to be difficult but you have to keep
the spirit.
What about the future?

I plan to put up a lab and do my own printing. Then I also have plans to set up a graphics
studio. I would even like to get into ad film direction. I have been in this profession only
for the past six years and I feel it's too early to drop this and start something new. But
yes, I am definitely going to do something related to photography in the near future.
What camera does Daboo use?

I use a Nikon F5 and Hassleblad - a medium format camera. I have more than 50 lenses.
What are your hobbies?

I like music a lot. I have more than a thousand music CDs. I use that to ease the models.
Great music always pays off. I am also a gadget freak.
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Sculptor
Sculpture is a part of Fine Arts. Sculptors try to express a specific and unique vision
through their sculpture. They design three-dimensional art works-either by moulding
and joining materials such as clay, glass, wire, plastic, fabric, or metal or by cutting
and carving forms from a block of plaster, wood, or stone. Some sculptors combine
various materials to create mixed-media works.
In recent years, some sculptors have incorporated light, sound, and motion into their
works.
As a Sculptor, you will use your hands to give shape to your thoughts. Material like
stone, wood, clay, plaster of Paris or metals such as bronze will be your resources.
Computers, lasers, sound, plastics, fibre and textiles are some other materials you could
dabble with.
Successful sculptors continually study and learn new techniques, experiment with
different materials, keep abreast with world trends and attend art gallery exhibitions.
As a Sculptor, you could also take up pottery and create designer pots. You'll keep
yourself busy with throwing, glazing and firing pots. Many potters consider pottery as
more of a lifestyle than a career even though they may have their wares located across the
nation in speciality shops or art studios.
The most essential traits in this field are:

· Talent
· A strong desire to express your feelings in art form
· Dedication
· An eye for form
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· Ability to utilise colours
· Creativity
· Originality
· Patience
History is rife with examples of self-schooled artists with no formal educational training
who are both brilliant and innovative; unfortunately, history is also rife with examples of
starving artists, dying in obscurity. Formal educational training in this field is becoming
the norm.
You can go for a Bachelor in Fine Arts (BFA). It is a four-year degree program
segmented into two courses, namely Foundation course (1 year) and specialisation course
(3 years). Further professional study can be pursued through a Masters in Fine Arts
(MFA) programme usually spanning over two years. Eligibility for joining BFA is HSC.
Diploma in Fine Arts is another option for you.
Job Opportunities:
As a sculptor, you could design themes for world-wide events, seasons, specific
promotions or a particular message. Sculpting is not a career, which can be taken up off-
hand. It is an art that has more to do with in-born talent.
Initially in the beginning you will have to assist a well known sculptor. After some year's
experience you can branch out on your own. As a Sculptor, you can also work as an art
critic. Art and culture is getting increasing attention in the media these days.
As a Sculptor, you could even write features and articles for newspapers and magazines.
As a Sculptor, you can also earn money by being a freelancer. But remember only a small
number of artists can make a living by sculpting alone. So you might have to find an
alternative source of income.
Though this profession doesn't pay too well the reason why people choose to join the
unremunerative and very selective fine arts--is because they love what they do.
Initially you'll have to start your career by presenting your works to people for free! You
could exhibit your work in a gallery and earn anything between Rs 1,500 - 5,000 on an
individual piece of work.
Gradually, this could move on to the 10,000 - 30,000 bracket. Once your work is
recognised then an individual piece could cost up to Rs 2 Lakh or more. Good, no?
Career Prospects:
The methods and mediums of art may change, but the intention has remained the same:
To reinvent, to communicate in a new and fascinating way. In the future, the role that art
plays will not change drastically, but painting, photography, sketching, sculpting,
metalworking, and many other mediums will be joined by computer art.
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This is an industry where your reputation counts a lot. You need to produce work that
creates hype and buzz in the artistic community. Your contacts in the advertising business
and art dealers should get you steady amount of work. Be prepared for a lot of frustration
though. You may not always get what you want.
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Engineering
&
Technology
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Aerospace Engineer
Ever wondered what makes a paper plane fly? Do you love birds and other flying
creatures? Do electronics and computers fascinate you? Are you a hands-on kind of
person? Well then, Aerospace Engineering is the career for you.
Aerospace Engineers work in one of the most technologically advanced branches of

engineering. They design, construct and test aircraft, missiles, satellites, rockets,
spacecrafts… anything that flies. Besides this, they are also involved in researching new
materials, engines, body shapes and structures. This job is not just about science; it's also
about creativity. You will not only give wings to your imagination but also make it fly.
As an Aerospace Engineer you will conceptualise a project, say an Indian lunar mission.
You will be involved in all the steps right from the drawing board to the planning
committee to the implementation team. You will think of various designs most suitable
for a spacecraft for this kind of mission.
As an Aerospace Engineer will then iron out your differences with other engineers and
come to a consensus. Then comes testing a smaller model of this spacecraft in a wind
tunnel and authorising its airworthiness. The final stage involves building the aircraft,
testing it all over again and finally handing it over.
But your job as an Aerospace Engineerwill not end at that. You will act as a consultant to
the mission and trouble-shoot any problems that may arise. Pretty cool stuff for an
engineer!
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Agriculture Engineering
HAIL TODAY‟S LITERATI AGRONOMISTS! Gone are the days when the untrained
tillers, with a wooden plough in hand, used to depend entirely on the rain-gods to shower
them with blessings of the much-awaited seasonal rainfall. Now with so many cultivated
minds in tow, no wonder our farming fraternity has made such a headway in the
agricultural sector.
Agricultural engineers create new technology for agricultural systems and products. This
includes designing and providing the layouts of farming equipments such as irrigation
systems, tractors, and buildings. It also includes food processing and experimenting with
farming techniques. They are involved with every aspect of our food supply.
This field of study provides an advanced interdisciplinary and holistic understanding of

the scientific principles and technical skills required to analyse the varied farming
techniques in relation to soils, ecology and environmental systems and to assess their
sustainability in the context of social acceptability and environmental change. It also
covers scientific methods, like environmental survey and offers opportunities to
specialize in soil and water conservation, pest management; tropical crop or animal
production and rural resource economics.
This subject includes knowledge of farm enterprise cycles, farm routines, farm safety,
farm equipment and its correct use, daily activity planning, livestock handling, farm
recording; and an introduction to additional field soil, crop and livestock measurements,
sampling, recording and data analysis.
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It concentrates on the physiology and technology of crop production and the relationship
between current agronomic practices and the scientific understanding of crop growth and
development. Areas of emphasis include water quality, surface and subsurface flow,
contaminant transport, animal environment and air quality, waste and manure
management, resource utilization, machine systems, safety and grain quality.
The job titles of an Agriculture Engineer vary from i) Designer ii) Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineer to iii) Product Support Specialist and iv) Production Engineer.
The tasks of Agricultural Engineers comprises of:

a) Design and manufacture of agricultural machinery and power
b) Farm structures
c) Soil and water conservation
d) Rural electrification
e) Processing of agricultural products
One could also opt for specializations in:

• Bioprocessing
• Food Engineering
• Environmental and Natural Resources
• Irrigation
• Animal Waste Management
• Agricultural Air Quality
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Automobile Engineer
Did you know that FIAT is an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino? Well if
you knew it, then we can safely presume you are madly in love with cars and bikes.
Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard are your sporting heroes, not Sachin
Tendulkar. It's your dream to ride the Kawasaki Ninja and own a collection of vintage
cars. Well, a career in automobile engineering just might be your calling…
Automobile engineering is a specialized branch of mechanical engineering. You will

dream up new vehicles and even new modes of transport. You will design them keeping
in mind factors like performance, economy, comfort, maintenance, environmental impact,
and last but not the least- looks. As an automobile engineer you will work closely with
test drivers to ensure that the handling and feel of the ride is the best that money can buy.
You will lend your expertise to upgrade existing models and work out which parts need
to be replaced with new, improved ones.
Innovation is the name of the game here and as an automobile engineer you will have to
think up of new goodies that you can add to your vehicle. These accessories may range
from airbags, GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) Systems and HUD (Heads Up Display)
Systems to simple things like additional cup holders and a better stereo speaker
positioning. In automobile engineering you will study the latest technological
advancements in manufacturing, effect of the environment and road conditions on
vehicles to new aerodynamic shapes. In short, you will help make the world go around-
faster, cleaner and better.
In workshops and garages, as an automobile engineer you will service vehicles and check
their parts for wear and tear. You will be working with mechanics and lead them in
dismantling, overhauling and making modifications to vehicles. As an automobile
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engineer you your role here will be more as a trouble-shooter. Mostly you will be
working with your hands - a truly hands on career!
If you specialize in any particular area, you could use your knowledge as an automobile
engineer to come up with new ideas and solutions to problems plaguing cars for decades.
For instance, if engines are your forte then maybe you can come up with an engine that is
more fuel-efficient or one, which runs on alternative fuels such as methanol or even
water! In such research and development labs you will use high-end equipment to test out
your theories. More often than not, you will be going abroad to learn new concepts and
techniques and teach the same here.
At senior levels, as an automobile engineer you will be called upon to look after the
production and quality control in massive assembly plants. Your job profile will also
include marketing the finished product.
A background in subjects such as physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science and

biotechnology is important for a career as an automobile engineer. There are various
undergraduate, post graduate and diploma programs in this field that you can take up
according to your qualification and requirement.
For a BE or B.Tech in automobile engineering, the basic eligibility requirement is 10+2

or equivalent with a subject combination of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics or Bio-
technology, Bio-informatics, Biomedical with a good percentage. Post the bachelor‟s
degree (B.E/B Tech), you can go for post graduation; i.e. M.E/ M.Tech. and subsequently
a Ph.D.
Alternatively, you can go for a diploma after completing 10th and later a PG diploma.
There are some engineering colleges that allow admission to students with a minimum of
50% marks in their diploma course.
Students who wish to become automobile engineers should have detailed knowledge and
understanding of subjects and technology involved in the production of vehicles, such as
electrical and electronic systems, combustion and fuel technology. In addition,
mechanical skills and a thorough knowledge of mathematics, science and technology are
important.
Dedication determination and hard work are essential in this field. Moreover, automobile
engineers should possess certain skills like good communication skills, computer skills,
analytical and problem-solving skills. Added attributes such as organising ability,
diplomacy, logical and practical thinking, patience and flexibility will hold you in good
stead in this profession. Apart from all this, some physical qualities are also required in
an automobile engineer. These include fitness, good hand-eye coordination and stamina,
as this job requires working with heavy equipments and machinery for long hours.
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As an automobile engineer, you can work in production plants, service stations,
manufacturing industries,state road transport corporations, private transport companies,
motor vehicle departments, insurance companies and so on.
Besides, computer-aided industries also hire automobile engineers with sound computer
knowledge as designers. You can also join the Research and Development departments of
companies to design vehicle models.
Those having a Masters degree and 5 years of teaching experience at a graduate level can
work as a lecturer. PhD holders in this field can even work as researchers or scientists.
Although the salary in this profession depend on certain factors like qualification,
experience and ability, a graduate in automobile engineering can start out with Rs.
15,000-20,000 per month. With 3-4 years of experience, the package can go up to Rs.
40,000 and it can rise to any amount depending on your expertise and the company.
The increasing demand for vehicles has resulted in a boom in the automobile industry,
and this in turn has created a lot of jobs in this sector. Even if you wish to work abroad,
there is no dearth of companies employing automobile engineers in various countries.
With the right qualification and good communication skills, you can be hired in reputed
organizations.
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Biomedical Engineer
Biomedical Engineer - Human engineer
Difficulty choosing between Medicine and Engineering? Are you strong in both
Biology as well as Maths and Physics? Why not combine the two of them?
Biomedical engineering is just right for you then………Come, let's explore the
plethora of opportunities in this field.
Biomedical engineering may be defined as the application of engineering to

medicine. Biomedical engineers apply the concepts of biology as well as physics and
chemistry to develop products and devices, which are used in the diagnosis and treatment
of diseases.
A Biomedical Engineer uses traditional engineering expertise to analyze and solve

problems in biology and medicine, providing an overall enhancement of health care. The
biomedical engineer works with other health care professionals including physicians,
nurses, therapists and technicians.
Here are some specialty areas that you can work in the field of Biomedical
engineering:
Bioinstrumentation
This is the application of electronics and measurement techniques to develop devices
used in diagnosis and treatment of disease. As a Biomedical Engineer you will make
newer and better instruments that can look through the body such as X-rays, MRI
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) etc. Your work will also involve developing cameras and
other devices that will help surgeons get a better look of the inner body during operations.
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Biomaterials
This includes both living tissues and artificial materials used to replace diseased organs.
You will find out which living and non-living materials are compatible and make devices
that mimic the operations of the organs of the body like an artificial heart. You will also
be involved in 'growing' organs from tissues and cells in the laboratory.
Biomechanics
Here you will apply mechanics to biological or medical problems. You will study the
flow of bodily fluids such as blood. This will help you in deciding the specifications for
the various devices such as artificial joint replacements, pacemakers etc.
Cellular and Genetic Engineering

Here you will look at medical problems at the microscopic level. As a Biomedical
Engineer you will develop miniature devices to deliver medicines to precise locations to
promote healing or inhibit diseases.
Tissue Engineering
As a Biomedical Engineer you will apply the principles of Biology and engineering to
develop tissue substitutes to restore, maintain, or improve the function of diseased or
damaged human tissues. For example you will use cells from an individual's healthy
kidney and put it in the diseased kidney thus causing the growth of new, healthy tissue.
Clinical Engineering
In this field, as a Biomedical Engineer you will be responsible for developing and
maintaining computer databases of medical instruments and equipment records in
hospitals. As a Biomedical Engineer you will also be involved in the testing, purchase
and use of sophisticated medical instruments.
Orthopedic Bioengineering
Here you will use engineering for the understanding of the function of bones, joints and
muscles, and for the design of artificial joint replacements. Orthopedic bioengineers
analyze the friction, lubrication and wear and tear of natural joints to develop artificial
limbs just as good as the real thing.
Bone Implant Technologies

As a Biomedical Engineer you will research new technologies and materials that will
make bone, joint, and tooth implants almost as good as nature's own versions.
Robot Technologies
As a Biomedical Engineer you will develop and look after fully programmed robots that
will be used in operating rooms for reaching vital organs that may be damaged
permanently due to human error.
Navigation Systems
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As a Biomedical Engineer you will use software tools and specialised imaging equipment
to create a digital picture of the inside of a patient's body. This will help surgeons
determine the best possible way to go about the operation.
Specialized Laser Technology

As a Biomedical Engineer you will develop new laser technologies for applications in
routine and specialised operations, dental surgery as well as in skin related disorders.
Rehabilitation Engineering
Rehabilitation engineers enhance the capabilities and improve the quality of life for
individuals with physical impairments. You will be involved in the development of home,
workplace and transportation modifications like motorised wheelchairs that enhance
seating, positioning and mobility for those with physical disabilities.
Requirement:
An interest in both biology and mathematics
Organising ability
Practicality
Spatial reasoning skills
Excellent analytical and logical reasoning skills
Good logical and mental ability, problem-solving skills
Ability to grasp concepts quickly
Ability to understand, comprehend, memorise and recall scientific theories, facts and
hypothesis.
Investigative and critical thinking
Patience and cool temperament
Meticulous
The best way to go about it would be to do your B.E in Biomedical Engineering. You can
also do your B. E in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Medical
Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering
and do a postgraduate course in Biomedical engineering. You can also do this course
after completing your graduation in Medical Electronics or Biotechnology. B.E in other
streams can opt for a postgraduate course in Medical Technology, which is also
considered equivalent to a postgraduate course in Biomedical Engineering.
Alternatively you can pursue an MBBS degree and then go on to do a postgraduate

degree in Biomedical Engineering/ Medical Engineering/Medical Technology.
You will work in
Companies manufacturing equipment used in hospitals and diagnostic centers. Here you
may work in the research and development (R&D), manufacturing, quality control and
testing, installation, maintenance or sales and marketing departments.
Large hospitals to select, handle and maintain sophisticated equipment. You will also
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build customized devices for special needs.
Institutions involved in research.
Government agencies where you will be involved in product testing and safety, as well as
establishing safety standards for devices.

In companies manufacturing medical equipment- Rs 20,000 - 30,000 per month
In private hospitals and clinics- Rs 15,000 -25,000 per month
In research and teaching institutions - Rs 18,000 -25,000 per month
In government agencies - Rs 16,000- 22,000 per month
Career Prospects:
Biomedical engineering is one of the hottest careers these days along with Bioinformatics
and Biotechnology. The opening of the insurance sector has indirectly helped the
healthcare industry. Anticipating the high quality medical care, which will be made
available to millions of Indians, there has been a steady demand for bio medical
engineers in India.
There has been an increasing use of the combination of medicine with cutting edge
technology in the treatment of diseases. More and more doctors are utilizing the power of
computers and other devices such as MRI scans, sonography devices, etc.
The field of healthcare is all set to witness a period of sustained technological growth. If
you are keen on research work and developing cutting edge technologies then pursuing a
postgraduate course abroad is your best bet.
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Broadcast Technician
Are you a lot into amps, watts and voltages of stereo systems? Can you make out the
subtle differences between a short wave transmission and a medium wave transmission?
Well then a career as a broadcast technician is shouting out to you.
Broadcast and sound technicians install, test, repair, set up and operate the electronic
equipment used to record and transmit radio and television programmes, cable
programmes, and motion pictures. They work with television cameras, microphones, tape
recorders, lighting, sound effects, transmitters, antennas, and other equipment.
Some broadcast and sound technicians even produce movie sound tracks in motion
picture production studios, control the sound of live events, such as concerts, or record
music in a recording studio.
In the control room of a radio or television broadcasting studio, sound technicians operate
equipment that regulates the signal strength, clarity, and range of sounds and colors of
recordings or broadcasts. As broadcast technicians they also operate control panels to
select the source of the material.
Technicians may switch from one camera or studio to another, from films to live
programming, or from network to local programming. By means of hand signals and, in
television, telephone headsets, they give technical directions to other studio personnel.
Broadcast and sound technicians in small stations perform a variety of duties. In large
stations and networks, broadcast technicians are more specialized, although job
assignments may change from day to day. The terms 'operator,' 'engineer,' and 'technician'
often are used interchangeably to describe these jobs.
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Transmitter operators monitor and log outgoing signals and operate transmitters.
Maintenance technicians set up, adjust, service, and repair electronic broadcasting
equipment.
Audio control engineers regulate volume and sound quality of television broadcasts,
while Video control engineers regulate their fidelity, brightness, and contrast.
Recording engineers operate and maintain video and sound recording equipment. They
may operate equipment designed to produce special effects, such as the illusions of a bolt
of lightning or a police siren.
Sound mixers or rerecording mixers produce the sound track of a movie, television, or
radio programme. After filming or recording, they may use a process called dubbing to
insert sounds.
Field technicians set up and operate broadcasting portable field transmission equipment
outside the studio. Television news coverage requires so much electronic equipment, and
the technology is changing so rapidly, that many stations assign technicians exclusively
to news.
Chief engineers, transmission engineers, and broadcast field supervisors supervise the
technicians who operate and maintain broadcasting equipment. Broadcast and sound
technicians generally work indoors in pleasant surroundings. However, those who
broadcast news and other programmes from locations outside the studio may work
outdoors in all types of weather.
Technicians doing maintenance may climb poles or antenna towers, while those setting
up equipment do heavy lifting. Technicians in large stations and the networks usually
work long hours under great pressure to meet broadcast deadlines, and occasionally work
overtime. Broadcast technicians who work on motion pictures may be on a tight schedule
to finish according to contract agreements.
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Chemical Engineer
Do you love to work with chemicals? Are mathematics, physics and chemistry your
favourite subjects? Then this is an interesting field for you. Let's see what's in store for
you as a chemical engineer.
Chemical Engineering combines the principles of mathematics, chemistry and physics

with engineering practices in order to improve the human environment. Chemical
Engineers have long been regarded as the most versatile of all engineers; yet many
opportunities exist to specialise in a particular area.
Chemical engineers invent, develop, design, operate and manage processes (conversion
of raw materials into finished products) in industries. Chemical engineers play key roles
in industries as varied as petroleum, petrochemicals, food, materials, specialty chemicals,
power production, environmental control, waste management, and biotechnology.
Examples of chemical engineering processes are the refining of crude oil by distillation,
production of insulin through a fermentation process and production of catalytic
converters for reducing automotive emissions.
Chemical engineers have worked on creating the purple rose that has no thorns. The
chemical engineering profession has improved water and waste system, created new
drugs, and drug delivery systems, and improved the crop yields for farmers just to name a
few of the challenges.
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The chemical engineering profession began as an interface between chemistry and
mechanical engineering in the chemical process industry. Some decades ago nearly all
chemical engineers were employed there. From the examples above you can see that the
principles of chemical engineering can be applied in other industries as well.
Chemical engineers work in the following areas:
Research:
Research engineers work with chemists to develop new ideas and new products. They
may come up with a new material or a better way to produce existing products. The mass
production of antibiotics, for example, was made possible by chemical engineers in
research.
Design:
Design engineers create the process that converts a raw material into a final product.
Chemists invented the many synthetic fibers we use today, but chemical engineers
designed the plants that produce them at an affordable cost.
Development:
Chemical engineers look for ways to improve new or existing processes. The 'greening'
of much of the Third World is due to a big reduction in the cost of ammonia production,
which made it possible for poorer nations to manufacture this important fertilizer.
Production:
The manufacture of chemicals requires continuous supervision. Production engineers are
always answering questions such as if the product is of the specified purity; if the
production rate is what it should be; if control instruments are performing properly and if
the process is as safe as possible.
Technical Sales:
Why isn't our product doing what it is supposed to for our customers? Could our new
product be used more economically than current materials? Why did that new paint peel
from one house? Sales engineers answer such questions. People skills, as well as
technical ability, are very important for these chemical engineers.
Management:
Many chemical engineers are promoted to management positions. While less involved in
technology, they make policy and business decisions, train new engineers, and solve
human, rather than technical problems. This list is neither complete nor comprehensive.
For instance, some chemical engineers work in hospitals to find the best method of
administering a particular drug to a patient. There is no limit to the kinds of challenging
work chemicals engineers do.
Teaching:
Chemical engineers can also work as technical writers, teachers and professors, in fields
related to the process industries.
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Requirements of a Chemical Engineer: Strong technical ability, communication skills
and high motivation are equally important characteristics for a successful engineer in
today's competitive and demanding workplace. As a chemical engineer you need to be a
creative problem solver who enjoys great diversity in your work.
In order to qualify as a chemical engineer you need to have a B.E./ B.Tech or M.E./
M.Tech degree in chemical engineering. There are both degree as well as diploma
courses. If you want to make an early beginning you can choose this route. After Std X
you can do a three-year diploma course. After this course you have two options. Join an
engineering firm straightaway or enroll for a three-year degree programme, which will
enhance your job prospects.
There is another way. Instead of jumping into a diploma after Class X, you could study
science (with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) all the way up to Std XII and then enroll
for a four-year degree course in chemical engineering. Both ways, the number of years
equal to six years (10+3+3 or 10+2+4). The degree awarded will be B.E. (Bachelor of
Engineering) or B.Tech (Bachelor of Technology).
The Chemical Engineering curriculum is a strong combination of both theoretical and

practical coursework. As a chemical engineer you first need to build a strong foundation
in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. You will then learn to apply this knowledge to
the practice of chemical engineering, including heat and mass transfer, unit operations,
chemical reaction engineering, process control, modeling and simulation, economics, and
plant design.
Job Opportunities for a Chemical Engineer:
Petroleum, chemical, and pharmaceutical companies are the traditional employers of

chemical engineers. Today, however, increasing numbers of chemical engineers are hired
by the healthcare, design and construction, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, food
processing, specialty chemicals, microelectronics, electronic and advanced materials,
polymers, business services, biotechnology, environmental health and safety industries,
rubber, metal, cement, plastic, and aerospace industries. Government agencies, such as
the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency also hire chemical
engineers. And, more and more chemical engineers are working in biotechnology.
Chemical engineers work in manufacturing; they also improve food processing

techniques, and methods of producing fertilizers, to increase the quantity and quality of
available food.
Majority of the chemical engineers are employed in the petroleum and petrochemical
industry. And all these industries pay really good salaries to their employees. All you
need is a Bachelors degree in Chemical engineering.
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If you are employed at a chemical plant you start off at Rs 8,000 – 10,000 a month while
FMCG companies such as P&G pay between Rs 12,000 - 20,000 a month. Senior
engineers can earn anywhere in between Rs 30,000 - 50,000 a month.
Of course as a chemical engineer you can always join the teacher's brigade in various
schools and colleges. With the introduction of the Fifth Pay Commission, the salaries for
teachers are really looking up. Lecturers in colleges get a starting salary of about Rs
12,000-15,000 a month
Industries like Bioprocessing industry, Food processing, Agrochemicals, Drugs and

Pharmaceuticals, Petroleum industries are doing well and their future outlook is also
encouraging. Chemical engineers will find good career opportunities in these fields.
Chemical Engineers will also find career opportunities in Industrial safety, Environment
control and quality control functions of various industries. These functions are
increasingly becoming key to industrial production. Chemical engineers would do well if
they specialise in one of these areas.
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Civil Engineer
Civil Engineer- The Build-up To A Great Career

The pyramids of Egypt, beautiful temples of ancient Greece and the Great Wall of
China wouldn't have been possible without Civil Engineers. Forget these ancient
monuments, even the one bedroom hall that you stay in is built by a Civil Engineer.
Broadly speaking, engineers apply scientific and technical knowledge to address

problems and tasks faced by businesses and governments. A fundamental part of
engineering is the practical application of specialised scientific knowledge. Engineers
need to consider safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
Civil Engineers handle all construction work. They are involved in the planning,
research, survey and construction of all kinds of buildings as also roads, airports, dams,
traffic and transportation systems, irrigation and power plants, water supply and sewage
disposal plants, ports and harbours, oil rigs, etc. Basically, they are responsible for
planning and designing a project and having it constructed to the required scale.
Civil Engineers also develop and maintain the nation's vital transportation and other
infrastructure networks, improve public services, optimise the use of water and energy
resources, upgrade housing and mass transportation systems, and protect natural
environment.
Structural engineering, water management engineering, highway engineering and

environmental engineering are some of the areas civil engineers specialise in. The civil
engineer has to plan, research, survey and design the project and then get it constructed to
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the required scale.
Engineers are often the crucial link between the goal and reality. Once a company or
government agency decides that it needs a certain product or process, the next step is for
an engineer or team of engineers to create it as efficiently as possible within a budget.
Engineers have a hand in all the phases of development, from idea conception, design and
development, implementation and testing to customer support.
Civil Engineers have to ensure that the structural framework of the building is strong
enough to withstand the load for which it is being constructed and also should be able to
withstand heat, cold and tremors. Engineers test and inspect products and structures to
increase cost-effectiveness and safety.
Requirement:
Some of the qualities needed to make it as a civil engineer are organising ability,
practicality, spatial reasoning, excellent analytical and logical reasoning skills It is also
necessary that you like working with tools, drawing sketches, and conceptualising forms
and structures. The ability to express your ideas precisely to others is a must here. As a
Civil Engineer, you must be mechanically inclined and ready to work with your hands.
Good logical and mental ability, problem solving skills and an ability to grasp concepts
quickly are essential. An ability to express oneself using figures and words, perseverance
and judgement are some of the other skills required.
Engineers need to be able to work with a team. Breaking problems down in a systematic
way helps to divide the work among team members. You will usually serve as supervisor,
ensuring that all team members co-ordinate their parts and communicate effectively to
keep the project running smoothly.
The most successful engineers have a balance of creative and scientific skills and can
master both established techniques and innovate new ones. Discipline, patience, and
perseverance are also important qualities in an engineer-the ability to communicate with
others is also a key skill, as engineers need to communicate effectively within their teams
and with others.
After your Class 10 you can opt for a diploma course after which, you can go for a
degree. Alternatively, after 10+2 one can study engineering by any one of the following
options:
Through Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) for IIT (Indian institute of Technology)
Through JEE of state engineering colleges in India. Your marks scored in 12th exam,
particularly in the subjects of Physics, Chemistry and Maths are also taken into
consideration (although it depends from state to state).
The BE/B.Tech degree course in civil engineering covers structures, construction and
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surveying, foundation, fluid mechanics, hydraulics, environmental engineering, irrigation
engineering, soil analysis, strength of materials, cost and works management and
pollution control.
After graduating, students can go in for postgraduate studies in India or abroad that will
culminate in a master's degree. Further study up to Ph.D. level is also an option.
You could also opt for the following specialisations:
Master of Planning in Urban & Regional Planning/Housing/Transport planning

Master in Computer Application
P.G. Diploma in Cement Technology/Construction/Quality control.
M.Tech in Earthquake Engineering, Remote Sensing.
Job Opportunities:
As a Civil Engineer, you can start private practice as a consultant or work with
municipalities, government construction, regulatory agencies, transportation authorities,
architects or urban planners. Others can seek employment in construction or
manufacturing companies. As a Civil Engineer you can also work for organisations like
ONGC, Railways and various departments of state and central governments.
Employment opportunities exist in the government sector including the railways,

departments of irrigation, public works, roads, airports, harbours municipal corporations,
telecommunications departments, etc.
As a Civil Engineer you can also work as a commissioned officer in the defence services,
Research organisations and laboratories.
Diploma holders begin at Rs 6,000-8,000 a month. Graduates begin at Rs 12,000-20,000

a month in the beginning. A government job pays in the range of Rs 10,000-12,500.
For consultancy services, the sky is the limit although depending on the project and your
client.
Career Prospects:
The entry of multinational companies has increased the demand for good engineers. But,
the entry level positions after B.E are not very broad. Mainly due to the opening up of the
economy and privatisation of infrastructure developments, there is expected to be a good
demand for civil engineers.
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Kalandi Charan Panda, Civil Engineer
There's no substitute for hard work feels ex IITian, Kalandi Charan Panda. Currently with
Hindustan Construction Company as General Manager (Operations), he has over 28 years
of experience in this field.
Did you always want to be a Civil Engineer?

Actually, I wanted to be a scientist. But fate had other things in store for me. The
construction industry was in full boom in the 70s and so Civil Engineering was a hot
career option in those days.
Tell us a little bit about your career as a Civil Engineer

After completing M.Tech from IIT, Mumbai in 1972, I first worked as a site engineer.
This first break is crucial as this is where you can put to test all that you have learnt in the
classrooms - your ability to use equipments and resources. Then I worked on various
projects ranging from ESSAR Steel Plant- Gujarat, Chamba Fertilisers - Rajasthan,
Airport project - Qatar and other projects.
I always wanted to work on hydro projects and Hindustan Construction Company was
recruiting people to work on new projects. I have been working with this company for the
past few years. Here I'm currently working on Dhauli Ganga Hydro-electric project - UP,
Natha Jhakri Power project - HP, Kurichu Dam project - Bhutan and Naraj Barge project
- Orissa.
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What is your job profile here?
My job involves making project reports, supervising the site work, dealing with casualties
at the site and constraints if any. The bottom line is successfully completing the project
using limited resources. I also arrange meetings with clients, discuss payment, arrange for
resources, prepare documentation, etc.
What according to you are the qualities that make a good Civil Engineer?
A successful Civil Engineer should have a good concept of design and structure. You
should also be ready to work for long hours. You need to be result oriented, have good
leadership qualities, good communication skills and commitment towards work. But most
of all you should not hesitate to voice your opinion or the work will suffer.
What do you like most about your job?

I love working on different projects at the same time. Each assignment is a challenge. It
gives me immense pleasure when the organisation makes profits from my project. At the
end of the day it feels great to see your creation.
You also get to learn a lot from your experiences and different postings. Above all this
job enables you to work with people from different places and culture. And that's
something I enjoy doing.
What are the difficulties you face in your job?

Every job has its own pros and cons. Civil Engineers have to deal with erratic work
hours. So you have less time for yourself and your family. Consequently, your health also
suffers due to long work hours.
This job is very stressful. It's not always easy to keep peace between the workers,
management and the union. You have to keep track of unscrupulous elements from
disturbing the smooth functioning of the project.
What are the misconceptions about this field?

A lot of people believe that Civil Engineers are not well paid. That's not true. The salary
and perks differs from project to project. But it's definitely not bad. The salaries have
really risen after the entry of MNCs in this sector.
The reason this job is not too famous with the younger generation is because they mostly
prefer desk jobs and don't fancy being posted at remote places. Of course the comfort
levels on the site are low as compared to white collared jobs. Colleges should counsel
students to help dispel this notion of working on the site.
What are the job avenues for Civil Engineers?

There is no dearth of job opportunities in this field. And with multinational companies
investing in India there is an increased demand for Civil Engineers. You could also work
on projects in fields like agriculture, astrophysics, aviation, oceanography, railways, etc.
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Do you have any tips for aspirants?
This is a very challenging field. You got to combine your theoretical knowledge with
practical experience to bring out the best in the project. So working on site is very
important.
If you want to be successful you should be ready to work in adverse conditions and
remote places. I feel one should work hard and gain a fair amount of experience at a
young age. Comforts will then follow naturally. There is no substitute to hard work.
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Computer Engineer
Are you good at mathematics? Does your logical reasoning skills rival those of Mr.
Spock from Star Trek? Well then maybe you are cut out to do well in the field of
computer engineering. Find out more…
Computer engineers are involved with the hardware and software aspects of computer
systems; design and development. They apply theories and principles of computational
science, mathematics, material science, electrical technologies and digital technologies to
design computer hardware, software, peripheral equipment like printers, computer
networks and systems.
Their work can be divided into various areas:
Design and development of computer hardware: This involves research, design, and
development of microprocessors, various components of computer systems like CPU
(Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory) chip, RAM (Random Access
Memory), monitor, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and CD drive.
Design and development of customised microprocessor: Customised microprocessors

are used for specialised application like the microprocessor used for mobile telephony.
Design and development of networking hardware: Computer engineers are involved in

design and development of various components for internetworking and intra networking
(network of offices of a company at various locations).
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VLSI (Very Large-scale System Integration) design: Various large companies need
macro scale computer systems to integrate their complex operations. These systems
typically involve the use of computer terminals, networking hardware, system software
(those which are critical in running a computer system), application software (those
which are used for performing specific tasks like calculating total sales of a product
across various locations in India), and various networking software. Computer engineers
specializing in VLSI design are involved in design, development, and implementation of
these macro scale systems.
Hardware manufacturing and testing: Computer engineers are involved in

manufacturing various computer hardware components as well as the assembling of
components. They are involved in testing of the assembled computer systems to check
whether they are working as per standard.
Hardware maintenance: Computer engineers are also involved in servicing and

maintenance of computer systems. They work in trouble shooting of hardware.
Network Engineering: In medium to large-scale companies, computers (generally called

desktops) are mostly connected to one another or connected to one or more servers.
Servers are very advanced and powerful computers, which serve the computing needs of
many client machines (i.e., the desktop computers, which are connected).
Networks can be of various types right from LAN (Local area network) through which a
number of computers in a building or office space are networked to Internet through
which millions of computers can be connected. There is WAN (Wide Area Network),
MAN (Municipal Area Network), GAN (Global Area Network), etc. There are also the
concepts of Intranet through which all the computers of a particular company in all its
offices globally are connected.
Computer engineers are involved in Network Engineering along with the Electronics and
Telecommunication Engineering.
Software Engineering: Software is the tool, which helps us to use the power of
computer in various applications right from high-end scientific ones to low-end
customized ones. Software is used in a range of areas right from e-commerce, mobile
commerce, manufacturing, business, research and education. There are system softwares,
which are essential to run a computer system (example, Windows 2000, XP), specific
application software (example, MS-Office), and customised application software
(example, software used by a company to prepare salary bills for its employees).
Computer engineers working in software engineering are involved in analysis,
development, commissioning, and testing of various types of software.
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Electrical Engineer
Since its discovery, electricity has been an integral part of mans progress. Everything
form toasters to computers run on electricity. One just cannot imagine life without
it. From toasters to computers, electrical engineers are responsible for a wide range of
technologies. Interested? Read on…
Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical
equipment. Some of this equipment includes power generators, power transmission
devices, broadcast and communications systems, electric motors, lighting buildings,
automobiles, aircraft, computers and other office equipment and home appliances. In
addition, this field encompasses audio video communication systems and industry
automation.
Electrical engineers also write performance requirements and develop maintenance

schedules. In addition to this, they solve operating problems and estimate the time and
cost of engineering projects.
Electrical engineers are required to specialise in different areas such as power generation
and distribution, communications and computers and electrical equipment manufacturing
- or a subdivision of these areas- for example industrial robotics or electrical systems in
aircraft.
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Electronics Engineer
Did you as a child disassemble electronic toys and try to put them back again? Do you
enjoy assembling small transistor radios using knocked down kits. If the answer to
these questions is yes then you should be looking at a career as an electronics
engineer.
Electronics engineer studies, designs and oversees production of consumer electronic

equipment such as radios, televisions, computers and washing machines, to high-end
electronics equipment like dish antennas, communication satellites, radar systems etc.
Your work includes:-
 Developing and designing electronic products·

 Construction and manufacturing of equipment·
 Production process control·
 Testing of new electronics components and equipment·
 Installation and commissioning of products
 Maintenance of products·
 Sales and marketing of products.
Problem solving will be an important part of your job. As an electronics engineer, you
will use theory and your own ideas to work out why things are not working. You will be
a link between the technicians on the production line and the design engineers.
The field of electronics has developed so quickly, and increases in complexity so much,
that people tend to specialise because there is no way you can know everything. As an
electronics engineer, you will normally specialise in one work area of the electronics such
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as research and development, designing, testing, monitoring production, or marketing.
You will make extensive use of computers as well as equipments such as oscilloscopes
and voltmeters.
Expertise wise also, you will be specialised in one of the fields in Electronics like Digital
Signal Processing, Industrial Electronics, Digital Electronics, Aviation Electronics, Fibre
Optics and Light wave Engineering, Microwave Electronics, Microelectronics, VLSI
Design, Telecommunication Engineering, Power Electronics, Integrated Circuits,
Communication & Radar Engineering, Control Engineering and Instrumentation, and
Medical Electronics.
Although most of the time you will be working indoors in the workshop or the factory
you may also have to travel to worksites to handle installation of electronics equipment.
Most of the electronic product manufacturing facilities and research and development
establishments are air-conditioned and dust free as electronics is a precision engineering
and needs a controlled environment.
You need:
Good technical and numerical abilities·
Good communication skills·
Teamwork and leadership qualities·
Keen interest in technology
As an electronics engineer, you will also need to be good at interpreting drawings,

problem-solving skills and decision-making. Electronic engineers need to be creative,
inquiring and able to work well as part of a team. You need to be self-motivated, patient,
persistent and disciplined. It is important that you are able to make good judgments and
work well under pressure.
Electronics engineers should have good hand-eye co-ordination and good eyesight as
they deal with very small electronic components.
Electronics engineers need to have a broad knowledge of physics, mechanics, electronics,

maths and computers. A diploma (After Class X) in electronics engineering is the
minimum qualification to enter this field. Of course, a Bachelors (B.E. or B.Tech after
Class XII in science with Physics, Chemistry and Maths) degree in the above stream will
make your prospects better.
To be in research and development, you will need a Masters degree. Continuing

education is important, as you need to keep up with the improvements in technology that
is taking place. You therefore need to read periodicals, books and look on the Internet to
keep yourself informed.
As an electronics engineer, you will gain employment in:

Consumer electronics companies like BPL, Videocon, etc
Companies manufacturing electronic related products like LCD displays, cathode tubes,
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etc.
Companies providing basic telephone and mobile telephone services like BSNL, VSNL,
MTNL, BPL Telecommunication Ltd., Orange
Industrial Electronics and telecommunication equipment manufacturing companies like
HFCL, Hindustan Cables Ltd., Enkay Telecommunication Ltd.
Research & Development organizations like the DRDO (Defence Research and
Development Organisation) and National Physical Laboratory
Electronic product testing laboratories like the Regional Testing Laboratories under the
Department of Electronics, Government of India
Telecommunication hardware and software producing companies like Hughes
Telecommunication, Cisco systems, and Mahindra British Telecommunication
Computer software producing companies like Infosys Ltd., TCS, and HCL ·
Telecommunication and Internet Service providers like VSNL, BSES, and Reliance
Telecommunication Ltd.
Defence services, Government sector also has good openings for engineers. Other than
the Public Sector Enterprises like BSNL, BHEL, SAIL, NTPC etc., UPSC conducts an
exclusive exam every year, called Indian Engineering Service (IES), for recruitment of
engineers specializing in various fields, in organizations like the Railways, Central Public
Works Department (CPWD), Military Engineering Service etc. Civil Service is also quite
a popular option.
You can also work in the sales and marketing departments of Electronics
companies. Teaching at academic institutions remains another option open to you.
Starting salary is in the range of Rs 12,000-20,000 per month. Salaries for diploma
holders are in the range of Rs 8,000-10,000 per month.
Most companies have training programmes for their engineers. So you may even get to
go to a reputed university abroad to specialise in a particular area at your company's cost.
Career Prospects:
Electronics Engineering graduates have a bright employment future, as there is

comparatively plentiful number of jobs at the entry level. This rosy job outlook for
engineers is in large part due to a shortage of people with the right set of technical skills.
Overall prospects of electronic engineers are very good as electronics industry is

developing very fast with arrival of newer technologies almost every month. The new
century will also see merging of electronics, telecommunication, computer, and
biotechnology which will further push the demand for electronic engineers up.
The rapid technological changes that are taking place in the electronics industry mean
that engineers need to keep up to date with the skills and knowledge required. In addition,
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the development of modern electronic processes, and the way in which electronic
equipment works through software, has meant that computer software design and
programming skills are also required out of electronics engineers.
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Fire fighter
Are you a daredevil? Would you like to protect lives and save precious property? Then
bring out the extinguishers, the devices and other equipments. Here's telling you how
you could become a fire fighter.
Increasing urbanisation and mounting industrial activity has resulted in greater use of
electrical devices in houses and offices. Add to that terrorist activities like bombing, and
irresponsible deployment of inflammable substances and you have the perfect recipe for
fire hazards. Chemical fires in industries are not uncommon.
Out of the many opportunities at a Fire station you could choose to be a fire fighter or a
fire engineer.
The fire engineer advises and assists organisations in taking protective measures against
fire hazards; he may be called upon to design or recommend materials or equipment,
alarm systems, fire extinguishing systems; and provide advice on location, handling and
maintenance of such devices and systems.
Fire engineers are also responsible for determining causes of fire and methods of fire
prevention. They conduct research and tests on fire retardants and fire safety of materials
and devices. They may recommend safe methods for the storage of inflammable and
other hazardous materials. Fire engineers have to use mathematical principles to assess
fire risk, then apply scientific principles to fire-safety practices.
With experience, a fire engineer moves up the ladder and takes on supervisory,
administrative and regulatory responsibilities too. In senior positions, they are placed in
charge of training and supervising fire-fighters, administer laws and regulations related to
fire department in the organisation, ensure maintenance of fire equipment, prepare
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departmental budgets and so on.
In the inhibition and prevention of the onset and spread of fire, fire engineering uses
management techniques. In active fire fighting and supervisory roles, a fire engineer's
work is hazardous, however, administration and research spheres mean more of
deskwork.
A fire fighter's main responsibility is reducing the consequences of fire if there is an

incident. The other side is to reduce the incidence of fire, by effective fire prevention and
fire safety advice.
Fire-fighters have to work in shifts in dangerous conditions and are at risk for burns,
smoke inhalation and exposure to chemicals. The successful fire-fighter is an
approachable, good communicator with the ability to take decisive action under trying
circumstances.
Fire-fighters must be able to perform strenuous physical tasks, such as carrying

unconscious people down flights of stairs, directing the flow of a hose that carries 2,000
gallons of water per minute, or breaking down doors locked from the inside.
The profession is very dangerous--over one in four firefighters have to take time off for
work-related injuries, ranging from slipped disks to disfiguring burns--and requires a
strong sense of commitment to public service.
P.S. Rahangdale, Station Officer at Fort Fire Brigade and recipient of the President's
medal, says, "Without courage, one cannot enter any emergency site. It is vital to be
ready in the line of action."
Fire-fighters must be able to deal with brief bursts of intense activity, then long periods of
boredom. One fireman recalls, ''there were times when we had to attend over 100 calls in
just one shift of eight hours.''
Fire-fighters need to be able to relate to a five-year-old one day and a 75-year old the
next. It's being aware of how to communicate with different age groups and cultures.
They also need to know about relevant fire safety legislation, fire safety precautions and
how these relate to buildings and building construction.
Fire-fighters need to know about streets and places in their district, the handling of
dangerous goods and building construction. They also need to know about fire-fighting,
different types of fires and how to deal with them, and about rescue methods and
equipment.
Fire-fighters need to enjoy working in the community, and be able to relate well to people
from different cultures, lifestyles and age groups. They need to be calm in emergencies
and able to make good judgements. Fire-fighters need to be patient and disciplined, quick
and efficient, reliable, self-confident and able to work well in teams.
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Requirement:
Fire engineering is a technical profession that calls for a person with a scientific bent of
mind.
Other qualities include physical agility, presence of mind, calmness of mind, self-
discipline, the ability to take quick, snappy decisions, a sense of responsibility and
leadership qualities. One should also plan for an eventuality in advance, for after all
accidents wouldn't be accidents if we knew about them beforehand.
One should also have the desire to learn and update oneself constantly. Being able to
handle all types of people is a definite asset. Taking control of panic-stricken crowds and
shocked victims is no easy task.
There are some physical qualities that are pre-requisites. Apart form being physically fit,
one should be free from any disease that hamper one when discharging duty. The
minimum height stipulated is 165 centimetres. Chest measurement: 81 centimetres, with
five-centimetre expansion.
Fire-fighters need to have educational and presentation skills, good written and spoken
communication skills, organisational ability, and skills in evaluating situations, making
decisions and solving problems. They also need to have practical ability, such as first aid
skills, fire-fighting skills, and a reasonable level of computer skills.
After Class 10 + 2 With Physics, Chemistry, Maths you can opt for a diploma in Fire
engineering. Alternatively after B.Sc with Chemistry as a major subject you can do a BE
in Fire engineering.
The biggest fire engineering programme is conducted by National Fire Service College at
Nagpurthat . It offers a 3 ½ years programme leading to the Bachelors of Engineering
There are some diploma courses on offer by private institutes, which may not get you a
job in a city/state fire service but you may get a job in various companies, which
manufacture fire fighting systems. You may also get a job in Middle East or Africa.
You can also begin as a Sub-Officer in a city or state. Fire service after doing a Fire Sub-
Office course and later on getting promotions after passing out departmental
examinations.
Job Opportunities:
The government has made it mandatory for all companies in the private and public sector,
to appoint a fire officer if their workforce exceeds a specified number. The fire officer
who will be in charge of procuring the materials and devices to give direct training to the
workforce of company, supervise fire fighters engaged in operation, administer law and
regulation regarding the fire department and ensure maintenance of fire equipments.
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Fire engineers find job openings in the government fire services, architectural and
building design, insurance assessment, project management, aircraft industry, refineries,
industrial processing, and any area of safety where the possibility of fire or combustion
represents a hazard. All major organisations that own offices or residential premises use
the services of a fire engineer to ensure safety of their premises.
The protective role requires a lot of safety checks, updating of equipment, conducting
scheduled and surprise fire drills. Fire engineers may also work as surveyors in insurance
companies assessing the extent of damage suffered by an insured party, investigating the
cause of the fire, the efficacy of the fire safety devices, equipment and alarm systems.
In Government establishments, your starting gross salary could be in the range of Rs

6,000-8,000 a month. Opportunities for getting a job in industry, office complexes, or
other private sector establishments generally exist after a few years of experience.
In private sector, salary on joining may gross around Rs 8,000-14,000 per month. If you
are lucky, you can land up a job in the Middle East or African countries with a salary of
about Rs 25,000 or more per month.
Career Prospects:
With the ever-increasing risk of fire hazards the need for specially trained fire fighters
and engineers has become indispensable. Although technology has improved
considerably, unforeseen circumstances and unique developments all require competent
and experienced professionals to make snap decisions and take decisive action.
A degree in fire engineering makes one eligible for the management cadre in Fire Service
in the government or public sector. Fire stations all over the country employ fire
engineers. With increasing urbanisation and industrial activity, the use of electrical
devices, appliances, office automation has become a must in most organisations and
homes. The situation in turn increases the possibilities of eventualities.
Fire engineers play a pivotal role in ensuring protection and taking the necessary
precautions. Every state government has a fire department executing preventive and
precautionary functions.
An option lies in the insurance sector as surveyors. When there are instances of fire
accidents, fire engineers are called upon to assess the extent of the damage, investigate
the cause of the fire, the efficiency of equipment installed and so on.
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Footwear Technologist
If you want to divert people's attention from their faces to their feet you got to be a
footwear technologist. You could be a designer or in the manufacturing wing. Interested
in learning more about this profession? Read on…
There are various categories of footwear - those made from leather, synthetic material
and other fibers. Since all humans differ in their sizes and tastes, shoe manufacturer needs
to keep in mind different needs and wants - shoes for men, women, children, formal
shoes, casual shoes, trekking shoes, sports shoes and so on. As you can imagine, the list
of different styles of shoes is endless.
In India, we have both the organized and unorganized sector in the shoe manufacturing
industry. In the organized sector shoe manufactures use sophisticated machinery and
skilled manpower. Here shoe manufacturing is a highly mechanized process. This sector
comes under the purview of the Ministry of Commerce, which has set up institutes to
help expand footwear production and export.
On the other hand we have the unorganized sector like the village sector where the work
is handled by the state level artisans. They form a part of the Khadi and Village Industries
Cooperatives.
There are also other players in the private sector that deal with the production and export
of footwear, in collaboration with international contacts.
The functions carried out in a footwear industry can be classified into:
Designing: This is purely for the creative brains. It involves creating new styles and
patterns, of footwear. The job of footwear designers today has gone high tech as they use
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computer aided design systems to churn out beautiful footwear. If footwear designers had
their way and dress the feet in their creations, we'd be looking at people's feet rather then
at their faces. Footwear designer are faced with the constant challenge of coming up with
new styles to adorn our feet.
Manufacturing: After the design comes the actual process of making the footwear. It has
become a mechanized process where skilled technicians are required to operate the
machines. As a Footwear Technologist if you happen to work for a sports shoe
manufacturer like Nike or Reebok your main task will be to design shoes for the
competitive athlete.
Marketing: Here you'll be involved in selling various types of shoes to the various retail
outlets. Knowledge of the domestic and international market will hold you in good stead.
As a Footwear Technologist will also be involved in organizing shoe fairs and exhibitions
in and around India. Marketing managers generally work with advertising agencies to
work out marketing strategies.
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Industrial Engineer
If you are one of those people who by just looking at things says, "Well, I could have
done better than that!" and can actually prove it on paper then a career as an industrial
engineer is for you.
Industrial engineers determine the most effective ways for an organisation to use the
basic factors of production-people, machines and materials to make a product or provide
a service.
As an industrial engineer you will design better methods and facilities for manufacturing
and services. You will study the various industrial processes involved, use mathematical
models and computer simulation to devise new manufacturing systems that are more
efficient.
You will calculate how much work each machine or worker should deliver and if
necessary initiate the use of automation and robots. As an industrial engineer you will aid
in financial planning and cost analysis, design production systems as well as quality
control procedures.
You will also have to work out the best possible system for handling and storage of raw
material, setting inventory size, as well as packaging and the physical distribution of
goods and services. In addition to these responsibilities you are also concerned with
worker safety and work environment.
When new projects come up, as an industrial engineer you will be involved in it from
start to finish. Industrial engineers determine the suitability of locations for factories
depending on the best combination of raw materials availability, transportation, and costs.
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In actual plant design, as an industrial engineer you will figure out which computer
systems, machines and automated equipment will be used in the design and
manufacturing process. You will determine the most effective layout for computers,
equipment and offices such that it is flexible and easily maintainable. As an industrial
engineer will also develop wage and salary administration systems and job evaluation
programmes.
Industrial engineers must also understand ergonomics (which seeks to adapt working
conditions to suit the worker) and consider how the machines and work environment
affect the worker. You will design workstations to reduce fatigue and prevent discomfort
and work related injuries. As an industrial engineer you will ensure that the placement of
equipment, computers and keyboards is perfect right down to the height of desks and
tables.
Much of an Industrial Engineer's output is used by management for making decisions. As

an industrial engineer your recommendations may affect the size of a firm's profits, its
labor relations, as well as its production costs. In many ways you are the bridge between
management goals and operational performance.
One of the major challenges an Industrial Engineers faces is automating a production

process. You will have to first determine what aspect of production needs to be
automated and if it makes financial sense. As an industrial engineer you will also decide
which machines fit the requirements.
You will be spending a lot of time in your office poring over papers and meeting heads of
various departments. Your visit to the production plant would usually be restricted to
supervising installation of new equipment and ensuring that the production flows
smoothly.
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Instrumentation Engineering
If you thought that electrical/instrumentation engineering was all about just merely
dangling with
some electrical wires or at best, toying with certain instruments – THINK AGAIN !
Thanks to the „Herculean‟ efforts of Instrumentation Engineers, we have seen the light of
the day (not literally, of course)! Had it not been for their saving grace, we would have
perennially remained in the „Dark Ages‟. Pigeons or emissaries, would have perpetually
been our sole mode of communication and leave alone computers, even tele-
communication would have been a distant dream. So, without instrumentation
engineers functioning in our society, it would inevitably have become sparkless!
There are various alternative titles for Instrumentation Engineering viz
i) Electrical Engineering (Heavy) / Engineering (Electrical)

ii) Instrumentation Engineering
iii) Power Systems Engineering / Power Supply Company Engineering
iv) Building Services Engineering (Electrical)
With the increasing demand for electrical energy, the development in audio and video
communication systems and the automation industry, instrumentation/ electrical
engineers have become indispensable to society today. The role of an electrical or
instrumental engineer comprises the design and development of more efficient electrical
machinery, power systems and control equipment for the generation, transmission and
distribution of electrical energy and telecommunication.
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Instrumentation Engineering Technology provides knowledge and skill development in
understanding and applying the instrumentation used to measure, record and control
process variables (such as flow, temperature, level and pressure). After two years of
suitable industrial experience, graduate instrumentation engineers are eligible for the
position of Applied Science Technologists. Graduates also receive advance credit
standing for apprenticeship training in the Industrial Instrument Mechanic trade.
Instrumentation technicians commission, install, calibrate, maintain and repair complex

measurement and control systems used in a variety of process control applications.
Instrumentation measurement and control principles, as applied to both pneumatic and
electronic instruments, will be studied providing the student with a sound background in
theory and practice.
The ‗Tasks and Duties‘ of Instrumentation/Electrical engineers constitutes of:
a) Developing concept designs and feasibility studies

b) Designing or updating specifications and designs of electrical systems and equipment
c) Designing ways to generate and manage electricity
d) Devising ways to control processes using automation techniques and computers
e) Preparing the specifications, plans and drawings
f) Calculating estimates of the cost and amount of materials required
g) Examining the safety aspects of the planned work
h) Planning the manufacture or use of equipment and appliances
i) Overseeing the testing of new systems and correction of faults
j) Supervising the installation and maintenance of systems and equipment
As an instrumentation engineer one could also opt for specializations in:

• Infrastructure (power stations, water and waste treatment, transport etc.)
• Buildings (high rise, commercial, residential)
• Production (factories, products etc.)
• Research (university, industrial etc.)
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Marine Engineer
If you are a seafarer at heart, with an inordinate affinity for maritime adventure, consider
the shipping industry and the wonderful opportunities it opens up. And of course, for
those who love travelling, what better way to make a living than to get paid for
wanderlust.
A career as a Marine Engineer can make a great career for someone like you with a
penchant for sea travel.
If you thought you got to be a sailor to have a career in the sea, then read this. There are
various options you can choose from. In fact there are more career gateways in the
shipping industry than most of us realise. This branch of engineering stands out from
others mainly because of the job opportunities that lie at the end.
As a marine engineer, you will be responsible for the ship's machinery and equipment
and its engine department. This includes all the mechanical, electrical and electronic
systems on board a ship. At sea you will be responsible for the smooth working of all
systems and be able to solve problems quickly, should anything go wrong.
On shore as a Marine Engineer you will be responsible for over seeing the maintenance
and any refits that you may consider necessary. Yours will be an important job as without
its propellers a ship is as good as a big piece of metal! Later on, you could move on to
designing next generation ships, or specialise in the repair and maintenance of boats.
The life of a marine engineer is not an easy one. You will mostly be below the deck of
the ship. You will have to memorise your way through the main engine, boilers and
pumps, hydraulic and fuel systems including the ships electrical plant and distribution
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system. If any part of a ship's systems fails, it must be dismantled, assessed, repaired,
reassembled and put back into operation. This will be your responsibility.
As a Marine Engineer will get an opportunity to work on passenger liners and ferries,
ships carrying cargo, offshore oil and gas supply and pipelining vessels, warships and
submarines, and a variety of other specialised craft. So you better be prepared to get your
hands dirty.
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Mechanical Engineer
Do you want to develop cars that run on propane instead of gasoline? Do you want to be
a part of a team inventing environmentally friendly solar cars that are faster, lighter and
more efficient? Do you want to wear a white cap and instruct a dozen or so men against
the backdrop of huge machines and boilers in plants? If you have the knack of designing,
fabricating and manufacturing mechanisms and machines you could be a mechanical
engineer. So, let's see if there is an engineer in you?
The creation of mechanical engineers impacts all of us. They are the wheels of the world.
Mechanical engineers, design, develop, and manufacture every kind of vehicle, power
system, machine and tool. Simply put, mechanical engineers are involved with anything
that moves. In fact any type of machine that produces, transmits or uses power is most
likely the brainchild of a mechanical engineer. There is hardly any aspect of life that is
not influenced by a mechanical engineer.
As a mechanical engineer in this field you will research, develop, design, manufacture
and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. You will work on power
generating machines such as electricity generators, internal combustion engines, steam
and gas turbines, and jet and rocket engines. You can also develop machines such as
refrigerators and air-conditioners, robots, materials handling systems, and industrial
production equipment's. Mechanical engineers also design tools needed by other
engineers for their work.
As a mechanical engineer your work will also include designing and developing jet
engines, steam engines, power plants, underwater structures, hydraulic systems,
measurement devices, etc. You can also work in testing or product maintenance. As you
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see, mechanical engineering is the broadest and most diverse engineering discipline. Not
many people can perform their jobs without mechanical engineers.
Mechanical engineering may be broken down into many sub-specialties. Some

Mechanical Engineers work in specific industries, building and designing nuclear plants,
or automobiles, or railway equipment, or aircraft. These mechanical engineers are
sometimes called nuclear engineers, automotive engineers, railway engineers and
aerospace engineers, respectively.
Other areas where mechanical engineers play an important part are in fossil fuel, solar,
wind, geothermal energy, energy storage, waste disposal and management, environmental
control, fuel research, and ocean engineering.
Some mechanical engineers also work in areas not usually considered to involve
engineering.
Biomechanical engineers cooperate with physicians to investigate the workings of the

body and to design aids and instruments for medicine. Other Mechanical Engineers, work
closely with trainers and athletes, to design sports equipment. In the textile industry, they
work with fabric designers and artists. In fact, it would be hard to find an area or object in
every day life that was not in some way affected by a Mechanical Engineer.
The explosive development in the use of computers is causing enormous changes in the
analysis, design, manufacture and operation of many mechanical engineering systems.
This refers not only to recognized 'high technology' areas such as the use of lasers,
automation, computer aided engineering and design, but also to a host of mechanical
engineering systems related to transportation, automotive engineering, manufacturing,
power generation, biomechanical engineering, materials behaviour in design, fuel
alternatives, pollution control and many others.
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Mining Engineer & Metallurgist
Mining deals with the location and extraction of mineral substances, metal and metal
ores from their places of natural occurrence, i.e., from deep in the earth's crust. Whereas,
metallurgy deals with the processing of mineral substances, metals and ores extracted for
use or for developing new types of alloys for specific end products. However, these two
different fields are closely related.
As a Metallurgist your responsibilities will involve ensuring proper ventilation, pumping,

lighting and power facilities at the site. You will be handling minerals and developing
new alloys. You will also develop new methods for processing different kinds of metals.
As a Mining Engineer you will be involved in finding, extracting and preparing minerals
for use in manufacturing industries. You have to decide the best method to do all this.
As a Mining Engineer & Metallurgist your work will involve designing open pits and
underground mines, supervising the construction of mine shafts and tunnels in
underground operations. You will also devise methods for transporting minerals to
processing plants.
Besides, as a Mining Engineer & Metallurgist you will also decide the best suitable
method for transporting the minerals to the factories where they will be processed. And
lastly, you will be responsible for treating and storing the minerals. You will work
alongside geologist and metallurgical engineers to locate and appraise new ore deposits.
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Naval Architect
Are you a big fan of Julius Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? Would you be
interested in building a structure as big as the empire state building of New York
and setting it afloat on the high seas? Do you have the capacity to dream big? If the
answers to these questions is an emphatic yes, then you have the makings of a Naval
Architect.
A naval architect is a professional engineer who is responsible for the design,

construction and repair of ships, boats and offshore structures.
These include:
Merchant ships - Oil/Gas Tankers, Cargo Ships, Cruise Liners, etc
Passenger/Vehicle Ferries
Warships - Frigates, Destroyers, Aircraft Carriers, Amphibious Ships, etc
Submarines and underwater vehicles
Offshore Drilling Platforms and Semi Submersibles
High Speed Craft - Hovercraft, Multi-Hull Ships, Hydrofoil Craft, etc
Workboats - Fishing Vessels, Tugs, Pilot Vessels, Rescue Craft etc
Yachts, Power Boats and other recreational craft
As a naval architect you will design vessels and offshore structures that are stable,
seaworthy and have the economic performance for a comfortable travel in all conditions.
You will build complex mathematical and physical models to test and prove that the
design is satisfactory.
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Apart from the architectural aspects of ship form and layout, as a naval architect you will
also have to ensure that the design meets the technical and safety standards laid down by
the various governing agencies.
You will then convert these drawings and detailed specifications into real structures. As a
naval architect you will be responsible for the management of planning, production and
the complex operation of fitting equipment. You will strive to make savings with new
techniques and equipment and better training for the work force.
Organising the supply of materials and components as well as inspection and testing are
also part of your job as a naval architect you. Ships and offshore vessels are kept in
service for decades and so maintenance repair and upgradation becomes part and parcel
of every naval architect. Emergency repair work will often require you to come up with
ingenuous ideas and improvise on the spot.
In additions to the above duties, as a naval architect you will coordinate activities with
your clients, other professionals and government officials. You will also be required to
assist in the budgeting process.
Most of your time would be spent on the computer using architecture and engineering
software. But as a naval architect you will also have to work on the dry docks (docks
where the ships are berthed and the water is drained out) as well as off shore. Modern
engineering on this scale is essentially a team activity conducted by engineers from
various disciplines. However, as a naval architect you will integrate all these activities to
produce a product, which is fit for the purpose.
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Production Engineer
Love dishing out advice by the dozen? Would you like to handle and coordinate all
the aspects of a production line? Would you like to be the whole and soul of a
factory? Then the profile of a production engineer might just suit you.
Production engineers are responsible for the planning, organisation, co-ordination and
control of production in a company. It will be your job to ensure that your products are
made in the required quantities at the lowest possible cost.
As a Production engineer you will decide the best possible way to produce an item. It can
be anything from crayons to cars. You will work out the best process to develop the
product. You will decide what kinds of machinery will be required and oversee its
installation. In certain cases as a Production engineer you will also have to supervise the
recruitment of skilled and unskilled workers to handle the production lines that you set
up.
Once the entire production system has been set up, your job will move on improving the
efficiency of the production process. You will be looking at the minutest aspect of the
process and initiate changes if required. As a Production engineer you will have to keep
abreast of the latest technological advancements in the market and recommend the
upgradation of machinery and processes if it makes sound economic sense.
As a Production engineer safety is also one of your important concerns. You will be
required to ensure that all safety standards for men and machinery are strictly adhered to.
You will work closely with personnel in the management arm of the company as well as
the workers on the production lines to ensure that everything goes off smoothly. At the
end of the day as a Production engineer it will be your responsibility to ensure that the
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actual production meets the scheduled requirement. You will set the production target for
a certain period in accordance with the factory management.
At the senior level, as a Production engineer you will be responsible for helping junior
engineers plan, execute, and meet the company's requirements in areas of safety, quality,
productivity, and finance. You will be required to provide your technical expertise to
enhance and expand the company's business.
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Telecommunications Engineer
Are you fascinated by the world of satellites and dish antennas? Would you like to
connect the whole world together? Ever wondered how messages are decoded and reach
thousand miles across continents? How about a career as a telecommunication engineer
then?
For starters you will be concerned with sending and receiving data. This could be done
using basic telephones, fax machines, mobile phones, over the radio or T.V as well as the
Internet. You will make use of high-end technologies such as radar technology,
microwave technology and even communication satellites.
Telecommunication engineering encompasses the field of hardware and the software. In

the hardware field you will be responsible for the installation and servicing of
equipments. It could be anything from laying telephone wire under a busy metropolitan
road to putting up a satellite dish in a remote corner of the country. You will also be
responsible for ensuring that all this complex telecommunication equipment is operating
at its optimum level. If there are any breakdowns, you will the one who will need to fix it
and fix it real quick. After all nobody likes a dead phone or a disconnected Internet
connection for hours on end!
In the field of software you could be sitting in a plush office, but your job will be just as
hectic and challenging. You will be responsible for ensuring that all the communication
devices are linked properly and that there is smooth data transmission. Looking after
aspects of data transmission such as signal strength, data loss, etc. will be your
responsibility. Since telecommunication equipment are so complex, in the event of
something going wrong, you will have to be quick in detecting where the fault lies and
even quicker rectifying it.
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Technology is growing at a rapid pace and there is enormous scope in the field of
research and development. If you come from a hardware background, you will develop
new communication devices like mobile phones with the latest state of the art services.
You could also develop transmission devices like sleeker compact dish antennas. As a
software person you will create programmes that will help new devices communicate or
modify old software to suit new devices and technologies.
You need:
• Good technical and numerical abilities
• Good communication skills
• Team work and leadership qualities
• Keen interest in technology
If you are keen to work as a hardware engineer in the telecommunication industry, then
physical fitness and an adventurous outlook becomes essential. Your work may take you
on hundred feet tall towers with close proximity to electrical wires and circuits. At such
a point of time presence of mind is what would be needed. You also need to make sure
that you are not colour blind as communication wires and cables are colour coded. You
should be able to distinguish red from green or else people using the telephone will have
to hear from the mouthpiece and talk from the earphone!
A diploma in electronics and telecommunication engineering is the minimum

qualification to enter this field. Of course, a bachelor's degree in the above streams will
make your prospects brighter. You can also have a B.E in Computer Science or
Electronics to work with telecom software companies.
Constantly updating your knowledge on the subject is important for telecommunication

engineers, as you need to keep up with the rapid newer changes in technology taking
place. Going in for a master's degree in Telecommunication /Electronics/ Electronics &
Telecommunication/ Computer Science & Engineering in India or abroad will be time
and money spent wisely.At the advanced levels you could specialise in current and
emerging technologies such as:
• Voice telephony - the ability to transmit voice over the Internet
• Laser and fibre optic technology - using fibre optic cables instead of old copper cables
for communication
• Wireless technology - Technologies such as bluetooth that allow you to transfer data
without using wires.
• Data compression technology - the ability to shrink huge amount of data making it
possible to transmit it successfully. E.g. being able to transmit live television signals
over the telephone lines.
As a telecommunication engineer you will be employed in:

• Telecomm hardware and software manufacturing companies like Siemens, Motorola,
etc
• Companies manufacturing telecom related products like copper and fibre optic cables,
dish antennas, telecommunication switches, etc.
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• Telephone and mobile telephone service operating companies like MTNL, BPL, Orange
• Satellite service operating companies like Iridium
• Internet Service Providers like VSNL, NOW, Tata Nova, etc.
• Television and radio broadcasting companies like Star TV, Zee TV, etc.
• Research & Development organizations like the DRDO (Defence Research and
Development Organisation)
• Government agencies such as ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation)
• Defence, police and paramilitary organisations
You can also work in the sales and marketing departments of telecommunication
companies. Teaching at academic institutions remains another arena that could be
considered.Starting salary is in the range of Rs 8,000-15,000 per month. Companies
involved in software development pay between Rs 12,000-20,000 per month in the
beginning. Salaries for diploma holders are in the range of Rs 5,000-8,000 per month.
Telecommunication engineers need to update their knowledge and skills from time to
time. Most companies therefore have internal or external training programmes for their
engineers. So you may even get to go to a reputed university abroad to specialise in a
particular area of expertise at the company's cost.
Convergence is the name of the game today. Getting different equipments like the
computer and mobile phone to communicate with each other is the main thrust of the
telecommunication industry. Along with that is the emphasis on developing better forms
of wireless communication systems.
Increased competition amongst the players in providing basic telephony services, mobile
services and Internet services has resulted in a substantial demand for
telecommunications experts.Although research opportunities in India are limited there is
enormous scope abroad in working for telecommunication giants such as AT & T, BELL,
Motorola, etc. and government agencies such as NASA (National Aeronautics and Space
Administration).
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Environmental
and
Biological Science
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Agriculturist
Does the term agriculture flood your mind with black and white frames from Mother
India? Or that famous Manoj Kumar song "Mere desh ki dharti?" Then, welcome to the
world of Agriculture. Agriculture is not all about ploughing, sowing and reaping. On the
contrary, it‟s a very tech-savvy profession, which involves a lot of research. Ready to
reap a lot of money? Here‟s more…
„Jai Jawaan! Jai Kisaan!‟ goes the slogan coined by the founding fathers of India. Half a
century later, agriculture still remains our mainstay. New advances in Biotechnology and
Genetic Engineering have thrown up many opportunities in this field. And with
government support came tax benefits and even more money.
The field of agriculture includes farm management, businesses and industries that
manufacture agricultural machinery, industries that buy and process the farm products,
banking activities for financing and developing farms, research for improving quantity
and quality of farm products, so on and so forth.
As an Agricultural Scientist you will work in the following areas:

• Research in fertilisers and seeds to increase the yield and quality of crops
• Research plant genetics and breeding
• Research agricultural economics
• Study and implement findings in plant pathology
• Soil science and erosion
• Soil conservation
• Water management
• Agricultural meteorology
• Ecology
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• Fisheries
As an agriculturist, you can specialise in a variety of areas, including the study of such
relationships as organisms and their environments, soil and water, structures and the
environment, genetics and plant breeding, seeds and quality of crops, or plant diseases
and micro-organism. To succeed in this field you need innovation and precision.
To make a mark in this field as an agriculturist you need:

• An inquisitive and explorative mind
• Interest in biological science
• Keen interest in agriculture
• Good memory
• Excellent ability to understand, assimilate, analyse and apply scientific facts and
theories
You have to be at least a B.Sc. in Agricultural Science to get a job. To be eligible for
B.Sc. in agriculture after a 10+2 in Science, you are required to clear an entrance exam,
which includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
After M.Sc. in Agriculture you could get into Agricultural research. A Ph.D. will ensure a
very good career as an agricultural scientist.
An agricultural scientist finds opportunities in:

• Central and State government departments and agencies
• Agro process based industries like crop processing plants
• Seed producing companies
• Dairy and food processing industries
• Agricultural finance corporation and banks
• Voluntary organisations (NGOs) working in the agricultural sector
• Agricultural research organisations
• Departments of Central and State agricultural universities
As an Agricultural Scientist you could work in industries that are into vegetable and crop
production, processing farms, food freezing and storage plants, poultry farms, grain mills,
semi processed, fully processed food plants, etc. Opportunities also exist in the farming,
processing, research & development, and marketing functions.
Government agencies like Food Corporation of India and various Central and State
government ministries and directorates employ agricultural scientists. Recruitments are
generally made by Union Public Service Commission and State Public Service
Commission.
Some of the job positions could be Agricultural Extension Officer, Seed Production
Officers, Agricultural Assistants, Plant Protection Officer, Soil Conservation Officer,
Farm Superintendents or Technical Assistants.
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Opportunities in Banks
Nationalised banks employ Agricultural Extension Officer, Rural Development Officer,
Field Officer, Agricultural Credit Officers and others with qualifications in Agricultural
Science.
As an agriculturist, you will be inducted as an Probationary Officer. Apart from the

nationalised banks agricultural graduates are also employed by Gramin Banks under
NABARD, Co-operative banks, Small Industries Development Banks, etc.
Opportunities in the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and co-operatives working

in the rural and agricultural sector. Various non-profit organisations and co-operatives
like Agha Khan Rural Support Programme involved in the rural and agricultural sector
employ agriculture graduates.
As an agriculturist you will earn:

In the farming and processing industry: Rs 6,000-8,000 a month or more.
Research & Development position after M.Sc: Rs 8,000-10,000 a month.
Agricultural research after Ph.D: Rs 12,000-15,000 per month
Lecturer: Rs 15,000-18,000 per month (starting salary)
In a marketing function of an agri company: Rs 6,000-8,000 or more per month, plus
various allowances and incentives.
This is a technologically sophisticated and ever expanding field, which needs more and
more people each day. Moreover people will always need food, so being an agriculturist
is an excellent career option. Currently, in India the research done in agriculture is of
international standard. So, agricultural engineers have very good career prospects.
The green revolution has in its wake brought numerous job opportunities in all the above
fields. Government ministries and departments, research institutions, agricultural
universities and various agricultural service organisations hold immense job opportunities
for agricultural scientists.
With the entry of several corporate houses in the area of food processing, researchers are
in great demand in new areas such as Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. And with
Indian-made wines and champagnes finding favour in the west, agriculture is fast
becoming an export industry; opening up doors for would be entrepreneurs.
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Biochemist
How good are you at Chemistry? Can you remember complex chemical equations? Are
you also interested in Biological Science? If you have answered in the affirmative then
we have some news for you. Presenting an exciting career as a Biochemist…
Biochemists are involved in the study of chemical compositions and molecular structure
of bio molecules like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, amino acids, nucleic acids, vitamins
and hormones; chemistry of human and animal cells, tissues, bones, chemistry of plant
tissues; chemical reactions between bio molecules; metabolism of bio molecules in
human and animal bodies; bio engineering of plant and animal cells and biological
processes; and other related areas.
Biochemistry has a wide range of scientific applications such as nutrition and dietetics,
medicine, animal science, agriculture, pharmaceutical sciences, food processing, and
biotechnology.
Biochemists are involved in a wide range of subjects:

Cell structure and cycle, DNA and RNA structure and metabolism, cell division
Biochemical reactions
Biological catalysis, macromolecular structure
DNA replication
Metabolism and nutrition
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Protein structure and function, protein-nucleic acid and chemical reactions between
proteins
Functions of brains and Neurochemistry
Bioenergetics
Bio enzymes and their functions
Mechanism of biological functions likes muscle contraction
Molecular developmental mechanisms that lead to development of different cells from
stem cells (stem cells are embryonic cells that can grow into any human cell)
Protein synthesis
Apart from the study of general biochemistry, you can also specialise in Medical
Biochemistry, which deals with those biochemical processes and mechanisms that have
relevance to treatment and cure of human diseases. Medical biochemists are involved in
the study of biochemistry of human diseases, human immunology, reaction of toxic
substances on healthy cells, chemical structure and composition of microbial cells, gene
therapy, treatment of diseases by protein targeting, and other related subjects.
As a Biochemist, you will mostly work in laboratories of university departments, research

and development organisations, medical research organisations, hospitals, and various
industries like food processing, pharmaceutical, agricultural, diagnostic, and other related
industries.
In university departments, you will work as faculty member (Lecturer, Reader, or

Professor), as a Research Assistant or as a Research Scholar. In various research
organisations, one begins as a research assistant, research scholar, or junior scientist and
then goes on to become Senior Scientist, Principle Scientist, Project Director or Program
Director.
Director of a research organisation

In industries, you will mostly find work in research and development functions. You will
also have opportunities to work in marketing department of companies involved in
diagnostic, food processing, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries.
Requirements to be a Biochemist:
First of all, you must have a strong interest in Biological Sciences as well as in
Chemistry. You should love learning Chemistry and Biology and be able to develop a
clear understanding of the principles of Biological Sciences and Chemical Sciences. You
should have an analytical and inquisitive mind. Be prepared to study a lot. Study of any
Biological Science subject and making a career in this field is real hard work and it takes
a long time to build up a career.
Now look at the educational qualifications required to be a biochemist. Any one of

these qualifications will lead you to a career in Biochemistry:
M. Sc./ Ph. D in Biochemistry
M. Sc./ Ph. D in Molecular Biology
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M. Sc./ Ph. D in Biotechnology or Genetics
MD in Biochemistry
M. Sc./ Ph. D in Medical Biochemistry
M. Sc./ Ph. D in Biomedical Science
M. Pharm/ Ph. D in Biochemistry
M. Sc. / Ph. D in Agricultural Sciences with specialisation in Biochemistry
You can get a job in research and development in:
• University departments
• Biological research and development organisations like Indian Institute of Chemical
Biology, Chembiotec, and National Centre for Biological Science
• Medical research organisations under Indian Council for Medical Research
• Agricultural research organisations under Indian Council for Agricultural Research
You can also get a job in the Research & Development/ Sales & Marketing
departments of:
• Pharmaceutical and Bulk Drug manufacturing companies like Ranbaxy, Torrent

• Food processing companies like Hindustan Lever
• Diagnostic companies like Span, Monozyme
• Hospitals like Apollo, Bombay hospital
• Biotechnology and bioprocess technology based companies like Shanta Biotechnics,
National Immunological Ltd. and other related organizations
Your remuneration depends on the organisation you work for. In university departments
and research organisations, you will start at Rs 12,000-14,000 a month as a faculty
member or as a junior scientist. You will get about Rs 8,000 a month as a research
assistant or research scholar.
The maximum remuneration you can earn in these organisations is Rs 25,000 – Rs 30,000
as per the present scale.
In industries, you may have to start with a slightly lower salary but eventually you will
earn much more than those in academic fields. You will begin with about Rs 8,000 -
12,000 a month. In senior positions, you could earn anywhere between Rs 30,000 -
70,000 a month.
Career Prospects of a Biochemist:
Biochemistry is an essential part of Life Science or Bioscience. It will bring in enormous

changes in the way we live, get medical care and take medicines. Prospects of newer
ways of medical care, newer biological and healthcare products are plenty.
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We may buy an artificial tissue developed from stem cells to replace any damaged tissue
in our body. A protein supplement taken once a day will provide all the proteins we need.
We may see a genetically developed cow, which will produce more milk than a normal
cow.
Biological research and development of all these products will need Life Scientists in
more numbers. So the prospects of all Life Scientists including Biochemists are definitely
bright.
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Bio-informatics
Picture this: You have a splitting headache. You go to a doctor who diagnoses you. He
then feeds your information into a computer and voila! A pill customised to match
your genetic code pops out. Science fiction? Not necessarily. Welcome to the world of
Bioinfomatics.
Bioinfomatics is where carbon meets silicon. It is the fusion of computer science and
biology. The field of Bio-informatics specialises in computer software that enables in-
depth research into the mysteries of the human body. Earlier, research was driven by
instinct and luck. It is now moving into a more technologically driven era.
Research in such a complex field as human science generates a lot of data. This
information needs to be processed so that it may be understood properly. In Bio-
informatics, you will use computer software tools for database creation, data
management, data warehousing and global communication network. You will then
integrate them with the user interface. What this means is that you will understand the
science of biology and convert it into a mathematical form using a computer.
Then you will make a system where in a scientists will feed in some numbers and the
computer spits out the result on a paper or a 3D image on the computer screen.
Bioinfomatics is used in areas such as chemical engineering, drug design, vaccine design,
etc. Through Bio-informatics, you will help scientists determine the structure of cells and
proteins, how they behave and how they react with other cells and chemical compounds.
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For instance, you can look at a virus and accordingly design a drug, which will be
capable of killing it and stimulate its effectiveness on the computer! Now imagine how
easy it has become for scientists trying out the millions of permutations and combinations
of genetic code.
Requirements to pursue a career in Bio-informatics:

You would need to have sound knowledge of molecular biology and Knowledge of
UNIX/Linux the operating system used for many computational biology programs.
To pursue a career in Bio-informatics, you will also need to have good analytical and
logical skills coupled with an inquisitive mind. This is science on the cutting edge and
most of the time you will be expected to come up with new ideas or solutions to tackling
complex matters.
You must have tons and tons of patience. In Bio-informatics, you may be working on a
project for years on end and sometimes you may face problems that seem
insurmountable. You should be able to think clearly and not lose your head in these
situations. In Bio-informatics, you should also have excellent communication skills, as
you will be required to explain complex issues in layman terms.
Academically, you have two options to enter the field of Bio-informatics. You can be a
Biological Scientist who likes computers or a computer geek who is fascinated by the
living world. However this is a very specialised area of study. So you need to do specific
courses in Bioinfomatics.
A course in bioinformatics is suitable for those with a graduation or post-graduation in

molecular biology, chemistry, genetics, pharmacy, microbiology, veterinary sciences,
physics, mathematics, and also engineers, IT professionals, PhDs and medicos.
Knowledge of programming languages such as Perl or Python, which are popular in the
field of Bioinformatics will be helpful. You will learn to develop scientific software for
biologists. This will include Computer Programming, Computer Graphics as well as
simulation and modelling structures related to chemistry and biology.
The Bioinfomatics Centre at Pune is one such institute offering a postgraduate

programme. For this course, you need to have a Post Graduate Degree in any Science
Faculty, M.V.Sc., M.Sc. (Agriculture), M.Pharm., M.B.B.S or M.D. People with M.E.,
B.Tech, M.C.A. or B.E. degrees are also eligible for this course.
In Bio-informatics, you can find jobs in,
You can find gainful employment at various Research institutions and companies like
Satyam, Wipro, TCS and Reliance who employ people having bioinfomatic skills.
Several companies dedicated to bioinformatics like Strand Life Sciences and Avestha
Gengraine Technologies Pvt ltd have come into existence. Pharmaceutical majors like
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GVK Biosciences, Dr. Reddy‟s Laboratories, Biocon, Astra Zeneca and Ranbaxy have
forayed into this discipline creating more jobs.
In Bio-informatics, you could start off as a Research Associate in various projects

organised by the Department of Biotechnology or by institutes such as TIFR (Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research) and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS),
Bangalore. According to your level of experience you will slowly rise in terms of
responsibilities in these projects. Alternatively, you could also take up teaching positions
in Bio-informaticsi at these institutes.
Salary packages in the field of Bio-informatics, depend on the capability and experience
of the person. Starting salaries can be anywhere from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 20,000/- per
month. The salaries offered can start from Rs 1.8-2 lakh per annum and can reach as high
as Rs 12-15 lakh per annum based on the experience and type of skills.
There is a huge demand for trained Bioinformaticists in U.S.A., Europe and Australia.
These countries have taken a lead in research in the field of genetics and it is here that the
best prospects lie. Even insurance firms are looking towards biotechnology companies to
help them profile individuals. All this is good news for Bioinformaticists.
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Biotechnologist
What makes a flower yellow or pink? How corn stalks grow taller? Do you want to be
at the forefront of developing new drugs, foods with enhanced nutrition and crops that
can fight off pests? Or simply create another Dolly? Then read on…
You've probably heard about a Scottish scientist cloning a sheep or about the tomatoes in
your salad being genetically enhanced. Biotechnology, a combination of biology, physics,
chemistry, mathematics and engineering is at the centre of these and other controversial
innovations. It's a research-oriented field, with applications in various areas such as
medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and environment.
Biotechnology is interdisciplinary, covering biomedical research, microbiology, physics,

chemistry, mathematics and engineering. It is the application of biology and genetics to
produce substances useful to man.
Biotechnologists are involved in gene therapy, fertility control, improving food

nutritional value, reducing pollution, increasing livestock productivity, the development
of contraceptives, etc. Research confines a biotechnologist's main work to laboratories.
Branches in Biotechnology such as Microbiology and Biochemistry have contributed to

the development of new drugs. Many biotechnology firms team up with pharmaceutical
companies to investigate treatments for everything from the common cold to cancer.
Biotechnologists work in various fields. Some of these are:
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Drug Discovery - These scientists employ expertise in molecular biology, cell biology,
pharmacology, and today's hot biotechnologies like gene therapy or antigens to discover
new drug molecules.
Receptor Biology - Scientists here employ knowledge of multiple disciplines like

Biology, Biochemistry, Biophysics, Bio-engineering, Molecular Biology, etc to research
various exciting fields like protein engineering, drug delivery systems, etc.
Cell Biology - Cell Biologist carry on research in various new fields like Cell Therapy
and Tissue Engineering. Cells are the engines and brains of many processes and the
biologist who understands these new frontiers is a Cell Biologist.
Bio-informatics - As biotechnology or, precisely, genetics is mapping human genes,

animals and plants, enormous amount of information is being generated. This information
is about the nature and structure of the billions of genes that are being mapped. Bio-
informatics specialists are combining knowledge of Structural Biology, Computational
Chemistry, Mathematics and Information Technology to manage the huge information
databases.
Bioprocess Engineering - Various products like alcohol, processed foods, vegetables,

meat products, enzymes required in pharmaceutical formulations, etc. are manufactured
by biological processes. There are scientists working in this area of bio-processing to
solve manufacturing problems, developing new processes, and so on.
Biochemistry - Biochemists study the chemical make-up of living matter, as well as the
molecular basis for the processes that occur in cells. They develop medical, agricultural,
food science, pharmacological, industrial, environmental and other practical applications
using their scientific expertise.
Microbiology - Microbiologists study the growth and characteristics of micro organisms,

such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, moulds and parasites, as well as their interactions with
the environment. They develop industrial, medical and other practical applications.
Genetics - In this field scientists conduct research into the biochemical and physiological
aspects of heredity, specialising in the examination of DNA. They often concentrate on
human genetics, which involves studying the biological basis for human variation and the
causes of human genetic conditions. They are also directly involved in patient care,
including prenatal diagnosis for genetic diseases and genetic counselling.
Sales and Marketing - Marketing and sales of bioprocessed products need special skills.
Not only marketing skills, but skills in understanding and interpreting biotechnology are
also needed. There are many biotechnologists who are actually working in sales and
marketing.
If you aspire to be a biotechnologist you need:
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* Liking for Biology, even if you have not studied it
* An inquisitive and innovative mind
* Interest in academics and perseverance
* Systematic and methodical approach
* Objective thinking
* Ability to concentrate for long hours
* Need to enjoy laboratory work
* Good communication skills - to be able to convey your ideas to engineers, marketing

folk and lawyers. You'll be constantly asked to explain your findings orally or in writing.
* A keen desire to learn
Academically, you should have a qualification in Biotechnology or other fields like

Bioscience, Medical science, Physics, Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Technology,
Agricultural Science, Veterinary Science, Medical Biology, Bioprocess Engineering and
other related fields.
BSc Biotechnology should be supplemented with MSc for strong career prospects in
biotechnology while BTech may lead directly to industrial openings. One also has the
option of trying the 5 year integrated MSc Biotechnology being offered by some
universities including Pune University.
One can also pursue a MBA in biotechnology after graduation or post graduation in
science. This is currently being offered by the University of Pune, Department of
Management studies (PUMBA)
Biotechnologists find job opportunities in:

* Various research organisations in the areas of bioscience and biotechnology under
CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), ICAR (Indian Council for
Agricultural Research) and other such research organisations. These organisations are
under various Ministries of the Central and State Governments.
Some examples are: Center for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbial
Technology, Central for Plant Biotechnology, Central Drug Research Institute, National
Institute of Nutrition, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, National central for
Biology Sciences, Potato Research Institute, Tobacco Research Institute, etc.
* You can even find opportunities in Nuclear and Atomic research centers, Space
research centers and other research organisations like BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research
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Center), ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), SPIC Science Foundations and
others.
* You'll get ample research opportunities in pharmaceutical companies, food processing

companies, and other companies involved in bioprocess technology. For e.g., Ranbaxy,
Cadila, Wockhardt, Pfizer, Dr. Reddy's Laboratory, Sun Pharmaceutical, Lupin
Laboratories (Pharmaceutical companies); Monsanto, Shanta Biotechniques, Proagro,
Mahyco (Bioprocess Technology based companies); National Fertiliser Corporation,
Cynamid (Agricultural industry companies), Hindustan Lever, Parle Agro (Food
Processing companies), etc.
* You can work in universities and colleges either as a faculty member or as a research
fellow. There are many universities, which are involved in path-breaking research in the
fields of Biological Sciences. Examples are Jawaharlal Nehru University, Indian Institute
of Science, IITs, Jadavpur University, Delhi University, University of Hyderabad,
Osmani University, Bharatidasan University, Madurai Kamaraj University, University of
Mumbai, Banaras Hindu University and others.
* If you are not too keen on research and development, you can also find marketing
opportunities in any one of the companies involved in the fields of pharmaceuticals,
bioprocess technology, agriculture, food processing and other related fields.
* With a degree like B.Tech/ M.Tech you can get a job in the actual production process
control operations in companies involved in bioprocess technology, agriculture industry
and other related fields.
* It is also possible to find opportunities in quality control and analytical laboratories of

the bioprocess technology companies and other companies involved in related
industries.

Research positions in a large-scale biotech company: Rs 20,000 – Rs 25,000 per month
or more if you are a Ph.D.
With 3-4 years of post-Ph.D experience: Rs 25,000-40,000 a month plus other benefits.
Trainee in Research and development department (M. Sc.): Rs 8,000 per month.
M. Tech in biotechnology: Rs 16,000 - 20,000 a month (starting salary)
With a M.Sc., in bioprocess: Rs 8,000 - 12,000 per month.
If you join a university department/college after M.Sc. as a Research Fellow, you will get
Rs 6,000 - 8,000 plus other benefits like HRA, Contingency allowance, etc.
If you join as a Research Assistant, you will get about Rs 8,000 - 10,000 per month as the
starting salary.
In a university/college after M.Sc. as a faculty member (Lecturer): Rs 12,000-15,000 a
month.
A B.Sc. in Biotech/Microbiology/Biochemistry or any related subject can get a job as an
assistant in the quality control/analytical department, with a starting salary of about Rs
5,000-7,000 a month.
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If you are looking at sales and marketing you will be get Rs 6,000-8,000 plus travelling
allowance and incentives.
After M.Sc., you will have to start with Rs 8,000 - 12,000 per month. After B.
Tech/M.Tech you'll take home Rs 10,000-16,000 a month to begin with.
Career Prospects:
Good news for all of you who want to be biotechnologists. This field happens to be the
second fastest growing employment sector after Information Technology. It, therefore,
offers good career opportunities for young people. The field of Biotechnology
experienced explosive growth in the '90s as scientists began to make breakthrough after
breakthrough in understanding cellular and molecular biological processes.
Today, scientists use fermentation and crossbreeding - the same techniques used for
hundreds of years to ferment beer and crossbreed plants to manipulate existing materials
and genetically alter them. One example of this is xeno-transplantation, which uses
organs from animals such as pigs, and genetically modifies them so they can be used in
human transplants.
Thus, both biotech and pharmaceutical companies will continue to hire workers. With a
postgraduate qualification in biotechnology you can be employed in leading
pharmaceutical companies, chemical industries, as well as agricultural and allied
industries.
Biotechnologists are also employed in the areas of planning, production and management
of bio-processing industries, organic chemical industries, and in pollution control
activities of major industries. Moreover, as a biotechnologist you can be employed on a
large scale in research laboratories run by the government as well as the corporate sector.
As a biotechnologist, you could be at the forefront of solving some of the most significant
problems we face today, such as world hunger and malnutrition. Whether, it is the colour
of a flower or a fruit that can deliver immunisation, as a biotechnologist you can offer
efficient ways to get those results.
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Dairy Technologist and Poultry Supervisor
The fundamentals of dairy technology are based on the science of Biochemistry,

Bacteriology and Nutrition. Dairy farming includes breeding and care of high yielding
cattle, procuring and processing milk into a variety of dairy products like cream, butter,
cheese, ghee, biscuits, ice-cream, puddings, custards, etc.
We also get various types of milk like whole milk, double toned milk, toned milk,
skimmed milk, etc. Milk is also processed to produce various products like yoghurt,
butter, ghee, ice-cream, etc. This production process requires engineers for the
maintenance of processing plants and dairy technologists for overseeing the processing of
milk products.
A Dairy technologist‟s work mainly involves procuring milk from rural dairy farmers or
supervising large dairies and monitoring the procurement and collection process.
Marketing of the dairy products is handled by marketing and sales professionals.
Poultry farming encompasses the breeding and rearing of chicken, feed formulation, feed
substitutes/additives and prevention and control of diseases. It also involves the overall
management of the farm including finance and marketing functions.
Dairy Technologists are needed to run these ultra modern firms that process milk in semi
automatic or fully automatic systems. They also man the analytical and quality control
laboratories. There is even scope to branch into marketing.
The dairy industry can be split into two broad categories viz. production and processing.
Milk production involves collection of milk for which breeding and rearing of high
yielding cattle is involved. The Procurement Officer carries out this procurement or
collection of milk from various sources.
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You will also be required to come up with ways to utilise waste products and produce
better products with increased shelf-life for human consumption. You will check the
quality and packaging as well. Organising the distribution of products and maintaining
records will keep you busy.
Dairy Technologists also work as milk procurement officers. In the processing industry,
you could work as a consultant or as an Engineer and look after plant maintenance,
fabrication, equipment, plant design and project execution.
Different types of poultry farms cater to different segments of the market. Breeding farms
are set up for the sole purpose of hatching and raising poultry for sale to other farmers.
The farmers who buy poultry from these farms set up broiler farms. Broiler chickens are
reared just for their meat.
The common practise is to procure day-old chicks, keep them for six weeks and market
them. During the time that they are in the farm, their feeding, supplements, etc. is closely
monitored. Another type of poultry farm is layer farm, where the chicken is raised only
for egg production. In breeding farm or hatchery the work will involve procurement of
eggs, ensuring proper conditions for hatching, etc.
Feeding is an important aspect of the work at the farm. The birds need a balanced diet in
the right quantity for a disease-free growth. So the feed should be specially formulated
keeping various factors in mind. This, in fact, is such a specialised area that large
corporate houses are now manufacturing animal feed. A lot of planning and research goes
into the manufacture of animal feed, to suit specific areas and ensure optimal production.
Another important aspect of poultry farms is disease control. Adequate precautions need
to be taken to keep diseases at bay. You will have to be well informed about vaccines,
deficiencies and how to counteract them, basic hygiene, etc.
Ensuring adequate water supply and the right amount of feed supply to the birds, keeping
a lookout for any sick bird, etc. are all a part of the daily work which goes on in a poultry
farm.
You could specialise in areas like vaccinations, artificial insemination, research on feed
formulation, use of feed additives, even managing the amount of light the birds are
exposed to, etc. Once you graduate to being in charge of quality control, you have
pressures like maintaining quality standards of perishable items.
For a successful career in this field you need to have a scientific temper. This job calls for
fieldwork. So you have to have good stamina. Strong management skills are some other
requirements.
A Dairy Technologist needs to have sound understanding of the principles of

Bacteriology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and Economics too. The study of Dairy
Technology involves Dairy Engineering (applied to production processes), Dairy
Chemistry dealing with composition of products, etc.
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You can do a B.Tech. in Dairy Technology or B.Sc. in Dairy Technology after 10+2 level
with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. These courses are of four-year duration.
Admission is through an All India Entrance Examination conducted for selection to
courses in Veterinary
Sciences, Dairy Technology and Agricultural Sciences.
Alternatively, you could even do your Engineering in Agriculture or an M.Tech

specialising in any of the following: Diary Microbiology, Dairy Chemistry, Dairy
Technology, Dairy Engineering, Animal Genetics and Breeding, Livestock Production
and Management, Animal Nutrition, Animal Physiology, Biochemistry, Dairy
Economics, Dairy Extension Education, Animal Biotechnology and allied fields.
The Master's course is also open to graduates in pure sciences, agriculture, veterinary
science, animal sciences, food technology, engineering and home science. Training
courses in poultry farming include practical aspects such as conducting analytical and
diagnostic tests related to animal feed and disease control.
There are basic courses meant for people who are new to the concept of poultry farming.
Then there are courses that are aimed at updating existing skills to help keep abreast with
new advancements in technology. Besides comprehensive courses on poultry farming,
there are basic and refresher courses as well.
Opportunities in poultry farming are far too many. You could start off working in a large
poultry farm or hatchery. After gaining enough experience, you could start out on your
own.
Dairy Technologists find employment opportunities in public and privately managed

dairy farms, co-operatives, rural banks, milk products processing and manufacturing
industries. They work in quality control departments and in biotechnological research
labs.
Jobs are available in major national and multinational organisations manufacturing milk
products like Amul, Nestle etc.
Graduates in poultry farming find employment in large poultry farms, breeding farms,
laboratories working on feed formulation and analysis, pharmaceutical firms and in large
scale marketing divisions of poultry products.
Many graduates also set up their own venture like small-scale milk plants, creameries,
ice-cream units, etc. Teaching and research is another option that you can milk for all that
it is worth.
Animal feed is a very specialised area and people trained in poultry farming can find
employment with companies engaged in the manufacture of animal feeds. Here you will
oversee manufacture and also act as consultant to farmers.
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Feed analysis laboratories also require your services as also veterinary hospitals and
pharmaceutical concerns. You also have technical consultant outfits that are known to
provide consultancy services to various hi-tech dairy farms.
Trainees and shift officers in this field generally receive a stipend of Rs 2,000 per month.
The officers on confirmation can expect a salary of Rs 6,500-8,500 per month depending
on the organisation.
The remuneration increases proportionately as one rises higher in the organisation. A

General Manager would easily receive a salary of Rs. 15,000 and upwards a month. Mind
you, it is a long and arduous journey to the top.
Entrepreneurs on the other hand reap the maximum benefits. You could almost be
earning 10 times as much.
The growing consciousness among people for protein rich food has given a much-needed
boost to the dairy industry. Preservation of milk is an area of specialisation, where dairy
technologists need to come out with new ideas every day. Dairy and poultry industries
now-a-days are much more organised and centralised. There are many co-operative
dairies and poultry firms.
Both the private and public sector have openings for those who specialise in Dairy
Technology. In the area of processed dairy products, specialists like dairy technologists
are always in demand.
The emergence and popularisation of an urban lifestyle has also led to an ever-increasing
demand for poultry products. Hence the potential in this field is tremendous. There are
new avenues in the processed food industry.
The going might be tough initially. Managing on a stipend you will have to work long
hours in remote areas. The risk factor for a poultry farmer is also high. Out breaks of
diseases can completely ruin your business. It is safe to say that it is not for the faint
hearted.
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Environmentalist
Environmental Science is for those of you who have a genuine love for nature.
Something that translates beyond planting cactus and palms in your balcony. If you
have an opinion on everything from the height of the Narmada dam to the yellowish
tinge on the Taj Mahal, you probably have what it takes to be a crusader for the
environment. Here's giving you more info on the topic.
Concern about the world we live in has increased manifold. Concerns about everything -
global warming, rising of sea level, suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the air, level
of nitrogen dioxide in the air, lead pollution from paints used for various things, sulphur
dioxide pollution from industries, polluted river water, pollution in the sea, sound
pollution, the list just goes on.
As an Environment Scientist it's your core job to identify pollutants, factors that affect
acceptable level of pollutants in the air, identify what causes the pollution, and then
develop systems and procedures to arrest pollution. Your job is to see that industrial
effluents and bi-products are harmless to the nature, the level of SPM in the air is within
acceptable limit, river water is pollutant free and the harmful gases in the air are treated
to make them harmless.
Environmental Scientists are mainly concerned with research on environmental pollution

and developing ways to control it. You will be concerned with research and development
in the areas of solid waste management, management of toxic waste and biological waste,
chemical waste and various other types of waste.
As an Environment Scientist you will work on everything - air pollution control, green
house gases, ozone depletion, side effects of pollution on human being, animals, and
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plants. Water quality management, land conservation, soil conservation, etc. are also your
areas of work.
In fact, the job is very much specialised in several fields:
Environmental Planning: The job of environmental planners are concerned with

planning, designing and developing systems and procedures to counteract the pollution.
You could be involved at a macro level where you plan and design the environment
control systems and procedures for a whole township/city/region.
Environmental engineering: You'll be responsible for designing, constructing and

maintaining waste management systems and other systems to control pollution. You'll
work at the micro level i.e. for an industry/plant. Waste treatment of industries,
municipalities, refineries, distilleries,
mines, fertilizers, food processing and textiles industries are a major concern today for
environment engineers.
Other areas
As an environmental specialist you could work in media houses like newspapers,
magazines and journals as journalists to write and report exclusively on environmental
issues.
Environmental scientists are also involved in the area of imparting education in colleges,
universities, schools and community clubs.
You could serve as social workers or environmentalists in various NGOs to address

various environmental issues and problems.
Requirement:
* Love for nature and your desire to do your bit for it

* Strong liking for science subjects, specially Chemistry and Biological Science
* Sensitive and proactive
* Strong reasoning abilities
* Take initiatives
And of course each of the specialised areas described above need different attributes.
To become an environmental journalist, you need:
• Ability to write
• Proficiency in languages
• Creativity and clarity of thought
To be an engineer or a planner, you should be:
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• Good in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry
• Above average analytical and logical reasoning skills
• Liking for mechanical activities, structures and forms
• A good spatial skill - an excellent ability to understand and comprehend objects in
space.
As for the educational qualifications:
To become an environmental planner, you need:
• Bachelor of Planning or a Master of Planning degree with specialisation in

Environmental Planning.
• You can do your Masters of Planning, even after your B.E in Civil
Engineering/Environmental Engineering.
• Master of Architecture degree with specialisation in Environmental Planning.
To become an environmental engineer you need:

• B.E in Environmental Engineering/Civil Engineering/Mechanical
Engineering/Electrical Engineering/Chemical Engineering.
• You can also do a M.E in Environmental Engineering/Civil Engineering with
specialisation in Environmental Engineering.
To become an Environmental Scientist, you need at least

• M.Sc. in Environment Science/Ph.D. in Environment Science.
You will get a job any one of the following establishments:
Manufacturing and process industries mainly employ engineers. Some environmental

managers also have good scope here.
Various environmental research laboratories under the Central and State Governments - It
is mainly for the environmental scientists with M.Sc., Ph.D or higher qualifications.
Various departments and agencies of the Central and State Government Environment
Ministry - here mainly Environmental scientists and engineer get jobs.
NGOs - Mainly environmental managers and scientists easily find employment.
Various environmental control authorities like Pollution Control Boards, etc. - Here it is a
milieu. There are environmental scientist, engineers and even managers.
University and college departments as faculty members - mainly the scientists, engineers
and planners get jobs as per the nature of the institution (i.e., whether it is an engineering
college, university department, an institution offering planning courses.)
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Various urban and regional development authorities like BMC, DDA, New Delhi,
CMDA, Calcutta and other related organisations involved in urban and regional planning
and development - here, mainly the environmental engineers and planners get jobs.
In the manufacturing and process industry, you could start with a salary of Rs 8,000 -
12,000 a month. The growth prospects here are immense. A senior engineer in a large-
scale company earns about Rs 45,000 per month.
In various environmental research laboratories under the Central and State Governments,
you will be paid Rs 6,000 per month as a Research Fellow. Rs 8,000 is the norm for
Research Assistants after M. Sc. With a Ph.D it could be Rs 13,000 per month. You can
reach a maximum salary of Rs 25,000.
In various departments and agencies of the Central and State Government Environment
Ministry, salary is in the range of Rs 8,000 - 12,000 per month depending on the level of
job. The maximum as per the present scale is Rs 30,000.
A small scale NGO will pay you Rs 3,500 a month while a large scale NGO (like those
funded by WWF) will pay you about Rs 6,000 per month in the beginning. The
maximum you can command is Rs 30,000 if you are working for an International NGO.
In various environmental control authorities like Pollution control Boards, etc., the salary
is in the range of Rs 8,000-12,000 per month depending on the level of job. Maximum
salary is about Rs 30,000.
As a university or college faculty member, you can earn Rs 12,000-13,000 a month in the
beginning. Your maximum salary as an environmentalist as per the present scale can be
Rs 25, 000 when you are senior most. In various urban and regional development
authorities, you should expect your starting salary to be about Rs 7,500-10,000 a month.
Career Prospects:
Environmental awareness is definitely on the rise. There are some states in India like
West Bengal, where study of environment is compulsory for all graduate courses
irrespective of the stream/subject you are in.
These days, to set up any industry, whether small or big scale, one needs a clearance
certificate from the State Pollution Control Board. Unless all the norms laid down by the
Board is met, no industry can be started.
Even the number of NGOs working to raise awareness about the environment is
increasing and the media is doing its duty by publishing/broadcasting news and features
on environmental issues.
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Government is also doing its bit by actively formulating policies and implementing those
through various departments, directorates and departments. Almost all the universities in
India have set or are in the process of setting up Environmental Science departments.
This translates to opportunities for jobs for anybody who is planning a career in this field.
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Bittu Sehgal, Environmentalist
Environmentalist and editor of Sanctuary magazine Bittu Sahgal believes there is an

environmentalist is each one of us. In a candid interview he talks about his project 'Save
the Tiger' and other issues close to his heart.
Can you tell us a little bit about your educational background?

I am a B.Com graduate. I learned about natural history and environmental issues in the
process of defending species and habitats over the years.
How and when did you get interested in environmental issues?

I used to take holidays in sanctuaries and national parks, rather than hill stations. When
these areas began to be attacked and destroyed, I started to defend them and one thing led
to another. Key individuals like Dr Salim Ali, the famous birdman and Mr Kailash
Sankhala, the first Director of Project Tiger were great influences in my life.
How was Sanctuary born?

It started as a promise to a man called Fateh Singh Rathore, who as the Director of the
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve suggested to me that city people generally come to wild
places and then forget about it in the city. When I asked what I could do specifically to
help him he replied, "Start a wildlife magazine. So that city people learn to appreciate
wildlife and do less damage!" That was December 31, 1980. Sanctuary was born exactly
ten months later.
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What does an environmentalist do?
Basically an environmentalist defends the environment! But this can take many shapes
and forms. Some fight pollution, others fight to save tigers (as I do) and yet others pitch
their lives into educating others in the hope that they will act more responsibly once they
know better.
What are the various job avenues for an environmentalist? (where can he/she find
work)
Actually anyone can be an environmentalist. If you are a journalist you write about the
environment. If you are a businessman, you finance environmental projects. If you are a
film producer you use your talent to communicate values.... you get the drift. In my view,
„Professional Environmentalists‟ can do less good than ordinary people working out of a
sense of commitment.
Environmentalism is associated with crusaders like Medha Patkar and Baba Amte.
Can an environmentalist find white collar jobs in the corporate sector?
Yes, but more often than not, such jobs will involve doing Public Relations for such
companies, whose bottom lines generally mean more than their sense of responsibility to
the public. Of course exceptions do exist.
Today in most companies we have the Chief Information Officer, Chief Executive
Officer, etc. Will we ever have the Chief Environmental Officer in every company?
Most corporates overseas do have such a post, but again, these people generally wield
very little power. They do what they are told and if they do not they find their careers
blocked by the finance people or owners of the enterprises. Sorry to give this gloomy
scenario to young people, but this is the truth.
Is the industry finally waking up to the environment?

Some are. But most are still hoping they can bribe their way out of trouble when they are
caught polluting. Their reasoning goes like this, "It is cheaper to pay a bribe than clean up
your act."
What role does the common man play in the fight to save the environment?
A lot. Ordinary people can achieve extraordinary results if they decide to strengthen
public opinion. Just don't let apathy get the better of you. Do something, anything. Join
other groups if you feel you cannot work alone.
How important is education if one wants to be come an environmentalist?

Education is a relative word. Some of the most „highly educated‟ people are the least
environmentally educated.
What according to you are the qualities that make a good environmentalist?
You must love the earth. Have respect for life. Believe that you can make a difference.
Preach what you practice.
Tell us a little about the projects you are involved in.
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I am trying to save the tiger and also trying to prevent awful people living in industrial
countries from bribing Indians to help them export toxic chemicals and factories to our
country.
We are asked to grow more trees in Mumbai. But where is the place?
There is lots of space. But more than planting trees, I believe we must protect the ones
that grow in places like the National Park at Borivli, the mangroves of Navi Mumbai and
Vikhroli and even in such localities as the Governors Estate and Dadar Parsi Colony.
Do you think the Narmada issue is more to do with hype than reality?
The Narmada Dams are a cruel exercise in futility. The river has no water and the
builders of the dams have no funds. This is why the project will fail, irrespective of
whether there is opposition from the people whose homes are being drowned.
How do you think can the problem of plastic bags be curbed in big cities?
You and I must refuse to accept plastic bags. And when Nescafe, Coke and Mac Donalds
offer us disposable packaging, we should refuse to buy their products too.
How important are environmental issues for a developing country like India?
A healthy environment is vitally important to a country where millions cannot afford to
fall sick because they can't buy medicines, or lose a day's wages. My right to clean air
and water is a basic human right, as is my right to live in a world where wild tigers exist.
In any event, unless we fight to protect our environment from those who place profit over
ethics, we will find ourselves without water, without safety.
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Fishery Science
There is nothing fishy about a career in Fishery Sciences. Developing and maintaining
the sea wealth is what fisheries aim at. This involves the breeding of good quality
fishes, ensuring the continuance of genetic specie strengths, securing the non-
extinction of species and implementing scientific methods of fishing.
With scientific fish culturing the quality of fishes can be improved and the
unpredictability of the catch be minimised. This way fishing as an occupation can be
made more viable. This is all the more significant considering the increased global
demand for quality fishes and canned foods.
As a scientist, your job will involve not just experimenting in a laboratory, but also
working in fish farms. You will strategise aquatic systems through fish community
management. Assessing the impact of change in habitat on fishes and reviewing the
experiment methodology is also your job as a fishery scientist.
As a scientist, you will study fish and fauna and research projects mainly focused on the
effects of human activities on aquatic systems. For e.g. impact on fish breeding due to
manmade structures such as dams.
A major branch of Fishery Science is Aquaculture. This is mainly farming of aquatic

organisms (e.g., fish, aquatic plants, etc.) in natural or controlled marine or freshwater.
You will create commercial hatcheries and breed fishes in grow-out ponds and see to it
that they reach good marketable size. Developing novel and innovative technologies for
use in aquaculture, for example aerators, pumps, feeding equipment etc. will also be done
by you as a scientist.
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As a fishery scientist, your will develop new aquaculture species and also create
innovative and cost effective solutions in aquaculture. You will then market the products
and even export it abroad. Another good option is to offer expertise from project
formulation stage to the implementation and successful operation of hatchery and
farming.
As a fishery scientist, you should have:
 A curious, inquisitive mind would help you in research areas

 Quick thinking and the ability to come up with new and more advanced ideas are
a must
 You need to have high stamina and energy levels, able to work even in
disagreeable weather conditions.
 This is important as you cannot afford to turn down a project just because you are
feeling seasick or because you are afraid of sharks
Fishery Science can be studied at the B.Sc. level after completing 10+2 with Biological
Science as one of the subjects. You can also do your M.Sc in Fishery Science after
completing your BSc. in Zoology. Your understanding of Biology, Chemistry and
Physics will constantly be drawn upon in your study of Fishery Science.
As a fishery scientist, you can find employment opportunities in:
Career avenues are numerous in Fishery Science. Opportunities lie in government

agencies, State Departments of Agriculture and organisations such as the Central Marine
Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). Recruitment to these institutions is through the
State Public Service Commission. Private research companies in India and abroad are
also entering this area with large investments.
Several corporate houses have also entered the area of fish food processing and
marketing, for which persons specialised in Fish Processing Technology or Fisheries
Resources and Management are preferred.
Apart from these, as a fishery scientist, you also have academic options. Fisheries and
Aquatic Resource research is conducted in many institutions across the country. If you
have good research skills, then as a scientist, you can find employment in organisations
such as the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), the National Fisheries
Development Board and others.
Your services as a scientist, will also be sought in building an Oceanarium or a Public
Aquarium. Self-employment is another challenging option. You could set up your own
private hatchery. The population of fish and water animals is fast depleting with
industrial and urban wastes polluting seawater. This has given rise to hatcheries who to
fill the gap between supply and demand.
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Other opportunities include:
• Supervision of fish research centres

• Areas in Fish preservation, freezing, canning, etc.
• Domestic and export marketing
• Research and preservation of marine life
• Hatchery and Farm Management
• Prawn and shrimp farming in coastal areas as an export oriented unit
• Post-harvest management and processing of stock
Apart from these as a scientist, you can find opportunities in various allied fields such as
of aquaculture, fish nutrition, fish pathology, fish genetics and biotechnology.
As a fishery scientist, your earnings could be:

Your starting salary will be in the range of Rs 6,000-8,000 a month. Government jobs
don't offer much growth but offer stability, something you would not get especially in the
fish farming industry.
Research positions especially in private firms are more lucrative in the range of Rs
18,000-20,000 per month. But these are usually reserved for doctorate holders with
experience. Money for studies that are carried out by teams of fishery experts is usually
on a project to project basis.
 With a vast coastline of 8000 km extending over ten states, India is home to more
than 300 varieties of fish.
 India holds the seventh position in the world as regards to the value of fish
exports.
 Pretty impressive statistics indeed! But we are far from realising our true
potential.
 Most of us look at software engineering and management as lucrative options.
 Agriculture is not considered 'hot' and fishery science is almost unheard of.
 But the fact remains that demand is not able to meet supply. So opportunities are
there for the taking.
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Food Technologist
Verbal duets with the doodhwala bhayiyaa is no longer an integral part of the morning
ritual. We now have multiple choices like skimmed milk, double toned milk, toned milk,
whole milk, flavoured milk, the list goes on and on.
Food Technology is the science of processing food items. As a Food Technologist you
will use your skills to preserve fruits, vegetables, pickles, snacks, juices, beverages, etc.
Apart from preservation, food technology also deals with manufacturing confectionery,
snacks in addition to the packaging of all these products for marketing and shipping. If
you love food and want to be surrounded by it at all times then being a Food
Technologist is the career for you!
As a Food Technologist, you will see that the work performed in the food processing
industry involves the practical application of the principles of chemistry, physics,
biology, microbiology, biotechnology, engineering, and other disciplines of science, for
the preservation, processing and handling of food materials.
The food processing industry along with help from Food Technologist is engaged in
converting food products like wheat, rice, sugar, oil, pulses, etc. into an edible form. It
also deals with processed foods such as biscuits, bakery products, confectionery, dairy
products, breakfast foods, meat, fish products, fruit and vegetable. All these items are
processed and packaged to enhance and prolong their shelf life.
As a Food Technologist you will be equipped with the knowledge of not only processing
foodstuffs, but storage, research and quality control also. You will experiment and
determine the parameters for storage such as hygiene, temperature, etc.
As a Food Technologist you could also be working in the quality control department,
operations department or get into hardcore Research & Development.
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Forestry & Wildlife
Are you concerned about the fast depleting biodiversity? Do you want to protect the wild
animals and their natural habitat? Does rapid urbanisation, increase in human population
and unplanned use of forest resources disturb you? Then you are the right candidate for a
career in Forestry and Wild life.
Forestry essentially entails outdoor work. You'll be spending most of your time mapping
forested areas, particularly during the initial years of your career. If you take this up as a
career, you can choose to work for:
• Indian Forest Service
• Forest Management
• Forest Research
• Wildlife Biology/Management
• Others, like Plantation forestry
Indian Forest Service & State Forest Service

There are many wild life species in India that are endangered and need to be protected
and conserved. As an Indian Forest Service or State Forest Service Officer, your core job
will be protection and conservation of forest resources and wild life.
In India, there are over 500 protected forest areas. If you get a job in one of these areas,
you will be devising, implementing and monitoring detailed management plans. You will
be constantly monitoring habitat parameters, resources and human population. You will
also be in charge of preservation and protection of forests from campers and poachers.
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Forest Management
As a forest management professional, your core job will be managing forest resources in
such a way that they are not depleted. You will prepare documents about forest resources
such as timber, ground for cattle grazing, shelter for wild animals, food and water for
animals, etc. You will also identify areas, which require particular attention for fresh
planting, felling, and thinning of dense forests or pruning, or pest control.
You will also plan wildlife reserves, roads leading to interesting spots, recreation points,
lakes, etc. You will supervise the crew conducting these assignments and maintain
progress records.
Forest Research
There are a number of areas in which you can be involved. You may choose to be
involved in research in various areas. For instance:
Biological diversity: In this field of Forestry & Wildlife you will find out how biological
communities are organised; what is the impact of various forms of land use on the levels
of biological diversity; how we can preserve biological diversity, etc
Human Ecology: In this field of Forestry & Wildlife you'll find out what role man plays
in biological communities. How do his activities affect productivity and diversity of
biological communities?
Eco-development: In this field of Forestry & Wildlife you'll break your head to find out
how humans can manage the ecological environment and improve the habitat. How can
we improve the efficiency of the use of fuel, fodder, construction material, etc., to reduce
demand for these materials?
Climate Change and Tropical Forests: In this field of Forestry & Wildlife you'll study
the impact of climatic change on forests. You will find out the potential of forestry as an
option for improving the environment.
Animal Communication: It will be exciting to find out song pattern recognition in

insects (say, cricket or grasshoppers), communication signals during courtship and their
role in male mating success in this field of Forestry & Wildlife.
Wildlife Biology And Management: In this field of Forestry & Wildlife you'll identify
wild life habitats, carry out census, devise plans for conservation and monitor the
implementation of the plans.
Plantation Forestry: In this field of Forestry & Wildlife you'll standardise fertiliser
dosage for plants, say, for teak plantation. You will recommend where to plant the trees
and conservation policies.
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Requirements to enter the field of Forestry & Wildlife
For Indian Forest Service and State Forest Services you need to be physically strong with
a lot of adventure and risk taking attitude in you. Your height should at least be 165 cms.
Be prepared for a walking test for 25 km. The minimum height for women is 150 cms,
with corresponding weight. The walking test in your case would be for 14 km.
In this field of Forestry & Wildlife you should love flora and fauna and should be able to
adapt to difficult living conditions. To be a successful forest manager, you must have all
the skills of a business manager. Your analytical, reasoning and mathematical skills
should be very strong. You should have excellent Communication skills, good leadership
abilities, strong determination and lots of patience. You should also enjoy mixing up with
people from different background.
As for the educational qualifications, in this field of Forestry & Wildlife you should at
least be a graduate. In addition to this, you will need a degree/diploma in Forest
Management/Plantation Management/M.Sc. in Forest Economics and Management or
other related subjects.
To be a Forest Researcher, Wildlife Biologist or other forest professionals you should

have an explorative and inquisitive mind. In this field of Forestry & Wildlife you should
have a keen interest in biological science and academics. Of course you should have a
love for the wild.
As for the educational qualifications you should at least have a M.Sc. in Zoology,
Wildlife Biology, Forestry, Forest Resources, Agricultural Science, Botany or other
related subjects.
Your options in this field of Forestry & Wildlife are:

Indian Forest Services and State Forest services
In various NGOs and government organisations like WWF-India, Bombay Natural
History Society, NTPC, IFFCO, Society For Promotion Of Wasteland Development, Tata
Energy Research Institute, AFPRO, etc.
Forest research institutions like Wildlife Institute of India
Various companies involved in using forest resources. For example, ITC Bhadrachalam
Paper Boards, WIMCO and BILT (Ballarpur Industries Ltd.)
Various international and national donor agencies involved in ecological conservation
like World Bank, Ford Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation etc.
Universities departments and colleges
Various State Ministries and Central Government Ministries
In this field of Forestry & Wildlife you'll earn:
In Indian Forest Services, you will start with Rs 12,000 a month and in State Forest
services, about Rs 10,000 a month. In Forestry Research, you'll begin at Rs 6,000 per
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month as a Junior Research Fellow. But when you join as a faculty member in a Forest
Research Institute or in university department, you will start with Rs 12,000 a month.
Forest Management professionals get better salaries. Your first salary cheque in this field
of Forestry & Wildlife will be in the range of Rs 12,000-25,000 per month. Government
departments and Ministries pay you in the range of Rs 8,000-12,000 a month to begin
with.
Other organisations like NGOs, international or national donor agencies will pay you Rs
4,000-28,000 a month.
Career prospects In this field of Forestry & Wildlife:

With increasing awareness about forest conservation among developing nations, there is
an increasing need for many trained forest managers and forestry government staff to
protect and refurbish the fast depleting forest wealth. With the growth of forests we see
the growth of industries related to forests providing industry-based opportunities.
The Indian government is also taking large initiatives in conservation of natural and
forest resources. Huge amount of fund has been earmarked for various agencies. So, as a
whole, number of professionals involved in the field will be increasing.
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Horticulturist
A career in horticulture is your best bet if you love being closer to nature - plants, fruits,
flowers and what have you. If gardening is your favourite past time you can now extend
it as a career and develop virus resistant potatoes, or simply increase the yield of your
favourite fruit.
Horticulture is the science and art of producing nutritious food for the body - fruits, nut
and vegetable crops - and beautiful food for the soul - flowers, ornamental plants and
lawns. It trains students in many aspects of plant science-physiology, nutrition,
identification, soils, disease and insect control. If you choose to be a horticulturist you
could even try your hand at landscaping. Creative horticulturists are needed to design and
plan interior and exterior landscapes for homes, office buildings, parks, campuses and
golf courses.
The four main specialties in horticulture include:
Pomology: Cultivation of fruits, shrubs and vines.
Olericulture: Plants raised for use as vegetables.
Floriculture: Production and use of flowering and foliage plants.
Ornamental Horticulture: Plants grown outdoors for landscaping.

You'll be involved in everything - creating and maintaining horticultural and floriculture
farms, parks and gardens, plant pathology, fruit and vegetable processing, preservation
and marketing of fruits, vegetables and flowers, etc. You will also manage and supervise
agricultural practices and maximise yields.
The main areas of work in horticulture are:
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Farming - Here you'll work on soil preparation, sowing, harvesting, testing and usage of
fertilisers and nutrients, scientific management of the environment, etc. Mind you this is
not a cushy job. You'll have to get your hands dirty, literally. It's a lot of physical labour
and as such not for everyone.
Gardening - Here you'll take care of flowers, trees, shrubs, ornamental trees, etc.
Grafting, collecting seeds, de-budding, etc. also fall under gardening.
Processing - Your main aim is to increase the shelf life of food items. It's a detailed
process that starts from the raw material to the final distribution of the end products
(which is either packaged or kept in the original form).
Research - This involves investigating and creating new and improved varieties of
flowers, fruits and vegetables with the help of state-of-the-art machines and techniques
like the tissue culture, embryo culture, micro-propagation. You'll work mainly at the
government-funded research institutions as well as research and development laboratories
owned by private sector companies (that handle the processing and marketing of
horticultural foods).
Teaching/Advisory Arena - You could be teach in colleges and universities or take up

an advisory position in a company.
Requirements to enter the field of Horticulture:

• Patience
• Interest in Bioscience
• Keen interest in academic
• Sense of aesthetics
• Ability to put in long hours (often outdoors) and in varying climatic conditions
• Perseverance
• Knowledge of seasonal plants, local plants, soil, etc.
You will at least need a 4 years' degree course in Horticulture, which is offered at almost
all the Agricultural Universities in India. One can also enter the field with a degree in
Agricultural Science or a M.Sc. in Agricultural Science. M.Sc. in Horticulture is another
route to enter this field. A diploma in Horticulture is also a good option.
Qualified horticulturists and floriculture specialists can be employed at various

levels:
* As Horticulturists, Supervisors, Farm Managers and Estate Managers at horticultural

farms and estates.
* In government organisations like the Department of Agriculture in every state, ICAR

(Indian Council of Agricultural Research) and the Institute for Horticulture Research
appoint horticulturists, assistants, etc.
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* In private organisations involved in the processing, marketing and export of fruits,
vegetables or flowers.
* Various avenues for self-employment are open including setting up one's own farm for
growing fruits, vegetables or flowers, or ornamental plants
* Running nurseries in an advisory capacity with an organisation that deals with

horticultural activities.
* Research openings, particularly in the area of genetic engineering.
* You could also work as a Quality Inspector for commercial canning in quick-freezing
stations or packaging for the domestic and export market.
* There are even some industrial houses, which handle large-scale scientific cultivation
of fruits and vegetables. Opportunities exist here too.
You would begin with Rs 6, 000-8, 000 per month in a farm. With experience it would
grow to Rs 12,000-20, 000 or more per month.
Horticulture is no longer a leisurely vocation and is fast assuming the status of a vibrant
commercial venture. The annual demand for flowers in the domestic market continues to
grow.
The demand in the international market for Indian flowers is growing too. Therefore the
prospects for horticulture specialists are extremely bright.
Technological advancements in this field have laid great emphasis on improving regular
varieties of fruits and vegetables for processing purposes, creating exotic species for
decorative and commercial purposes and mass scale multiplication of species for
increased productivity. So, the demand for Horticulturists is growing.
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Marine Biologist
Marine biologists study salt-water organisms. They are also called Biological
Oceanographers. They study marine organisms, their behaviors, and interactions with the
marine environment.
Because there are so many areas one could study within the field of marine biology,
many marine biologists select a particular interest and specialize in it. Specializations can
be based on a particular species, organism, behavior, technique, or ecosystem. For
example, some marine biologists may choose to study with white sharks, blue whales, or
dolphins.
The emerging field of marine biotechnology offers great opportunity for marine
biologists. Marine biotechnology research presents a wide range of possibilities and
applications. One focus area is the biomedical field, where scientists develop and test
drugs, many of which come from marine organisms.
Molecular biology is another related area of specialization in this field. Researchers apply
molecular approaches and techniques to many environments, from coastal ponds to the
deep sea, and many different organisms, from microscopic bacteria, plants, and animals
to marine mammals. For example, molecular biology can be used to identify the presence
of a specific organism in a water sample through the use of molecular probes. This is
very useful when the organism in question is microscopic.
The study of disease in organisms is also aided by the use of molecular techniques.
Researchers have developed antibodies that are specific to a particular virus, so that when
the virus is present in the organism, detection and diagnosis is easier and faster. Likewise,
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new molecular techniques help scientists identify whether or not an animal has been
exposed to pollutants and, in some cases can determine the source of those pollutants.
Aquaculture, the farming of finfish, shellfish, and seaweeds, is another field that has been
aided by marine biotechnology and molecular techniques. Aquaculture is gaining
importance in this country as consumer demand for fish and shellfish becomes greater
than can be met by traditional commercial fishing.
Marine researchers also experiment with ways to administer drugs to diseased

populations of farm-raised fish. Disease can wipe out an entire crop of farm-raised fish or
shellfish due to the confined setting in which they are raised.
Other popular areas within the field of marine biology are environmental biology and
toxicology. Both of these areas have direct applications and implications for our society.
Examples of specialties in environmental biology and toxicology include water quality
research and the study of contaminants or pollutants in the coastal or marine
environment.
Laws, regulations, and cleanup measures designed to protect the environment will ensure
that marine and environmental biologists and consultants continue to play an important
role in our society.
Another two popular fields of research involving marine mammals are bioacoustics and
vocalization (the study of marine mammal sounds), and population dynamics (studying
marine mammalian behaviors and responses to environmental conditions as they impact
population).
Requirements if you aim to be a Marine Biologist:

* You should have a strong interest in Biological Science
* You should have an inquisitive and explorative mind
* You should be academically oriented with a strong interest in knowing and learning
various things
* You should have an excellent ability to understand, realize, analyze, remember and
apply scientific facts and theories
* You should be disciplined and hard working
* You should do well in all your examination right from secondary examination to
Master's degree examination scoring at least 60% in aggregate and more than 70% in
science subjects.
Marine Biologists can find job opportunities in -

Various government, semi-government and autonomous research institutions like
National Institute of Oceanography and the Geological Survey of India employ marine
biologists.
Various universities, deemed universities and colleges in teaching and research like
Indian Institute of Technology (Chennai), Cochin University of Science and Technology,
Mumbai University, University of Chennai, Jawaharlal Nehru University, and Anna
University.
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As a marine biologist, you can take up a job as a lecturer in a college, university or
deemed university. As per UGC rules, your next promotion depends not only on your
years of experience in teaching but also on your research experience.
You can take up a Research Fellowship in a research organization, university, or deemed

university leading to a Ph.D. degree.
As a marine biologist, you can also join oil exploration and petroleum and petrochemicals
industries such as Essar Oil, Reliance Industries and ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas
Commission).
A researcher generally receives a stipend of approximately Rs5000 to Rs9000. The

starting salary after your post graduation can be in the range or Rs 6,500 to Rs 8,000 per
month in the government sector and slightly higher in the private sector. With a Ph.D.,
you can earn about Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per month as a starting salary, which will rise
as much as 25,000/- with experience.
Career prospects of a Marine Biologist:
With the progress in Biotechnology, growing concern about marine pollution, and
progress in technology for using marine resources in various areas in medicine and food
technology, career opportunities for marine biologist are growing.
Though the opportunities at present are mainly in university departments and research
organizations, private sector participation in marine biotechnology is not far away with
many multinational setting up of world class biological research organizations like
Chembiotek in Kolkata. Private sector participation in the field will surely shot up the
opportunities for all the Bioscientists including Marine biologist.
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Microbiologist
We are living in a virtual sea full of microorganism invisible to naked eye and are under
continuous attack from them. While some of the organism benefit us, most of them don't.
Instead they try day and night to inflict diseases on us. That's not all. Some anti social
elements use them to start a biological warfare. Would you like to save mankind from
their attack?
Various species of microorganism like bacteria, virus, fungus, and ameba exist in trillion
of numbers. Study of these microorganisms, vis-à-vis, their life cycle and nature is a
specialised science called Microbiology.
Microbiologists are involved in extensive research to understand the physiology of

microorganisms and the cause and development of microbial diseases in plants and
animals.
Microbiologists study disease causing microorganism as well as beneficial

microorganism. They research the physiology and genetic profile of microorganism,
determine their life cycle, how do they cause diseases, and how to prevent and cure the
diseases. They are also involved in researching plant and animal diseases and identifying
microorganism responsible for the diseases. They also identify and research medicines
that may cure and prevent the diseases.
Microorganisms also benefit plant and animal lives and there are quite a large number of
them. Researching and studying their life cycles, physiology, and genetic profile are also
the responsibilities of microbiologists. They research newer ways in which these
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beneficial microorganisms can be used for development of drugs, production of enzymes,
food processing and toxic waste disposal.
Microbiologists generally work in laboratories of university departments, research and

development organisations, government organisations in the health sector, hospitals, and
various industries like food processing, pharmaceutical, agricultural, beverage,
biomedical, bioprocess, diagnostic industry and other related industries.
Most of the laboratories are air-conditioned and the environment inside the laboratories
are aseptic (free of microorganism). In university departments, you will work as faculty
member (Lecturer, Reader, or Professor), as a Research Assistant or Research Scholar. In
various research organisations, one begins as a research assistant, research scholar, or
junior scientist and then goes on to become Senior Scientist, Principle Scientist, Project
Director or Programme Director. The pinnacle of your career will be either as the
Principle/ Head of the department in a university or college or as the Director of a
research organisation.
In industries, you may find work in research and development, analytical, or production
departments. Some of the microbiologists work in marketing department of companies
involved in diagnostic, food processing, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries.
Many of the microbiologists are involved in quality control of food products and drugs.
Microbiologists assume different roles in these industries. Some of their roles are:
Diagnosis of the causes of animal diseases of microbial origin

Analysis of processed foods and medicines to ensure that the materials are safe for human
consumption
Development and production of vaccines, enzymes and insulin
Research and development of drugs
Research and study of plant diseases; development and production of insecticides and
anti-microbial chemicals.
Genetic engineering of microorganisms to prevent and cure plant and animal diseases
Marketing of diagnostic materials, pharmaceuticals, processed foods and beverages.
Requirements to be a Microbiologist:
First of all, you must have a strong interest in Biological Sciences. As a Microbiologist
you should be able to develop a clear understanding of the principles of Biological
Sciences. An analytical and inquisitive mind will help.
You should be prepared to study a lot. Study of Biological Science and making a career
in this field is real hard work and it takes a long time to build up a career.
Now look at the educational qualifications needed to be a microbiologist. Any one of

these qualifications will lead you to a career in Microbiology.
M. Sc./Ph. D in Microbiology
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MD in Microbiology
M. Sc./ Ph. D in Agricultural Science with specialisation in Microbiology
M. Pharm/ Ph. D in Microbiology
M. V. Sc. / Ph. D with specialisation in Animal Microbiology
M. Sc./ Ph. D in Biomedical Science with specialisation in Microbiology
M. Sc./ M. Tech/ Ph. D in Biotechnology with specialisation in Industrial Microbiology
As a Microbiologist you can get a job in research and development in:
• University departments
• Biological research and development organisations like Institute of
Microbial Technology, National Institute of Communicable Diseases, and National
Centre for Biological Science
• Medical research organisations under Indian Council for Medical Research
• Agricultural research organisations under Indian Council for Agricultural Research
• Dairy and animal research institutions
You can also get a job in the Research & Development/ Analytical/ Production/
Sales & Marketing departments of: -
• Pharmaceutical and Bulk Drug manufacturing companies like Ranbaxy and Torrent
• Food processing companies like Hindustan Lever, SmithCline Beecham and Glaxo
• Beverage manufacturing companies like United Breweries
• Diagnostic companies like Span and Monozyme
• Hospitals like Apollo and Bombay hospital
• Biotechnology and bioprocess technology based companies like Shanta Biotechnics,
National Immunological
• Dairy and Poultry firms like Arambagh Hatcheries and various other related
organizations
Your remuneration as a Microbiologist depends on the organisation you work for.
In university departments and research organisations, you will start at Rs 12,000 -14,000
a month as a faculty member or as a junior scientist. You will earn Rs 6,000 a month as a
research assistant or research scholar. The maximum remuneration you can earn in these
organisations as a Microbiologist is Rs 25,000 as per the present scale. However, this
scale is currently under revision and the remuneration is likely to be increased by at least
20 per cent.
In industries, you may have to start at a slightly lower salary but eventually you will earn
much more than those in academic fields. You will begin at Rs 8,000 - 12,000 a month.
In senior positions, you could earn anywhere between Rs 30,000 - 70,000 a month.
Microbiology is an essential part of Life Science or Bioscience. In the 21st century Life
science is going to be very big. It will bring in enormous changes in the way we live, get
medical care and take medicines. Prospects of newer ways of medical care, newer
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biological and healthcare products are plenty. We may buy a biochip in the near future
which can be placed under the skin to boost our immunity system. This will protect us
from microbial diseases. We will see a cure-all medicine that can cure any microbial
disease. We may see a genetically developed microorganism, which will detoxicate toxic
wastes. We may see another genetically developed bacteria, which will shield crops from
attack of microbial diseases.
Biological research and development of all these products will need Life Scientists in
more numbers. So the prospects of all Life Scientists including the microbiologists
are definitely bright.
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Finance
and
Accounts
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Actuary
India in general is a nation of fatalists. If things go bad, we tend to blame our fate. The
wizards of finance however have come up with a neat way to safeguard you against the
unforeseen. Find out how you can help people buy peace of mind by being an actuary.
An actuary is a professional who, using probability theory and mathematical, statistical

and financial techniques, analyses the financial consequences of risk to enable businesses
to make better-informed decisions. You will assess the financial impact of uncertain
future events by methodically analyzing the past, modeling the future, and quantifying
the likely range of financial outcomes from different future events. Confused? Read this.
Say a person buys a car. The insurance for this car needs to be determined. The actuary
does this calculation. Your skills in finance and risk management will be used in areas
such as insurance, pensions and investment. Other applications include census studies,
forecasting, banking and finance
The actuary will analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability,
and retirement rates and construct probability tables to forecast risk and liability for
payment of future benefits. Using these statistics you will ascertain premium rates and
cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
As an actuary, you will apply mathematical models to problems of insurance and finance,
thus improving upon the financial decision making process.
You may also be called upon to perform the following tasks:

• Advise companies on the distribution of profits to policy-holders and assist with
investment policy
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• Manage long-term financial projects both in the public and private sectors
• Measure and analyze the investment performance of financial institutions
• Design, manage or supervise government financial policies in areas like social
insurance and pension schemes in some ways an actuary is a financial crystal ball gazer!
Requirement
An actuary needs to have

* Ability to express conclusions clearly and concisely
* Good mathematical and analytical skills
* Ability to think clearly and logically
* Keen, analytical, project management and problem solving skills
* Good business sense
* Knowledge of finance, accounting, economics
* Good communication skills
* Strong computer skills including statistical analysis, database manipulation, etc.
* Ability to work with others
Remember, this is one career in which you need to be good at mathematics. This is a
number game and as an actuary you should be able to master it. If you are poor at
geometry or trigonometry, then it's all right but you must be able to find out 0.7 per cent
of 29,675 in a jiffy. You need to have sound analytical and logical skills.
You will be spending long hours at your table pouring over sheets and sheets of data.
Patience and perseverance is therefore essential if you are planning to be an actuary.
However you must realise that at the end of all the numbers lie people. You need to have
a friendly, outgoing personality with good communication skills. Only then will you be
able to build up trust with your clients, which is so important in this business.
A degree in math, statistics, economics, business or finance is a good starting point for a
career in actuarial science. You could even do your B.A. in actuarial science or a
postgraduate certificate /diploma in insurance. Actuarial Science is mainly offered as a
three year degree course by some universities or as part of a degree programme. The
Insurance Institute of India, Mumbai, also grooms insurance personnel for a career in the
Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India.
To become an actuary you need to take the entrance exam – Associate and later
Fellowship of the society- conducted by the Actuarial Society of India. It is recognized in
India as well as in Southeast Asia and Africa. To become an insurance surveyor you need
to be a degree or diploma holder in engineering/architecture or hold a
Fellowship/Associateship of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. You can also obtain
the Fellowship or Associateship of The Institute of Insurance Surveyors and Adjusters
(IISA) by giving their exam and thereby become a licensed insurance surveyor.
In the UK, professional groups such as the Institute of Actuaries (London) and Faculty of
Actuaries (Edinburgh) conduct the examinations leading to an international recognized
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professional Qualification. In the USA, the Society of Actuaries (Schaumburg, IL) and
the Casualty Actuarial Society (Arlington, VA) provide the qualification. Internationally,
City University (London) offers one of the best university courses in Actuarial Sciences.
Job Opportunities
As an actuary you will be in great demand. Challenging careers exist in a growing

number of fields, including the insurance industry, consulting firms, government, banks
and investment firms and large corporations. The largest growing segment for actuaries is
actuarial consulting. The trend for companies, even large insurance corporations, is to
outsource actuarial services. Actuarial consultants have also started to become more
involved with decisions regarding health plans, advising on mergers and acquisitions,
demutualization, new product development and asset management, financial analysis,
alternative distribution systems, regulatory compliance and market conduct issues.
The big brother of the Insurance industry in India is LIC (Life Insurance Corporation),
which employs over 100,000 people. You could join as an Assistant Administrative
Officer through the all-India examination. The examination is objective in nature and
consists of logical reasoning, general knowledge and quantitative reasoning. The written
exam is followed by an interview. On being selected candidates are sent for a six-month
training programme.
Money & Other Benefit
Earnings as an Actuary: In the government sector, starting salaries fall in the range of Rs
4000- 8,000 which can work up to Rs 6,000 – 9500 in the private sector. A Zonal
Manager gets Rs 16,000 a month. This is just the basic salary, additional allowances
include Dearness Allowance, Travel Allowance, City Compensatory allowance, etc
which works to almost 150-200 per cent of your basic salary!
Management graduates can get Rs. 15,000/- to Rs. 25,000/- per month. Salaries in
multinational are very good indeed. At the entry level you will be paid around Rs 4 lakh
p.a. and after five years of experience it can reach Rs 10, 00,000 p.a.
Career Prospects
If you consider the fact that India is home to 1 billon people and only a quarter is insured
you can imagine the potential for expansion in your career as an actuary.
Projections suggest that for a wide spectrum of functions - marketing, sales, human
resources, finance, operations, actuarial function, at least 20,000 strong work forces is
needed, plus 1.5 lakh agents.
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Career Map
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Banker
You like no surprises in your professional life. You firmly believe that all office work
can be completed between 10 am and 5 pm (anything beyond that translates to work
harassment). You believe in replenishing your energy by taking lots of casual leaves.
And above all you want to take home a neat pay packet. Yes? Well, then, we have a
career that fits you like a glove-Banking.
Banking in India has come to a full circle from the time when you had to wait in a queue
to collect cash to getting it delivered at your doorstep at no extra cost. Add to that
services like phone banking, Internet banking, 24 hour ATM, draft delivery at home, etc.
and you have service spelt with a capital.
Though the contemporary banks' services have changed a lot over the last few years, the
core function has remained the same. Banks handle deposits and withdrawal of money,
provide loans, pay a part of the surplus as interest and the rest is kept back for the smooth
functioning of the bank and profit making.
Banks' functions can be divided into various divisions like:
Retail/Personal Banking: This division provides a range of financial services to

individual customers and small companies. It operates mainly through branch
networks. Retail banking includes routine transactions like deposits and withdrawals of
money; money transfer; foreign currency exchange and traveller's cheque encashment.
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They also deal with personal and small loans, credit and mortgages; insurance policies;
investment schemes; pension funds; and advice to customers on various financial matters.
Apart from offering home loans, car loans, educational loans, consumer loans, etc. they
also develop various deposit schemes and help people fill their coffers.
Corporate Banking: They deal with medium to large-scale companies and government
agencies. It could start at the local branch manager level, though more complex dealings
are routed through corporate divisions of clearing banks and their merchant banking
subsidiaries.
Corporate banking deals with credit and advances, trade finance, foreign exchange
management, asset management, lease financing of heavy equipment, infrastructure,
machinery, credit risk assessment, etc. They also advise clients on matters such as
corporate mergers and acquisition, raising capital and business strategy regarding
competitors and outside factors.
Merchant Banking: Investment management is the primary activity of this group. It

could be on behalf of corporate clients, or institutional investors-like pension funds,
investment trusts, or those in the securities business. This group also handles public issue
and marketing of shares, debentures and other such papers. It may also include other
stock market functions like dematerialisation services, investment advisory services, etc.
Merchant banking executives research into capital market, advice and manage funds of
various corporate and individual customers.
Treasury group: This group takes care of the total funds of a bank including foreign
exchange reserves. Responsibilities include bank portfolio management, dealing in
foreign currency, etc. There are Forex (foreign exchange) dealers in this group who
exclusively deal with the foreign market. They buy and sell foreign exchange at the
minimum exchange cost thereby earning maximum profit from the transactions.
Rural Banking: This group deals with the banking and credit needs of people in the rural
sector. Not all banks have this group and some banks have separate subsidiary companies
for rural banking.
Product Management: This group conceptualises various banking services and then
develops, implements and manages them. They have the responsibility for a banking
product (meaning services like personal loans, home loans, credit cards, loans against
shares, educational loans, etc.)
Apart from these main functional groups, there is an appraisal group to analyse economic
feasibility of industrial projects, the bank's exposure to financial risk and long term
returns. There are internal auditors who audit the bank's internal books of accounts.
There are various groups of professionals like lawyers, engineers, agricultural scientists
and economists who work in various departments in advisory capacities. They help make
decisions on issues that are legal, technical or economic in nature. For example, the
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economist advises various functional groups on the implications of the Union budget on
the business of the banks, consumer buying pattern, etc.
The term 10 to 5 no more holds true for bankers. This is mainly true for the officers.
There is constant pressure to perform well. Typically, in a private sector bank and in
public sector banks (like State Bank of India), you may join in as an Assistant/Clerk or as
a Trainee Manager/Probationary Officer. As a Trainee Manager or a Probationary
Officer, you will be rotated through different functions for the initial four years.
Once you have completed a series of management/officer level postings, your progress
and performance will be reviewed and you will be assigned as a Branch Manager in any
town or city.
In some banks when you join as a management trainee, you are generally trained in all
aspects of banking for the initial two years. Then, you are assigned the responsibilities of
an Assistant Manager in a particular functional group or you become a Branch Manager.
Requirement
Match your attributes if you want to be a Banker:

* Analytical and reasoning skills
* Good mathematical abilities
* Meticulous
* Excellent communication skills
* An attitude to serve people and a pleasing personality
* Strong leadership abilities and organising skills
* Ability to take initiatives
* Ability to work in a group
* Always open to learning-new skills, new methodologies, and so on.
You need to be a graduate in any stream to get into a nationalised bank as a Probationary
Officer.
But to qualify as an Assistant/Clerk you need to have completed your 10+2. MBAs are
preferred in almost all the managerial positions in a bank. Private Banks generally recruit
their managerial staff from top business schools across India.
After HSC in commerce you could specialize in Bachelor of Banking and Insurance
(BBI) or Bachelor of Accounts and Finance (BAF). This is offered by prominent
commerce college in affiliation to the Mumbai University.
Professionals like Chartered Accountants, Agricultural Scientists and Engineers are also
taken in as management trainees/officers. Other professionals who find positions in banks
are M. Sc. /Ph. D in Economics, Lawyers, Statisticians, Company Secretaries and
Information Technologists (i.e. those with an MCA/B.Tech. in Computer Science or
equivalent).
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For entry in the clerical/assistant level, private banks have a minimum educational
requirement of graduation. You stand a better chance if you have additional qualifications
in computers, marketing management or any secretarial course.
Senior professionals in Marketing, Human Resource Development, and Information

Technology as well as those from financial services companies also find opportunities in
banks.
Job Opportunities in the Banking Sector:

In various private sector banks like HDFC Bank, IDBI Bank, ICICI Bank, Centurion
Bank, UTI Bank, etc.
 In various multi national banks like Citibank, American Express Bank, ABN-
AMRO Bank, Standard & Chartered Bank, etc.
 You will find opportunities in public sector and nationalised banks like the State
Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Allahabad Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of
India, Canara Bank, etc.
 You can find work in various co-operative banks like Bharat Co-operative Bank,
Saraswat Bank, etc.
 In the public sector you can even work for speciality banks like the National Bank
for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Gramin Banks, Industrial
Reconstruction Bank of India, etc.
 You can also work in regulatory banking authorities like Reserve Bank of India
and its regional branches.

 A Management Trainee in a public or private sector bank: Rs 2.4-5 lakh or more
p.a.
 Officer Trainee/Probationary Officer: Rs 1, 00,000-1, 20,000 p.a (gross salary in a
public sector bank). Plus, this job offers annual increments and all the perks that
go along with bank jobs-casual leave, privilege leave, sick leave… the list just
goes on and on and on!
 Officer trainees in private or multinational bank: Rs 1, 44,000-1, 60,000 or more
p.a
 Senior Executives in a private sector or multinational bank: Rs 12-24 lakh or
more p.a. If you perform well it will take you
Career Prospects for a Banker:
 Commercial banking is a cyclic business - when the economy does well, so do

bankers. But the last few years have seen a very healthy growth in the banking
industry. The leading banks in the public sector, almost all the private sector
banks and the foreign banks have seen their net profit grow by about 60 per cent.
This shows that the banking industry is definitely on an upswing.
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 Many multinational banks like HSBC, Deutsche Bank have entered into the
personal banking business targeting small customers.
 Though the growth in net profits does not always lead to a growth in manpower,
the number of managerial level staff as well as professionals is increasing
 Apart from the traditional banking jobs, other jobs in banks are increasing. For
instance, as the banks are leaning towards sophisticated technology there is a
growing need for information technology professionals.
 It is true that there are more opportunities in the officer cadre than in clerical
cadre. In fact, the recruitment at the clerical/assistant levels is negative. Most of
the public sector banks are reducing their manpower recruitment in the clerical
jobs. But overall, as banking is a growing industry, the job prospects are good.
 There is one final reason to feel enthusiastic about a banking career. Many of the
services are now available at your fingertips. It's a result of the rapid changes in
the banking functions and redefinition of the concept of banking as a whole.
These will definitely lead to rapid changes in careers in banking and generally
pull the industry upward.
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Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)
Career Overview
Numbers interest and amaze you, you are analyzing in nature and good at money
management— If this sounds like your personality, you must read this…
Specialization has become the need of the hour, and it is true for the field of finance too.
Although a relatively new area, a career as a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) has
become quite significant in today‟s business and corporate scenario. As the name
suggests, a CFA primarily analyzes finances on behalf of his/her clients.
The role of a financial analyst includes careful scrutiny of the details of the company in
which his/her client wishes to invest.For this, studying financial reports is required,
which a CFA does by conversing directly with officials of the organization and industry
experts.Subsequently, the CFA has to prepare an in depth report of the findings to arrive
to a conclusion concerning the purchase and selling of the company‟s stock. At times, a
financial expert may even have to analyze a takeover or merger of organizations.
With the changing scenario and growing requirements in the financial sector, many
institutes have started offering courses for professional CFAs. These courses will educate
you in various essential subjects such as accounting, finance, economics, portfolio
management and also business administration.
On the flipside, the job of a CFA involves strict deadlines, long working hours and the
ability to multi task at times, so if you wish to be in this profession, be prepared for to
work hard. Moreover, since CFA as a career option is still developing in India, jobs may
be slightly difficult to get. In comparison to other financial and accounting jobs like
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Chartered Accountancy etc., CFA professional may have to work harder to find jobs.
Internships while you are studying can help in getting a job later.
Requirement
The primary requirement for a Financial Analyst is to have a good numerical ability.
CFAs need to have sound financial knowledge as well, and should keep themselves
updated about the latest developments in that area, including financial legislation and
policies. As this job involves a lot of research, aspirants in this career should be
dedicated, determined, hard working and patient.
You should have studied Mathematics, Social Science or Computers as a compulsory

subject at the 10+2 level. A background in finance and accounts is important. Good
technical knowledge in computers and analytical tools can be an advantage. Advanced
professional courses that offer specialized degrees (like the CFA program) will stand you
in good stead in this profession.
Job Opportunities
Like most other fields in Finance, the job opportunities for Financial Analysts are also on
the rise. Insurance, Banking, Finance, Leasing Companies and both the government and
the corporate sectors employ qualified CFAs.
Analysts can also study national and worldwide money matters or provide advice to
corporates on investing their pension funds. Stocks and bonds are another area where
CFAs can work, by specializing in determining the value of securities.
A beginner in this profession can expect a salary of about Rs.15000-20000 per month.
With experience, CFAs can earn a lot more.
Career Prospects
The career prospects and remuneration for qualified CFAs are growing, both in India and
abroad. Usually, fresh graduates start as executive trainees. With experience, they can
even go on to head their departments.
However, as mentioned earlier, a passion to work in this field and the willingness to toil
are essential requirements to become a Certified Financial Analyst.
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Chartered Accountant
The busiest time of your professional life will be between March and April. You'll show
the rich how to make more money and hide all that they have made so far. Scooping
out loopholes in taxation laws is never too difficult for you. In simple terms, you'll
handle all money matters and in between all this fill your coffers as well. Yes, we are
talking about a Chartered Accountant here.
If reading between the lines of balance sheets is your game then this is your calling. The
process of money flow is a complicated one. As a Chartered Accountant you will master
it and show others how to do it. As a Chartered Accountant you will offer financial
advice and audit accounts for private individuals, companies, industries, educational
institutions, etc. This in short is the summation of your job profile.
As a Chartered Accountant you will audit, analyze and verify your clients' accounts and
give a fair financial picture. You could also work as a financial guide or consultant and
push an organization‟s profitability. You will also advice clients on investments, general
taxation and act as executors and trustees.
Auditing means analysing and verifying a client's accounts to make sure that they give a
fair financial picture. As a Chartered Accountant you will also interview staff and
management. Most companies hire CA‟s as financial guides or consultants.
Budgeting, fund raising and other financial activities related to corporate finance will be
your domain. Chartered Accountant's are experts in corporate law.
Procuring finance for projects needs high level of skills and expertise in finance.
Chartered Accountant's are trained to advice on financial sources and prepare project
reports.
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As a Chartered Accountant you will analyze the profitability on business expansion as
well as its long-term returns. Your advice will also be sought in matters such as mergers
and acquisition, diversification etc.
As a Chartered Accountant you require:
• Logical and analytical skills

• Critical outlook
• Good interpersonal skills
• Good organising abilities
• Meticulousness
• Excellent numerical abilities
• Ability to take initiatives
• Loads of patience
You have to complete the course conducted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of
India (ICAI).
After your class Xth, you can register for the Common Proficiency Test at www.icai.org.
However you can appear in the Common Proficiency Test only after you have appeared
for your HSC. CPT is the entry level test for the Chartered Accountancy Course. It is an
objective type test.
After clearing your CPT, you can register for IPCC. In addition to Articleship a student
must complete 100 hours of Information Technology Training (ITT). Clear both the
groups of IPCC complete your articleship and then register for the final course. After
clearing the final exam, you can finally enroll for membership at the Institute, and be
called a Chartered Accountant.
These days more and more CA firms are IT enabled and as such you need to be
knowledgeable about things like:
1. Working knowledge of Tally and Spreadsheets

2. E-commerce
3. Internet Applications
4. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
5. Software Solutions
6. DBMS and RDBMS Concepts
As a Chartered Accountant you will work with:
• Registered Audit firms

• Any Big firms like Ernst and Young, PWC, Deloitte & KPMG
• Chartered Accountancy Firms like M.S Kulkarni & Associates, Haribhakti & Co
• Consultancies like Mckinsey; Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Accenture
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• Law Firms like Mulla and Mulla
• Banks and Financial Institutions like Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Corporate ICICI etc
• KPO‟s and BPO‟s like Morgan Stanley; Lehman Bros, JP Morgan Chase,
• Equity Research Firms like Motilal Oswal; Brics Securities; DSP Merill Lynch; JM
Morgan; Kotak securities
• Running own Practice
• Tax Advisory
Registered firms: Rs 10,000-20,000 or more per month
Chartered accountancy firms: Rs 15,000-20,000 or more per month
Management consultancy firm: Rs 15,000-40,000 or more per month
Banks: Rs 15,000-Rs 30,000 or more per month
Other organisations: Rs 10,000-30,000 per month
As a Chartered Accountant your Career Prospects are:
In recent times, accountancy has grown in popularity as a profession. The services of a

Chartered Accountant are required even in the smallest of enterprises.
Moreover, under the Companies Act, only Chartered Accountant‟s in professional

practice are entitled for appointment as auditors of companies in India.
With growing globalization and formation of new policies, the corporate sector requires
the services of more specialised professionals.
There is also a demand for consultancy service on specific issues to business enterprises.
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Equity Research Analyst
Equity Research Analysts specialise in research and help corporates to make better
financial investments. They also interview executives of companies, make field visits,
conduct market research, etc.
In market research as a Equity Research Analyst you have to evaluate factors influencing
investment like currency market positions, inflation rates and others. You have to
understand the dynamics and markets to track all the relevant players, from the industry
giants to new enterprises in the market.
As a Equity Research Analyst your work serves as a barometer for corporates and
investors. You have to assess the value of the company and advise the company on profit
making moves after studying the market. As a Equity Research Analyst you will also
review the future earning potential of the company. In a way you are also keeping a
check on the management decisions of the company.
As a Equity Research Analyst you will start off as a Junior Equity Analyst and then climb
the higher rung of Equity Analyst, Senior Equity Analyst, Head of Research, Regional
Fund Manager and finally the Global Fund Manager.
To be a successful Equity Research Analyst you need to have access to right information
at the right time. You should also be able to foretell the market moves. Therefore, it
becomes necessary for you ans a Equity Research Analyst to constantly upgrade yourself
with the latest happenings in the market. Computer skills and being net savvy helps as it
gives you easier access to information.
Requirement
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As an equity research analyst you need to have the following personality traits:
• Analytical thinking
• Ability to understand and evaluate
• Ability to forecast
• Convincing power
• Conviction
• Technology and net savvy
• Aware of the latest happenings in the field
If you have an MBA in Finance, or you are a Chartered Accountant or Chartered

Financial Analyst then you qualify for the post of an Equity Research Analyst. Other
accepted qualifications include Master of Business Finance and Master of Finance &
Control.
As a Equity Research Analyst you could also pursue the postgraduate diploma course in
Equity Research and Analysis offered by The Institute of Chartered Financial Analyst of
India at Hyderabad.
Job Opportunities

As a Equity Research Analyst you would find employment with:
• Broking Firms
• Mutual fund firms
• Investment banking firms
• Finance corporations
• Insurance firms
As a Equity Research Analyst your expected earnings could be:
You'll never regret choosing this career considering the money. But as a Equity Research
Analyst you would hardly get time to socialize. In this high-pressure job money comes as
another incentive to work on.
Junior Analysts earn around Rs 3-8 lakh p.a.
With 5-6 years experience you could earn Rs 12 lakh to 1 crore p.a. depending on the
organisation and the post offered.
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The MNCs offer more moolah than the domestic ones. But it's not easy money. As a
Equity Research Analyst you have to slog for it. You have to be exceptionally good in
your job.
Career Prospects
As a Equity Research Analyst your Career Prospects are:
Capital markets all over the world as well as in India are witnessing major changes. With
escalating interests of domestic and international players in India, there is an increasing
demand for a more systematic approach. The Securities and Exchange Board of India
(SEBI) is also trying to bring transparency in the dealings. All this has opened a lot of
avenues for people planning their career as an Equity Research Analyst.
Economic growth and liberalisation has opened a number of opportunities in various

fields like mutual funds, investment consultancy, broker firms, insurance companies,
merchant banks, pension funds and other financial institutions.
Career Map
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Government
Services
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Civil Services Officer
As a Civil Servant you'll be working in one of the several services described below
which collectively come under the ambit of the Indian Civil services jobs
 Indian Administrative Service

 Indian Foreign Service
 Indian Police Service
 Indian P&T Accounts & Financial Service, (Group-A)
 Indian Audit & Accounts Service - Group 'A'
 Indian Custom & Central Excise Service - Group 'A'
 Indian Defence Accounts Service - Group 'A
 Indian Revenue Service - Group 'A'
 Indian Ordinance Factories Service - Group 'A'
 (Assistant Manager, Non-technical)
 Indian Postal Service - Group 'A'
 Indian Civil Accounts Service - Group 'A'
 Indian Railway Traffic Service - Group 'A
 Indian Railway Accounts Service - Group 'A'
 Indian Railway Personnel Service - Group 'A'
 Post of Assistant Security Officer - Group 'A'
 (In Railway Protection Force)
 Indian Defence Estates Service - Group 'A'
 Indian Information Service (Junior Grade) Group 'A'
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 Posts of Assistant Commandant - Group 'A' in Central Industrial Security Force
 Central Secretariat Service - Group 'B'
 Railway Board Secretariat Service - Group 'B' (Section Officer's Grade)
 Armed Forces Headquarters Civil Service - Group 'B'
 (Assistant Civilian Staff Officer's Grade)
 Customs Appraisers Service - Group 'B'
 The Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Island, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra &
Nagar Haveli Civil Service - Group 'B'
 The Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar Island, Lakshadweep, Daman & Diu and Dadra &
Nagar Haveli Police Service - Group 'B'
 Pondicherry Civil Service - Group 'B'
 Pondicherry Police Service - Group 'B'
Expected Salary if you are in the Civil Services:
The starting salary is in the range of Rs 12,000-15,000 a month at the junior most level.
Your remuneration increases with promotion to higher scales and can be a maximum of
Rs 30,000 a month. Different branches of the service have different scales of pay.
Of course the icing on the cake is the perks like subsidised accommodation and medical,
dearness allowance, LTA cars, furnishing allowance, etc. as per your rankings in the
scale of officers.
Indian Civil services fall under Group 'A' of Central Government jobs. The promotional
grades are same for all the officers under Indian Civil Services, though the names of the
posts differ across different services. The IAS, IPS officers are divided into 25 State
cadres.
In the beginning of your service life in the Civil Services, you'll be placed in the Junior
Officer Scale and sent to the State cadre for probation of two years. You are then elevated
to the post of Senior Officer working as Under Secretary in the State or Central
Government.
The next stopover of your service life in the Civil Services is that of Junior
Administrative Grade (JAG) as Deputy Secretary. And then comes the higher posting as
Director of Public Sector Enterprises and other developmental and administrative
organisations.
If you are in the Senior Administrative Cadre of your service life in the Civil
Services you could graduate to becoming the Joint Secretary in different ministries and
departments of the Central and State Government.
The next position of your service life in the Civil Services is the Additional Secretaries in
Central and State Government. The highest rank is the Secretary/Cabinet Secretary of a
Ministry or department of the Central Government or State Government or the Chief
Secretary of a State Government.
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Customs Officer
How would you like to ensure that our country is drug free, that terrorists cannot enter
our country, and that no illegal contraband or hazardous substance reaches our
shores? Welcome then to the world of the department of customs.
The Customs Act was formulated in 1962 to control the imports through preventing
illegal imports and exports of goods. Besides, all imports were subjected to an import
duty aiming to protect the indigenous industries as well as to minimize the imports to
secure stable exchange rate for Indian currency.
For the purpose of exercising proper surveillance over imports and exports, the Central
Government established The Indian Customs and Central Excise Service (IC&CES). It is
basically concerned with two main aspects, Customs and Excise. While Customs is
concerned with the checking and levy of duty on taxable goods brought into the country,
the Excise department is involved with the taxation of goods manufactured within the
country.
This services falls into the Group A of the Central Services of the IAS. This means that
you will be a Class I Officers. But unlike an IAS officer who belongs to a particular state,
you will serve the central government wherever you may be posted.
As a customs officer you will be posted at international airports and ports. You will also
serve at border and other coastal towns. You will be working in any of the following
branches:
Customs
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This branch is involved in the formulation of policies and procedures, their interpretation
and application in the area of Customs. These have to be coordinated with the country's
trade policy and other international regulations. In addition it controls and supervises all
the field operations of the customs department.
Central Excise
This branch looks after the legislation, interpretation, policy and procedures relating to
collection of Central Excise duties and tax on services. The operations of all Central
Excise officials is supervised and controlled from here.
Personnel and Vigilance

Here the emphasis is on personnel management, which includes career planning,
recruitment, transfer, promotion and training. Surveillance operations also form part of
this branch.
Anti-Smuggling
This branch supervises and controls the anti-smuggling departments and formulates
policies and procedures relating to anti-smuggling.
Requirement to be an Income Tax Officer:
 Alert
 Diplomatic and discreet
 Fluent in English and local languages
 Above average at organising
 Excellent at communicating
 Extrovert, dynamic, meticulous
 A strong leader
 Aware about national and international affairs.
 Interested in human affairs
 Physically fit
But above all, you have to qualify through the Indian Civil Services examination. Very
few manage to get through the ICS examination. Thereafter you can opt for different
services based on your preference and ranking in the examination.
To be eligible to take the ICS test you need to a graduate in any stream with age around
21-30. Apart from direct recruitment through the Indian Civil Services Examination some
posts in the junior scale are filled in by promotes from the Group 'B' of the Central
Government or State Government Services.
As a Customs officer, you will then have over 24 services to choose from. You will be
expected to list your options and placed according to your grades. Customs are much soft
after so you need to score really well.
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Once appointed, all probationary officers of the All India and Central Services undergo a
compulsory foundation training course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of
Administration, Mussoorie.
Training begins in the last week of August with a foundation training course of 4 months
duration for probationers of all civil services. The foundation course is followed up by
specific job-oriented training, conducted separately by each service in different parts of
the country.
This training is partly institutional and partly hands-on. For most cadres, the training is of
12 months' duration. Customs probationers are trained at Chennai.
A Customs Officer can find employment in:
After probation, customs officers get posted as Assistant Commissioners (customs) at any
one of the eleven Zonal offices located in major cities in India.
They are promoted in due course to –
 Deputy Commissioners (customs)

 Additional Commissioners (customs)
 Commissioners (customs)
 Member (Central Board of Excise and Customs)
 Chairman (Central Board of Excise and Customs)
Pay Scales of an Customs Officer:
 Junior Officer Scale - (8000-13500)

 Senior Officer Scale - (10650-15850)
 Junior Administrative Grade (after nine years of services) - (12750-16500)
 Selection Grade (after 14th year) - (15100-18300)
 Senior Administrative Grade (15th-18th year) - (18400-22400)
Career Prospects of a Customs officer:
 The best part about the government services is that on becoming full-fledged officers
you will continue service until retirement. The stability in the government services is
unparallel in India.
 Jobs in the Civil Services involve a great deal of power and authority, which is
another high. Even after retirement you have numerous options working for firms
involved in the import-export business where your knowledge of customs procedure
and contacts will come in handy. Freelancing as a consultant is also a good option.
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Indian Administrative Services (IAS)
An IAS officer manages the general administration of the state including the development
function. Policy formulation, implementation and control at different levels are your main
responsibilities. At the district level your responsibilities also include overseeing law and
order situations and collecting taxes.
Apart from these functions at the Central and State government levels, you will actually
act as the pillars of governance. You'll formulate policies, devise strategies, allocate
resources and implement plans. You are the controlling authority of all plan
implementation.
IAS officers also serve as top level managers of Public Sector Enterprises like companies,
Metropolitan Development Authorities, Trade Promotion Councils, different
development authorities, etc.
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Indian Police Service (IPS)
Here lies the excitement for all you budding Kiran Bedis. As an IPS officer you'll be the
brain behind not just the police force but also the CRPF, BSF, CISF, etc. Your main task
will be to maintain law and order at all times. Planning pro-active strategies and
implementing and controlling the police force are also your responsibilities. The ones
craving for some adventure will have ample in the form of tackling crime and law and
order emergencies.
Indian Foreign Service (IFS)
You'll work in the Ministry of External Affairs and manage Indian offices like Indian
High Commission, Indian Consulates, Indian Embassies abroad. Work related to Passport
services, Visa services, Consular services, etc. will be routed through you. Of course
you'll also promote trade and cultural relations with foreign countries.
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Indian Railway Service (IRS)
If employed here, you'll look after different divisions of the Railways like the Traffic
Service (again this is divided into Commercial and Operations.), Accounts Services,
Police Services, Personnel Services, etc.
The operations division is in charge of the movements of passenger and goods train and
all the activities related to movement including passenger comfort and safety.
Commercial division looks after all the commercial functions associated with train
movement like tickets sales, collecting revenue from advertisements on the stations, etc.
Indian Railway Accounts Services Officers are in charge of all the accounts of the Indian
Railways like income, expenditure, etc.
The Personnel officers are responsible for recruitment and selection of railway staffs,
training and development and all other personnel functions. Railway Police Service
officers are responsible for law and order situations on the stations and also with the
movement of the trains.
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Indian Postal Service (IPS)
This is one of the largest organisations in the world with numerous offices all over the
country. They head different operational divisions of the Postal service and manage the
entire operations.
Indian Audit and Accounts Services (IA & AS)
Accounting and auditing of different Central Government departments is the main

responsibilities of these officers. They work with the Central Government.
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Indian Civil Accounts Services (ICAS)
They work in the Ministry of Finance, Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of
India, Office of the Chief Controller of India, etc.
Indian Customs and General Excise Services (IC & GES)
Your Role in the Indian Civil Service: Checking of all the goods entering India or
going out of India, to ensure and enforce their compliance with Indian Laws is the prime
duty of the customs officials. You'll have the power to siege goods that violate Indian
laws, assess and levy duties on goods entering India or leaving India, collect excise taxes
or indirect taxes on goods produced in India, etc.
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Indian Defence Accounts Services (IDAS)
In this department of the Indian Civil Service you'll look after the accounts of the
Defence forces, Army, Air Force, Navy and other protective services. You main
functions will be accounting and auditing.
Indian Revenue Service Officers (IRSO)
In this department of the Indian Civil Service Revenue collection, i.e., tax collection will
be your main concern. You'll be in the top administrative strata of the Income Tax offices
in India. Overseeing the function of the Income Tax departments, assessment of taxes,
collection of taxes and implementation of Indian Income Tax laws are your areas.
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Indian Ordinance Factories Services
Ordinance factories manufacture arms and ammunitions required for requirements. In this
department of the Indian Civil Service IOFS officers serve in these establishments and
manage the overall manufacturing functions.
Indian Information Service (IIS)
In this department of the Indian Civil Service it's your responsibility to ensure that only
correct information reaches the media. Organising press conferences, controlling official
media and organising festivals is your business.
Requirements to be in the Indian Civil Service
 Alert
 Diplomatic and discreet
 Fluency in English and local languages
 Above average organising abilities
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 Excellent communication skills
 Extrovert, dynamic, meticulous
 Strong leadership abilities
 Awareness about national and international affairs.
 Interest in human affairs
But above all, you have to qualify through the Indian Civil Services examination. Very
few manage to get through the ICS examination. Thereafter you can opt for different
services based on your preference and ranking in the examination.
To be eligible to take the Indian Civil Service test you need to a graduate in any stream
with age around 21-30. Apart from direct recruitment through the Indian Civil Services
Examination some posts in the junior scale are filled in by promotes from the Group 'B'
of the Central Government or State Government Services.
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Income Tax Officer
Do you keep thinking about money all the time? Are you someone who would like to
master the intricacies of the financial world and catch those who try to sneak through
the loopholes? Would you like to ensure that India's wealth is properly managed and
accounted for? Then maybe a career as an income tax officer is what you should be
looking at.
The Apex body of the Income Tax Department is the Central Board of Direct Taxes
(CBDT), which is manned by the officers of the Indian Revenue Service. This body is the
administrative head of the Income Tax Department and functions under the Finance
Ministry of India.
The Income tax department operates out of various geographical regions, which are a
collection of states. For e.g. the North West region comprises of Punjab, Jammu and
Kashmir and Chandigarh; the Western region consists of the states of Gujarat and
Maharashtra. You will be working in any of the following directorates:
Directorate of Taxes
Your immediate work as an income tax officer, will involve assessment and collection of
taxes like Income Tax Act, Wealth Tax, etc. You will verify that the accounts for private
individuals, companies, industries, educational institutions, etc have been audited
accurately. As an income tax officer have to see to it that all the proper taxes as
applicable have been levied and also grant exemptions wherever required by law.
Directorate of Appeals
Here you will look at all the appeals filed for a refund or reassessment. As an income tax
officer will have to decide if the case merits an appeal. You will have to redo the entire
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auditing procedure. In the event that the government has deducted more tax than it is
entitled to, you will have to ensure that the extra amount is refunded as soon as possible.
Directorate of Investigation
In this department as an income tax officer you will be snooping around to find all
elusive 'black money'- the term commonly associated with undeclared wealth. You will
identify individuals and organisations withholding money or owning assets like cars,
bungalows, etc. which are above and beyond the reach of their declared income. As an
income tax officer you will then conduct surprise raids to recover the wealth, which could
be in the form of cash, jewellery or immovable property such as a house.
As an income tax officer you need:

• Above average organising abilities
• Excellent communication skills
• Extrovert and dynamic personality
• Sound mathematical and logical skills
• Strong leadership qualities
• Willingness to travel and work in new places
• Awareness about national and international affairs
• Interest in human affairs
The Income Tax Department recruits at two levels. Direct recruitment is made to the
Indian Revenue Service at the level of Assistant Commissioners of Income Tax, through
an open examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Recruitment at
the level of Income Tax Inspectors and below is done by the Staff Selection
Commission.
To join in as an assistant commissioner of Income tax, you have to qualify through the
Indian Civil Services examination.
There are two stages in the written examination - Preliminary and final exam. If you
qualify in the Preliminary examination, then you will be called for the final examination.
After you clear the final examination you will be called for an interview and personality
test. If you are among the select few who manage to get through the ICS examination,
then on the basis of your position in the merit list and your preference you will be allotted
the various services like the IAS, IPS, IFS or the IRS.
You can also join in directly as an income tax inspector. For this you need to be a
graduate in any discipline and between the age group of 20-25 years
The examination for this grade consists of two parts:
The written exam consists of an objective type question paper on the topics of General
Intelligence, General English, Numerical Ability and General Awareness.
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This is followed by a personal interview after which the final merit list is put up.
Job Opportunities of an Income Tax Officer:
The main training centre for Income tax officers is The National Academy of Direct
Taxes (NADT) located at Nagpur. Officers of the IRS (Indian Revenue Service) join here
after completing their initial training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of
Administration, Musorrie.
Here you will be provided in depth training in direct tax laws, accountancy,
administrative rules and procedures and basic understanding of other relevant laws.
Training will also be provided on software packages such as Lotus Smart Suite, MS-
Office, Visual Fox Pro, Tally etc will also be exposed to modern managerial concepts as
well as skills and techniques of effective investigation.
As an Income Tax Officer, you will then be posted in any of the different directorates in
the various regions. Along with your work you will be provided refresher and advanced
courses at The Direct Taxes Regional Training Institute (DTRTI) in your region. The
programme here is conducted in the form of workshops, case studies, group discussion,
seminars and panel discussions to encourage field officers to come up with ideas and
solutions.
For officers recruited by staff selection commission -
Designation Pay
 Income Tax Inspector Rs 6,500-10,500

 Income Tax Officer II Rs 6,500-10,500
 Income Tax Officer I Rs 8,000-13,500
Designation Pay for officers recruited by union Public Service Commission (Indian
Civil Service) -
 CCIT/DGIT Rs 22400-24500
 Joint/ Additional Commissioner of Income Tax Rs 14,300 - 18,300
 Commissioner of Income Tax / DIT Rs 18,400 - 22,400
 Deputy Director/ AD Rs 10,000 – 15,200
 Director of Income Tax Rs 22,400 - 26,000
The pay structure in civil services is embellished by handsome allowances. One not only
enjoys the bureaucratic powers to an extent but also many privileges like free
accommodation, conveyance, telephone facility, retirement benefits etc.
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Career Prospects of an Income Tax officer:
If you join in as an Income tax inspector, you can rise up to the level of an income tax
officer grade II and then to grade I.
If you join in as Assistant commissioner of Income tax, your career growth is as

follows:
 Joint/ Additional Commissioner of Income Tax: after 9 years of service

 Commissioner of Income Tax: after 14 years of service
 Joint/ Deputy Director of Income Tax: between 15 to 18 years of service
 Director/Chief Commissioner of Income Tax: after 18 years of service
At the level of chief commissioner of income tax, you can get the opportunity to serve as
a member of the Central Board of Direct Taxes. Here you can scale up to be the chairman
of this board, which is a very prestigious post.
After retirement at any level, you will be well sought-after by various industries as a
consultant.
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Indian Airforce Officer
"Watch your speed… follow the glide slope… wings level…. reduce power…
overshoot… hold your altitude." This is the kind of verbal shorthand you are likely to
hear on an Indian Airforce plane. If you think living and earning on earth is for lesser
mortals consider a job in the sky.
The Indian Air force is the fourth largest air force in the world. Recently, National
geographic ran a reality show, Mission Udan which was based on life in the Indian Air
Force. The show captured all the thrills, excitement and joy of flying the most modern
machines.
The air force can be divided into:
 Flying Branch
 Technical Branch
 Ground duty Branch
Now let's see what's in store for you in each of these branches:
Flying Branch - You'll be flying fighter/bomber aircraft designed to destroy the enemy
in the air and on the ground. As a transport pilot you will be ferrying troops and
equipments under enemy fire often making rough landings at makeshift runways. As an
airforce officer, you could even be assigned to V.I.P. transport.
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As a chopper pilot you will closely co-ordinate with the army in its operations. You could
spy on enemy positions or drop commandos with pinpoint accuracy or ambush enemy
tanks with guns and rockets.
Technical Branch - For those of you with a technical bent of mind, the Indian Air Force
offers an opportunity for hands-on experience on sophisticated aircraft and weapon
systems. You will ensure the war preparedness of the fleet and the airworthiness of the
aircraft.
Requirement to be in Indian Air Force:
Flying Branch
 Before being inducted as a trainee pilot at the Air Force Academy you have to finish a
three-year course from National Defence Academy.
 Age Limit: 16 ½-19 years
 Educational Qualifications: Minimum 10 + 2 with Physics and Mathematics
 Entrance: Written examination conducted by UPSC followed by a Services Selection Board
interview for those who pass the written examination.
Advertisement: In the month of April/ November by UPSC. The format of application

will be available in the Employment News.
Air Force Academy (CDSE)
 Age Limit: 19 to 23 years

 Educational Qualifications: B.Sc. (Physics and/ or Mathematics) or B.E.
 Entrance: Written examination conducted by UPSC followed by a Services Selection Board
interview for those who pass the written examination.
Advertisement: In the month of April/ November by UPSC. Successful candidates join

the Air Force Academy directly for Pilot Training.
National Cadet Corps

 Educational Qualifications: B.Sc. Physics and/or Mathematics or B.E.
 Entrance: Direct Services Selection Board interview.
Eligibility criteria for Women
 Status: Unmarried or widows of service personnel killed on duty but without any
child.
 Age Limit: 19-23 years, relaxable up to 25 years for those holding Commercial Pilot
License.
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 Educational Qualification: B.Sc. Physics and/or Mathematics or B.E.
Advertisement: Published in the month of January and July each year in the Employment
News and leading Newspapers.
Entrance: Directly qualify for interview by Service Selection Board.
Successful candidates join the Air Force Academy directly for Pilot Training.
Engineering
 Entry into the engineering branch can be achieved through the University Entry
Scheme. Here, you are selected to join the Aeronautical Engineering Branches for
Permanent or Short Service Commission while in the Pre-Final/ Final Year of
your study in the Engineering Colleges.
 Alternatively, you can opt for the Direct Entry Scheme after graduation.
Aeronautical Engineering (Electronics)

(Permanent Commission or Short Service Commission)
 Engineering Degree in Electronics/Telecommunications/ Electrical

 Communication/Electronics and Communication/Computer Science &
Engineering or a combination of these subjects
OR
 B.Tech. in Radio Physics and Electronics of Calcutta University OR

 B.Sc. Physics with Electronics of Bombay University OR
 M.Sc. Electronics of Delhi, Bangalore, Madras, Gujarat, Lucknow or Calcutta
University OR
 B.Sc. with Physics, Maths and Chemistry.
Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical)

(Permanent Commission or Short Service Commission)
 Engineering Degree in Aeronautical/ Mechanical/Production/

Industrial Production
OR
 B.Sc. with Physics, Maths and Chemistry
Advertisement: Applications are called for twice a year in the month of January and July
through advertisement published in the leading newspapers/Employment News.
Entrance: Written examination conducted by UPSC followed by a Services Selection
Board interview for those who pass the written examination.
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Ground Duties
 You would be inducted in one of these departments - Administrative, Logistics or

Air Traffic Controller/Fight Controller (Short Service Commission) branches.
 Age Limit: 20-23 years for graduates and 20-25 years for post graduates
 Educational Qualifications:
 Graduates with 60 per cent and above marks and post graduates with 50 per cent
and above.
 Candidates with an MBA or post graduate diploma in Business Administration
(Two years full time or three years part time course from institutes recognised by
All Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE) with 50 per cent and above
marks and between the age group of 20-25 years can also apply.
 For Law graduates (three-year course) with 50 per cent and above marks the age
is relaxable to 26 years. LLB (five-year course) with 50 per cent marks and above
can also apply provided they are in the age group of 20-25 years.
Advertisement: It is released in leading newspapers or Employment News in January and

July for the administrative branch. In January for Logistics Branch and in March for the
Air Traffic Controller and Fighter Controller Branches.
Accounts Branch
Age Limit: 20 to 23 years for Graduates and 20 to 25 years for post graduates.
Educational Qualifications: B.Com/B.Com. (Hons) with 60 per cent and above marks
and M.Com. with 50 per cent and above marks.
For candidates with AICWA/Chartered/Registered/Incorporated Accountant together
with B.Com or M.Com degree the age is relaxable upto 27 years.
Advertisement: Released in leading newspapers/Employment News in the month of July
each year.
Entrance: Through SSB interview
Education Branch
Age Limit: 21 to 25 years.
Educational Qualifications: M.A/M.Sc. with 50 per cent and above marks in

English/Psychology/Defence Studies/Mathematics/Physics/Statistics/Computer Science
or an MBA with 50 per cent and above marks with a combination of minimum two
subjects out of Physics, Maths, Statistics, English, Psychology or Defence Studies at B A/
B.Sc. level.
Candidate with Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration (Two year full time or
three years part time course) from Institutes recognised by All Indian Council for
Technical Education (AICTE) with 50 per cent and above marks can also apply. For
those who have done their M.Ed/ PhD, the age limit is relaxable up to 27 years.
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Advertisement: Advertisement is released in leading newspapers/ Employment News in
the month of July each year.
Entrance: Written examination conducted b y UPSC followed by a Services Selection

Meteorological Branch
Age Limit: 20 to 25 years.
Educational Qualifications: MSc in Physics/ Applied Physics/ Meteorology/

Geophysics with Meteorology and Oceanography/ Oceanography with specialisation in
Meteorology/
M.A/M.Sc. in Mathematics or Applied Mathematics/M.tech. in Atmospheric Science
from IIT Delhi with 50 per cent and above marks.
Advertisement: Advertisement is released in the leading Newspapers/ Employment

News in the month of July each year.
Entrance: Written examination conducted by UPSC followed by a Services Selection

Candidates must be in accordance with the prescribed physical standards i.e. they should
be physically fit and free from any disease or disability and excess fat. The minimum
acceptable height for the Air Force is 162 cm.
(For Gurkhas and residents of north-eastern India, Garhwal and Kumaon, the minimum
acceptable height is 5 cm lower than the standard and for candidates from Lakshadweep,
the minimum height is lowered by 2 cm.)Candidates must have perfect eyesight (known
as 6/6 vision).
Besides these general conditions, each training institute and examination has their own
standards and requirements.
Job Opportunities in Indian Airforce:
Flying branch officers have to opt for a permanent commission of 20 years. Short Service
commission of seven years is offered for all other branches.
Your career growth usually takes this route:

• Commissioning rank- Flying Officer
• 5 years-Flight Lieutenant
• 11 years -Squadron Leader
• 16-21 years - Wing Commander
• 22 years - Group Captain
• 24 year - Air Commodore
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• 26 years - Air Vice Marshal
• 28 years - Air Chief Marshal
Money & Other Benefit of an Indian Airforce Officer:
 Flying Officer Rs 8,500 - 10,050

 Flight Lt. Rs 9,600 - 11,400
 Sq. Leader Rs 11,600 - 14,850
 Wing Commander Rs 13,500 - 17,100
 Group Captain Rs 15,100 - 17,350
 Air Commander Rs 16,700 - 18,050
 Air Vice Marshal Rs 18,400 - 22,400
 Air marshal Rs 22,400 - 24,500
 Air Chief Marshal Rs 30,000
In addition to the above fighter pilots get flying pay of Rs 9,000 per month. For
helicopter and transport pilots, it is Rs 7,000.
Other facilities include leave benefits, travel concessions, dearness allowance, furnished
accommodations, soft loans, group insurance scheme and free ration and medical
treatment.
Career Prospects of an Indian Airforce Officer:
To make the IAF more attractive, the Short Service Commission for men across all
divisions is being introduced so one can earn while they learn.
Air force pilots after retirement can move on to commercial airlines. This is true for all
other branches as the civilian airline industry mirrors the defence one. With flying clubs
and adventure sports gaining popularity there is a need for qualified personnel in these
areas too.
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Indian Army Officer
Careers with the Army: What can we say about the most respected profession in the
world? It's got everything going for it - adventure, bravery, strength, technology, personal
growth and a cushy lifestyle. You can have all this and more and in return the army will
ask you for just one thing: willingness to die for your country. Are you up to it?
The main function of the Indian Army is to defend and protect the country against all
external and internal threats. The army is also called in to help civilians during natural
calamities and maintain law and order.
There are two types of commissions in the Army
Permanent commission - where you have to serve the Indian army for a minimum of 20
years.
Short service commission - where you have to serve for a minimum of 5 years. This can
then be extended to permanent commission.
The army has two main divisions - Combat and Non-combat, which are further
classified as per their functions.
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Combat: This is where the action is. You actually get to kill enemies, use arms for
destruction and let your other war fantasies come true. The various classifications in
Combat are:
Infantry: As an infantry officer you'll lead soldiers and be responsible for defending the
borders as well as launching counter attacks on the enemy. You can expect a lot of
walking here. There haven't been much advances in warfare technology and don't be
surprised if you are involved in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy! In addition, you
can volunteer to be a commando in the Special Forces.
Artillery: You'll be responsible for guns with a range up to 30 kilometres. Remember

Bofors? 'Softening up' enemy positions before an attack by the infantry will be handled
by you. You'll also handle surface-to-surface missiles in the artillery.
 Under artillery, you could also join the Army Aviation Corps, as a helicopter
pilot. Here you will search enemy positions and report them to the artillery. Air defence
artillery is another offshoot of the artillery. Here you will be involved with air defence
guns and missiles and shoot down enemy aircraft.
Armour: Simply speaking this means tank. You will hit the enemy fast and hit him hard.
Mobility and firepower are the key factors in this field and you will devise new methods
to implement them.
Now for the divisions in the Non-Combat group
Engineers: If you think this means a cushy, office job, then read on. Your work will vary
from building bridges to clearing minefields. Lots of adventure here - blowing up dams
and powerhouses. A wonderful way to compensate for all those drab years in college!
Signals: Here you'll be in charge of communications, develop methods to ensure secrecy

and break enemy communication codes. You will also be responsible for the upkeep of
the equipment.
Intelligence Corps: You'll be involved in the collection, analysis and interpretation of

information like movement of troops, preparations etc. about the enemy.
Education Corps: Training is important. Huh? You will teach subjects from English
language to new techniques of warfare and devise courses on subjects such as computers,
communication, etc.
Judge Advocate General or Law Cadre: In the army discipline comes first (as if you
didn't know that). As a lawyer or a judge in the JAG, you will be responsible for strictly
enforcing the laws. You will also handle civilian cases brought against the army.
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Veterinary Corps: Yes, animals too contribute to the defence of this country (I bet you
didn't know of this one!) Your job will include training mules, donkeys, dogs, camels and
ensuring their wellbeing.
Army Supply Corps and Ordinance Corps: Napoleon had rightly said "An army
moves on its stomach." Here, you will be responsible for ensuring that and much more.
You will deliver weapons, ammunition, clothing and medical supplies… in fact
everything from a pin to a plane.
Army Medical Corps: You will be a doctor like no other. Your operation theatre will be
a small tent lit with a kerosene lamp on a mountaintop (adventure comes in all shapes).
With increasing casualties you got to be in line with the latest in medical treatment.
Army Nursing Corps: You will be working as nurse in army hospitals and in the war
field. Only women are eligible.
Requirements for Careers in Indian Army: If you feel motivated to join the Indian
Armed Forces, there are many entry points- one being right after you finish school at the
National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune.
The most important trait of course is love for the motherland. Apart from that you must
be an Indian citizen (citizens of Bhutan, Nepal, Tibetan refugees or migrants from the rest
of the Indian subcontinent with the intention of settling permanently in India can also
apply)
* You must be physically fit and free from any disease/disability and excess fat. The
minimum acceptable height is 157.5 cm. For Gurkhas and residents of northeastern India,
Garhwal and Kumaon, the minimum acceptable height is 5 cm lower than the standard,
and for candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum height is lowered by 2 cm.
* Candidates must be able to read 6/6 in a distant vision chart with each eye, with or
without glasses.
* Besides these general conditions, each training institute and exam has its own standards
and requirements. There is a separate screening process for women planning to join the
Indian Army.
* You need to be computer literate as IT is used in Information Warfare (IW).
Modes of Entry for Officers in the Indian Army
1. National Defence Academy

You have to be between 16½-19 years of age. The minimum educational requirement for
entering the Indian Army is 10+2 or equivalent qualification. There are two courses
beginning in January and June every year.
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Selection is on the basis of a written test which is objective in nature followed by a
Service Selection Board (SSB) interview and a medical examination.
2. Indian Military Academy

It has the following modes of entry:
Direct entry: This is for graduates in the age group on 19-24 years. Selection is on the
basis of a written test which is objective in nature followed by a Service Selection Board
(SSB) interview and a medical examination.
NCC Entry: This is similar to the direct entry scheme except an additional requirement of
having served for a minimum of three years in the National Cadet Corps. The cadets do
not have to appear for a written examination and can report directly for the SSB
interview.
3. Technical Entry Scheme

This is for engineering graduates in the age group of 20-27 years. The candidates are
short-listed on the basis of their academic performance and achievements in extra
curricular activities. They are then directly called in for the SSB interview followed by a
medical examination. 10+2 Technical Entry Scheme to be an engineer in the Indian
Army. On successful completion of 4 years training, candidates will be granted
permanent commission in the rank of „Lieutenant‟ in Arms/Services. Males between the
age group of 18 to 21 years and who have secured more than 70 per cent marks in
aggregate of physics, chemistry and maths at the 12th board exams. Short listed
candidates will then be called for SSB interviews.
4. University Entrance Scheme

This is the army's version of a campus interview. Final and pre-final year engineering
students in the age group of 18-24 years can appear for a basic interview. The short-listed
candidates are then called for the comprehensive SSB interview and medical
examination.
5. Officer Training Academy (OTA)

If you wish to serve the army for a short period of time (5 years) then this is the place to
be. The OTA offers the following modes of entry:
a) Short Service Commission (Non-Technical)

This is for graduates in the age group on 19-25 years. Selection is on the basis of a
written test which is objective in nature followed by a Service Selection Board (SSB)
interview and a medical examination. Courses begin in May and November every year.
b) Short Service commission (Technical)

This is for engineering graduates in the age group of 20-27 years. The candidates are
medical examination.
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c) Short Service Commission (NCC special Entry Scheme)
This is for graduates with 50 per cent aggregate marks, along with minimum of 'B' Grade
in the 'C' certificate exam in NCC. Candidates are called in directly for the SSB
interview, which is followed by a medical examination.
d) Women Special Entry Scheme (Officers)

This is for women in the age group 19-27 years with graduate and post-graduate
qualifications. Openings exist in technical and non-technical branches. Candidates are
Besides these there are other specialised branches:
1. Judge Advocate General (JAG) Department

Law graduates between 21-27 years of age and 50 per cent marks are eligible to apply. A
written examination is conducted by the JAG department, which is followed by an SSB
interview.
2. Remount Veterinary Corps

Minimum eligibility is a BVSc/BVSc with Animal Husbandry and the age bar is between
21-32 years. Short-listed candidates are directly called in for SSB interview.
Then there is the Armed Forces Medical College through which you can be a doctor in
the Army, Navy or Air force. You need to be between 16 1/2-19 years with 10+2 in
Science. The selection process is based on a written exam, which is followed by an
interview.
One must mention a bit about the interview conducted by the Services Selection Board
(SSB): This interview, which lasts for 3 to 4 days, comprises of medical tests, written
tests, outdoor physical tests, personal interview, psychological assessment and group
tests. On clearing the interview you are directly enlisted into the various Training Centres
of the Indian Army.
You have to be between 16½-19 years of age. The minimum educational requirement is
10+2 or equivalent qualification. There are two courses beginning in January and June
every year.
Selection to this career in the Indian Army is on the basis of a written test which is
objective in nature followed by a Service Selection Board (SSB) interview and a medical
examination.
This is one field where the promotions are time-bound, unless you manage to do
something exceptional. You enter the army as a Lieutenant and this will be your career
graph:
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5 years - Captain
11 years - Major
16 + years - Lt. Colonel
20 years - Colonel
23 years - Brigadier
25 years - Major General
28 years - Lieutenant General
28+ years - General

There are special selection boards that select candidates for higher ranks (i.e. Colonel and
above) where your academic record and service performance is taken into consideration.
Lieutenant: Rs 8,500 - 10,050
Captain: Rs 9,600 - 11,400
Major: Rs 11,600 - 14,850
Lt.Colonel: Rs 13,500 - 17,100
Colonel: Rs 15,100 - 17,350
Brigadier: Rs 16,700 - 18,050
Major General: Rs 18,400 - 22,400
Lt. General: Rs 22,400 - 24,500
Chief of Staff: Rs 30,000
In addition to their basic pay army officers enjoy a number of allowances and extra
facilities such as dearness allowances, group insurance schemes, leave benefit and travel
concessions, furnished accommodation, soft loans, free ration, medical care, etc.
A soldier's profession is one of the oldest professions in the world and the demand is only
on the upside. Ours is the second largest army in the world and still there is a shortage of
officers. Women are welcome but not in combat arms.
Ex-army officers get good positions in the security or personnel departments of various
companies, defence research, detective services and also at top management levels.
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218
Indian Navy Officer
Did you as a kid make paper boats and set them sailing in the shallow waters? Don't
you find the smart, crisp-white uniforms of the sailors fascinating? Do you want to
glide into that uniform, command the respect of many and laugh all the way to the
bank? If you are ready to set sail and navigate the choppy waters this is what you need
to know about the Indian navy…
The Navy is responsible for defending the extensive Indian coastline in times of
aggression. In peacetime, they safeguard maritime interests. The Navy operates a vast
fleet of destroyers, freights, corvettes, submarines and other support vessels. It also
safeguards offshore oil and gas installations, coastal shipping, and fishery rights and
protects important trade links.
Careers in the navy are distinguished into the following branches:
Executive Branch
As an Executive Officer you will play a vital role in this complex system of managing the
ship and using the instruments of tactical warfare. You'll be trained in sub-specialisations
like anti-submarine warfare, navigation, communications, gunnery, logistics, diving and
hydrography. You could also opt for the air or submarine arm.
Within this branch, your promotional chances are not affected by your choice of sub-
specialisation. For instance, the Commanding Officer of a destroyer could have been a
pilot and that of a guided missile frigate, a submarine sub-specialist.
Aviation Officer
The Navy uses its pilots and observers as airborne tactical co-ordinators of marine
warfare. Most Navy pilots fly ship borne helicopters and shore based maritime
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reconnaissance aircraft. Some elite pilots also fly jet aircraft like the Sea Harrier. In a
nutshell, you will locate and attack enemy ships, submarines and bases and also carry out
search and rescue operations.
Submarine Officer
You will be a hunter - silently stalking your prey. Here your task is to attack ships and
submarines and disappear into the great depths of the ocean. Differentiating night from
day would be difficult and you will also learn the importance of space. You will be the
proud possessor of the 'Dolphin Badge' and a member of the elite arm of the Navy.
Hydrographic Officer
Your job consists of collecting information needed for the navigation charts used by the
Indian
Navy. You could remain a Surveyor throughout your career or move on to other shore-
based appointments.
Naval Armament Inspection Officer

You'll be responsible for the inspection, safety and reliability of the armaments supplied
to the Navy by various agencies. You'll also be involved in in-house research and
development.
Provost Officer & Law Officer

You'll deal with the policing, regulatory, security and vigilance needs of the Navy.
Similarly, as the Law Officer you'll deal with the legal needs of the Navy.
Logistics Officer
Whether at sea or on shore, the Logistics Officer plays a vital role in the smooth
functioning of the ship. You will have to ensure that the community of several hundred
people on the ship are fed, clothed and paid. You will also handle matters such as
requirements of fuel, water and spares for the vast array of sophisticated equipment and
machinery.
Engineering Branch
Most of the modern ships, submarines and aircraft have advanced technology, machinery
and propulsion systems. The Engineer Officer is responsible for keeping these systems
serviceable. Opportunities to work in shore jobs in naval dockyards and indigenous
production units also exist.
As a Naval architect you will be involved in design, construction, quality control, repair
and new construction work of naval vessels.
Electrical Branch
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A warship is a mini-floating city with a state-of-the-art power generating system. As an
Electrical Officer you will ensure that these machines function at their optimum. This is
essential for the smooth sail of the ship. Officers of the Engineering and Electrical
Branches can also volunteer for the Aviation/Submarine Arm
Requirement to be in the Indian Navy:

The most important requirement here of course is love for your motherland. Apart from
that you must be a citizen of India. Citizen of Bhutan, Nepal, Tibetan refugees or
migrants from the rest of the Indian subcontinent with the intention of settling
permanently in India can also apply.
To be in the Indian Navy, you must be physically fit and free from any disease/disability
and excess fat. Throughout ones career in the Indian Navy you will indulge in sports and
adventure activities- not so common in other office jobs. E.g.: one year you will be
climbing Mt. Everest and the next year you might be on an expedition to Antarctica.
The minimum acceptable height is 157.5 cm. For Gurkhas and residents of north-eastern
India, Garhwal and Kumaon, the minimum acceptable height is 5 cm lower than the
standard, and for candidates from Lakshadweep, the minimum height is lowered by 2
cm.
* Candidates must be able to read 6/6 in a distant vision chart with each eye, with or
without glasses.
* Besides these general conditions, each training institute and exam has its own standards
and requirements. There is a separate screening process for women.
The following are the various modes of entry:
Executive Branch
 NDA (National Defence Academy)-Permanent Commission

 Age: Men in the age group of 16 ½-19 years
 Education: 10+2 or equivalent with Physics Chemistry and Mathematics.
 Mode of Selection: Written examination followed by SSB interview and medical
examination.
Naval Academy
 10+2 entry (Permanent Commission)

 Age: men in the age group16 ½-19
 Education: 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry & Maths
 Mode of Selection: Written examination followed by SSB interview and medical
examination.
Graduate Special Entry (Permanent Commission)
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 Age: men in the age group of 19-22 years
 Education: B.E.
 Mode of selection: Short-listing on the basis of academic and extracurricular
achievements. Candidates are then called in for SSB interview followed by
N.C.C
 Special Entry (Permanent commission)

 Age: men in the age group of 19-24 years
 Education: B.Sc. (Physics & Maths) or BE with Naval Wing Senior Div. NCC
(National Cadet Corps) 'C' Certificate.
 Mode of selection: Direct SSB interview followed by medical examinations.
Naval Armament
 Inspection Cadre (Permanent commission)

 Age: men in the age group of 19 ½-25 years
 Education: Degree in Electronics / Elect / Mech. Engg or Post Graduate Degree
Medical examination.
Law
 Cadre (Permanent Commission)

 Age: Men in the age group of 22-27 years.
 Education: A degree in Law with minimum 55 per cent marks
 Mode of Selection: Short-listing on the basis of academic and extra-curricular
achievements. Candidates are then called for SSB interview followed by medical
examination.
Law
 Cadre (Short Service Commission)

 Age: Men & Women in the age group of 21-25 years.
 Education: A degree in Law with minimum 55 per cent marks
Logistics
 Cadre: (Short Service Commission)

 Age: Men & Women in the age group of 21-25 years
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 Education: IInd Class B.Sc. graduate with minimum 50 per cent marks with
Physics and Maths
Education
 Branch (Permanent Commission)

 Age: Men and women in the age group of 21-25 years
 Education: A Master's Degree in the following, with at least 55 per cent marks
Physics (with Maths in B.Sc)
 Maths (with Physics in B.Sc)
 Chemistry (with Physics & Maths in B.Sc)
 Computer Application/Computer Science (with either Physics or Maths at
Graduation level)
 Humanities (Eng/Eco/Hist/Pol.Sc)
 Engineering Degree in Mech/Elect/Computer Science
Technical Branch
Engineering
 Branch (Marine Engineers)

 10+2 (Tech) Cadet Entry-Permanent Commission
 Age: Men in the age group of 16½-19 years.
 Education: 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry & Maths (min 70 per cent
marks in aggregate of PCM, min 50 per cent marks in English either in 10th or
12th class)
 Mode of selection: Written examination followed by SSB interview and medical
examination.
Engineering
 Branch (Marine Engineers)-Short Service Commission

 Age: Men in the age group 19 ½-25 years.
 Education: A degree in Marine/Mech/Aeronautical/Control/Metallurgical/
Production
Engineering or any other qualification recognised by the Institution of Engineers (India)

as equivalent to a degree course.
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Mode of selection: Short-listing on the basis of academic and extra-curricular
achievements. Candidates are then called in for SSB interview followed by medical
examination.
Direct Entry (Permanent Commission)

 Education: A degree in Marine/Mech./Aeronautical/Control/Metallurgical
Production Engineering or any other qualification recognised by the Institution of
Engineers (India) as equivalent to a degree course.
NDA Entry (Permanent Commission)
 Age: Men in the age group of 16 ½-19 years.

 Mode of selection: Written examination followed by SSB interview and Medical
examination.
Engineering Branch (Naval Architects)
 Direct Entry (Permanent commission)

 Age: Men in the age group of 21-25 years.
 Education: A degree in Naval Architecture/Mech/Aeronautical/
Civil/Metallurgical Engineering.
 Mode of selection: Short-listing on the basis of academic and extra-curricular
 10+2 (Tech)-Cadet Entry-Permanent commission
 Age: Men in the age group of 16 ½-19 years
 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry & Maths (min 70% marks in
aggregate of PCM, min 50% marks in English either in 10th or 12th class
 Mode of Selection: Written examination followed by SSB interview and Medical
examination.
Electrical Branch
 10+2 (Tech) Cadet Entry-permanent commission

 Age: Men in the age group16½-19 years
 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry and Maths (min 70 per cent marks in
aggregate of PCM, min 50 per cent marks in English either in 10th or 12th class.
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Direct Entry-permanent commission
 Age: Men in the age group of 19½-25 years

 Education: A Degree in Elect/Electronics/Avionics/Computer/Telecommunication
Engg or any other qualification recognised by the Institution of Engineers (India)
or Institution of
Telecommunication Engineers (India) as equivalent to a degree course.
Mode of selection: Short-listing on the basis of academic and extracurricular

achievements. Candidates are then called in for SSB interview followed by medical
examination.
Cadet Entry (NDA)-permanent commission

 Mode of selection: Written examination followed by SSB interview and medical
examination.
Job Opportunities for an Indian Navy Officer:
The vacancies in the Indian Navy are advertised in the Employment News and other
national and regional newspapers and dailies.
Selection for all Permanent Commission entries is through a written examination

conducted by the UPSC, followed by an interview by the Service Selection Board (SSB).
There is no written examination for the Short Service Commission entries.
The students opting for 10+2 (Tech) cadet entry or NCC special entry (Graduate) are
eligible for direct selection by SSB. The applicants are short-listed as per the criteria laid
down by the Naval Headquarters. Officers can opt for Permanent Commission on
completion of the Short Service Commission.
Expected Monetary Returns in Indian Navy:
 Sub Lieutenant - Rs 8250-10050

 Lieutenant - Rs 10000-11800
 Lieutenant Commander/Commander - Rs 12800-16050
 Commander - Rs 15100-18700
 Captain (with less than 3 years service) - Rs 17100-20450
 Commodore/Captain (with more than 3 years service) - Rs 19100-20450
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 Rear Admiral - Rs 18400-22400
 Vice Admiral - Rs 22400-24500
 VCNS/FOC-in-C of Naval Command - Rs 26,000
 Chief of the Naval Staff - Rs 30,000
There are numerous allowances for different specialisations and qualifications such as
flying pay, submarine allowance, diving allowance, expatriation allowance, uniform
allowance, etc and various qualification grants for specialist and post-graduate courses.
There are also a number of privileges exclusive to this profession - medical facilities,
housing, rations, leave travel allowance, insurance cover etc. All these add up to a very
attractive pay package.
Career Prospects:
The Navy has Short Service Commission for a minimum of seven years, which can be
extended up to 10 years. Permanent Commission lasts up to a minimum of 20 years.
Women officers are being inducted into Law, Logistics, Air Traffic Controller (ATC) and
education branches of the Indian navy. However, women are admitted only in Short
Service Commission.
Officers in the Navy can easily switch over to the Merchant Navy or take up off shore
management jobs in shipping companies such as the Shipping Corporation of India.
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Hospitality
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Air Hostess
Sometimes it pays to be high headed. To be always in seventh heaven! No, we aren't

being rude here. If you wish to be an air hostess, a profession where the sky is the limit
for the kind of money you'll make, we have news for you. You could be a jetsetter in the
true sense of the term. You could be an airhostess. So fasten your seat belts and here we
take off…
First, let's clear your head of some glaring misconceptions. Airhostesses DON'T lead
glamorous lives. Nor is it a cakewalk in the air. Your job profile ranges from passenger
safety to good public relations. It's your job to make people feel comfortable during the
flight and ensure their safety at all times. You got to be strong enough to lift heavy
containers and slim enough to glide through the aisle and in between carts.
As an air hostess, your duty starts much before take-off. You have to reach the airport an
hour-and-a-half before check-in time and undergo briefing by the senior flight attendant.
Briefing includes a basic lecture on safety, take-off and service procedures during the
flight.
Flight attendants often spend up to half of their working hours preparing the cabin for
flight, writing reports and doing other related work on the ground. Flight attendants need
to have excellent communication skills, tactful, well groomed and enjoy taking a
methodical approach to their work. While this is a mere formality as far as domestic
flights are concerned, it is advisable to know your stuff thoroughly if you're flying
international.
That's not all. As an air hostess, you also have to run a safety check on the aircraft. This
includes testing safety equipment, life jackets, mikes, etc. Ensuring that pillows, blankets,
books, food, plates, glasses, napkins and medicines are in stock is also part and parcel of
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the job. The final check includes making sure that the aircraft has been cleaned and is
ready for boarding
It's after boarding that your real duties begin. After handing over the boarding passes, the
air hostess has to assist passengers and help them settle down in their seats. Then comes
the most boring part of explaining safety procedures and building a rapport with the
passengers as, after all, you will be serving them for the next several hours.
However, it's not as easy as it sounds. Dealing with different passengers can be one hell
of a trying experience. If you're lucky, you won't have more than two to three
troublemakers on a flight.
The longest shift for a domestic hostess can be about 5-6 hours but international hostesses
have to serve for 12-15 hours at a stretch. Phew! Now that can be really very tiring. Add
to that an emergency like a medical problem or a hijack and you are left handling 200
passengers all at the same time.
The highs in this career are worth talking about. Think of all the kinds of people you'll
meet right from the businessmen to film stars and even VVIPs! Of course, as an air
hostess, you'll see all the exotic destinations, stay in 5-star hotels and shop at some of the
best malls in the world. And we haven't even spoken about the money yet. At the end of
the month, you take home an attractive pay packet.
Take one hard look at yourself in the mirror. Do you look good? Well, then, that's about
all any airline will bother look at. To be an air hostess you have to be:
• Below 25 years
• Graduate in any discipline
• Diploma/degree in Hotel Management or Tourism Management is preferred. Prior
experience in hotels or in the tourism industry will be the best
• Knowledge of one foreign language other than English, Hindi or other regional
languages.
• Above 155 cm tall and the proportionate weight
• Normal vision (contact lenses are o.k but no glasses, please)
• Of course you have to be single!
• Capacity to be on your feet for long hours
• Well-modulated voice
• Friendly and outgoing personality
• Patience
To be an Air Hostess, if you possess the above qualities, you'll get a call for a written test
from the airline. The test is fairly simple with multiple-choice objectives. After clearing
the test you'll then be called for a group discussion followed by a personal interview.
Note: These are just the broad selection procedures. However, the eligibility criterion to
be an air hostess is different for different airlines. So make sure you check the
requirements of the airline you apply to.
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As an air hostess you can start off work in the economy class of a flight. After a year or
so you will then progress to the business class and then to the First Class. You can then
become a supervisor and finally a chief purser - incharge of the whole aircraft.
It usually takes about seven years and a good track record to become a purser. All
through the years, the airlines you are working for as an air hostess will offer various
training and skill development programmes.
Most airlines recruit staff on a contract basis for about 2-3 years and as an air hostess you
will be bound to the airline till the contract expires. Some places you'll be working are:
* Government owned carriers: Indian (formerly known as Indian Airlines), Air India and
their subsidiaries like Alliance Air.
* Domestic private airlines: Sahara India, Jet Airways, Go Air, etc.
* Foreign Airlines operating from India like British Airways, Qantas Airlines, Delta
Airlines, Gulf Air, Singapore Airlines, United Air, Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, etc.
* Corporate companies with their own private jets like Tata, Mahindra & Mahindra, etc.
You could also opt for another glamorous and exciting career similar to that of an
airhostess known as “Passenger service agent”. A passenger service agent is essentially a
facilitation agent doing, at the airport what the flight attendants do in the aircraft. Your
duties would include greeting the passenger the moment he/she enters the airport, see
them through baggage screening, check-in, preparing boarding passes etc. As a Passenger
service agent, you will also assist them and ensure smooth sailing through Immigration,
customs and finally the boarding on the aircraft.
As an air hostess your designation your salary will depend on the airlines. Including
salary and other allowance it may add up to Rs 16,000-75,000 or more per month.
Senior airhostess in Air India or Indian Airlines gets Rs 75,000 per month.
Senior airhostess with foreign airlines gets Rs 2 lakh or more a month in Indian currency.
Junior domestic hostesses get Rs 16,000 a month.
The money scene is any day better in international airlines and as an air hostess you could
earn a minimum of Rs 40,000 per month if you're working with a reputed
airline. However, you must remember that you cannot fly for more than 72 hours in a
month. So this would greatly limit the amount of money you can make, especially if
you're flying with a not-so-reputed airline.
Though the trade pundits have announced a slump in the domestic air traffic industry, as
an airhostess you have no cause for worry. As far as people wish to fly there will be
demand for airhostess. Or just look at the increase in the number of airlines operating in
the regional trunk routes like Calcutta - Bagdogra, New Delhi - Shimla, Mumbai - Hubli,
Mumbai - Nagpur, etc.
Airlines like Alliance Air are operating in these routes and several others are planning to
do so. This will also mean an increased demand for aircrew including airhostesses. Apart
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from domestic airlines, it is always possible to get a job as an air hostess in foreign
Airlines or in Air India and Indian, which operate, on international routes.
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Hotel Management
Do you have the service streak in you? Can you imagine yourself smiling at strangers
and enquiring if they are happy with the quality of service? Is food just another four-
letter word or does it have other connotations? If you have answered all the above
questions in the affirmative, then a career in the hotel industry is your calling. Think
of the all the goodies you'll get to eat and all the people you'll get to meet. Excited?
Here's more…
Hoteliering is basically a service industry. A catering graduate can either work for a star-
rated hotel, restaurant, club, resort, motel, catering department, cruise-liners or airlines.
The different departments in a hotel are:
General Operations: Main responsibilities of this department are supervision, co-

ordination and administration of all other departments as well as overall financial control.
Positions include General Manager, Operations Manager, Finance Manager and Human
Resource Manager.
Front Office: As the Front Office Manager, you will be at the centre of all activities.
Major tasks performed are providing information; making reservations and handling
check-ins and checkouts. Positions include Front Office Executive, Shift Supervisor,
Front Office Manager, Lobby Manager, Guest Relations Executive, etc.
Food And Beverage: This is the hub of the hotel industry and is responsible for all the
food prepared and served in the hotel. Positions include that of Executive Chef, Chef de
Cuisine, Chef de Parties, Ballroom Manager, Bar Manager, Catering Manager, Food &
Beverage Supervisor, etc.. Food production as a career is booming at the moment.
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Housekeeping: Functions include making sure that the rooms are kept in order and all
the needs of the guests are met. Positions include that of Assistant Housekeeper, Floor
Supervisor, Laundry Executive, Housekeeper, etc.
Sales And Marketing: As a Business Development Manager, you will interact with
travel agents, tour operators as well as corporate clients to promote the hotel. You will
also be involved in advertising and public relations. Positions include that of Marketing
Manager, Marketing Executive, etc.
Requirement:
Does the following describe you?

• Love to meet people and talk to them
• A presentable personality
• Outgoing
• Very organized
• Good at communicating with people
• Cool under pressure
• Tactful
• Armed with a good sense of humour
Now for the educational and professional qualifications:
A diploma or degree in Hotel Management will get you a job as an

Executive/Management Trainee in a hotel. This can be done after HSC. Institutes under
the National Council offer a three-year diploma while private institutes offer a four-year
Bachelor‟s programme.
There is a two- hour entrance test consisting of English, reasoning, general science &
general knowledge, held around April every year. The test is followed by a group
discussion and interview. Academic sessions usually start by July/August.
A diploma after SSC (in Housekeeping/Food craft/Front office) will place you as an
Operational Trainee in a hotel.
Alternatively, you can also join a hotel as an apprentice directly after your HSC in any
stream.
Some hotels even take graduates in any subject as Executive Trainees. There is scope for
MBAs in the marketing, finance and human resources departments.
Job Opportunities:
Opportunities in this field are a goldmine. Apart from working in hotels, restaurants,
cafés, resorts, guesthouses and casinos, you could also be employed in the tourism
industry, conference centres and large companies in various industries.
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Check Out These Options As Well:
* Industrial canteens and corporate guesthouses
* Airlines as cabin crew and customer service executives at airports
* Flight kitchens
* Merchant Navy and luxury ships in their catering departments
* Catering companies
* Railways
* Luxury cruise liners
* Research openings, particularly in the area of genetic engineering
* You could also work as a Quality Inspector for commercial canning in quick-freezing
stations or packaging for the domestic and export market
* There are even some industrial houses, which handle large-scale scientific cultivation
of fruits and vegetables. Opportunities exist here too
Government owned catering departments like the railways; armed forces, ministerial
conventions, etc. are some other options. You can also seek employment in guesthouses
and forest lodges.
Celebrity chefs like Sanjeev Kapoor and Jiggs Kalra have brought visibility to the
profession and today almost every entertainment channel has a cookery show on air.
Tarla Dalal and Karen Anand have made a name by writing cookery books, and thus
opened new vistas.
Just out of college, no experience? You could approach a hotel for a job as Executive
Trainee or Management Trainee. After successful completion of training you‟ll be
absorbed in positions with salaries in the range of Rs 5, 000-12,000 plus perks.
However, in smaller hotels, catering companies, industrial canteens, resorts, guesthouses

and restaurants the starting salary may not be as exciting. Just about Rs. 5,000 a month.
If you know your spices you could work in the kitchen, where the growth can be very
exciting. An Executive Chef in a 5-star hotel earns about Rs 60,000 or more per month
plus other perks.
If good money is what you are looking at, then Hotel Management is one profession you
won't regret choosing. The General Manager of an average hotel earns anything between
Rs 15,000-25,000 a month, while someone working for a five-star hotel could draw upto
Rs 35,000-60,000 or even more.
 Food & Beverage Manager: Rs 15,000-25,000

 Front Office Manager: Rs 15,000-30,000
 Lobby managers: Rs 15,000-35,000
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 Executive Chef: Rs 30,000-60,000
 Senior Chef: Rs 15,000-30,000
 Demi - chef - de - partie earns about Rs. 8,000 - 9,000 per month
 Executive Housekeepers: Rs 14,000-40,000
 Assistant Housekeeper: Rs 8,000-15,000
 Pantry Supervisors: Rs 6,000-10,000
The money in a cruise liner is even more attractive, starting salaries begin at Rs. 25,000/-
to 50,000/- per month, depending on the country and size of operations on the liner.
Career mobility is very fast in the hotel industry for dynamic, energetic and diplomatic
professionals. Movements up the organizational hierarchy are purely merit-based.
Career Prospects:
The hotel industry falls under the hospitality industry. Tourism is another part of the
hospitality industry. India is poised for a 100 per cent growth in the next three years.
Simply put, it means the demand for trained professionals has multiplied in the country.
There are several reasons behind the demand for trained professionals in the hospitality
industry; the main ones are the growth in the tourism industry, the upcoming
Commonwealth games in 2010, and an increase in the number of people who eat out on a
daily basis.
Also with the government encouraging its employees to travel and private companies
offering paid holidays to their executives, there is a huge demand for good lodging
facilities, five-star hotels, resorts, catering establishments and recreational facilities.
There are a number of related career options opening up, food styling for instance. Food
stylists are basically designers who specialize in food, preparing it for commercials,
movies and photographs. One could also consider a career in Confectionery making to
taste sweet success.
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Travel & Tourism Professional
If geography was your favourite subject in school and you know the entire globe like
the back of your hand, then we have some exciting news for you. As a travel guide you
could fulfill your dreams of seeing the world and meeting different people on the way.
Just imagine you'll be travelling in the luxury of Palace On Wheels, soaking in the sun on
a beach in Goa or even dancing with some Irish belles and collecting a thick pay packet
for all this! Interesting? Here's more…
In a travel agency, you could work as a Travel Counsellor. Here, you'll provide
information and guidance on tourist locations and also handle ticketing and reservation.
You'll guide tourists on regulations in foreign countries like custom duty, foreign
currency, exchange rates, etc.
In a travel agency you will book tickets for a regular clientele and also co-ordinate with
big companies like SOTC or tour operators that need rail, bus and air tickets booked for
their clients.
As a travel agent you could be working with travel companies like TCI, Cox & Kings or
UVI Holidays Ltd. Planning the entire tour right from ticketing to booking the hotels,
selecting places for sight seeing, hiring private vehicles, etc can be a daunting task.
You'll begin as a tour executive in the ticketing department. Your job will involve taking
down the routes that your client wants to travel through and arranging for them. If a client
needs to fly between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Madras, it is your job as a tour executive
to tell him or her the best way to get there. This means giving them different options like
the choice between flights, best discounts, etc.
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The next step includes calling up the airline and confirming the ticket. To avoid goof-ups,
every letter is represented by a word like, A for alpha. So, if you want to tell Indian
Airlines (formerly known as Air India) you need to book on a flight from Mumbai to
Delhi, you book the ticket saying D for Delta, E for Egypt and so on.
You can also work as a travel guide. Accompanying tourists, looking after their comforts
and guiding them through the locations, explaining its history and culture can hardly be
described as a job.
In the airline business you will function as the ground staff, assisting passengers in
ticketing, answering passengers queries, issuing flight/boarding pass, checking luggage,
etc. You could also work in the marketing department, promoting various tour packages
to tourists as well as corporate clients.
Requirements to be in the tourism industry:
* Excellent communication skills in English and any other regional language

* Knowledge of a foreign language would be an advantage
* Pleasant personality
To do well in this field you got to spruce up your public relations. Often you'll have to
deal with angry clients ready to nail you for no hot water in their bathroom. And of
course you should have the ability to smile tirelessly. Then there are bounced cheques,
cancelled bookings, etc to take care of. To be a part of the tourism industry you sure need
a cool head for all this.
For a higher-level job as an executive in the tour and travel industry, you need to have a
PG Diploma in Tourism/MTA (Master of Tourism Administration)/MBA, to extract an
advantage over general graduates. MBAs are generally recruited for marketing. If you
have a diploma or degree in Hotel Management, you can get a good job in the executive
cadre.
There are many institutes that offer diplomas in travel & tourism. In Mumbai you can do
it from Tradewings, Radio Bhuvan IHCTM, Mumbai University, K.C. College or SNDT.
If ticketing is what you are looking at, an IATA diploma from Geneva is the most
reliable. Stay clear of fake classes that claim to offer IATA certified courses. It is
common to see the IATA sign on tickets or agencies. Any agency needs at least two
IATA diploma holders as employees in order to get the certification.
To get a job in the government departments, airlines and travel agencies the minimum
eligibility is graduation in any discipline. To qualify as a travel guide, you should be a
graduate or postgraduate in History/Archaeology along with a certificate course in
guiding. Recruitment into government tourism departments is done through the UPSC
(Union Public Service Commission) or SPSC (State Public Service Commission)
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In the field of tours and travels you will find work with:
* Travel agencies
* Tour operators
* Airlines, both national and international
* Hotels
* Transport and cargo companies
* Government tourism departments, including the ITDC (Indian Tourism Development
Corporation) and State Departments of Tourism
* Travel consultancy organisations
You could start off as an assistant and work your way up to an executive role and even
end up being the general manager. You could even write you own book on travel and
tourism or become a lecturer at a tourism institute. If that's not good enough you can even
start your own firms after gaining some experience.
Money & Other Benefits in the Tour & Travel Industry:
In a government department you'll start at a gross salary of about Rs 8,000 per month.
In a corporate sector travel agency, your starting pay will be about Rs 12,000-15000 a
month if you have certificate or diploma in tourism.
If you have an MTA your starting salary could be Rs 12,000-20,000 or more per month.
MBAs get a higher start at about Rs 15,000-25,000 or more per month.
The money notwithstanding, the perks in the field are more attractive. You can get free
tickets for a certain period of time or annually for yourself and your family. Plus you get
to travel free with your clients if you are the tour leader going out with a group.
Career Prospects in the Tour & Travel Industry:
Tourism is a major source of foreign exchange. In recent years, India has been
aggressively marketing itself as a tourist destination. There has also been a spurt of
Indians travelling overseas. This simply translates into more business and thus more
opportunities.
With better healthcare facilities and low-cost medical treatment, India is being touted as
the next big destination for medical tourism. Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) says
that at its current pace, healthcare tourism alone can rake over 1.7 billion dollars
additional revenue by 2012.
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Humanities
And
Liberal Arts
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Archaeologist
Do you ever wonder how people in the medieval ages lived? Was History your favourite
subject in school? Does everything old fascinate you? If the film Indiana Jones and the
Temple of Doom left an everlasting impression on you, then you should consider being
an archaeologist.
Archaeology can be an extremely interesting field of study to quench your curiosity about
the past and its secrets. It is a multi-disciplinary science involving a great deal of training
in subjects like Chemistry, Anthropology, Geology, etc.
Learning about the past civilisations involves knowing about every aspect - the lifestyles,
the architecture of the regions, cultural influences, etc. This makes Archaeology a very
engrossing and fulfilling career, as well as one of the most demanding and competitive
branches of social sciences.
Archaeologists in this line of work excavate, preserve, study and classify artifacts of the
near and distant past in order to understand the ancient civilisations. It is mainly thanks to
them that all our old artifacts and objects of historic importance are preserved.
The work of an Archaeologist is very slow and meticulous. Moreover, most of the
archaeological sites are situated in earth's extreme temperature zones. Here, you will
often have to spend hours in extreme climatic conditions carefully dusting a fragment of a
Harappan building with a toothbrush or examine thousands of tiny, nearly identical
chipped stone axes.
Requirements of an Archaelogist:
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First of all, you got to have a genuine interest in ancient culture and history. You need to
be inquisitive (a probing nature), perceptive and willing to work hard. Good physical
stamina is extremely important. Of course, it goes without saying that you need to be
artistically inclined.
You can take up Archaeology as one of the subjects at the B.A. level. For this you need
to have studied History in your 12th. For an two-year M.A. you need to have completed
your B.A. in Archaeology or other related areas.
You can also choose to do a two-year post graduate diploma course at the Institute of
Archaeology after an M.A./M.Sc in archaeology or anthropology or a Masters degree in
medieval or Ancient Indian History. You will have to appear for an interview and written
exam to enroll for this course. On being admitted you become eligible for a small stipend
per month.
There are numerous institutions in India where you can pursue Archaeology. The
Institute of Archaeology, in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India
(Delhi) is the best.
The study of Archaeology involves both theory and training in the laboratories. A lot of
stress is laid on fieldwork where students spend time excavating, analysing the relics and
monuments, practice procedures of preserving the items and also drawing and
photography.
Apart from the hard work involved it gives you the opportunity to see what the career has
to offer before deciding on a particular area of interest.
Archaeologists can find work in:

Most Archaeologists work at major universities teaching History, Anthropology, or in the
Archaeology departments, as this is one way to earn a living between research grants and
excavations. When they are not teaching, many Archaeologists are working on digs far
from home.
You can also find work with museums, art restoration, fine arts, etc. The Archaeological
Survey of India, which hires many people. You can also find ample opportunities in
educational/research institutions.
Those employed by the Archaeological Survey of India are normally paid around:
Position Remuneration
Ass. Archaeologist Rs. 1600 - 2900 per month
Ass. Superintending Archaeologist Rs. 2000 - 3500 per month
Superintending Archaeologist Rs. 3000 - 4000 per month
Director Rs. 3600 - 5000 per month
Joint Director Rs. 4500 - 5800 per month
Director General Rs. 7200 per month
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This is the basic pay, with the recent revision in payscales and allowances the average
monthly pay at entry level works out to be around Rs.8000 – Rs. 15,000/-per month.
Career Prospects of an Archaeologists:

There has been a renewed interest in the field of Archaeology. As such the scope for
archaeologists in India has only widened. Archaeology is often paired with
Anthropology.
Archaeology is the study of entire cultures and societies while Anthropology is the study
of the development of people within societies. While drawing their conclusions,
Anthropologists rely heavily on the work of Archaeologists.
Individuals who no longer wish to be Archaeologists may join any of the various
disciplines, for example, become Historians, Linguists, or Surveyors.
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Curator
Have you ever been to a museum and been fascinated by the manner in which ancient
treasures and artifacts have been preserved? Do you take great pride in India's
historical and cultural background? Well then you can preserve this interest by
becoming a curator!
There is a lot of confusion between an archaeologist and a curator. To put it simply an

archaeologist will go looking for an artifact and a curator will interpret it and preserve it.
Say a wooden toy found buried deep in the ground. As a curator you will decide if it
belongs to the Mohanjodaro era or the Chandragupta period or if someone just left it
there last spring.
You will study the intricate patterns on the toy and theorise as to the kind of tools used by
people in those days. Your findings will paint the overall picture of life during those
times.Curators collect, maintain, and protect objects of historical and aesthetic
importance primarily in museums, libraries, and private collections.
Curators are responsible for the safety and proper presentation of the works. It is the
curator's job to document each piece of art that comes in to the museum. This means
pictures have to be taken, piece evaluated and described and any damages that the piece
might have, have to be recorded.
For this, it is necessary to diagnose the causes of damage or deterioration and decide on
appropriate treatment. That's not all. As a Curator, all the restoration work has to be
painstakingly recorded both in writing and through photographs and the treatment
administered should be reversible if the need arises.
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The work of a Curator also includes archiving these artifacts and maintaining accurate
records. As a Curator you will ensure their safety and preserve them for future
generations to see. If that's not all, you will shop around and acquire relevant artifacts and
also verify their authenticity.
Research is invariably a part of this profession. In these cash strapped times, as a Curator
you will also have to don the marketing mantle and arrange for funds from the
government and private parties.
A museum sees people both children and adults, from different backgrounds, each one
seeking information of a different kind. As a curator you have to constantly evaluate the
different antiquities that come into the museum both in terms of their historical value as
well as how they should be presented to the common man.
Appropriate display of the object is also the work of the curator. For a good display the
object should be studied thoroughly in terms of its historical significance and interpreted
correctly. This calls for a lot of research and teamwork.
To be a Curator your requirements are:
The varied and wide-ranging duties of a curator require someone with a mind attuned to
details. Another facet of the curator's job is educating the public about the objects and
publicizing their existence. A curator writes most literature one receives at a museum. So
excellent written communication skills will come handy.
A curator also needs to have good research skills. As a curator you will be spending a lot
of time working on one particular aspect of a project. So you got to have loads of
patience. In this field you can't afford to be accident-prone as some of the stuff that you
will handle may be worth million of rupees! If you have good negotiating skills as a
curator you will be an asset to your museum when exchange of artifacts with other
museums comes into the picture.
As a curator apart from an extensive knowledge of history and art, it is useful to have a
basic understanding of chemistry, restoration techniques, museum studies, and even
physics and public relations. Curators must have basic skills in aesthetic design,
organizational behaviour, business, fundraising, and publicity.
So let's get to the academics part. At the least you need to have a master's degree in
Museology or Museum Science. These are offered at select institutes such as National
Museology Institute of Delhi, MS University, Baroda, etc. The other alternative is to do a
masters in a relevant subject say History or Anthropology. Ideally you should have a
double master's.
As a curator you find work in:
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There is scope for all kinds of people in a museum. If you are academic and research
oriented as a curator you can work with objects. The more outgoing types with good
communication skills can interact with the public dishing out information about the
objects.
The entry point into a museum is usually as a senior curatorial assistant. Job involves
overseeing the day-to-day functioning of the museum, looking after the artifacts, etc. As
you grow in experience, you will be involved in the various projects that the museum is
involved in. The next level is that of assistant curator and then a curator. You may be
required to go into the field to the excavation sites to assist archaeologists.
At a senior level, as a curator you will be involved in research and developing expertise
in a particular area say weapons or across a broad era. Eventually you are required to be a
leading authority on the subject of your specialisation. When that happens your opinion
will be sought after the world over. As a curator you can always take up a teaching job
and even write a book. Freelancing for private collectors is another lucrative option.
As a curator you can earn:
Most of the museums in India are government-owned. Your salary structure will be along
the lines of a college professor, which going by the current scale is not bad.
Starting salaries are in the range of Rs 6,000 - 8000 and can work its way up to Rs 22,000
a month. More than money it is the recognition of peers that most curators crave for.
As a curator your career prospects are:
There is a resource crunch as far as museums in India are concerned. Also most museums
are in a state of neglect. So be prepared for hard times ahead.
Of course if you land yourself a job handling the Indian heritage section at the London
museum then its all rosy from then on.
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Psychologist
Psychologists study the human mind and behaviour. They help people understand their
troublesome emotions and behaviors and how best to deal with them. Let's explore.
Psychologists work with counselors and other mental health professionals to understand
what constitutes normal brain function and behavior. They traditionally study both
normal and abnormal functioning, and also treat patients with mental and emotional
problems.
Today, Psychologist are increasingly concentrating on behaviors that affect the mental
and emotional health and mental processes of healthy human beings. For example, they
work with business executives, performers, and athletes to combat stress and improve
performance.
Psychology is a vast field. Psychologists conduct both basic and applied research, serve
as consultants to communities and organizations, diagnose and treat people, and teach
future psychologists and other types of students.
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Psychologist also test intelligence and personality. They assess behavioral and mental
function and well-being. They study how human beings relate to each other and also to
machines, and they work to improve these relationships.
In essence psychologists study the human mind and human behavior. Research
psychologists investigate the physical, cognitive, emotional, or social aspects of human
behavior. Psychologists in applied fields provide mental health care in hospitals, clinics,
schools, or private settings.
Like other social scientists, psychologists formulate hypotheses and collect data to test
their validity. Research methods may vary depending on the topic under study. They
gather information through laboratory experiments, as well as through administering
personality, performance, aptitude, and intelligence tests. Other methods include
observation, interviews, questionnaires, clinical studies, and surveys.
Psychologists generally specialize in one of a number of different areas.
Clinical psychologists, who constitute the largest specialty generally, work in counseling
centers, hospitals, or clinics. They assist mentally or emotionally disturbed people adjust
to life and may help medical and surgical patients deal with their illnesses or injuries.
Some Psychologists work in physical rehabilitation centres, treating patients with spinal
cord injuries, chronic pain or illness, stroke, arthritis, and neurological conditions such as
multiple sclerosis. Others help people deal with times of personal crisis, such as divorce
or the death of a loved one. Some clinical psychologists work with physicians and other
specialists to develop and implement treatment and intervention programs for patients.
Some areas of specialization within clinical psychology include health psychology,

neuropsychology, and geropsychology.
Health psychologists promote good health by helping people to stop smoking or lose
weight.
Neuropsychologists study the relation between the brain and behavior. They often work
in stroke and head injury programs.
Geropsychologists deal with the problems faced by the elderly.
Cognitive psychologists deal with memory, thinking, and perceptions. Some conduct
research related to computer programming and artificial intelligence.
Counseling psychologists use various techniques, including interviewing and testing, to

advise people on how to deal with problems of everyday life. They work in school,
university, hospital, and individual or group practices.
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Developmental psychologists study the physiological development that takes place
throughout life. Some specialize in behavior during infancy, childhood, and adolescence,
changes that take place during maturity or old age, or developmental disabilities and their
effects.
Experimental or research psychologists work in university and private research

centers, and in business, nonprofit, and governmental organizations. They study behavior
processes with human beings and animals such as rats, monkeys, and pigeons.
Industrial-organizational psychologists (I/O) apply psychological principles and

research methods to the workplace for improving productivity and the quality of work
life. They frequently act as consultants, brought in by management in order to solve a
particular problem.
Educational psychologists are concerned with the teaching methodologies, learning

pattern of students, testing of abilities, skills, and aptitudes acquired from teaching and
learning, etc. The whole area of teaching, learning and evaluations of learning is his/her
area of special interest. Educational psychologists work in schools and in research
organizations. They are assigned to diagnostic and remedial work, though the main task
is to engage primarily in preventive and development work.
Social psychologists examine people's interactions with others and with the social
environment. They work in organisational consultation, marketing research, systems
design or other applied psychology fields.
Psychologists requirements:
It is very important for a psychologist to be excellent communicator who can quickly
assess and analyze emotions. As a Psychologist you must be able to learn new methods
and skills on an ongoing basis. The most important thing is to be interested in the people
and in how the human mind functions.
Aspiring psychologists who are interested in patient care must be emotionally stable,
mature, and able to deal effectively with people. Sensitivity, compassion, and the ability
to lead and inspire others are particularly important qualities for clinical work and
counseling.
Research psychologists should be able to do detailed work independently and as part of a

team. Excellent communications skills are necessary to succeed in research. Patience and
perseverance are vital qualities because results from psychological treatment of patients
or from research usually take a long time.
While a BA in psychology might help you find out why your roommate is moody, it
won't get you far professionally. To have a good career, you need at least a MA/ M. Sc.
in Psychology/ Applied Psychology/ Industrial Psychology. To be into research, a Ph. D
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is a must. As a Psychologist you can also have a degree in Social Work (MSW) to work
in the field of Social psychology and Counselling psychology.
Psychologists can find jobs in:
The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that 450 million people worldwide are
affected by mental, neurological or behavioral problems at any given time. Thus the
impetus towards the mental health profession has grown by leaps and bounds.
While most psychologists work directly with patients, they are increasingly being hired
by corporates, various branches of government, and educational institutions. Some
psychologists use their knowledge to design better products and services, based on the
latest psychological theories.
Other Psychologists analyze marketing campaigns to understand why one venture was a
hit and another flopped. Regardless of where they work, psychologists are interested in
what people think, and why.
Some psychologists also team up with other professionals like physicians, scientists,
lawyers, teachers, computer experts, engineers, policy makers, and managers to
contribute to every area of society. Thus we find them in laboratories, hospitals,
courtrooms, schools and universities, community health centers, prisons, and corporate
offices.
Psychologists employed as faculty by colleges and universities divide their time between
teaching and research, and some have administrative responsibilities as well. Many have
part-time consulting practices. Most psychologists in government and industry have fixed
hours.
Educational institutions employ psychologists in positions other than teaching, such as

counseling, testing, research, and administration.
After several years of experience, some psychologists enter private practice or set up their
own research or consulting firms. Over 40 percent of all psychologists are self-employed.
Psychologists can earn upto:
Most psychologists are inclined to social work and prefer to work with NGO settings.
And it goes without saying that good money hardly exists in social work.
At an average, school psychologists are paid Rs 4,000-5,000 per month when they first
start out. It could go up to Rs 6,000 a month after a few years of experience. The
maximum a school psychologist could make in India is Rs 8,000.
However the scenario is not so bleak for college lecturers. They start at Rs 16,000 -
17,000. University professors are much better paid at Rs 25,000 a month.
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But hold on. The corporates are the best paymasters. Though you start with just 10,000-
12,000 there is not limit to the scale you will reach after a few years of experience.
Opportunities for work in psychology:
Opportunities for work in psychology are expanding in number and scope. The move
toward preventing illness, rather than merely diagnosing and treating it, requires people
to learn how to make healthy behavior a routine part of living.
Indeed, many of the problems facing society today are problems about behavior, for
example, drug addiction, poor personal relationships, violence at home and in the street,
and the harm we do to our environment. Psychologists contribute solutions to problems
through careful collection of data, analysis of data, and development of intervention
strategies--in other words, by applying scientific principles, the hallmark of psychology.
The study of psychology is also good preparation for many other professions. Many
employers are interested in the skills that psychology majors bring to collecting,
analyzing, and interpreting data, and their experience with statistics and experimental
design.
Creating educational toys could be a good career option for a psychologist interested in
behavioral issues of children.
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Social Worker
Gone are the days where only retired people or housewives would get involved in the
day-to day workings of an NGO.You'll probably miss out on perks such as a fancy car,
plush flat at Napeansea Road and prepaid air travels associated with management but
you’ll have a million street children for company. If you are still with me, you probably
are the samaj sevak kinds. So what's stopping you from turning it to a career?
So now that you have decided to be one, let's find out what it's all about. As a social
worker you'll work to prevent and alleviate social problems and address various social
issues such as poverty, unemployment, public hygiene, malnutrition, physical, mental,
and emotional handicaps, anti-social behaviour, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, old
age, environmental pollution, deforestation, etc. Phew, now that's quite a heap of
problems to deal with. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
As a social worker you won't be confined to a cubicle for an office. The whole world will
be your office. Often you'll be on the field, working without a fixed schedule. Talking to
people, learning about their problems, organising programmes to train and educate them,
lobbying with the statutory authorities to get things done, sensitising public about social
issues by organising seminars, symposiums, educational programmes, etc will be part and
parcel of your daily life.
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You'll also be involved in the most important part of fund raising. To be able to do all this
you'll either have to setup your own NGO or actually become what they term as a 'Social
Entrepreneur'.
And now for some specialised areas for the budding social worker:
Psychiatric Social Worker: It's for those who have a solution for every problem. The
agony aunt kinds! Your area of work will be hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers,
counselling centers treating people with psychological problems like family
maladjustment, depression as the fallout of a broken home, antisocial behavior, addiction,
abnormal sexuality, etc. You'll also work with mentally retarded people, handicapped
persons, depressed college students, drug addicts and others.
Family & Child Welfare Worker: You'll specialise in solving family related problems,
offer child guidance (yes birth control!), etc.
Urban & Rural Community Development Worker: Here's your chance to work with
national/international NGOs to crusade for development issues such as illiteracy, poverty,
lack of drinking water, healthcare, land fertility, communication infrastructure, etc. That's
not all. You'll also counsel male members about drinking, wife beating, environmental
pollution, so on and so forth. Do we see another Shabana Azmi in the making?
Criminology & Correctional Administration Worker: This is not for the chicken-
hearted. You'll work in institutions like prisons, reformatories, remand homes; crime and
delinquency prevention programmes, counselling and reforming adult and juvenile
offenders and criminals.
Labour Welfare and Industrial Relations Worker: After all, there is still some hope
left for the ones craving for an office set up. Thank the law that says it's mandatory under
the purview of labour laws to employ social workers in industries and offices with a large
work force.
Your job would be to interact with these workers and counsel them on family and work
related problems such as absenteeism, alcoholism, etc. This is critical in improving the
productivity of the staff and maintaining cordial relations between the management and
the labour force.
Gerontologists: This one's for someone with a softer side. Lend your strong shoulders to
old and retired people who have nobody to look after them. You can drive their blues
away by simply talking to them or better still running day care centers.
Environmental Social Workers: If you like watching National Geographic more than
Baywatch or MTV, prefer animals to kids, this one's for you. The career will help you get
in touch with the real world around you. You will address various environmental issues
like air pollution, deforestation, noise pollution, global warming, rehabilitation and so
on.
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Now let's talk of what it takes to be a social worker:
ASPIRATION to work for the development of the society heads the list
• Helping nature
• You must enjoy interacting with people from various streams of society
• Good communication skills - talk, talk and more
• Leadership ability
• Ability to adapt to difficult conditions in life
• Extrovert nature
• Dynamic, suave, tactful and diplomatic
• Ability to persuade, and convince people
• Tolerance
• Ability to sympathise and empathise with people
Remember social work is more of an involvement than a job. Anyone can be a social
worker... a musician, poet, physicist, doctor, teacher... anyone. But of course, companies
prefer people with specialised knowledge. You can specialise in two areas. *Social work
itself, or fields like psychology, education, medical science, management, environmental
science, rural management and development, cooperative management, home Science,
nutrition, etc.
But who's stopping you from doing your Master degree/diploma in social
work? Prospects in this field have more to do with avenues than money. However, you'll
earn enough to eat at the nearest Udipi restaurant but not The Oberoi, if you know what I
mean.
Job opportunities for a Social Worker exists in:
*Prisons
*Social welfare departments of State/ Central Government which address social problems
and issues at a governmental level
*Correctional schools, reformatories for children who have committed crime
*Industries
*Rehabilitation clinics for the handicaps
*Organisations working in the fields of woman and child welfare, family planning, etc.
*Hospitals, clinics and drug rehabilitation centers
*Special schools like the schools for the blind and family welfare centers
*NGOs
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*Rural and community development center in governmental and non governmental sector
*Cooperatives and public welfare trusts which work for social and charitable causes.
As a Social Worker you can earn:
More are more people today are choosing to work with NGO‟s, this perhaps is one of the
few commercial opportunities where you can earn good money as well as do good to
society.
The salary of a Social Worker depends on your qualifications and the kind of
organisation you get to work with. Postgraduates in Rural Management are the enviable
lot with the highest salaries in the business.
As a social worker you can look forward to a starting salary of Rs 2000-14000 or even
more per month.
Most jobs of a Social Worker are contractual in the NGO sector. Your salary will
increase after 4-5 years of experience. Add to that another 3-5 years and you can take a
cool Rs 25,000 per month.
Starting salary of a Social Worker in the government sector is in the range of Rs 6,500-
7,000. Hospitals and other industries offer Rs 5,000-7,500 per month.
And now for the bad news - if you are employed with a NGO you get no additional perks
like House Rent Allowance, Leave Travel Allowance, Medical Expense reimbursement,
etc. But if you are employed in a government sector you can expect to get various
additional perks.
As a Social Worker your Career Prospects are:
Social problems are increasing in direct proportion to the advancement in civilisation. So

what we get is problems like absenteeism, drug addiction, rehabilitation, health,
education, etc. And of course the ever-increasing problems of environmental pollution,
only makes matters worse.
But the sunny side to this is that more and more corporates are contributing funds for
social causes as a part of their “ Corporate Social Responsibility” and even the
government is waking up to its responsibilities. So what does all this translate to? A
goldmine of opportunities for the aspiring social worker in you.
There are specialised donor agencies that collect and distribute large funds. For instance,
on an average, US $ 7 billion is given to various third world NGOs by US Donor
agencies.
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No more begging bowls for social workers, who can now form their own NGO and
approach these donor agencies for funds.
The “Give Foundation” for instance, has a professionally managed hi-tech portal that is
linked to various NGO‟s across India. This works as a channel through which people can
donate money to an organization of their choice. All this, in turn, has resulted in a sudden
spurt of job avenues for today‟s youth.
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Teacher
"If the heavens were all parchment, and the trees of the forest pens and every human
being were a scribe, it would be impossible to record all that I have learned from my
teachers." - Jock Zakkai
If you can be surrounded by a dozen kids and still maintain your sanity, if you believe
that children are the future of our nation and hence need to be properly tutored. If you
believe that maths can be fun and history interesting, you were born to be a teacher.
As a teacher you'll play a vital role in the intellectual and emotional development of
children. You'll either teach one class of children in several subjects or a special subject
to a number of classes.
Your job includes planning, designing, implementing lessons and maintaining classroom
discipline. You could work as a schoolteacher, a special education teacher, adult
vocational-education trainer or a college professor.
Kindergarten And Pre-Primary School Teachers: Your job involves introducing

children to numbers, language, science and social studies. Games, music, films and now
computers are some of the tools used to teach basic skills.
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Secondary And Higher Secondary School Teachers: Here you'll be involved in
imparting more specialised education in many of the same subjects as elementary school
teachers.
In addition to teaching, you'll prepare lesson plans and report cards, maintain discipline in
the classroom, grade assignments and tests, monitor students' progress, meet with
administrators and parents, etc.
Special Education Teachers: A challenging job as you'll teach children with disabilities
such as speech impairments, learning disabilities, mental retardation, emotional
development disabilities, hearing and visual impairments, brain injury and other
impairments to help them learn and develop to their maximum potential.
Apart from developing their hearing, visual, speech or language capabilities, as a teacher,
you will also deal with various behaviour disorders or mental illnesses.
Developing individual plans for each student and working closely with parents and
counsellors to develop an appropriate curriculum is your job.
Requirements of a Teacher:
Enter this field only if you have the ability to communicate and interact effectively.
Around here, it is essential to be creative, organised, methodical and patient. Students
respond better to teachers who are encouraging, empathetic, cheerful and optimistic.
For nursery and kindergarten, as a Teacher you will need to be a graduate with a
certificate/ diploma/degree in nursery training. Preference is given to teachers who are
trained for pre-school education.
At the primary level (school), as a Teacher you will need to be a graduate or post-
graduate with a diploma/degree in teaching/education. You should also have studied in at
least one teaching subject during your graduation years.
Secondary and Higher Secondary teachers should have a graduate/post-graduate degree

in the subject and a B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education).
Kindergarten, elementary and secondary school teaching requires a variety of skills

and aptitudes such as:
* Organisational skills
* Administrative and record-keeping abilities
* Power to influence, motivate and train children (who can get very stubborn at times)
* Patience and lots of it
* Very good general knowledge and awareness
* An academic bent of mind
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As a Teacher you will should be sensitive, empathetic and able to make decisions about
individual students' needs. You also need to have a love for learning and the desire and
ability to convey your enthusiasm to students.
As a Teacher you willfind work in:

Teaching offers a vast field of opportunities. Teachers work with people of all ages,
from toddlers to senior citizens.
They work in many different settings, from well-appointed private boarding schools to
dilapidated community centres to colleges and universities.
Opportunities also exist in the Defence forces as teachers in the Education Corps of the
Army, Navy and other forces.
Expected Earnings of a Teacher:
Government Schools: Gross salary ranges from Rs 4,000-6,000 a month to start with.
Private Schools: Rs 6,000-10,000 per month depending on your qualifications.
IB Schools: Rs.20, 000/- onwards per month
Schools which are fully or partially aided by the government and some private schools
offers benefits such as Contributory Provident Fund, D.A., insurance, gratuity, medical
reimbursement, etc.
Kindergarten and pre-primary schools pay you less, in the range of Rs 2,000- 4,000 a
month.
Salary for a college/university teacher is pretty good in the range of Rs 12,000-15,000 a
month to begin with.
Salaries in special education schools range from Rs 4,000-8,000 a month.
In defence forces, the starting salary is about Rs 6,000 per month.
Tuition, either private or in classes forms an additional source of income for teachers.
Career Prospects of a Teacher:

Teaching is quite a lucrative profession these days. There is ample scope for earning even
after your normal working hours. College and university teachers are very well paid.
Another upcoming field is online education. In fact according to some industry pundits,
online education is going to be the next big thing in the cyber world. And with this, there
will be a barrage of positions for teachers and educators.
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The online teachers will be developing teaching materials, interacting online with the
students, answering students' queries, solving their problems, etc.
Apart from these, teaching is one of the most flexible professions. It permits career-
breaks and late entries. Teachers can switch their careers for positions where
communication skills are important. Marketing, writing, and research careers are some of
the options.
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Information Tech
And
Related
260
Information Technologist
Imagine this: It's past 12 in the night when hunger strikes. You just order a meal on an
electronic gadget and it's ready in seconds. You don't key in your password to check
your mail. Just look into the eye (a camera) of the computer and voila it recognises
you! Welcome to the world of Information Technology.
The day's not far when anything and everything will carry the prefix 'e' with it. If the IT
bug hasn‟t already bitten you, this is your last chance. Here's all the dope on Information
Technology that you ever wanted to know.
Information Technology is about data collection, storage and warehousing of data,

processing, analysing, interpreting, transferring and transmitting data. Information
Technology also involves using various applications in almost all the fields you can think
of; from medicine to biotechnology and even engineering.
Wireless application technology, Digital data transmission technology, Multimedia

technology, etc. are all offshoots of this Information Technology wave. Information
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Technology also uses various equipments like public telephone networks, optical fiber
networks, V-SAT terminals (we call them dish antennas), communication satellites etc.
Here are a number of positions to choose in the field of IT
Software Developers/System Analysts/Software Engineer

They use a range of tools and programming methods to conceptualise, develop and
construct various sets of software codes.
Soft wares are of two types - system software and application software. System soft
wares are required for running a computer (for e.g. Windows, DOS, Unix, Linux).
Application software is needed to utilise the versatility of the computer to do a number of
jobs like storing data, creating graphics, etc.
Developers and engineers are also responsible for implementation and maintenance of the
software they develop-mainly the customised application or system software. The system
analyst's job is to study systems. As an analyst, you will understand and outline the
requirements of software and determine the specifications of the required software. In
fact, the system analysts and the developers/engineers work as a team.
System Architects
These days the job of a system analyst is further specialised and their domain has been
expanded. They are now called System Architects.
Your job as a System Architect is to study a given system/situation in an establishment,

which requires a software/hardware. You have to design the system and build it as per the
requirements of the client with the help of a team of developers/engineers.
As a System Architect you are also required to integrate various systems, the hardware
and software to create and design user-friendly systems.
Hardware Design and Development Engineer or Computer Hardware engineer

The computers we use need to be designed and developed first. Not the exterior, but the
microprocessors, the electronic chips, etc.
All these need careful design and development. Once the design is done, then the chips
have to be produced and manufactured. Then the computer is assembled and produced.
You as a hardware designer and development engineer will be responsible for these
activities.
Telecommunication Engineer
A telecommunication engineer is an integral part of the IT setup. You will be involved in
researching, planning, developing and implementing various components like V-SAT,
wireless and broadband technology, satellite communication, etc.
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As a telecommunication engineer you will develop, manufacture and maintain various
electronic equipments used in telecommunication. You will also design and develop
specific hardware and software required for telecommunication.
Network engineers and Administrators

Networking is the key in IT. You need to be connected all the time. There is Internet,
Local Area network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), Intranet, Global Area Network
(GAN), etc. Your job will be to plan, develop, construct, implement and maintain these
various types of networks.
Database Administrators
You as a Database Administrator will be responsible for entering, storing, categorising
and retrieving data.
Multimedia Designers
As a designer you will design user-friendly Internet interfaces (like a web page) and other
forms of communications. Without the design, the interfaces would look just a set of
technical mumbo-jumbo. Multimedia designers use various tools and technologies to
design these interfaces.
Web Developers
You will develop and maintain the technical aspects of a web site. As a webdeveloper
you will in collaboration with the designers produce the web site.
Servicing & Maintenance Technicians/Engineers

You will handle computer hardware and software and maintain them for optimum
performance.
Trainers/Faculty members
You will teach and give practical training to people who wish to be computer savvy in
terms of software and hardware.
Data Processing Assistant/Data Entry Operator

You would basically be involved in creating, storing and processing large amount of
data.
Personal attributes required in the field of Information & Technology:
• Strong analytical and reasoning skills

• Strong numerical ability
• Discreet and clear in your thoughts
• Good communication skill
• Innovative
• Hardworking
• Tenacious
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As for the educational and professional qualifications:
Software Developers/System Analysts/Software Engineer: The best jobs go to those

who have done their B.E/B.Tech/M.E/M.Tech in Computer/MCA/M.Sc. in Computer
Science, etc. Those with a M.Sc. in Mathematics/Statistics/Applied Physics with a basic
knowledge of computers also get jobs but at entry levels.
People with BCA, B.Sc. in Computer Science, and B.Sc. in Physical Science background
with good knowledge of computer have a good scope. MBAs with specialisation in
Systems/IT have good job prospects. Alternatively, you can also do your DOEACC 'B'
level.
System Architects: These are very specialised jobs. You can only get into this only after
about 5-7 years of experience in software development.
Hardware Design & Development Engineer or Computer Hardware/ Hardware

engineer: You got to have a M.E/M.Tech/B.E/B.Tech/Ph.D. in Computer Science &
Engineering/Electronics engineering/Telecommunication engineering. Best jobs are
usually snatched by M.E/M.Tech/and Ph.D. graduates.
Telecommunication Engineer: You got to have a B.E/B.Tech/M.E/M.Tech/Ph.D in

Telecommunication/ Communication/Electronics & Telecommunication/Electrical
Engineering.
Network Engineers and Administrators: You will be preferred if you have an

Engineering degree along with a qualification/certification from one of the network
software/hardware producing companies. You can have a certificate in Windows
Network, Sun network, Linux, Unix, etc. With MCA/M.Sc./B.Sc. in Science and one of
these qualifications, you can also get good jobs.
Database Administrators:Best jobs go to people with a qualification/certification in

hardware/software, which is used for administration of a database and a basic degree like
MCA, B. E/B.Tech/M.Sc./BCA/B.Sc. in Science/DOEACC 'A' or 'B' level, etc. For
example, for maintaining a database in Oracle, one needs to qualification/certification in
Oracle.
Designers: Your basic qualification could be anything-Arts, Commerce or Science. But

to be able to work as a designer you need to have learnt packages like Coral Draw,
Photoshop, Director, 3D Max, and Flash etc.
Web developers: You need to have a degree in B.E/B.Tech/MCA/MBA with Systems or

IT specialisation/M.Sc./BCA/DOEACC 'A', 'B' level etc. with a sound knowledge of web
technologies.
Servicing & Maintenance Technicians/Engineers: A diploma or degree in Engineering

will do. You need to have a qualification in Hardware maintenance.
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Trainers/faculty members: You need to be B.Tech/M.Tech/MCA/B.E/M.E/M.Sc. with
good knowledge of various software and technologies. But if you have a qualification in
Computer Software with a degree in any discipline, you can still get a reasonably good
job. You can also have qualifications like DOEACC 'A', 'B', or 'C' level.
Data Processing Assistant/Data Entry Operator/Computer Operator: You have to

know basic computer operations with good typing skills. Degree is not very important.
10+2 level of education should suffice. Additional qualifications like DOEACC 'O', 'A'
level ensures growth to senior levels.
EDP/System Manager: You need B.E/B.Tech/MCA/MBA with Systems or IT

specialisation with good knowledge of computer software, hardware and various tools
and packages. You can also have qualifications like DOEACC 'B' level.
Here are some areas and companies where you find work as an Information
Technologist:
*Computer hardware design, development, and manufacturing companies like IBM,

CISCO System, Hewlett Packard, Apple, etc.
*Operating and system software development companies like Microsoft, Sun, Computer
Associates, CISCO Systems, Novel Netware, etc.
*Numerous Application and system software development companies as well as System
Consultancy companies like Infosys, Satyam Computer Associates, HCL Infosystem,
TCS, etc.
*Companies specialised in telecommunication, networking and are developing
telecommunication hardware and software like Synacar etc.
*User companies like HLL, Reliance, etc. and numerous medium and small-scale
companies.
*Other medium and small time users such as schools, departmental stores etc.
Money & Other Benefits in the field of Information & Technology:
In computer hardware design, development, and manufacturing companies, you start with
about Rs 16,000 - 25,000 a month, plus other attractive options like ESOP (Equity Share
Options - where you will a part owner of the company!) if you are working on Indian
shores.
As a system analyst you can expect a starting salary in the range of Rs.10, 000/- to
15,000/-
Foreign salaries start at US $ 3,500 a month. You can reach to Rs 45,000/ US $ 7,000 a
month, within 5-6 years of experience.
Career Prospects of an Information Technologist:
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NASSCOM predicts an exponential growth in the software industry at an annual rate of
about 60 per cent over the next decade. And software export is growing at a growth rate
of 57 per cent p.a., with future projections pegged at a growth rate of 60 per cent.
The boom is not restricted to the software development sector, but the Information &
Technology enabled service sector (like Medical Transcription) is also going to be Rs
81,000 crore by the year 2008.
All this means, there will be a huge demand for qualified Information & Technology
professionals over the next decade and beyond.
Moreover the Information & Technology industry is actually global with job possibilities
in USA, Southeast Asia, Japan, Germany and other countries.
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Medical Transcriptionist
How good are you at decoding accents? Are you a master of the computer keyboard?
Do you have a sharp ear? Yes? Well, you have just qualified yourself for a hot new
profession. One that offers great money without leaving the comfort of your home.
That's Medical Transcription.
Medical Transcription is all about word-for-word translation. It's a process by which

orally dictated medial prescription, advice, results of diagnostic tests made by doctors and
health professionals are converted into accurate and readable text form.
It works like this. A doctor in a hospital checks, diagnoses and simultaneously treats as
many as 60-100 patients a day. But keeping track of all patients' history and physical
reports, clinic notes, office notes, operative reports, consultation notes, discharge
summaries, letters, psychiatric reviews, laboratory reports, x-ray reports, pathology
reports, etc. is next to impossible. That's where Medical Transcription (MT) comes in. As
a Medical Transcriptionist, you'll decipher the doctor's discussions, which is usually
recorded on a Dictaphone (by the doctor).
Apart from computer-related word-processing systems you also need good listening,
language skills and knowledge of medical terminology.If you are planning a career in MT
you need a very good ear to be able to distinguish between similar sounding and vastly-
different-in-meaning words such as "peri-para", "inter-intra", "arterioles-arterials",
"vesicals-vesicles" etc. Another example is tonsils (something that is normal) and
tonsillitis (affliction of inflammation of the tonsils).
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As a Medical Transcriptionist, you have to note down the data, which is crosschecked by
a supervisor (an experienced Medical transcriptionist) and then edited by an Editor.
The editors have about 4-5 years of experience in medical transcription process. The
overall work is again controlled by a Quality Assurance Manager who ensures that the
work is up to the mark.
So, if we have successfully convinced you into being a Medical Transcriptionist,

here's what you need to get into the field:
• Good typing speed
• Well-versed with medical terminologies and other medical jargons
• Basic knowledge of English language usage and grammar
• Working knowledge of computers
• An ability to understand different accents and dictions
• Should also be able to work for long hours and often in a high-pressure environment.
Today, there are numerous institutes that offer short-term courses in Medical
Transcription. Of course you gain exposure on the job. Most companies first recruit and
then train you for the job.
As a Medical Transcriptionist, you can go on to specialize in transcribing voice records in

specific areas of medicine, such as surgery, cardiology etc. With few years of experience
you can apply for Certified Medical Transcription‟s and then Medical Language
Specialists.
As a Medical Transcriptionist, you will get jobs in firms specialising in Medical

Transcription business. Mostly you will be working in shifts and under contract. Medical
transcription companies include Spryance India, Infovision Software, Acusis to name a
few.
You can also work from home for an established Medical Transcriptionist on a part-time
basis.
Money & Other Benefit for a Medical Transcriptionist:
Starting salary: Rs 6,000-12,000 a month.

Experienced Medical Transcriptionists: Rs 15,000 –Rs 25,000 or more a month.
There are also some part-time or contractual jobs in which you are paid on the basis of
per line of work done. For instance, the payment could be from 60 paise to Rs 1.50 per
line. You could even be paid on an hourly basis and even on the basis of number of pages
done in a day.
Some company‟s follow a compensation package comprising of basic salary plus

incentives based on one's volume of work.
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Career Prospects for Medical Transcriptionist:
Health care is a rapidly growing field, and the demand for MT‟s is increasing. By 2007-
08 the employment created by medical transcription is projected to reach an astonishing
1,70,000 and the revenue generated by medical transcription would cross Rs. 9,000
crores!!!
Transcribers are especially in demand in hospitals where they have to prepare reports of
comprehensive medical histories of patients. As transcribers are well versed with medical
jargon, a job in the pharmaceutical industry is the next best option.
Other options include working for a medical journal, drug companies, health insurance
firms, research foundations and other private institutions.
Familiarity with medical lingo provides scope for hospital administration. With the
arrival of computers, one wouldn't be surprised if medical transcribers become successful
consultants and software designers in the field of medical transcription.
A US estimate suggests that there are a total of over 67 billion lines of transcription done
annually, in the US. And a large chunk of the market is actually going to be captured by
the Indian companies. This is because of the three distinct advantages. Firstly, the time
difference between India & US is almost 12 hours. Secondly, India has a large English
speaking population. And thirdly, it is cheaper to get good Medical transcriptionists here.
Medical Transcription services not only offers immense job opportunities but valuable
foreign exchange too. It falls under a category called IT-enabled services. Even a
majority of the State Governments in India is offering incentives and infrastructure for
setting up these services. The Central Government has also provided Income Tax
exemption to profits from export of these services.
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Network Administrator
Do you enjoy troubleshooting? Do you like putting things together; taking them apart
and putting them back again? Does a computer fascinate you? Well then you may just
like what this job has to offer. You will wire the World Wide Web. How is that for a
career?
It's a fact that computers are no longer stand-alone machines. They are connected in small
offices, large buildings and over cities, states, countries and continents. It is not
something as simple as connecting two wires together. There are innumerable software
and hardware issues that go into networking. As a Network Administrator you will be a
wizard who makes sense of it all.
As a Network Administrator you will make and maintain LAN (Local Area Network) i.e.
connect computers in the same floor or building. Or it could be WAN (Wide Area
Network) say linking all colleges in Mumbai.
As a Network Administrator you could even maintain the vast servers, which host these
websites. In simple words you will be building and maintaining these information
superhighways.
A Network Administrator has to have sound knowledge of both hardware and software.
So you might not really be programming software‟s but you sure will know their
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functions. In major corporations, your work as a Network Administrator could also
include ensuring security of stored information and giving access to relevant people.
Requirements of Network Administrator:
Practical knowledge counts the most in this field. You need to have good problem
solving abilities. A clear logical thought process helps as well as thorough knowledge of
your subject.
A diploma or degree in Engineering with specialisation in Networking is usually the

starting point. There are numerous certification courses offered by networking companies
such as Cisco, Novell, etc. You can keep upgrading these certifications to reach higher
positions.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills are required, as you will have to sit down
and explain complicated technologies in layman terms.
Job Opportunities of Network Administrator:
Wherever there is more than one computer, you will be there as a Network Administrator.
You could be employed in small or medium sized firms in any industry. Alternatively,
you could work for computer firms and be in charge of networking needs of your client
companies. As a Network Administrator you could move to senior positions where you
will work as a consultant to set up the computer infrastructures of huge projects.
ISPs (Internet Service Providers) like VSNL also employ Networking Administrators for
maintaining their servers and ensure smooth data transmissions to their clients.
Money & Other Benefit of a Network Administrator:
Diploma holders usually start off in the range of Rs 6,000- Rs 8,000 a month.
A well-qualified Engineer with a Cisco certification will start with something like Rs
15,000 a month in India. After that it's your additional certifications and experience that
counts.
As a Network Administrator you could be well placed in two to three years time with
around Rs 20,000-25,000 a month.
As a Network Administrator your career prospects are:
The need for connectivity is growing by the hour and technology is changing at a rapid
pace. Without doubt good networking professionals are much sought after.
The emergence of wireless technology such as WAP and Blue Tooth has only increased
the need for skilled professionals to make sense of all these technicalities involved.
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Software Engineer
In a computer, hardware refers to the information capture, processing, storing, and

communicating devices linked together electronically, while software refers to the sets of
instructions or programmes which control these hardware devices, so that they can carry
out the required operations.
As a Software Engineer your job begins with researching specific problems and
investigating ways in which computers can be programmed to perform certain functions.
Then you have to develop software applications customised to the needs and desires of
the business or organisation you are catering to.
Software Engineers working for a particular industry are expected to have a certain
level of proficiency in the functions of that industry. The nature of the job of a software
engineer thus, differs from industry to industry and project to project.
As a Software Engineer, you will be required to first visit the client's office to note the
problem. Then you can either work from the comforts of your office or at the client's
office. The job involves drawing up a detailed proposal, which includes estimates of time
and cost allocations.
Requirements of a Software Engineer:
A successful Software Engineer should have good communications skills, strong

technical knowledge and an eagerness to meet the challenge of working with new
technologies.
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Practical experience is most important here. Prospective employers will be more eager to
know the projects you have successfully handled as a software engineer than the names
of the courses you have cleared.
Technology changes rapidly in this field, so continuous study and learning are part of a
professional's life.
As a Software Engineerhave to learn to listen carefully for the distinction between what
people want and what people need from their computer systems.
Flexibility, strong interpersonal skills, and a friendly disposition are highly valued traits
in this industry.
However, the bottom line is performance, and those without strong technical skills find
themselves quickly outpaced by the expertise their job demands.
For entry as a Software engineer you must have completed one of the following
courses:
* A four-year degree course in BE or B Tech/Computer Science/Engineering/

Information Technology.
* Four-year undergraduate course in Information Technology.
* Three-year B.Sc. computer Science or Bachelor of Computer Science.
* Three-year bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA)
* Three-year Master in Computer Applications (MCA)
* Four-year Bachelor of Information Science.
* Four-year Bachelor of Information Technology
* Three-semester M Tech in IT
* Two-year Master's in Informatics/Information Technology/ computer Science, etc.
* DOEACC Society: O, A, B and C, level, courses. B level, is considered equivalent to

MCA and C level to an M Tech. Electronics/other engineers can make a bid too. A three-
year B Sc in computer Science could be the base for proceeding to post graduation in
computer Science or Computer Applications.
Commercial certifications from Microsoft, Novell, Oracle, etc are popular with
professionals. There are numerous private computer classes that teach the subjects. It is
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wiser to speak to the students of these classes before you secure admission. Find out if
the syllabus and faculty are good.
As a Software Engineer you can find jobs in:
BEs/ B.Techs from top engineering institutions and MCAs from reputed universities can
work in companies providing e-business solutions and innovative customised software
for clients around the globe like:
• Advanced QSoft -Bangalore.
• AmSoft Information Services-is a total software solution provider, Bangalore.
• Birla Consultancy & Software Services-Mumbai.
• Eastern Software Systems Ltd-India's premier e-business software provider.
• Faculties India-Bangalore.
• Fast Forward Systems India Pvt Ltd-Singapore, Bangalore,US.
• Global Software Solutions, Inc.-Hyderabad.
• Goldstone Softech Ltd.-Secunderabad.
• GSSL, Pune.
• Hughes Software Systems-Delhi.
• IDC India-Bangalore,Chennai,Delhi, Mumbai.
• IT Solutions (India) Pvt Ltd-Bangalore, USA, UK.
• Infosys-Bangalore.
• IntercopeIndia Pvt Ltd-Bangalore.
• Microsoft India
• Michigan Indian Community Market Place and network guide .
• Nucleus Software Offshore Limited-internet technologies and banking software experts,
Mumbai.
• Pennar Infotech Limited-Hyderabad.
As a successful Software Engineer you can earn upto:
BE/B Techs from top engineering institutions and MCAs from reputed universities get
the cream of the jobs. In a multinational company salaries are in the range of Rs 15,000-
30,000.
However, in a small to middle range company the range could be Rs 8,000-15,000.
As a successful Software Engineer your career prospects are:
Software is perhaps the only industry where the export industry eclipses the domestic
one. India is currently one of the dominant players in the global IT scenario.
The current wave is big enough that those catching a ride on it will see opportunities and
earnings continue to increase. Working abroad and earning in dollars seems to be one the
attractions in this field.
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Technology Manager
It is now mandatory for a company to keep up with newer technologies in order to be in

business. But all this new age techtalk is complicated for a General Manager of a
company. Someone needs to make sense of it all. Here enters the Technology
Manager.
Heard of call centres? They seem to be the 'in' thing these days. Heard of 'Iris
Recognition System' in place of the passwords we key in our computers? Every company
these days seem to be in tune with technology and floating its InfoTech arm.
Many companies are talking about convergence of technologies. And you are aware that
new technologies in virtually every field are hitting the dock everyday. At the center of
all this is Information Technology. Virtually, every three months, we have new
technologies.
Your main role will be managing technologies including Information Technology. Your
job begins with system study and identifying the need for technologies for your company.
You will go on to identify sources of the required technologies, carry out budgeting,
resource allocation, cost accounting and procure the required technologies. Your role will
include software engineering, in case of Information Technology and Project
Management.
As a technologist, you will work within the organisation's overall business plan to
support core business activities. The company will use your technical judgement to make
high-level decisions and to provide overall guidance and direction on technology
matters.
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Technology Managers are also responsible for hiring and managing people, who use,
adapt, train and support the use of technologies in the company. If you handle IT, then
you will be managing System Architects and Software Engineers.
As a technologist, you will work with other functional heads in the company to work out
technology financing, manpower plans, product development and upgrading operations
using the technology, technical support and other general issues. Usually, the work
profile of a Technology Manager goes like this:
Planning
As a technology manager, you will develop a thorough knowledge of the business you
are in. Identify the areas that could get a shot in the arm with inducting new technology.
Determine the profits/advantages that you could derive from it. Then decide how you as a
technologist, want to go about acquiring that particular technology
Evaluation
As a technologist, you will find out the various technology options available to you and
select the one that is tailor-made to your needs.
Procurement
As a technologist, you will have to decide how much the technology is worth and
negotiate it with firms offering this service to get the best bargain
Implementation
As a technologist, you will oversee the integration of new technology with your business
and ensure that quality specifications are met within the stipulated deadline. This will
also include testing and checking the system for bugs. You will be the final authority to
certify that the project has been completed as per the specifications.
Usage and support

As a technologist, you will get the best out of the technology. You will create systems
and training packages to maintain efficiency. You will also carry out technical support
functions.
Revaluation
Periodically, you will check whether the technology is good as per current standards and
whether it needs to be changed. Depending on the size and complexity of an organisation
there may be opportunity for some specialisation like:
Information Technology Manager

As a technologist, you will oversee planning and implementation of new or modified
Information Technology within the organisation's overall framework.
Project Manager
You will be responsible for scheduling, controlling and directing resources, people,
funding and facilities for particular projects. These projects may involve major
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modifications to existing systems and technology or the implementation of new modules
or technology.
Requirement of a Technology Manager:

This is an area where you are required to be the master of two trades -Technology and
Management. You can either do an MBA with specialisation in Technology Management
or an M.Tech in Engineering or Technology with good experience in Operations and
Process Management.
In case of IT Management, usually B.E, B.Tech, M.E, M.Tech in Computer

sciences/MCA with additional qualification of MBA are preferred. You can also have an
MBA with specialisation in Systems or Information Technology Management. But in any
case, as a technology manager, you will need good experience to get a high profile job.
Experienced personnel in either Manufacturing Management or computers can also rise

to become Technology Managers.
Qualities to become a Technology Manager include:

• A keen eye and interest in various technologies
• Excellent ability to analyse complex technical issues•
• Ability to explain complex concepts clearly to other people
• Ability to determine and address the need of the hour
• Excellent people management skills
• Ability to accept a significant level of responsibility and accountability
As a Technology manager, you can find jobs in:

Previously managers specialising in areas such as planning and business development
would be put through technology related courses. But the quantum leaps in technology
means that specialists are required for this field. As a Technology Manager, you will be
working for industrial houses, devising plans to streamline their operations using the
latest technology.
As a Technology Manager, you could also be a part of Management Consulting agencies,

which offer technology consulting as part of their vast array of services. Freelancing is
not that much of an option here, as firms prefer in-house staff that offers stability and
continuity to outsourcing it from individuals.
To summarise, you will be working for:

• Manufacturing companies
• Service sectors companies like banks, large-scale tourism agencies, etc.
• Information Technology companies like i2 technologies, Mindtree Consulting, etc.
• Management consultants like McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, etc.
• Industrial consultants like L & T, DCL, etc.
• Technology consultants like Chemtex, etc.
Starting salaries as a Technology Manager:
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Starting salaries in this field are high, beginning at around Rs 25,000-30,000 a month.
You could easily work your way up to around Rs 50,000-60,000 a month in 3-5 years.
Top corporations even offer additional benefits like a company flat, car, stock option
plans, etc.
However, consulting companies offer the best deal. Your starting salary will sound like a
dream in the range of Rs 1 lakh or even more a month! Lexus or BMW, take your pick!
As a Technology Manager your career prospects are:
No industry wants to be left behind technologically and the cost saving opportunities that
come with embracing new technologies in the long run are too huge to be ignored. There
has therefore been a rush to employ Technology Managers. Even abroad there is a great
demand for Technology Managers of Indian origin.
Another factor that will add on to the demand for new breed of Technology Manager is
the convergence of various technologies. For example, convergence of life science or
Biotechnology with Information Technology, Information Technology with wireless
telecommunication technology, etc.
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Legal
And
Secretarial
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Company Secretary
A Company Secretary's job is indispensable to an organisation considering the

versatile functions they perform. Your job profile will vary in accordance with the size
and the nature of the product or service offered.
Company Secretaries are recognised by law, as one of the principal officers of the
company. You will act as legal advisors to the company, plan expansion opportunities,
oversea collaborations, amalgamations, acquisitions, mergers, etc.
Company Secretary will also interact and coordinate with other functional heads of the
company. As a Company Secretary you will need to have a good hang on subjects like
law, management, finance, corporate governance, corporate planning, tax planning and
tax management.
Your job will involve not just meeting legal requirements and statutory compliances but
also formulating long and short-term corporate policies and programmes. Basically, you
will serve as a vital link between the company, its board of directors, shareholders and
governmental agencies.
You should possess the following essential attributes:

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent command over spoken and written English
• Marketing skills
• Keen business acumen
• Organising and administrative ability
• Legal aptitude
• Good judgement
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• Numerical ability
• Current affairs and general awareness
• Disciplined
• Loyalty
The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is the premier body for education in
the field of Company Secretaryship. It was formed under the Company Secretaries Act,
1980 to develop and regulate the profession of Company Secretaries in India.
You could qualify for the Foundation Course exam after HSC (in any discipline, except
Fine Arts) or any equivalent exam. Once you clear this, the next step is to register for the
Intermediate and Final exams respectively.
Post graduates or graduates in commerce or any other discipline other than fine arts,
graduates from the Institute of Cost and Works Accountancy (ICWA) or Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) can skip the Foundation Course. They could
directly enroll for Intermediate exams.
For the final exams you require to undergo a minimum of one year's training or
apprenticeship with a company recognised by ICSI or a practicing Company Secretary.
People with ICWA or ICAI background have a definite edge over the others when it
comes to CS studies as well as job opportunities, later. The study material and tuition
options - postal or coaching are provided at the time of the admission.
Once you appear for the finals, you become an associate member of the institute. At this
stage the inscription 'ACS' will follow your name. The senior members eligible for fellow
membership can use 'FCS' after their names.
Note: Certificate of Practice from the ICSI is essential for being considered as a company
secretary.
Opportunities galore for Company Secretaries. You could find yourself in:
• Accounts branch of the Central Company Law Services (Grades I to IV)
• Government offices
• State Government financial institutions
• Company law boards
• Banks and financial institutions
• Stock exchanges
• Corporate sector
• Company secretaryship firms
• Universities and research centres
• Private practice
• Consultancies
• Universities/Colleges
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A Company Secretary is a mandatory requirement for companies with a paid up share
capital of Rs 50 lakhs or more and for the ones seeking listing on the Stock Exchange.
If you have passed the Intermediate Exam you could be employed with companies having
a paid up share capital of less than Rs 50 lakhs.
You could also consider company law, administrative jobs, Financial, Personnel and Tax
management as alternative career options.
As a fresher you could earn anything between Rs 1, 50,000 – Rs 2, 00,000 per annum
depending on the organisation you work with. A senior Company Secretary earns
approximately Rs 5, 00,000 or more per annum.
To rake in more money you could apply abroad, particularly in the Gulf and the African
countries.
Career Prospects:
The growth in the corporate sector has thrown open a lot of legalities of various kinds.
And this falls under the purview of a Company Secretary. Companies need advice from a
person with a thorough knowledge of all relevant laws. The Company Secretary provides
this service. So the employment potential in the corporate sector is very high.
With your level of expertise and experience you could always move on to become the
chairman, director or managing director in reputed organisations.
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Lawyer
So, you have been following Street Legal, The Practice and even Ally McBeal closely.
You almost idolise Mitchell McDeree in John Grisham's The Firm! You have
successfully argued your case before an audience and made them see your logic. Then,
welcome to the world of legal eagles. If you have the gift of the gab and mugging has
been your forte the law will embrace you with open arms. So bring out that black coat
and a handful of evidence…
The judiciary represents the third wing of any democratic system; the other being the
legislature and the executive. It is the organisation that guards the rights of an individual.
Being a lawyer isn't only about talking and debating. You have to continuously read to
keep yourself up-to-date with the latest happenings the world over. Apart from legal
knowledge, you should be capable of quick thinking and logical reasoning, both rounded
off with a thick finishing coat of self-confidence and excellent communication skills.
If you choose law you can be a lawyer, solicitor, advocate or a legal executive. Of course
a lawyer can also become a judge after years of experience.
Solicitors only prepare the paper work while an advocate represents the case before the
judge. A legal executive works for a corporate firm and acts on behalf of the firm.
Apart from these activities, lawyers also vet contracts between parties, corporate or
individual, advice on transfer of technology law, corporate mergers and acquisitions,
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oversee statutory adherence, legal compliance, etc. They handle matters related to
property, insurance, taxation, contract, and so on.
There are various specialised areas you can work in:
Corporate lawyer: You'll specialise in matters such as violation of Company laws,

Income Tax laws, Industrial dispute Act, Agency laws, Copyright Act, Consumer
protection laws, Patent laws, etc.
Criminal Lawyer: You'll specialise in matters with legal implications under Indian
Penal Code such as murder, rape, theft, dacoity, arson, abduction, burglary, etc., which
are considered as serious offence.
Civil Lawyer: You'll specialise in cases involving civil damage, compensation for
damage, breach of contract, insurance claims and other such civil matters. Preparing and
drafting various
types of deeds and contracts, lease agreements, sales agreements, rights transfer
agreements, mortgages, wills and other related documents would be your area of work.
Property Lawyer: You'll deal with cases involving properties - mainly real estates.
Property tax, disputes on real estates, transfer of property, leasing of property, rental laws
and other related cases would be dealt by you.
Environmental Law: You will deal with air pollution, coastal areas, common law
nuisance, endangered and protected species, hazardous waste and materials, impact
settlements, mining reclamation, noise pollution, nuclear power. Pesticides, solid waste,
underground storage takes, water pollution and wetlands.
Income Tax Lawyer: Obviously deals with taxation - wealth tax, capital gain tax, gift
tax, excise duties, etc. You'll advise individuals and corporate organisations on matters
relating to taxes.
International Lawyer: You'll specialise in human rights, trade and commerce,

citizenship, criminal acts, etc.
Intellectual Property/Copy right/Patent lawyer: You'll deal with intellectual property

laws, patent acts, copyrights and all other related matters.
Information Technology Lawyers: This is a relatively new field, which deals with
cyber crimes. India is a new entrant in this field.
Requirement:
An ability to see through the surface into the deep waters, however murky, to get at the
truth is called for. As a lawyer, you need to defend your client to the hilt; provided that
you are absolutely convinced your client is innocent. Further studies, ability to handle
more than one case at a time and constant reading are imperative in this field.
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You need:
• Gift of the gab
• Good reasoning
• Analytical thinking
• Ability to concentrate
• Patience
• Perseverance and ability to discuss matters with all types of people
• Self-confidence
• Good voice
• Diplomatic and discreet
• Awareness about national and international affairs
• Reading habit
• Pragmatic
On the educational front there are two possibilities: you can either do a five-year course
after HSC or a three-year post-graduate course which is open to graduates, immaterial of
their previous academic background, provided they clear the entrance examination of the
institution. However, as a lawyer, you can even opt do your BSL degree (Bachelor of
Socio-Legal Sciences) after completion of the five-year course.
Graduates in any field are also eligible for a two-year Masters Degree course in Labour
Welfare. There are even one-year diploma options in DTL (Diploma in Taxation laws).
Graduates in any streams are eligible for this course.
Note: To be eligible to practice at the Bar you ought to have completed the three or five-
year courses, plus another year of internship for which you have to register with the
Honorary Secretary, Bar Council of the state where you reside.
Government Law College, Mumbai, offers both, the five-year and three-year course.
Each of these courses is independent from each other and is affiliated to University of
Mumbai. Each has its own admission criteria.
Job Opportunities:
* In Solicitor firms specialising in Corporate Law/Criminal law/Income Tax law/Real
estate law and other specialised areas of law.
* You could first practice as a junior lawyer under a senior lawyer and then become an
independent corporate or criminal lawyer.
* In legal and secretarial department of a company
* In government judicial services like Central Government Legal Services and State
Government legal services, Intelligent services like in CBI, etc.
* Defence services like Army Law cadres
* In management consultant firms
* In corporate auditing firms
* Notaries - they are public officers appointed by State Government to draft, authenticate
and certify various types of deeds and documents
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* Journalism - to write on legal matter and issues in various newspapers and law
magazines
* Publishing - publishing of law books and journals is quite a big industry. You could
work as editorial assistants with the publishers and then with experience become co-
ordinators
* In teaching institutions you can get a job as a faculty member or as research associate.
This is possible if you have a Master (LL.M) or higher degree in law
Now let's get down to the numbers. If a soliciting firm employs you, you will begin with
about Rs 10,000 per month. But once you are reputed, you will rake in money by the
hour.
As a junior of a senior lawyer, you can earn about Rs 5,000-8,000 per month in the
beginning.
In Government jobs and Army, your starting salary will be around Rs 8,000-10,000 a
month.
Corporate attorneys in large cities generally make good money. Depending on the size of
the firm and the city, typical salaries for a first-year corporate lawyer will be between Rs
14,000 to Rs. 100,000 or even more per month.
The real earning starts when you are practicing independently. There is no limit to that. A
reputed lawyer earns Rs 1,000-5,000 or more per hour of work for a client - whether just
advising or advocating.
Career Prospects:
A career in law has always been sought after, very respectable and paying. Growth in
your career entirely depends on your performance, which builds up your reputation.
Reputation will get you clients and thus build up your career. After a few years in the
session courts, you can enroll yourself in the high court with recommendation from an
attorney on the rolls of the High court. Practicing in High court will bring you more
money and reputation.
More and more jobs are opening up in the corporate sector as well. With Multinational
companies setting up base in India in large numbers the competition is high and so are the
legal issues, legal implications of corporate decisions, disputes, and claims. All this adds
up to the opportunities for aspiring lawyers like you. After BPO and KPO comes LPO
with bounteous opportunities for skilled lawyers.
Indian lawyers now days are doing most of the paperwork for their western counterparts -
litigation support, contract review, patent writing and Para legal services. Legal process
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outsourcing (LPO) as it is being called, has very high growth potential, and according to
latest estimates, it can fetch 79,000 jobs in India by 2015.
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Personal Secretary
If you love organising, sorting and generally making life easier for the rest, then you
could make a great secretary. Read more to know what goes into the life of a personal
secretary. Up close and in your face…
A secretary plays a vital role in the smooth functioning of the office. You'll perform the
role of a co-ordinator, taking away the drudgery of routine work from the top bosses.
This allows the directors, CEOs and others to concentrate more on the managerial aspects
of their jobs and to stay focused to their strategic roles. Secretaries may be referred as
Personal Assistants, Private Secretaries and Executive Secretaries.
Your job profile as a Personal Secretary involves:
 Answering telephone calls and channeling the calls to the right person
 Taking messages, answering e-mails, voice mails and snail mails
 Operating office equipments like fax, photocopiers, printers, etc.
 Taking care of the routine paper work
 Maintaining files, going through documents and identifying the relevant portions
for the managers to see and comment, fill out forms
 Scheduling appointments
 Arranging travel and tours of the corporate executives
 Keeping track of important work matters in the absence of the corporate
executives
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 Co-ordinating with the suppliers and maintenance people
Wait, we are not done yet. As a secretary it's your job to find out relevant data from
different sources like Internet, print media, etc. to help the executives make business
decisions. Some also co-ordinate the functions of various tops managers on behalf of the
executive with whom they are working.
Requirement to be a good Personal Secretary:

* Pleasing personality and an ability to smile in every situation
* Shorthand and typing Skills
* Drafting and summarization of letters, reports, messages memos etc.
* Good organising ability
* Patience and perseverance
* At least a graduate in any discipline
* Computer savvy to as to conduct research on the Internet.
* Ability to handle office equipment like fax, photocopiers, etc.
Remember, if you want to get far in this profession, you will have to win your employer's
trust as often; secretaries come in contact with highly confidential documents which
could prove catastrophic to the firm, if lost or leaked outside.
As a secretary you will work in:

* Various corporate organisations
* NGOs
* Government departments and agencies
Secretaries with foreign language skills can easily get a job in international organisations,
consulate, embassy offices etc.
Expected Returns as a Personal Secretary:
Your starting salary will depend on the kind of organisation you get to work with.
Usually it's in the range of Rs 8,000 – Rs 10,000 or more a month. With experience, your
salary will increase to around Rs 15,000 a month within 3-7 years.
In large companies and multinational you could also be promoted to the executive cadre
and earn salaries in the executive grades. Here you can earn up to Rs 25,000 a month
after 8-10 years of experience.
As a a Personal Secretary your career prospects are:

Well, career growth prospects may not sound very high profile in the beginning. But of
course, your salary and other perks will grow as you gain more experience. And so will
your duties and responsibilities in the company.
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If you perform very well, your chances of being promoted are high. These promotions
may take anywhere between 3-7 years or more. If you gain considerable skill in using
computers, you may be promoted to EDP/MIS (EDP is Electronic Data Processing and
MIS is Management Information System), etc.
But there is a flip side to the story as well. With increasing automation in the office place
and with companies cutting down their work force some human resource experts predict
that the need for personal secretaries will actually reduce in the coming years.
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Management
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Brand Manager
In today's competitive market environment, just having a good product and advertising
heavily, is no longer enough.
To succeed a company must be able to deliver the 'total' experience. This in a nutshell is
the Brand Manager's job. That experience begins the moment a consumer learns about
the product to becoming a loyal customer.
Brand marketing is all about bringing ideas alive. It is like running your own small
business, but with the resources of a large firm. As a Brand Manager you will have a
budget from which, you will decide how much to spend on packaging, advertising,
market research, promotions, etc.
As a brand manager you will not responsible for sales, but for enticing the consumer with
the product. You will assess the strengths and weaknesses of your brand and will then see
how your brand compares and differs to that of your competitors.
As a brand manager you will devise plans to further the recognition and growth of your
brand and will then make sure that the words are converted into actions. Short-term
actions might include altering incentive programmes and changing advertising themes.
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Over the longer term, as brand manager you might recommend changes in areas such as
product design and quality to enhance a vehicle's brand value. At all times, you have to
keep in mind company profits and customer satisfaction.
You will also ensure that the various products of the company do not cut into each others'
market share. You will control every aspect of how consumers perceive their brands.
Corporate brand management is an extension of this field. This is not restricted to just the
logo or stationery. Brand Management focuses on defining and communicating what the
company as a whole stands for, which includes the promise of a fruitful long-term
relationship with the company.
As a Brand Manager, you should have leadership skills and be able to work effectively
with others. You should take initiative and should have the ability to motivate your team.
Basically, you will be hired to solve problems creatively. As a Brand Manager you need
to have problem solving and analytical thinking abilities.
To be a good brand manager, you need a combination of creativity and analytical skills.
Also, understanding how to evaluate sales trends and determine basic financial measures
like profit margins is important. The ability to work on projects with numerous different
people is important.
A brand manager need to be insightful, creative and enthusiastic with a keen

understanding of emerging business models and pricing. Strong written and verbal
communication ability will see you through.
An MBA with specialisation in marketing is a good starting point. You could also
blossom into Brand Management through the Public Relations or Human Resources
Development arms.
Previously companies were moving senior managers into Brand Management slots. The
emphasis was on experience. But nowadays companies are developing more
comprehensive approaches and Brand Management is fast becoming as niche a
department as Finance or Operations.
Big corporations have had Brand Managers for quite some time now. It is the medium
sized industries that are now waking up requirement for the brand managers and it is here
that the maximum opportunity lies.
A Brand Manager usually start off in the usual management bracket of around 2,50,000
p.a. A senior level Brand Manager usually gets around Rs 8,00,000-12,00,000 p.a. But
the biggest satisfaction remains that your work is out there for all to see. Your name will
be well known and your reputation will travel far and wide raking in more money.
Increasingly, the brand is becoming the key source of differentiation that guides customer
purchase choice. The brand embodies the 'heart and soul' of an organisation. Few
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companies have CEOs with the broad cross-functional and general management skills
that total brand management requires.
The gap in brand management skills is these days being considered the biggest obstacle
to growth. But it can also be a high-pressure situation as you might be juggling with
million dollar brands.
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Business Development Manager
It's all about building a sound relationship with your business partners, vendors and
customers.
All this, while you are searching for new business associates, scouting for new
opportunities and taking the company to greater heights. That's what you will do as a
Business Development Manager.
Business Development Manager is an action-oriented role for go-getters who know how
to track business leads, articulate the benefits of products and services and develop a
process for driving sales. As a Business Development Manager (BDM) you will build
partnerships and business relationships with other companies, vendors, etc. to add value
to your product and services.
When anything goes wrong with development, the buck will stop at you. When all goes
well, you get the kudos. As a Business Development Manager you will also assist in
seeking new clients and then executing their projects.
The main job of a Business Development Manager (BDM) is to generate and follow up
business leads, develop clientele and intelligent business proposals. Developing a good
marketing plan for the company's products and businesses is also a part of the job. As a
Business Development Manager you will also have to look out for new business for your
company.
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Business Development Manager will work closely with Product Managers, Marketing
Executives and external partners and allies in the development and implementation of
strategies, plans and business models.
In some organisations a Business Development Manager (BDM) is also expected to

create financial projections for growth and profitability. As a Business Development
Manager you will be required to provide support to upper management in negotiating
deals, contract development and other business development or alliance development
projects.
As a Business Development Manager you will be presenting the vision of the company to
key business leaders at meetings and conferences. Superior communication skills will be
vital when representing your company. A Business Development Manager must be a
creative thinker who can respond rapidly to changing scenarios and recognise effective
counter measures to competitor programmes. Strong experience in marketing and sales
will be beneficial. Remember, the Business Development Manager (BDM) is also
responsible for generating new business.
According to Alok Bansal, Business Development Manager, Design Expo, “As a

Business Development Manager you have to be well informed about the market as well
as new developments in the industry. Knowledge of finance also helps. Before entering
into Business Development it helps if you have worked in project management or
operations for few years”.
As a Business Development Manager (BDM) you will meet with different kinds of
people from different cultures and backgrounds. It's important that you mix up with all
kinds of people. Also as a business development manager you need to be able to gauge
people - their strengths and attitudes. And if you can't listen patiently to a client, you can't
be a good BDM.
This field calls for an outgoing personality. If meeting people and getting to know them is
not your forte you are in a wrong place. You also need a good insight into human
behaviour and an entrepreneurial flair.
To become a Business Development Manager (BDM) you need to have done your
engineering or MBA. A Bachelor degree in Business can get you an entry-level job, but
to get a high profile job, you got to be an MBA.
As long as there are companies there will be opportunities for a Business

Development Manager (BDM).
You could find yourself a rewarding career in:
* Software companies
* Consulting companies
* Engineering companies
* Management consulting companies
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Salaries for Business Development Manager (BDM) depends on the sector you choose to
work in. For a starter in a software earnings may range from Rs 15000-40000. With 2-3
years of experience your salary can jump to Rs 25000-80000.
Your pay packet as a Business Development Manager will also depend on your
qualification. For instance, an engineering degree coupled with an MBA from a good
institute will increase your earning power in the field.
Business Development Managers have never been in higher demand than they are now.
As long as corporates feel the need to have someone to represent their company and bring
in more revenues, options will continue to flourish for those who make the grade.
Business Development Managers with higher levels of education will have an edge over
less educated competitors. Computer skills are beginning to play important roles. Basic
computer knowledge and experience is going to come handy when making those Power
Point presentations and planning client meetings. Laptops are now as common as
briefcases because they allow Business Development Manager's to interface with their
client's mainframes.
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Event Manager
Be it a birthday party or a marriage reception Event Managers are the master organizer-
the brain behind these events. Right from arranging yummy chole baturas to flying in
flowers straight from Amsterdam, Event Managers will be counted upon to handle the
works.
If you want to test your organising skills with bigger events like the next Miss India
contest, you have to consider a career in Event Management. Who knows as an event
manager you might just land the deal to hold a Britney Spears concert in India. Think
big!!! So get ready. It's showtime folks!
Event Management is an offshoot of the Advertising/PR Industry. Ever since the advent
of satellite television everyone is exposed to mega events being held all over the world
simultaneously. Award ceremonies too have become more polished. Car launches are
rivaling the derby in terms of glamour. So the demand for individuals specializing in
Event Management is on the rise.
As an Event Manager you'll conceptualize an event for your client in terms of theme,
content and visualization.As an Event Manager you'll also look at the minute details like
décor, furnishing, design, caption, visuals, feedback, scripting, invitation cards and also
the medium of presentation.
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Event Managers organise everything be it marriage reception, trade show, exhibitions,
conventions, road shows, product launches, public entertainment shows, concerts, high
profile parties, awards functions and even sporting events.
As an Event Manager your job starts at least 2-3 months ahead of the actual date of the
event. The amount of work will depend on the magnitude of the event. For instance if you
are getting in Britney Spears for a concert in India, you will have to get in touch with
Britney, coordinate her dates, book tickets, take care of her accommodation in India, get
the requisite legal permissions, select and book the venue, get the sponsors to pay up in
time, etc.
The real work happens on the D day when, as an event manager you will have to check
the sound, lights, set design, security and the works. Mainly event manager's job would
be to work out the actual logistics and co-ordinate between the various parties, generate
hype and spread the word around.
Don't take the word hype lightly here. It's the single-most important factor in this
business. Event industry thrives on hype - the more the better. As a event manager, you
basically get anyone and everyone (even those who are not remotely connected to the
event) to talk about the event.
Troubleshooting is another important function of an Event Manager, As an event

manager you never know when things might go wrong. Here, security is the buzzword. A
really good event can be marred by poor security. If you are arranging an event for New
Years Eve, troublemakers will have to be taken care of. Gatecrashers will spoil a
perfectly arranged marriage party. As an event manager you have to take these things into
account when you arrange a big event.
Last but not the least, As an event manager you have to make sure that all the requisite
permissions have been sought. You'll often have to deal with spoilsports like cops.
Basically, an event manager's job is to see that all things are taken care of.
As an Event Manager you need to be good at organising - very good in fact. Experience
in event management field even, if it is in organising the local Ganpati pandal or a
friend's bachelor party will hold you in good stead. As an Event Manager you need to
have good interpersonal and communications skill, as you will be in contact with all sorts
of people right from a stage decorator to the CEO of a company.
Loads of confidence and enthusiasm are also important if you wish to sustain yourself
in Event Management industry. Usually individuals with a postgraduate degree in Mass
Communications/ Advertising/ PR/ Business Management are preferred for the position
of an event manager. Some institutes also have diploma courses in Event Management.
Although accounting is not a pre-requisite in event management, students aspiring to be

event managers should have a sense of it in order to negotiate better with suppliers.
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There are numerous firms that specialise in Event Management. Besides these, most
advertising and PR agencies too have separate Event Management arms.
Many dotcoms too have their own Event Management arms, specifically tailored to suit
their needs. If you manage to make good contacts, you can even work as an event
manager on your own or freelance for major agencies.
As a event management trainee you'll get Rs 6,000-8,000. With a little bit of experience
in event management you could get as much as Rs 40,000-50,000 thousand per event. Of
course, an event might take two to three months from the planning to the actual
execution.
Once settled you can command your price. As an Event Manager you can earn more than
2 lakhs an event. And if you could manage to bring N-Sync down to India, well, then
that'll mean having a very fat piggy bank.
Miss world, Miss universe, Miss Asia pacific, Miss India, Miss Chinchpolkli… Isn't it
obvious? There are way too many events being held these days it's increasingly becoming
difficult to distinguish one from the other.
As an event manager, if you come up with something out of the way and interesting then
you could blow your bugle. Conversely if your show flops, then be ready for instant
brickbats. As an Event Manager you could even diversify into set designing, lighting or
music coordination.
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Export Manager
Are you interested in international trade? Want to have a say in what leaves the
country and when? How about a career in exports? Let's tell you more about this
lucrative field.
Export is one of the most profitable business activities in the world today. In India export
trade has gained a significant place in the economy. The government gives various
incentives to exporters who earn valuable foreign exchange for the country by importing
modern technology, fuel and other essential inputs.
Export managers deal in all kinds of goods and commodities like garments, leather
accessories and garments, textile, handicrafts, pharmaceuticals, handicrafts, bulk drugs
and chemicals, rice, wheat, edible oil, engineering goods, etc.
Their tasks include:
* Research and tracking of needs for products, which could be exported from the home
country to foreign countries
 Identification of markets (country/region) for export of goods and commodities
 Merchandising and marketing of goods in foreign markets
 Identification of buyers in foreign markets
 Dealing and negotiating with foreign buyers
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 Executing trade contracts with foreign buyers
 Procurement/production of goods and commodities
 Planning of the logistics of delivery of goods and commodities to foreign markets
 Dealing and negotiating with various parties involved in foreign trade like C & F
agents, freight forwarding and customs clearing agents, shipping agents, multi-
model transport agents, excise and customs authorities and port authorities
 Fulfilling the documentation necessary for export of goods and commodities
 Monitoring trade contracts and expediting payments for goods and commodities
that are exported to foreign countries
Other functions in the organisation like finance, production, human resources

development, and systems are generally taken care of professionals trained and
experienced in these areas.
Export managers are needed mainly for two broad specific functions: Marketing and
Export documentation and procedures.
International marketing is different from domestic marketing as the factors are vastly
diverse. The markets are largely governed by factors unknown in domestic markets. The
culture, socio-economic situation and consumer lifestyles are different. That is why an
international marketing manager has to have a different training than that of a domestic
marketing manager.
Export documentation and procedures are again very complicated and has to be followed
under Indian Law and International Law. As the name suggests this area of export deals
with vast documentation and a strict procedure has to be followed before goods are
allowed to be exported out of the country and allowed into foreign countries. So, these
activities call for specially trained people.
The export trade also has scope for the following professionals:
Custom Agents - They act as mediators between exporters and custom services. They
file appropriate documents and act as intermediaries with government departments.
Exim Consultants/Agents - They are consultants working for clients. Their tasks include
coordinating between import-export firms and foreign and domestic buyers and sellers,
planning the delivery of goods, evaluation of taxes in relation to import and export,
completing custom formalities and acting as trade representatives of importer/exporter
while the freight handling is done.
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They also identify market for export of goods, identify buyers in foreign country, act as
agents of foreign companies and identify importer of goods in India. They help to make a
deal between buyers and sellers.
Freight Forwarding and Customs Clearing Agents - They plan and implement
logistics of international trade, handle procedural and documentation requirements, and
coordinate between the clients (who wants to import or export goods, in other words,
involved in international trade) and the various parties and agencies involved in the
process.
The best way to enter this line of international business is to go for a postgraduate
degree/diploma in Export Management/International Business/International Business
Administration from a recognised university or institute like Indian institute of Foreign
Trade (IIFT).
There are many diploma courses offered by privately run institutes. These diplomas are
helpful no doubt, but these are not enough to jumpstart your career. On the other hand if
you opt for these diploma courses after gaining 2-3 years of experience after graduation
you can expect to get a good break in the industry.
Many export firms take fresh commerce graduates in the Documentation Department.
This may not fetch a handsome salary but the experience can be very enriching. Many
export firms prefer MBAs or equivalent diploma holders in the marketing department.
Such persons can do well if they also obtain a diploma in export
management/documentation.
For entry into PG Diploma courses in International Business in reputed universities,

institutes like IIFT, a student should obtain at least 45-50 per cent in graduation
examination under 10+2+3 system (IIFT needs at least 50 per cent marks).
Candidates with managerial skills and aptitudes such as excellent communication skills,
leadership abilities, very strong analytical and logical skills, above average interpersonal
skills, creativity and innovativeness do very well.
The ability to analyse quickly, make purchase decisions and evaluate products before
shipment needs alertness at all times. Ability to work with a team and good command
over spoken and written language is a must. Working knowledge of a foreign language
will be an asset.
Export managers must be updated on international law, finance, production information

etc. General awareness of the international marketing scenario and awareness of socio-
cultural trends will be an added advantage.
You can get a job in:
 Companies involved in international trade/export
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 Export oriented Companies
 International business/trade/export department of companies across various
sectors of the industry.
 Shipping agencies, marine insurance companies
 Freight forwarding and customs clearing agencies
 Ministry of commerce, Govt. of India
 Firms involved in international marketing and research
 International trade development organisations (independent organisations as well
as those under govt. of various countries
 Export promotion councils of govt. of India
 Multi-model transport agencies
 *Faculty in institutions teaching international business/trade/export management
 International trade consultants
 Banks
 International cargo carriers (Shipping companies, airlines, cargo and courier
companies
 Export processing zones
As a management trainee you will get between Rs 15,000-25,000 or more a month. Plain
graduates start at Rs 8,000-10,000 a month. Junior managers make between Rs 20,000-
30,000 or more a month, while senior managers take home Rs 50,000 or month a month.
There are opportunities to set up ones own export firm also. After some initial hiccups, an
entrepreneur may earn crores, all tax tree! After 10-12 years experience in export
business, many turn consultants. Consultants also earn very handsomely, anything
between Rs 50,000-10 lakhs a month. Overall, this career is highly prospective and
opportunities will increase in the first part of next century.
Companies are now increasingly looking for greener pastures outside India to expand and
survive. This is the trend all over the world. With communication becoming
instantaneous via computers business is going global today.
This scenario has propelled the demand for professional managers trained in export and
international business. And right now availability of trained managers in international
business is not enough to meet the demand for them.
The field offers tremendous opportunities. Moreover the government is seriously

concerned with promotion of exports of goods and services from India. The aim is to
achieve an export growth rate of 30 per cent a year.
Constant effort is also being made by the financial agencies to provide finance and
identify new markets in the world. Export infrastructure is also very good in India.
The change in the economic scenario in our country has rendered foreign trade as a
lucrative profession. India has developed for herself an extensive export promotion
system and several promotion bodies and export related services have been set up.
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The country's exports have been rising substantially during the last few years. This has
been the thrust of our economic policies. With every scene pointing towards
improvement and development every day, foreign trade as a recognised profession has
come of age.
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Human Resources Development
Think about this. If you take away all of Wipro's staff where will that leave Azim
Premji, the richest Indian? Nowhere. If you still haven't figured out what I am driving
at, take another shot. The total value of any organisation is the strength of the people
working for it. Is your perception of a HR executive restricted to grilling prospective
employees and handing out salary cheques? Then read on.
Of course, the most important and immediate task of HRD is that of a matchmaker. No,
not the matrimonial kind but to match the right job with the best candidate. The
HRD nurtures the work force to make sure that the best staff never leaves the
organisation.
Human Resource is increasingly making an appearance in the balance sheets of

companies. In fact HR is now termed as human capital so much so that in finding the true
value of a company, the value of human capital is crucial.
In the past a personnel manager handled everything from recruiting, selecting, inducting,
training, compensating, maintaining and helping people retire in a company. But today a
need has been found to develop a fully functional HRD department that would cater to
better employer –employee relationship, strategies to increase employee productivity and
take care of various employee requirements.
Your Main Areas Of Work

 Not just recruiting anybody but actually headhunting for the best talent to work
for the company
 Motivating and guiding the right people to join the company
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 Cultivating a positive attitude among the selected employees
 Carving a career growth path for the employees
 Training and developing them to take on more and more responsibilities
 Deciding the right compensation/remuneration package so as to motivate the
employees to perform better
 Building a sound working environment and work culture
 Building an attractive performance appraisal system with incentives
 Developing appropriate strategies and policies for separating non-performing and
aged people (who are due to retire) from the company
Requirement:
A keen interest in meeting various types of people, communicating with them - basically
understanding human psychology
 Ability to take on high pressures
 Good communication skills and listening abilities
 High leadership abilities
 Willingness to take initiatives and an enterprising nature
 Good organising ability
 Extrovert nature
 Good foresight (ability to peek into the future)
 Hard working
That's as far as the personal qualities are concerned. Now let's see the academic route to a
career in HRD.
 Your best entry route into the career is through a MBA or an equivalent
PGDM/PGDBM with a specialisation in HRD.
 M.A in Personnel Management/MBA with specialisation in Personnel
Management or Personnel Management & Industrial Relations
 Post graduate diploma in HRD
 M.A in HRD
 Post graduate diploma in Personnel Management & Industrial Relations
 Master of Human Resources Development or any other related course
Upgrading your HR skills on a continuous basis with the happenings and trends in the
industry is required to sustain in this filed. This is a must as the interest and aspirations of
people change with the socio-economic situations.
Job Opportunities:
 Industries in both the public and private sector-in the companies run by the
government and private management
 Hotels, travel and tourism firms, financial services organisations and other service
sector organisations.
 HRD consulting organisations and recruiting consultants
 Management consultant organisations
 Non-governmental organisations (NGO)
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 University departments and management institutions as faculty members
 A degree from one of the top 10 business schools of India could be your ticket to
greater things in life. And we are talking of foreign posting with a salary of US$
5,000-7,000 a month.
 Starting salaries in consultancy firms may start from Rs. 8000/- and go upto Rs
10,00/- in corporates.
 Jobs in Information Technology, Telecommunication, Retail Banking, etc., are the

highest paid.
 entry level jobs pay Rs 10,000-30,000 a month or even more. With 4-5 years of
experience it could rise to Rs 20,000-50,000 or more a month.
 At the top level, a HR professional earns the same as a Marketing professional: Rs

9,00,000-20,00,000 p.a or more. You can be employed as the CEO of a company
at Rs 50,00,000 p.a.
Career Prospects:
With the growth in Information Technology, BPO‟s, Healthcare, Financial Service,
Telecommunication, etc., the demand for HRD professionals is increasing by the hour.
If the number of Indian management institutions offering specialisation in the field of
HR is any indication, the trend is fast catching on here.
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Management Consultant
You are the kind who likes to tell others how to run their life. You believe that you know
better than others do. You like the thrill of setting up a new business. You, my friend, are
a Management Consultant.
Business is a complex matter these days and more often than not you need someone to
figure out what is best for your business. It could be an international company looking at
India or an Indian company looking internationally. Their requirement could be as basic
as identifying an office in a new area. Or it could be as complex as identifying a business
partner, or looking up industrial or trade investments.
This is where you step in. Management consulting is a dynamic profession. As a

consultant you could provide your expertise in any one or all of the following areas:
Strategy consulting involves advising on corporate-level or business-unit strategies.

What business should we be in? How do we compete? Should we diversify or focus on
core activities? How do we fight (and win) against our competitors? The work is very
conceptual and considered glamorous.
Operations Management consulting is figuring out how to improve the efficiency or

productivity. Some even call it reengineering. Whatever the name, there is always a need
for practical, results-oriented and detailed consulting.
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Human Resource consulting includes attracting, motivating and retaining high quality
employees for a company along with advice on compensation and benefits.
Information Technology consulting is a new entrant. Today it is indeed hard to think of

a business problem, which doesn't involve technology. A good part of systems consulting
includes helping clients install or operate massive software solutions.
You will research data and make sense of it all. You will identify the markets and
competitors; prepare risk studies as well as feasibility reports. You will identify
financiers, arrange and negotiate loans and working capital, as well as workout joint
ventures.
Thus, you will handle projects right from conceptualisation to implementation. For large-
scale organisations you will assist them in getting the ISO certifications and corporate
take-overs.
Requirement:
The basic qualification is usually an MBA. In areas like IT consultancy, technical

qualifications such as an MCA or a B.E in computers is preferred. Some sort of
management background, however, is still necessary. A Ph.D or a Fellowship in
Management is also a good qualification for getting a job.
One of the important qualities that you need to have is the ability to innovate. You should
be capable of supplying a continuous stream of new ideas to your clients. Management
consulting is an idea-driven profession. You must therefore have the ability to bring fresh
ideas to the table.
Consultants need to excel in relationships with their clients, which must be face-to-face.
Communication skills therefore become vital. You also must have the ability to merge
inconspicuously with the client team and be able to quickly cultivate working
relationships with them. Time management skills would help you meet tight deadlines.
Job Opportunities:
If you are really good, you could straight away land yourself a job with big guns like
KPMG, Price water house Coopers, Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche etc and be a
part of their army of consultants.
Alternatively, you could work in small and medium firms where you get more
opportunities to handle entire projects.
If you like to be your own boss, you could even start off on your own. Your portfolio and
contacts however remain central to your career growth.
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Your clients will be charged on the basis of the type of service required, size of the
assignment and the volume of the efforts put in the assignment.
As a junior consultant, your pay packet would be in the range of Rs 2-4 lakh p.a. If you
are from a premier management institute, you may start at Rs 18-24 lakh or even more.
As a senior consultant, your salary will also include the commissions on the projects you
work on. Top consultants charge as much as 35 - 40 per cent of the entire cost of the
project as fees.
Career Prospects:
Companies of all sorts and sizes are looking for ways to improve quality while reducing
expenditure. Value for money is the watchword, for companies and customers alike. Thus
there is a great demand for management consultants in financial and organisational
restructuring of firms. This could be in the form of downsizing, restructuring,
acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic alliances, etc.
Increasingly, consulting firms are being asked to carry out activities that companies no
longer have the in-house staff to perform. These include market research, human resource
planning, sales and strategic planning. Also government and government agencies will
also be looking at consultants to help them with e-governance.
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Market Research Executive
Deciding to set up manufacturing facilities in India, or expanding operations

through a new facility in some other potential region of the country? Where should
you go? Which state? What do different states offer in terms of infrastructure
facilities? What are the incentives available? What about the
communications? Somebody has to find all that out. Who do you think does all that?
A Market Research Executive of course!
Business is not run on the basis of gut instincts (at least not genuine ones!).You need to
base your decision on hard facts. This is the basis of market research. Your job as a
market research executive will thus includes sourcing information, analysing it and
presenting it as per the client's requirements. The best part of the job, however, is that
everyday you start off afresh, facing new problems, new challenges, new products, new
brands, and new markets.
For instance, a leading manufacturer of automobiles wants to forecast demand for

passenger cars in a specific price range over a particular period of time. For this as a
market research executive you will be responsible for generating data, which will help
decide the policies of the company. Maybe a crockery manufacturer is planning to set up
a factory. As a market research executive you will find out the price that is most
comfortable for the consumer. Thus your findings will decide the feasibility of the
project.
Then there might be seemingly inconsequential things like determining reader profiles of
publications and even finding out if a particular brand of chocolate tastes well or not. But
mind you, these small bits of information pack a mighty punch in the overall decision
regarding a product.
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You will start off in this industry as a Research Executive, wherein you will be doing a
lot of legwork. You will be co-ordinating with clients, the data collection department and
the data processing department. You will design questionnaires, analyse plans, interpret
data tables and submit your findings.
As you grow, in around a couple of year‟s time, as a market research executive you will
head a mini group of two or three researchers and your responsibilities will be more. You
will also be required to bring in business.
In around five to six years, your team would have grown to around six to eight
researchers and you may have 2-3 Project Directors reporting to you. Your
responsibilities at this stage would include business generation, ensuring high levels of
client satisfaction, training and guiding young researchers working under you.
As a Senior Vice President and Executive Director, one heads a team of 20-25
researchers. The job involves office administration, revenue generation, maintaining high
levels of client satisfaction, identifying new avenues of business growth, as well as
training and motivating people.
This job is not a cakewalk. All projects are deadline based. So say good-bye to weekends
and sometimes even Sundays and other holidays. Now quite a few of you may feel that it
is a boring job and there is not much potential for growth. Nothing can be farther from
the truth.
As a Market Research Executive your requirements would be:
"The kind of people who succeed in this business are those who are the curious kind,
wanting to know why something is happening the way it is and not taking the obvious as
the answer." says Nikhil Rawal, Executive Director - IMRB, one of the top market
research companies in India.
An MMS/MBA/PGDBM or Masters in Statistics, Economics or Sociology from a

reputed university/institute is a good starting point.
Other attributes include:

• A focussed approach
• Interest in a variety of subjects
• A curious, inquisitive mind
• An eye for detail
• Good written and verbal communication skills
Job Opportunities:
The biggest employer remains Market Research agencies. Here you will have the chance
to work on research projects on a variety of industries.
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Large FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) companies like Hindustan Lever and other
companies in the consumer and industrial sectors also employ executives for market
research in their marketing departments.
Many opportunities also exist in industries like automotive companies and even service
sectors like banking, etc. As a Market research executive, you can even get a job with
advertising agencies. Here your research will help determine target audiences and their
likes and dislikes. This comes in handy when creating advertisements.
A fresh recruit earns Rs 2,40,000 per annum. Perks like a house and car come in after
about 5-7 years depending on the performance of the individual.
Mind you, if you are taking up MR as a career just for the money then forget about it!
Financial growth remains higher in other fields and chances are that you might get
frustrated.
Career Prospects:
Due to its very basic nature, the industry is here to stay. Specifically industries like the
food-processing industry have been a boon for the Market Research industry. Commodity
items like rice, flour and pulses have changed to being 'branded' as all the major world
players have aggressively targeted India. Profiling the urban consumer therefore has
becoming very important.
India is a tough market research proposition with its immense population and so
experience in India is well appreciated internationally. You could even be a team leader
on foreign projects.
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Retail Manager
As a Retail Manager, you will plan and co-ordinate the operations of retail outlets
be it small franchisees like specialty shops, fast food chains, or sections of
supermarkets or department stores.
Indian shopping has witnessed a sea change in the last decade. Novelty stores and local
garment shops have given way to swanking new malls that promise everything under one
roof.
Though the customer has always been the king, he/she has never been so pampered. If
you are lifestyle conscious and want to help people make the right choices then Retail
Management is for you.
Most stores rely on a pleasant environment to capture the customer's attention. If you
enjoy a varied, lively environment with heavy focus on people contact and real 'hands on'
management then this is a career worth considering.
Your tasks as a Retail Manager would include:

 Supervising the conduct and work of staff
 Ensuring that the staff is taught correct sales procedures and have good knowledge of
the products they sell
 Maintaining a high level of customer service by ensuring that service standards are
high and that complaints from customers are quickly resolved
 Determining the layout of merchandise so that it is presented as attractively as
possible
 Monitoring the stock levels, placing orders and managing the supply chains
 Keeping and analysing records of sales figures and financial transactions
 Implementing and overseeing security procedures
 Ensuring that the outlet achieves its sales target
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Retail Managers often work long hours under pressure and even on weekends. As an
executive/trainee, you will work in different areas of a store, obtaining practical
experience of each department and gaining selling, marketing and managerial skills.
Stores open early and finish late. As a Retail Manager you will be working even on
Sundays and bank holidays. Mind you this is no desk job. You are likely to be on your
feet for most of the day.
Sales or Department Managers aim at generating and maximising sales. The bottom line
is strong customer service within efficient store performance and an eye on the trends and
implications for the overall business.
At the senior level as a Retail Manager you will have many more challenges like:
 Store systems, stock management, deliveries, and overall supply chain management
 Staff management, training and team motivation
 Looking at ways to cut costs, increase sales, maintain quality, trading analysis and
planning
 Sales promotion and the effective use of floor space and layout
 Enhancing customer service and care
 Health and safety issues
Requirement of a Retail Manager:

This is not a career for the contemplative - it requires doers and quick thinkers. As a
retail manager, you are expected to take the initiative and deliver.
Customer service is paramount in this field and you should be able to put your business
skills to practical and visible application. It is the self-motivated individuals who can
infuse enthusiasm into others who end up being team leaders.
Other qualities of a Retail Manager include:

• Good communication, organisational and leadership skills
• Enjoy working with people
• Ablity to work accurately and neatly
• Good numerical skills
Product knowledge or interests in market areas like fashion, computer games, etc helps.
And if you have the right aptitude and a personality to match, your academic background
really doesn't matter.
Graduates are taken in at entry level while MBAs join in at the supervisory level. Check
out opportunities for summer jobs. The experience gained in any store will come in
handy.
As a Retail Manager you may find jobs in:
Opportunities are aplenty in this field. Departmental stores, designer boutiques, fast food
chains, super markets, company stores, music stores, electronics showrooms, automobile
dealers all employ Retail Managers.
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In franchisee driven corporations such as Hallmark - the world famous manufacturer of
cards, as a retail manager, you will be responsible for looking after numerous small
franchisees in an area.
Promotions can come rapidly. As a retail manager, you could move on be in charge of a
particular section. You could even move laterally into roles such as merchandising, sales
& marketing or even into customer service.
Expected Salary of a Retail Manager:
Starting salaries are in the range of Rs 1.2 –1.5 lakhs p.a. In a couple of years, you will be
earning around Rs 2.5 – 3 lakhs p.a. Senior Managers make between Rs 4 –6 lakhs p.a.
The more you sell the more you earn. One of the best parts of this job is that your work as
a reatil manager is out there for everyone to see. Your skills and experience therefore
matter more than your qualifications while deciding promotions. MBAs from premier
business schools start at Rs 6 lakh p.a Other MBAs are paid in the range of Rs 3-4 lakh
p.a.
Career Prospects for a Retail Manager:

The industry is booming with the entry of big industrial corporations into the retailing
sector. The entry of multinationals has also brought standards of customer service never
before experienced in India. Most departmental stores now days have in-house training
and even sponsor courses.
You will also have the opportunity to travel and work in different stores of the parent
company. The companies that are in the field for about 5 years or more are also going for
massive expansion drives.
Like the Domino's Pizza chain is expanding and increasing its base to newer areas.
Shopper‟s Stop is expanding in cities like Calcutta, Delhi, Uttaranchal and others. RPG
group's Music World and Food World are also expanding fast in various cities. Summing
up, it's boom time for the retailers and so for the Retail Managers.
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Sales & Marketing Manager
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Sales and Marketing is the backbone of any
organisation. Marketing is however a broader term, which encompasses sales,
advertising, distribution, exports, market research, etc. Whereas sales per se, involves
selling a ready product or service in the market. Marketing is customer oriented
whereas sales are product oriented. Marketing of a product begins much before the
launch.
The main function of the marketing and sales personnel is to find what the customers
want (or can be made to want) and at what price; to relate the demand to the company's
ability to produce it and to deliver it to the point of sale and achieve a profit. As a sales or
marketing person, you will bring products and consumers together.
As a Sales Manager your main objective is to motivate your staff to sell your company's
products. A motivated staff can get you the best results. One way to do this is to fix
realistic sales targets for your staff and decide on the incentives on the completion of the
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target. Training is another way of ensuring that the sales team is in the know of the latest
in the field.
A sales job is physically strenuous. Even at the managerial level you will have to identify
and contact distributors and retailers to stock your product. Good communication skills
will prove beneficial when you have to convince these people to stock your product and
even motivate them to push your product over the competitor's.
Of course, just talking won't do. As a sales and marketing manager, you also have to
reward the shopkeeper with incentives and promotional materials. At all times you have
to maintain uninterrupted contact with your stockists, vendors, or distributors.
It will be your job to book the goods and ensure correct deliveries. The job also involves
merchandising, which primarily means helping retailers to maximise sales through
promotion campaigns, displays or through other new techniques.
In the filed of sales you can specialise in consumer goods sales, technical or industrial
sales or export sales. If you choose consumer goods sales you will mainly deal with
retailers, distributors and wholesale dealers of the company's products. Industrial sales
involve a lot of interaction with technical people. It is much more than just selling ready-
made products. Sometimes you even have to design a product according to the
specifications of the client.
If you love travelling (who doesn't) you would love your job as an Export Sales Manager.
Here you can indulge in your quest to see the world (that too at the office expense).
Requirement:
If you want your entry into the field of Sales and Marketing to have some impact you got
to have an MBA, with specialisation in Marketing and Sales Management. Graduation
with Economics or Commerce with an additional short-term or part-time course in
marketing could be your next choice.
Sales can be a good entry point for marketing; and from marketing you could move on to
a career in general management.
Half your anxieties of a good career in Sales and Marketing will vanish if you gain an
entry to The Indian Institutes of Management (IIM), an autonomous institution set up by
the government, which is rated as premier business school.
There are also industrial and commercial organisations that conduct one-year diploma
programmes for training individuals for junior managerial positions. Alternatively, you
can pursue correspondence or distance education in management or take up short-term
certificate courses in Sales and Marketing.
On the personal front you need to be have a keen business sense. Good vocabulary comes
next. Confidence, intuition to sense prospective clients, outgoing personality and
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adaptability to different conditions are some other attributes needed to make it big in this
profession.
Sales & Marketing Manager
There are numerous openings for you in the marketing and sales departments of any
industry, public or private sector unit, multi-national company or an export firm. If you
are looking at Sales as a stepping stone towards a career in marketing, then your best bet
is to start at a smaller firm. Career mobility is fastest here.
Sales and Marketing professionals can find jobs in almost all industries. A few of
them are listed here:
• Pharmaceutical Companies
• Publishing industry
• Freight forwarders
• Consulting firms
• Government institutions
Sales and Marketing is one of the highest paid jobs in any organisation. The salaries in
this field actually depend on the size of the company you work for and your educational
qualifications.
As a trainee with just a graduation in any field you can take home Rs 10,000-12,000. Of
course there are performance-based incentives to earn.
Add an MBA degree to that and you could be the owner of a cool Rs 15,000-25,000 a
month. If you stick around for 4-5 years it could rise to Rs 40,000 or more.
Career Prospects:
Sales and Marketing is one of the highest paid jobs in any organisation. The salaries in
this field actually depend on the size of the company you work for and your educational
qualifications.
As a trainee with just a graduation in any field you can take home Rs 10,000-12,000. Of
course there are performance-based incentives to earn.
Add an MBA degree to that and you could be the owner of a cool Rs 15,000-25,000 a
month. If you stick around for 4-5 years it could rise to Rs 40,000 or more.
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Media
And
Communications
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Cinematographer
Ever wondered what makes Aishwarya Rai look so beautiful on the screen? No it is not
some special soap. It is the film camera that captures the various moods and feelings. The
video camera is a versatile equipment and if you can master it you can make magic.
These magicians of the moving camera are called cinematographers.
In the autumn of 1894, the Lumiere Brothers invented the Cinematographic Process and
made the first movie of sorts using their 'Lumière Cinematograph.' Over a hundred years
later we still use their main idea to capture moving images.
A Cinematographer is the person who has expertise in the art of capturing images
either electronically or on film through the use of visual recording devices. You will be
responsible for the camera. You will zoom in or zoom out, mount the camera on a
crane on a helicopter depending on the scene. You will compose how a certain frame is
to be shot.
As a Cinematographer you will also be responsible for the way an actor or an actress
looks on screen. You will decide the angles that make them look their best. This does not
mean that you are just restricted to the camera. Cinematographers set the tone of a movie.
Lighting plays an important part. You will select and arrange the lights. Shading creates
the sense of space and defines its depth and volume. Hard lighting produces clear
shadows while soft lighting and its direction creates the mood.
Warm or cool colors will affect our emotions, while the setting will affect our acceptance
of the plot. The originality of the camera techniques used by the cinematographers ties
every element together and directly affects the feel of the movie.
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You need to have:
• An interest in photography including composition, lighting, movement and fine

arts like music, painting, and even sculpture
• Strong visual sense
• Good hand-eye coordination
• Ability to work with tools
One of the most important quality for a cinematographer is the ability to visualise the
whole story. Often an entire movie is shot over a long period of time in short snippets and
at the end of the project the whole movie has to blend in. You will be the one who has all
this in your head at all times.
For this, as a Cinematographer you need to be seeing, analyzing and discussing films,
reading books on film craft, and observing film and video productions. Attending
professional exhibitions, seminars and workshops also helps.
There are not many institutes that teach you cinematography. The Film and Television
Institute of India (FTII) has a three-year diploma course in Film Direction, Motion
Picture Photography and Audiography.
You will learn techniques of shooting by candlelight, morphing, shooting in confined

spaces, stretching daylight, using practical light, etc. Besides this you will learn about
international cinema and get a bigger picture of filmmaking.
Alternatively you can start as an assistant to an established cameraman. You can get to
learn a lot of the practical aspects of cinematography. But there are strong chances that
you might end up being just a good assistant!
Job Opportunities:
Initially you will have to approach cinematographers and directors to show them your
work. You must grab any opportunity for hands on experience be it a documentary or a
music video.
Cinematographers are employed with production houses that make movies and television
serials. As a Cinematographer, you can also approach Films Division for grants to
produce documentaries and short films. You can also freelance for advertising
commercials and music videos.
But it will be a long winding road before you reach top. As a Cinematographer, you will
most certainly start off as an assistant unless your dad's making a movie! You will have
to move through the ranks to become a cinematographer and then the ultimate goal -
director of photography - the movie's chief Cinematographer.
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Later on you can move on to editing and directing on your own.
Money & Other Benefit of a Cinematographer:
Initially there is none! You will be lucky if you manage a humble existence. But with
experience, you will get opportunities and with it money. As an assistant, you will make
anywhere from Rs 5,000 - 8,000 a month.
As your reputation grows, so will your paycheque. If you prove yourself you will be
sought after by film stars. If you make them look good, they insist on you being behind
the camera. You can then call the shots. Adding a few Filmfare awards to your list of
achievements will help too. You could then easily command as six-figure salary per
project.
Career Prospects of a Cinematographer:
Indian satellite television has proved to be a big boon to cinematographers. With a wide
variety of content required for innumerable channels from mega serials and cook shows
to short films and documentaries, cinematographers haven't had it so good before.
Hollywood too is taking note of Indian talent in this field and it is just a matter of time
before cinematography too becomes an export item to the west. You can also jump into
direction be it ad films, music videos and movies.
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Electronic Journalism
Today when the world is shrinking all thanks to modern means of communication,
speed is everything. It’s not the age when you wait for the latest news through your
morning newspapers. Instead it is available to you through the electronic medium of
television, radio and Internet.
Journalism is concerned with collection and dissemination of news through the print as
well as the electronic media. Print Journalism includes newspapers, magazines and
journals where as Electronic journalism includes working for Radio, Television and the
Web.
Journalists play a major role in the development of nation. It is through them that we get
information about daily happenings in the society. The purpose of journalism itself is to
inform and interpret, educate and enlighten the people. In today‟s time, simple reporting
of events is no more sufficient, and requires more specialization and professionalism.
Journalists specialize in diverse areas, such as politics, finance and economics,
investigation, culture and sports for newspapers and periodicals.
In electronic journalism one can be a reporter, writer, editor, researcher, correspondent
and anchor.
Requirement:
To become a journalist one should have an inquisitive mind, will power, and an aptitude
for presenting information in an accurate, concise and effective manner. As Electronic
journalists they should be able to organize their thoughts and express themselves clearly
both orally and in writing. A journalist has to be tactful, confident and organized while
interviewing people from all walks of life. As Electronic journalists they must have the
ability to sift relevant facts from the irrelevant. The ability to accept criticism and
willingness to do considerable rewriting are also necessary.
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Bachelor's degree or post-graduate degree in journalism/mass communication is required
to pursue a career in this field. Additional course work, specialized training or
experience, fieldwork or internship increases one's opportunities in the field. There are a
number of universities and institutes offering training in journalism.
Job Opportunities:
With the entry of many news channels, radio stations and news portals, the opportunity in
the Electronic Media for As Electronic journalists are endless. It offers a whole gamut of
job opportunities as Researchers, Camera Personnel, Production Personnel, Floor
Managers, Sound Technicians/ Engineers, Presenters, Transmission Executives, Editors,
Reporters, etc.

The Electronic Media definitely pays better than the print media. With wide ranges of
jobs available in television, radio and web, the choices for the journalists are plenty.
The remuneration in this sector depends on the field of specialization, medium and the
company one is working for. One can even freelance articles and earn Rs 1.50 – Rs 2 per
word.
Career Prospects:
With an increasing awareness among the masses and due to intense competition in the
media industry with the entry of many companies and multiple mediums, the work of a
journalist has become more challenging than it had been earlier.
But this has also lead to an increase of job opportunities, scope for more specializations
and good remuneration. Today TV channels like Star TV, Doordarshan and Websites like
Rediff.com, Yahoo.com are on the look out for people with that creative streak
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Film Editor
Film editing is an interesting career option for those who feel they can make a movie
scene look better, sharper and shorter even though it has not been shot well. If you love
movies and wish to be a part of them this profile on film editing will be of special
interest to you.
The main job of a film editor is to assemble the footage of a film into a seamless end
product. You will manipulate the plot, score, sound and graphics to make the parts into a
continuous and enjoyable whole. A film editor plays a crucial role in making or marring a
film.
In most cases the film editor is chosen much before the cast. Your job begins from the
moment the film has been completely shot and lands at the editing studio. As an editor
you will cut the footage so as to give the entire film a smooth flow and trim the unwanted
parts, which add to the duration of the movie.
As a film editor, you will also mix the music. This edited version is then handed over to
the dubbing studios with the rough sound.
If you have a good rapport with the director you can work simultaneously with him/her as
the movie is being shot. You will work on the footage as and when you get it - in bits and
pieces.
Many editors stay removed from the project during the film itself so as not to steer the
director away from his concept of the film. Your job as an editor may stretch from a few
days to months, depending on the length of the movie and the number of people involved
in the job.
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Generally as an assistant you will get to cut the chunk of the footage. Your boss – the
editor will only give his final touch and cut the important scenes in the film. In short, he
polishes the rough edges and makes the film watchable.
In this field the hours are long. Film editors spend a long time perfecting and honing their
craft, just as directors do. They work with computers, Kems and Steenbecks, Movieola
Flatbeds and Revis Splicers for sound.
Beginners work on four- or six-plate Steenbecks as they learn their craft.
Requirements of a Film Editor:
• To be a successful film editor you must be able to visualize a story effectively, be

technically savvy and be able to co-ordinate with directors and studio executives.
• Film editors work closely with sound editors and musical directors, as anything an
editor does affects these two aspects of a film.
• Interpersonal skills and endurance are keys to success in the career.
• There is no substitute for experience and hands-on opportunities.
• Working with production houses in any capacity is a way of acquiring that
experience.
• Keep a track of all your production experience by starting and regularly updating a
resume, which can be presented to prospective employers in order to gain more work
opportunities and experience.
Film editing is one such field where your experience and expertise counts over and
above your educational qualification.
Of course formal training in editing will broaden your perspective but it‟s not
mandatory. If you manage to stick to a reputed film editor with contacts in the industry it
will be your best training ground. If you still wish to learn the ropes through a
professional institute you can want to join FTII, Pune.
Apart from enrolling with a top-rated film/video school seeing, analyzing and discussing
films, reading books on filmcraft, observing film and video productions, visiting
equipment rental houses and befriending camera assistants and attending professional
exhibitions, seminars and workshops are all means of learning by living the craft.
For the post graduate course, the eligibility is a degree in any discipline. For a diploma
course, the eligibility is a pass in HSC. Film Editing is also included in the graduate and
postgraduate courses of Mass Communication, the eligibility for which is plus two and
graduation respectively (in any subject stream).
As a Film Editor you could work in:

The initial entry into this field is indeed tough. You might have to make innumerable
trips from one studio to another. The best way to begin in this field is to start work as a
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technical or production assistant, watching directors in action, seeing how film editors
work within the director‟s vision, then learning the appropriate skills.
You can also learn the ropes by working as an assistant to an experienced film editor who
has existing relationships with directors. While this is a popular route, you need to know
that it might become difficult for you to disentangle yourself from an established and in-
demand film editor.
Don‟t expect to be doing a lot of independent editing right at the beginning. You will
have to play the „wait and watch‟ game. That‟s not all. You would also be required to
carry cans from one place to another and do all the odd jobs. If you sustain this period
then you are really cut out to be an editor or an asst. editor.
It might take you some years to rise high and become a film editor. Patience and hard
work pays. Those who really want to become independent, self-supporting film editors
take note: Four to ten years of on-the-job training before making enough connections,
building up a significant body of work, and being able to start your own editing service is
more than common. It‟s the only way.
Film editors can also switch over to direction and sound editing. But more often it is the
other way around. Those who leave film editing can enter animation companies, where
editing is not an issue (because footage is created with the final script in mind and no
excess footage or outtakes exist) but creative direction and editing the script with an
understanding of how these pieces will seam together-is.
You can also work with music channels like Channel V and MTV and production houses.
Expected earnings of a Film Editor:
The money in this field can be described in two words – very good. If you find work as
an assistant to a well-known editor doing big budget films you will mint around Rs
30,000 – 40,000 from a single movie.
Now multiply that with three. Why? Well, what if you are assisting the same director on
three projects? That comes to around Rs 12,00,00 a month.
Now, don‟t forget the fact that you are just an assistant. Which means that you can
definitely earn more when you become an editor. An editor earns almost 6 times the
amount that his assistant makes. That means as an editor you could be raking in as much
as Rs 500000 a movie!
Career Prospects of a Film Editor:

The recent satellite and television boom has opened up a truly vast array of lucrative and
varied career opportunities for any one interested. Just look at the number of music video
being made these days.
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And of course there are advertisements, promos and not to forget full-length movies.
These need film editors to trim the rough footage.
So the prospects in this field can be goldmine if you have the patience to stick around. It
may be months or even years before you get the first break. But hold on to your dreams.
If you plan to be a succesful film editor, you only need that one hit to establish yourself
in this field. Then the big banners will come knocking on your doors.
The industry is moving towards “non-linear” film editing technology such as digital
processing. While editing jobs can be found throughout the country, most career
opportunities for editors exist in the studios of Bollywood.
Most film editor‟s dream of becoming a director some day. When editors become
directors they have an added advantage, that of cutting their own film.
So when editors turn directors they become pretty successful, as the film doesn't lose the
essence since it's cut and directed by the same person.
That's precisely the reason why editor turned directors like David Dhawan and A. Muthu
are where they are - up there. Editors will continue to enjoy strong demand for qualified
professionals who produce quality service.
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Journalist
Do you want to make a living by snooping officials? Are you inquisitive by nature? Do
you have a way with words? If you have answered all the questions in the affirmative,
then you possibly have strong journalistic skills. So what's stopping you from claiming
the next Pulitzer?
Journalism is all about communicating information through various media and involves
the collection and dissemination of news through articles, speech or visuals. Let's go
through the various categories in journalism:
Reporting: Reporting implies coverage of any kind of event to get a story. Wherever
possible, reporters research the background of a subject before beginning first-hand
investigation. Whatever the issue, reporters/journalists are expected to present a clear and
unbiased account of the facts they have gathered and particularly in controversial cases to
include points of view of those involved.
Reporters/journalists must compose stories quickly and meet tight deadlines. Accuracy,
brevity and speech are the most important factors. journalists do not have fixed timings
and travel frequently, often to remote areas or trouble spots to cover the action.
Correspondent/Specialist Reporting: Involves reporting either on a topic of

specialisation, or from a place other than the paper's headquarters.
Special correspondents often report on general news for the most part covering their area
of expertise only as the need arises. The aim of such journalist is to interpret and explain
news, and comment on the events, trends and causes behind it. Specialisation can range
from politics, foreign affairs, finance and law to sports, culture or health and
environment.
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Few correspondents concentrate only on specialist writing. Those who do, such as
syndicated columnist, usually contribute to several papers at the same time. The number
of specialists/correspondents/journalists working for a paper depends on its size,
circulation and resources.
News/Features Editing: This is for journalists with good organising skills. Editing is
primarily a desk job involving little or no reporting. News and features editors control
reporting staff, allocate assignments and attend editorial conferences.
Sub-editing: Sub-editors are required to re-write stories to fit the space assigned; spruce
up introductions and language, proof copy for spelling and punctuation; and sometimes
give the story a 'slant' or focus of interest. They write headlines and sometimes, in
consultation with the night or assistant editor, compose page layouts. Subbing is a desk
job that involves teamwork and is always done under tight time constraints. Sub-editors
in newspapers work in shifts and therefore are on duty at odd hours.
Feature Writing: Is more descriptive and detailed than news reporting and can cover
any topic of general interest. Experienced journalists or specialists usually write them.
Often, freelancers are commissioned to write features for regular or weekend papers.
Columns: Topics can be general, usually a look at something from the writer's personal
viewpoint or specialised, if the columnist is an expert on a particular subject. Sometimes,
writers from other papers are invited to contribute their articles on a regular basis and are
called 'guest columnists' Commentators are critics who review development in special
areas like politics, sports, consumer affair, music, art or literature. They are also usually
called columnists.
Leaders/Editorials: Are written by the editor, a special correspondent or experienced

journalists and are full-length expressions of editorial opinion on a topic of current
interest.
Cartoons/Graphics: Range from cartography, graphics and illustrations that enhance a

story to caricatures and cartoons that comment on public figures or events.
Requirements for a Journalist:

A flair for writing, ability to express ideas lucidly and concisely; open mindedness;
unbiased approach; curiosity wide ranging interests; sensibility to atmosphere; an instinct
for a story's newsworthiness; ability to sum up people; resourcefulness; resilience; ability
to sift relevant facts from irrelevant information; stamina; courage; willingness to work
hard at irregular hours and on holidays; dedication; staying power.
As for educational qualifications, it varies with the institutions. Generally a degree in any
discipline is the minimum qualification for entry. Getting into leading newspapers in
India will be easier if you have obtained a first class in graduation. You can also have a
Bachelor degree in Journalism.
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Alternatively, you can have a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism after your graduation
in any discipline.
Other degree/diploma, which may also lead to you a job:

• MA in a Literature (English or any other languages)/MA in
Economics/Commerce/other subject
• MA in Journalism
• MA in Mass Communication & Journalism
• Bachelor/ Master of Mass Communication & Journalism
• MA/ Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication
• MA/ Post Graduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism
• MA/ Post Graduate Diploma in Television Journalism
• MA/ Post Graduate Diploma in Electronic Journalism
• MBA/ Post Graduate Diploma in Management
Job Opportunities of a Journalist:
• Newspapers
• Magazines and periodicals
• News agencies/bureau
• National television and radio
• Private television channels and FM channels
• Regional press bureau of international papers/agencies/networks
• Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India
• Related government agencies like Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity,
Directorate of Field Publicity
• Press sections of public and private sector corporations
• Freelancer/stringer - advisable only after sufficient work experience
• Teaching at universities
Salary of a Journalist:
As against print journalism television is known to pay better. As a trainee in a newspaper

your pay ranges around Rs 5,000 - 8,000 per month, which is hiked to Rs 10,000-12,000
on confirmation. As a reporter/journalist in the beginning, you can expect to make
Rs.10,000 - Rs.15 000. Editors draw a salary of Rs. 15,000 - Rs. 20,000 with a couple
years of experience.
In the electronic media, as a journalist you can start out with Rs 8,000 as minimum pay.
If you are lucky, you can even start with Rs. 15,000 with an electronic media company.
However, salary scales aren't fixed in this field. And you can earn quite well after 4-5
years.
Senior sub-editors, for example earn Rs 15,000 - 20,000 per month. Some business
journalists with 5-6 years experience can rake up to Rs 25,000 -40,000 if working with a
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foreign media house/ Indian media barons. Senior Correspondents/Journalists of leading
media companies earn about Rs. 30,000 - 50,000 per month. You earn well...eventually.
As a lecturer at a good university you could start with a salary of 18,000 and work your
way upto to Rs. 30,000 per month.
Job Prospects of a Journalist:

The scope of journalism is wide and is increasing with greater diversification of the
media. The information explosion has brought home the urgency of being able to express
more diverse and complex ideas, news and viewpoints more quickly and concisely than
ever before. New publications appear on the stands each year.
Vernacular papers are currently in circulation and the number is growing, creating a
larger demand for writers/journalist with an ability to grasp situations and translate them
into words in the shortest possible time.
Due to the boom in the dot com companies, there is an increasing demand for editors and
freelancers.
Almost all major newspapers and news agencies in India have a presence on the Internet,
making it one of the easiest ways to get to know about the happenings in India. Hence
having knowledge of computer graphics and Internet related topics would be an added
advantage.
Channels like CNN, Discovery, NDTV, and newspapers like The Times of India, The
Economic Times are great organizations that any journalist would like to work in. If you
idolize Karan Thapar, Barkha Dutt, Pronnoy Roy or others like them and you feel the
desire to communicate what you believe is important to others, this probably is the best
career option for you.
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Public Relations Executive
Unlike what they say, building good PR (Public Relations) is not a bad thing at all. In
fact, if you practice the art of pleasing everyone from a chaiwalla to the chairman you
could make a good career out of it. Just look at the amount of money corporates are
wiling to pay for good PR. If you have always prided on your ability to name-drop, this is
your chance to cash on it. We have more dope on a career in Public Relations…
Apart from strong marketing efforts, companies these days need much more to make
people buy their products. You guessed it right. Companies need good or positive image,
what you call 'corporate image' to stay in the business. As a Public Relations Executive in
a company you'll work towards building up this corporate image in the minds of the
public. That's the summation of your job profile.
A good image translates into an increase in the sales turnover. However, good Public
Relations Executive is not just the domain of the multinationals. Even an NGO needs
good Public Relations Executive to raise capital for all its activities.
Your job as a Public Relations Executive will be very interesting and varied. Other than
building the corporate image of your company or organisation, you would also be
involved in publishing the in-house magazine or communiqué, developing corporate
brochures and other PR materials like slides, transparencies, video films, presentation,
etc.
Your job as a Public Relations Executive doesn't end there. You could also be called in to
give your inputs on designing and developing the brochures for promotional and
marketing purposes. In crisis situation you will be trusted upon to spruce up your
company image and handle the image damage.
As a Public Relations Executive you will also help the corporates in developing and
maintaining good relations with government agencies, legal and statutory bodies, press,
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media, suppliers, vendors, franchisee, shareholders and various other stakeholders of the
company.
Developing and maintaining a good relation with the media will be your main
preoccupation as a Public Relations Executive. Keeping the media abreast of any notable
incident and development in your company (launch of a product or service) will be
handled by you. You'll have a tough job avoiding any negative publicity that might arise
in the media.
Apart from corporate and other organisations as a Public Relations Executive you could
also be handling PR for high profile people like rich industrialists and filmstars. Why,
even the political parties these days need PR to develop and maintain a good image
among the masses.
Actually this trend is also a hand-over from the West where everyone right from the
presidents to the rock stars, film stars, musicians and child prodigies hire Public
Relations firms or independent Public Relations professionals (what they call Image
Consultants these days!). Even in India you aren't happening unless you are backed by a
cellphone trotting Public Relations Executive.
As a PR executive you could specialise in:

Corporate Communications
You'll be helping organisations manage their relations with stakeholders, investors,
general public, customers, government, employees, future employees and others.
Marketing Communications
You could be handling product launches, branding and positioning, media tours, sales
promotion, sponsorships, dealer/franchisee/distributor/supplier contact programmes, etc.
Corporate Identity
You'll be working on building the corporate name, logo, symbols, letter pads, envelopes,
websites, interior and exterior design of office, displays and exhibition stands, audio-
visual materials and other such things.
Investor Relations
Your focus will be developing and maintaining good investor relations for the company.
Employee Relations
Maintaining good relation with the employees of the organisation will be your domain as
a Public Relations Executive. This is important for the smooth and successful functioning
of the organisation.
Event Management
As a Public Relations Executive, you are concerned with conceptualising, developing,
implementing, and managing events for corporates and other clients. You'll handle
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product launches, treat delegates in a seminar, manage the Annual General Meeting and
so on.
Crisis Management
A company is often caught unaware of various legal implications and accidents like its
particular product causing harm to the environment, government banning manufacturing
in a plant, etc. In these cases as a Public Relations Executive, you have to manage the
crisis situations.
Celebrity Management
It is a growing area in Public Relations. You would help the rich and the famous in
managing their careers. The new entrants in this field will look up to you to give a boost
to their careers.
It's not easy to please all the people all the time. This is what you need to be a
succcesful Public Relations Executive:
• First and foremost you got to have charisma, which draws people to you. Then you
need to build up good and lasting relationship with them
• You must have excellent communication skills in English and any other regional
language. It helps if you know a foreign language. And you should be good in both
your writing as well as in verbal
• Good presence of mind
• Desire to take initiatives, as PR is all about being proactive
• Other than these, you got to have a creative mind, an enterprising and dynamic
personality
As for the educational qualifications, a postgraduate degree/diploma in public relations

only helps you marginally. A degree/diploma in Mass communication may also help. PR
firms also recruit MBAs.
The most important quality of a Public Relations Executive is their ability to strike the
right rapport with whosoever it matters. You got to have good contacts in the media. This
will help ward off any negative publicity. That's the reason Public Relation firms prefer
people with prior experience in media.
People with good experience in Advertising, Marketing, Corporate communication can

also get good jobs. You can even join Public Relations after having a good 10 years of
experience in a government department (in a senior officer cadre).
• Large Public Relation firms like Perfect Relations, Good Relations India Ltd., etc.
• Public Relation/Corporate Communication/Corporate Affairs/External Affairs

department of large companies
• Independent Public Relation consultants often recruit assistants to help them
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• Various government agencies and big NGOs
• Marketing and management consultant organisations and event management firms
• New age Image management/Corporate Identity management firms (in fact the term
PR will soon be replaced with Image Management)
In a medium-sized Public Relation firm you will get about Rs 8,000-25,000 or more a
month to start with.
With 5-7 years of experience as a Public Relation excecutive in media, advertising,

marketing, corporate communication, etc., you can expect Rs 20,000-50,000 or more.
The government departments and agencies make appointments through UPSC. The pay
ranges from Rs 11,000-12,000 in the beginning. As a Public Relation executive you could
earn a maximum of Rs 25,000 a month.
Good Public Relation is imperative to create a long lasting brand out of a product. It
increases the credibility of a product and hence Public Relation executives have never
had it better.
We have both good and bad news here. Though the opportunities for a Public Relation
executive are increasing, most PR firms prefer to hire people with prior experience in
media, marketing, advertising, and corporate communication.
So it's becoming sort of important to have a good network of known people in media to
get the initial break. After all, good Public Relation begins at home!
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Medical
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Ayurvedic Doctor
Do you believe in the alternative forms of healing? Are you patient with good
observational skills? Then you could become an Ayurvedic doctor. Here's telling you
more about this form of healing. Traditional medicine is now becoming a way of life
for most people who are bored of popping pills with side effects. Alternative streams of
treatment like Ayurveda is now gaining world wide acceptance.
The system of medicine known as ayurveda is considered to be indigenous to India. The

primary reference materials for a practitioner are ancient treatises like Charaka Samhita.
Literally translated, ayurveda means "Knowledge of Life." Ayu means life and veda is
knowledge in Sanskrit.
On a more deeper level, it means 'the science of living". Ayurveda shows one the way of
living a complete and productive life. Experts also claim that Ayurveda prevents diseases.
A large part of the science is devoted to curing and is known as Kayachikitsa.
The philosophy of Ayurveda is based on Panch Mahabhutas of which the body is

composed of. A healthy person is one in whom there is equilibrium of the humours and
body tissues with normal digestive as well as excretory functions, which are responses to
gratification of physical sciences and mental as well as spiritual forces. Absence of this
equilibrium describes the status of diseases or sickness. The Vat, Pitta, Kapha are known
as three humours. In a healthy person these are non-functional equilibrium, and loss of it
leads to sickness.
There are four key concepts in Ayurveda. These concepts are Panch Mahabhutas,
Tridoshas, Sapt Dhatus and Malas. These altogether guide the preventive, promotive and
curative aspects of the practice of Ayurveda.
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PANCH MAHABHUTAS
These refer to five basic elements of air, water, fire, earth and sky. Creation of all forms
of life including human life is credited to these elements.
TRIDOSHAS AND DHATUS

These two concepts together explain all the physiological and biological aspects taking
place in living body. The Tridoshas are Vat, Pitta and Kapha. These three terms are
broadly comparable to the modern concepts of motion, energy and inertia respectively.
DHATUS
Dhatus refer to different vital body organs or parts. These are Rasa (body fluid), Rakta
(blood), Mansa (muscular tissues) Meda (edipose tissue), Asthi (bone tissue), Majja
(nerve tissue and bone marrow) and Shukra (generative tissue including sperm and ova).
MALAS
This concept deals with the waste products of the body. The food consumption by human
body brings into existence and place further the above mention seven Dhatus or vital
body organs. During this metabolic process each organ produces specific waste or malla
such stool, urine, sweat, nails, hair etc.
Treatment is of two types, one which includes cleansing and purification and the other
which reduces the intensity of the disease. Ayurveda uses the medicinal properties of
plants. Sometimes, special massages and other techniques are used to alleviate pain.
The success of the science has been recorded in the curing of rheumatoid arthritis, liver
and gastro-intestinal problems, skin diseases and other chronic illnesses.
Method of Treatment
Like in any form of medicine, Ayurvedic doctors examine the patient and document
his/her medical history. The diagnosis involves consideration of the entire humanity.
These include details of the man's temperament, his habits, diet etc. For this a
comprehensive knowledge about the physical, physiological and mental state of the
patient is gathered and systematically recorded. Details about the persons temperament,
his habits, diet, external living conditions and details about the disease itself are
recorded.
Examination of the patient generally involves one or more of the following:

1. Pulse examination to find out which of the three 'Dosha or Doshas' have lost
equilibrium or balance causing the person to become sick.
2. Urine examination.
3. Examination of the stool.
4. Examination of the tongue.
5. Eye examination.
6. Examination through auscultation.
7. Examination of tactile stimulation.
8. Examination of part or parts of the body.
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The above examinations help to further confirm and sharpen the diagnosis.
After diagnosing to determine the exact cause of the illness doctors prescribe the right
medication and/or other remedial measures. An important part of the job is to explain to
the patient the dosage of medicines and effect of the therapy and communicating to him
in a way he understands the directions and instructions to be followed. This could well do
half the job for both the therapist and the patient, for a simple direct communication
opens the patient to the therapist and instills in the patient confidence in both the system
and the therapist.
Requirements to be an Ayurvedic Doctor:
Being therapists, the primary requirements are a caring nature, love for people, immense
patience, sensitivity, ability to inspire confidence and trust in patients, willingness to
work hard and a keen logical and analytical mind.
Patience is an important virtue in this line, both for the doctor as well as the patient so
that the former's evaluation of the situation is as correct as possible.
To become a practitioner, a bachelor's degree is a must. Only then can one procure the
certificate for beginning practice.
The condition of eligibility for entry to most colleges is a plus two pass with physics,
chemistry and biology. A candidate should also be proficient in Hindi and the regional
language that is the medium of instruction.
Another condition to be fulfilled is that candidates seeking admission to the main

ayurvedic courses should have completed 17 years as of October 1 of the year of
application.
The duration of study for the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery
(Ayurvedacharya) is five and half years, including one year of internship. The 10+2
students with Science Group are eligible for taking admissions in the degree course.
The Post Graduate degree is awarded in the following subjects:

1. Ayurved Sidhant & Darshan Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Ayurved Sidhant)
2. Samhita` Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Samhita)
3. Rachna Sharir Ayurved Vachaspati -MD (Rachna Sharir)
4. Kriya Sharir Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Dosh, Dhatu, Mal vigyan) (Kriya Sharir)
5. Dravyagun Vigyan Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Drivyaguna)
6. Ras Shastra Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Ras Shastra)
7. Bhaishjya Kalpana Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Bhaishjya Kalpana)
8. Prasuti Tantra & Stri Rog Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Prasuti Tantra & Stri Rog)
9. Kumar Bhritya Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Kumar Bhritya)
10. Kayachikitsa Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Kayachikitsa)
11. Rog Nidan Ayurved Vachaspati - MD Vikriti Vigyan (Rog Nidan)
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12. Ayurved Manovigyan Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Ayurved Manovigyan)
13. Swasthya Vritta Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Swasthya Vr itta)
14. Shalya Tantra Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Shalya Tantra)
15. Shalakya Tantra Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Shalakya Tantra)
16. Panchkarma Ayurved Vachaspati - MD (Panchkarma)
There is the possibility of a doctoral study, Ayurvedavidyavariddhi, too. In the last 50

years of development in the teaching and training, it has developed into following sixteen
specialties.
1. Ayurveda Siddhanta (Fundamental Principals of Ayurveda).

2. Ayurveda Samhita.
3. Rachna Sharira (Anatomy).
4. Kriya Sharira (Physiology).
5. Dravya Guna Vigian (Materia Medica & Pharmacology).
6. Ras-shastra.
7. Bhaishajya Kalpana (Pharmaceuticals).
8. Kaumar Bharitya (Peduatrics).
9. Prasuti Tantra (Obstetrics & Gynaecology).
10.Swasth-Vritla (Social & Preventive Medicine).
11.Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine).
12.Rog Nidan (Pathology).
13.Shalya Tantra (Surgery).
14.Shalkya Tantra (Eye & ENT).
15.Mano-Roga (Psychiatry)
16.Panchkarma.
Ayurvedic doctors should be prepared for competition from practitioners of other

systems. There is also the threat of some rare herbs becoming extinct and a long-range
threat of depleting forest wealth.
Job Opportunities for an Ayurvedic Doctor:
For qualified practitioners of the various systems, there are openings in government
hospitals, charitable medical centres, private clinics, hospitals and dispensaries. In
government hospitals, Ayurvedic practitioners are on par with allopaths.
Teaching and research at research institutions is another options open to qualified

Ayurvedic doctors.
Of course private practice is the best option. The first step to establish a clientele is to
offer services to friends and neighbours either free of cost or at discounted rates. Once the
credibility is established, word of mouth can do wonders.
Money & Other Benefits of an Ayurvedic Doctor:
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Money depends on the practitioner's skills, reputation and locality of practice. Doctors
who have just started their careers or are yet to establish themselves can earn
approximately Rs 400 per day.
Once you have established your own reputation, your earnings per day can go up to Rs
3,000 a day. Established Ayurvedic doctors can charge a whopping Rs 500 per person for
every visit.
The doctor, of course, determines the number of patients he can see in a day. Apart from
consultation fees, money is also charged for the medicines, depending on the ailment.
Career Prospects of an Aurvedic Dcotor:
Traditional medicine is gaining popularity and hard core advocates and followers of
Allopathy are beginning to recognise and follow many of the systems of alternative
medicine. The main reason being the fact that Ayurvedic medicines are devoid of side
effects. Ayurvedic medicines are made from natural herbs and are 100 per cent safe.
Another reason, perhaps is that, in India, a large part of the population cannot bear the
cost of allopathic treatment, which has gone sky high over the last few years.
Ayurvedic medicine is now catching on in a big way, with more and more people
realising the importance of keeping the body, mind and spirit in balance. Traditional
Medicine has always upheld the belief that good health is not merely absence of illness.
Scientific research has lent validity to these streams of Traditional Medicine through
research and study. This healing system is now part of an international industry.
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Cardiologist
How would you like to stop a person's diseased heart, cut it open, repair its
malfunctioned valves, put it back in and start it again. Sounds almost like a car
mechanic's job doesn't it? But that's a human's life that you are playing with! Skipped
a heartbeat? Well that's the job of a cardiologist. Find out more…
As a cardiologist, you will first diagnose exactly what is wrong with your patient. This
calls for a series of tests. You will interpret these tests and based on the patient's medical
history recommend the best possible treatment plan.
As a cardiologist, you will need to perform regular check ups with your patients and alter
the medication if necessary. Some of the heart ailments that you will treat are:
High/low blood pressure

One of the most common among the heart diseases is high blood pressure and low blood
pressure. Anything going wrong with the mechanism of pumping blood results in these
abnormalities of blood pressure.
Angina
Angina is caused due to disease in the coronary artery and results in severe chest pain
similar to a heart attack. This is usually treated with medication but sometimes surgery
may be called for.
Cardiac Arrest
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Commonly called heart attack this occurs when one or more of the blood vessels to the
heart is obstructed. In these situations you will have to perform emergency procedures to
save the patient's life and stabilize his or her condition.
Once the emergency is over, the exact damage to the coronary arteries and muscles need
to be found out. You will perform an angiography, where a thin filament is passed
through the arteries supplying blood to the heart to determine the blockage points.
As a cardiologist, you will then decide the future course of action. It could be just rest
and medication or complicated procedures like Angioplasty or by pass surgery.
Most people think that cardiologists only treat heart attack patients. That is hardly the
case. You will have to treat patients with irregular heartbeats or those who have problems
with their heart valves and arteries. Children born with holes in the heart or suffering
from heart enlargement will also come under your care. You will perform heart transplant
procedures too.
You need to have:
• Good analytical, logical and reasoning skills

• Ability to memorise and recall scientific facts
• A keen desire to serve and help people
• A patient and understanding nature
• The ability to generate confidence in others
To begin with you will have to clear your 10+2 exam with physics, chemistry and
biology. Not only will you have to score really well in this exam, you will also have to
appear for the highly competitive entrance exam. Once you secure your admission, you
will enter the five and a half year MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of
Surgery), course. This includes the one-year internship period as well.
One must realize that a cardiologist does not perform major surgery like by pass or open-
heart surgery. Cardiovascular & thoracic surgeons handle this. So you have two academic
options:
You can do a MD in General Medicine after your MBBS. After your MD, you should do
a DM in Cardiology, which is a super specialization. You can practice cardiology after
your MD, but to have a really successful career, you must do the DM.
Alternatively you can first do a MS in General Surgery after your MBBS and then M.Ch
in Cardio-thoracic surgery or Cardiovascular & thoracic surgery.
A Fellowship of Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) or American College of Cardiology

makes your future even brighter.
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Job Opportunities:
You can work in the Cardiology department/Cardiovascular & thoracic surgery
departments of general hospitals and specialty hospitals run by the government or private
organisations. You can also work in Cardiac care units of nursing homes and polyclinics,
specialty nursing homes and polyclinics for cardiac diseases. Teaching in medical
colleges in India and abroad also remains another option that you can pursue.
Pharmaceutical companies will also offer you positions in their research and development
setups as well as their sales support functions.

In government hospitals and healthcare establishments, you can expect to earn about Rs
15,000 – Rs. 20,000 a month in the beginning. As a tutor in medical colleges, you will get
the same range of salaries per month. However, in corporate or private hospitals or other
healthcare centres, your starting salary will be Rs 25,000 or more per month. Senior
cardiologists and surgeons earn more than Rs 50,000 a month.
After that it is your reputation and your experience that matters. You could work for
pharmaceutical companies as well as government and private research and development
labs. Your salary here would be in the range of Rs 20,000-40,000. You could even go on
to make as much as lakh a month.
If you are a cardiac surgeon, then your earning will have the potential to reach the stars
and beyond. For example, a reputed cardiac surgeon can earn about 1.5 lakh a day!
Along with the money is the fame. You will be renowned the world over for your
expertise in your field. Starting off your own private clinic also brings in lots of money.
Career Prospects:
So far the high costs of medical care has meant that the majority of patients suffering
from cardiac disorders have not been able to afford the kind of super specialty treatment
that is required. However, all that is set to change.
The government has opened up the health insurance sector. Currently only 0.2 per cent of
India's population is covered under medical insurance as against 75 per cent of USA. So,
as more and more people will be able to bear the cost of specialised Medicare, the more
will be the demand for better healthcare facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, treatment
and specialist doctors.
Without doubt the healthcare industry in India is on the up folks! That is good news for
want to be cardiologists.
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Dentist
What's the first thing that draws you to anyone? The smile, isn't it? A smile is said to
be the window to the soul. So how about being a dentist and crafting a beautiful smile
or educating the general public about good oral hygiene? No? Then, how about
working with the likes of Aishwarya Rai, Sushmita Sen and Yukta Mookhey, whitening
their teeth or giving them a gummy smile? There we have your attention!
Come on then, 'brush up' your knowledge of the field…
As the concepts of oral hygiene and other health implications is catching up, dentistry as
a high profile career choice is coming of age. So dentists these days are assuming very
important roles in the whole healthcare system.
The core function of a dentist is prevention and treatment of diseases related to the oral
cavity, including the floor of the oral cavity, the 'roof' of the mouth, teeth, gums, tongue,
etc.
A dentist, in a way is also an artist. That's because a dentist can actually fashion your
teeth in such a way that you get that dimpled or gummy smile. That's when he gets time
from his routine job of root canal treatment, extraction of cavities, treatment of gums and
diseases, aligning and straightening teeth, etc.
A dentist's job doesn't end with treating diseases of teeth and gums. It also involves
educating patients about oral hygiene. For this you have to be a good talker.
If you opt to be a dentist your clinic will be brimming with scream and shouts of both
kids as well as adults. It's your responsibility to make sure that the patient is relaxed and
comfortable before you introduce him to the hall of pain.
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As a dentist you could also specialise in Orthodontics, Periodontics, Pedodontics,
Endodontics, Restorative Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Cosmetic Dentistry,
Oral Pathology, Forensic Odontology, etc.
Now let's take a close look at each one of them:
Orthodontists are involved in supervision, guidance, and correction of anomalies in the

growing or mature dental and oral skeletal structures.
Periodontists are involved in the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of

diseases of the gums and teeth. They use techniques like dental implants to prevent and
cure the diseases.
Pediatric Dentists or Pedodontists are concerned with dentistry related to children.

Preventive measures for dental anomalies, diseases and prevention, intervention, and
correction of various problems fall under this category.
Endodontists are specialists dealing with the physiology and pathology of the dental
tissues. Its practice encompasses biology of dental tissues, etiology, diagnosis,
prevention, and treatment of diseases and injuries of the dental tissues.
Restorative Dentists are involved in dental fixtures like false teeth, operative dentistry,
and other related areas.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are concerned with the surgery of the oral cavity and
associated structures. They also treat diseases, injuries, and deformities of the teeth, jaws,
and associated structures with the help of surgery.
Cosmetic dentists are involved with the cosmetic aspects of the teeth and gums. They
work to enhance the beauty of these by correcting anomalies if any.
Oral pathologists are involved with the pathology of the oral cavity. They analyse the
oral tissue samples, gum secretions, and other related materials to identify causes of oral
diseases.
Forensic odontologists work with the forensic department of an investigating agency or

in a university department. They analyse samples of teeth from mysterious death or
homicide cases.
You could also be involved in research like finding out the correlation between oral
diseases and heart problems, oral diseases and diabetes, oral diseases and respiratory
ailments, causes of oral cancer, etc.
Requirement:
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Analytical and logical reasoning skill should be above average
• Good scientific reasoning skill
• Ability to memorise and recall scientific facts
• Investigative personality
• Hardworking and patient
• Cool temperament
As a dentist, you need at least a BDS degree to practice dentistry. If you want your career
to grow, then you will have to be a specialist with an MDS degree.
After the mandatory one-year internship you can enrol with the Dental Association of
India based in Delhi if you want to set up your own practice.
Keeping up with the trends in other medical sciences and a specialisation in the
Postgraduate level will make your prospects better.
Apart from a job in a hospital or setting up your clinic, you could also work in the
Research and Advisory functions of a pharmaceutical and other company producing oral
care products and medicines like toothpaste, mouth wash, gum care products, etc.
Dental surgeons (Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon) earn good money at the peak of their
career.
Opportunities also lie in the realms of forensic science. You could be at the forefront of
solving great mysteries by merely identifying the teeth composition and the age of the
tooth.
Teeth being host to bacteria and food particles can be analysed extensively and detailed
conclusions are established regarding the climatic conditions, the food habits of the
creature, so much so that even detailed DNA studies can be conducted from them.
Besides that, opportunities to work as a dental consultant to models and film artists also
fetch a lot of money.
Alternatively, you could also work in companies producing toothpastes and

toothbrushes. From suggesting alternative formulae for pastes and powders, to upgrading
the existing products, dentists have a lot to do here. Needless to say the fee charged by
the dentist can be pretty stupendous.
For those who are academically inclined, working as a full or part-time lecturer in any of
the reputed dental institutes can be a lucrative option.
You can also do research work in oral cancer. This has gained tremendous momentum in
the recent years and is definitely a well-paying job
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If you think you'll start earning big bucks right after college, read on. You'll begin as
an apprentice with an established dentist for a pittance. But before we have one less
dentist in the world, let me tell you that the pay increases with experience. Once you earn
a reputation you could be charging anywhere between Rs 500 to a few thousand rupees
per patient.
If you are a private practitioner your earning will depend on the place you choose to
practice. If it's a rich locality you can rake in more money even by choosing to see only a
few patients. An established dentist makes around Rs.40,000 - 1,00,000 or more a
month.
As a dentist, you can also get a job in a government hospital/corporate/private dental

hospital. The salary offered will vary between Rs 10,000-15,000 a month.
Career Prospects:
It will take time to establish yourself. You will have to work hard the initial years.
Working in a government or private dental hospital in a remote area has its negative
aspects.
The workload often is far less than a doctor in the emergency department of a hospital.
So you have some time to relax.
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Doctor
Perhaps, no other professional in the world gets as much respect as a doctor. And we
all know the kind of money they make specially the specialists. But that's only the
upfront.
The core function of a doctor seems to be quite simple - that of treating and healing
people suffering from diseases or injuries. As a doctor you'll examine the patients,
ascertain the cause of the disease or injury, prescribe medical tests if needed, interpret the
results of medical tests, diagnose either on the basis of the medical tests and experience,
prescribe medicines and administer treatment. Apart from treating and healing diseases
and injuries, you'll also advice patients on preventive measures.
Doctors perform their functions in conjunction with other health care professionals like
nurses, medical technologists and others. But the final responsibility lies with the doctor.
So, the profession is of precision.
The margin of error is zero, or has to be minimal. You can understand that. There are no
second chances and no trial and error please! A single wrong treatment can further
aggravate the problem or even result in death.
If the study for MBBS was not gruelling enough you could opt to specialise or even super
specialise in one or more areas of medical science. Some areas are called clinical
specialisations because they involve direct treatment of patients and some others are
called basic clinical science areas because those fields do not involve direct treatment of
patients.
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Some of the clinical specialisations are:
1. Anaesthesiology
2. Medicine
3. ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat)
4. Neurology
5. Nephrology
6. Obstetrics & Gynaecology
7. Orthopaedics
8. Ophthalmology
9. Paediatrics
10. Pathology
11. Psychiatry
12. Dermatology
13. Venereal Diseases (or Skin and Venereal Diseases),
14. Medicine
15. Community Medicine
16. Critical Care Medicine
17. Forensic Medicine
18. Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
19. Radiology (or Radio diagnosis)
20. Surgery
21. Sports Medicine
That's not all. You could better your prospect with a super specialisation under
your belt. They include:
1. Cardio-thoracic Surgery
2. Neurosurgery
3. Paediatric Surgery
4. Plastic Surgery
5. Urology
6. Cardiology
7. Gastroenterology
8. Endocrinology
9. Endocrine Surgery
You have to be:
• Understanding and caring

• Urge to serve mankind
• Above average analytical and reasoning abilities
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Good understanding and a strong liking for biological sciences. As a Dcotor, you must
have a strong ability to understand, comprehend, memorise and recall scientific theories,
facts and hypothesis.
Other qualities needed are:
• Investigative and critical thinking

• Patience and cool temperament
• Meticulous
To practise as a doctor you got to have at least an MBBS degree. After MBBS you can go
for a specialisation in MD/MS (Doctor of Medicine/Master of Surgery).
One emerging lucrative field is sports medicine. In India, sports medicine is taught at the
Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala.
If you want to super specialise, then you have to do a DM (Diploma in Medicine, actually
a Post-doctoral level course)/ MD/M.Ch. (Master of Chiropractor)/MS.
Alternatively, you can do a diploma in a particular speciality after your MBBS. You
could attempt examinations for becoming a Diplomat of National Board (which offers
certificates equivalent to MD/MS).
You can venture out to UK for FRCS (Fellow of Royal College of Surgeon) or MRCP
(Member of Royal College of Physicians) or related qualification after your MBBS.
Similarly, you can also go to USA after your MBBS/MD/MS to obtain a specialised
certificate or diploma. All these will better your career prospects.
Job Opportunities:
General and multi speciality hospitals - both the government hospitals and corporate
hospitals
Speciality hospitals and critical care centres which treat patients with emergency and
multiple health problems, injuries, etc.
• Polyclinics and speciality clinics

• Nursing homes
• Medical Colleges, which offer courses like MBBS, MD, MS, DM, M.Ch., etc.
• Industrial hospitals generally attached to large factories
• Health care centres run by governments and private organisations in various district
headquarters, small towns and even in villages
• Pharmaceutical companies in their sales support functions, medical documentation
function, or as an advisor in the Medical Advisory Board after you have 4-5 years of
experience
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• Sport Medicine specialists can find jobs at the sports authority of India (SAI).
Nowadays, inclusion of a sports medicine specialist is a must whenever a team goes
for a tour abroad or when there is a national camp held within India.
• As a Doctor, you have to make a very humble beginning once you pass your
MBBS. You will have to work as an intern (what they call a rotating intern
meaning that you will be assigned duties in multiple departments) for a year to get
your registration with the Medical Council of India. As an intern, you'll earn a
stipend in the range of Rs 3,500-4,500 a month. Registration is a must; otherwise
you will not be able to practice.
• Then you will have to be a House Staff/Junior Doctor in a hospital or other health
care establishment with a salary ranging of Rs 6,000-8,000 a month. If you get a
job in a medical college as a Clinical Assistant, then you can expect to get Rs
10,000 a month.
• But after this period is over, you can look forward to a rising income curve. After
completing MD/MS, you can get a job as a Medical Officer/Senior House Staff/
Senior resident. This again depends on whether you are just doing a job or
enrolled in a super specialisation course like DM/M.Ch. Salary in these jobs will
be about Rs 15,000 –20,000 gross per month to start with.
• A job in a medical college as a Clinical Tutor will fetch you about Rs 18,000 per
month. In corporate hospitals and other private healthcare establishments, you can
expect a higher salary after your MD/MS. If you are a Surgeon, you will get
allowance for conducting surgery or assisting a senior surgeon. After your super
specialisation, your salary will shoot up to Rs 30,000 – Rs 50,000 a month.
• Of course, corporate and private healthcare establishments pay you much more
depending on your specialisation and years of experience. You can expect
anywhere between Rs 40,000 - 70,000 a month.
• Thereafter, everything depends on your performance and reputation. If you build

up a reputation, your earnings will be substantial. A senior doctor in a corporate
hospital can get anywhere between Rs 10 - 12 lakhs a year. In a government
hospital, you will get about Rs 20,000-35,000 a month.
• The minimum, a good specialist (with a few years of experience) working with a
club team would earn is Rs. 50,000/- to 60,000/- a month.
• In a pharmaceutical company your pay will be in the range of Rs 25,000-60,000

or more a month.
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• After you make a name for yourself you will be working in several establishments
and your gross earning can be more than Rs 1,00,000 a month. A super speciality
surgeon can mint as much as Rs 1,00,000 or more in a single day and build a few
crores a year!
Career Prospects:
It's a rosy and bright future folks. The healthcare industry as a whole is booming all over
the world. The corporate hospitals which are coming up everywhere in the country will
drive the growth of this industry.
Another factor that will boost the healthcare sector in India is the opening up of the
medical insurance field, meaning that the Central Government has allowed private
investment in the field. As of now, the corporate and private healthcare establishments
are very expensive for the middle class population. So, as more and more people will be
able to bear the cost of modern medicare, more and more private healthcare
establishments will come up.
The Central and State Governments are also planning to follow WHO's (World Health
Organisation) norm of one hospital bed for every 300 people. To meet this target, more
than 1,50,000 beds are needed as of now.
So this means that the demand for qualified healthcare professionals will increase. No
wonder Medical Science is touted as one of the most prospective professions of the next
decade.
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Homeopathy Doctor
Do you believe in the alternative forms of healing? Are you patient with good
observational skills? Then you could become a homeopath. Here's telling you more
about this form of healing.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine, which is based on the tenet "like cures like," i.e.,
substances that cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can also cure those same
symptoms in someone who is sick. „Homeo‟ means similar and „pathy‟ means disease. A
German physician Samuel Hahnemann founded it around 1800.
Homeopathy bases its cures on the fact that every person in the world has a different
mental, physical and emotional setup. So you can't cure a person unless you find out
his/her constitution. The uniqueness of this form of treatment lies in the fact that it
believes in treating the whole person rather than the illness alone.
So a homeopathic practitioner typically begins by taking detailed note of the patient's

medical history, temperament, family background, family history of diseases, diet
preferences, lifestyle, and emotional state. Based on these findings, the homeopathic
practitioner builds up a profile of symptom and then prescribes suitable homeopathic
medicines. This is a highly personalised form of treatment, so patients who apparently
suffer from the same illness may be prescribed different medicines.
Homeopathy has come a long way since it was first established 200 years ago as an
effective form of healing. Today many of the leading pharmaceutical companies are
researching and mass-producing homeopathic medicines.
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The popularity of this medicine has given rise to several over-the-counter homeopathic
medicines for common ailments such as cold, headaches, abdominal pain, etc.
Homeopathy has also gained from the fact that people are beginning to shy away from
allopathic medicines because of its side effects and strong doses that upset the body's
equilibrium. Homeopathic medicines are inexpensive, safe and easy to use, which makes
homeopathy even more popular among the masses.
Homeopathic practitioners also include chiropractors, veterinarians, dentists, nurses,

physician assistants, acupuncturists and certified midwives.
Requirement:
The basic requirement for any person interested in studying homeopathy is a passion for
alternative forms of healing. A homeopathic doctor in many ways is like a detective -
asking questions, probing into personal life and finding out reasons for the patient's
illness is all part of the job. The medication and dosage is decided after taking the
symptoms into account. You should have an eye for detail and the ability to dig out as
many symptoms that the patient may be aware of.
Patience is an important virtue in this line, both for the doctor as well as the patient so
that the former's evaluation of the situation is as correct as possible
In homeopathy, what a person says is often vital for determining the correct remedy.
Therefore, it requires careful observation. On an average, the homeopath is required to
spend at least an hour with every patient during the first sitting. Symptoms such as fever,
diarrhoea and vomiting have to be observed and tabulated. Also mental symptoms like
fear, anger and love are taken into account. To do this, you have to be on a one-to-one
basis with your patient.
Even arts and commerce students can become homeopathic doctors. It is not necessary
but a definite advantage to have studied science. After passing out of school, a
prospective homeopath can secure admission in a recognised homeopathic college. Some
of the best homeopathy colleges are based in Calcutta and Kerela.
In Mumbai, the Homeopathic College opposite Cooper Hospital offers a BHMS degree.
The entire duration of the course is five years and includes internship. Students have to
undergo internship at Nanavati Hospital and the homeopathic ward of Cooper Hospital.
Several private institutes also offer several diploma courses. However, these diplomas are
not always reliable and, therefore, a degree course should be preferred.
Job Opportunities:
After completing the degree course from a homeopathy college, as a Homeopath you
have many options: join a leading practitioner as an apprentice, take up a job as a lecturer
at an ayurvedic/homeopathic college, diversify into other fields of medicine such as
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ayurveda at a later stage or start your own clinic. Once you have a degree, you can start
practicing right away.
Experience is not that important, what matters is how well you diagnose the patient's
symptoms and how quickly you can cure him/her.
Even though a fair majority prefers allopathic doctors, the size of the population going to
homeopathic doctors is on the rise. If you have the financial backing, you could rent a
clinic and start your private practise. The other alternative would be to start a clinic in
your own house.
The first step to establish a clientele is to offer yout services as a Homeopath to friends
and neighbours either free of cost or at discounted rates. Once the credibility is
established, word of mouth can do wonders.
Doctors who have just started their careers or are yet to establish themselves can earn
approximately Rs 400 per day. The earnings depend mainly on the popularity of the
doctor and the location of the clinic.
Once you have established your own reputation, your earnings per day can go up to Rs
3,000 a day. Established homeopathy doctors can charge a whopping Rs 500 per person
for every visit. The doctor, of course, determines the number of patients he can see in a
day. Apart from consultation fees, money is also charged for the medicines, depending on
the ailment.
Career Prospects:
The gamut of ailments that Homeopathy can treat successfully is quite large, as claimed
by modern Homeopath practitioners. It can treat heart diseases, aging, infertility, viral,
fungal infections, gout, stress, asthma, stomach ulcers, liver disorder, and so on. But
mostly it is believed that Homeopathy is a good medicinal option for chronic and long-
term diseases. For emergency treatment and life saving conditions Homeopathy is not yet
effective. But in any case, Homeopathy is becoming very popular as it addresses the root
cause of a disease and cures the cause.
Another reason is that homeopathic medicines are devoid of side effects. This is because
the dilution of the original drug molecule in a dosage form is extremely high. Another
reason perhaps is that, in India, a large part of the population cannot bear the cost of
allopathic treatment, which has gone sky high over the last few years.
Practice of Homeopathy today holds a great future with various companies investing a lot
of money in homeopathic research and development. The number of homeopathic
hospitals is growing all over the country. Homeopathic practitioners have now more
choices of medication and access to modern methods of diagnosis and treatment.
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Orthodontist
If you saw the movie Austin Powers, and thought that the International Man of
Mystery had a great smile, then read no further... Anybody would be hard-pressed to
find a more unsightly set of chompers. But even a grin as egregious as Powers' could
be rehabilitated with the expertise of an orthodontist.
Orthodontists are dentists first but they are more than just ordinary dentists. Orthodontists
are specialized dentists who are concerned with correcting and preventing irregularities
of the teeth to bring about proper occlusion. Thus, transforming crooked, mangled
looking teeth into attractive, straight smiles the whole world can appreciate.
An orthodontist is a dentist who has received two to three years of additional training in
the specialty of orthodontics. In addition to training in dentistry, orthodontists are trained
to manage tooth movement (orthodontics) as well as how to guide the facial development
of children (dentofacial orthopedics). Of all dentists, only about 6% are orthodontists.
Requirement:
Orthodontic dentistry is a specialized field, which requires both manual skills and a high
level of diagnostic ability. Good visual memory, excellent judgement of space and shape,
manual dexterity, combined with scientific ability and methodical approach are a must if
you want to pursue this field.
As most of the patients are children, as a orthodontist you would require a lot of patience
and should be able to build a good rapport with people so as to put the patients at ease. As
you will spend most of your working hours standing, so a high level of physical fitness, a
sound health and stamina come into play.
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10+2 with physics, chemistry, and Biology makes one eligible to take the entrance for
BDS, a 4 -year course. After BDS one can either do a diploma course or MDS in
Orthodontia.
Job Opportunities:
As a orthodontist you can have you own clinic or work with a hospital, government or
otherwise, as orthodontists are in great demand. As our society is becoming more fashion
and appearance conscious, more and more people need orthodontics to get their teeth
straightened out by getting braces.
Orthodontics is one of the most lucrative branches of Dentistry as people these days are
more appearance conscious.
But Dentistry is a game of experience and how well you manage to establish yourself.
You'll begin as an apprentice with an established dentist for a pittance. But before we
have one less dentist in the world, let me tell you that the pay increases with experience.
Once you earn a reputation as a orthodontist you could be charging anywhere between
Rs. 500 to a few thousand rupees per patient in general and if you have private clinic,
then the money can be much more. Basically your income eventually will depend on the
number of patients you have.
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Plastic Surgeon
Aishwarya Rai has done it. And so has Michael Jackson. Even Sushmita swears by it.
What are we talking? Don't get us wrong. We are talking about Plastic surgery here. If
you want to work with some of the most beautiful people in the glamour industry you
got to be a Plastic Surgeon. You'll be perfecting smiles, whitening stained teeth,
implanting silicones, etc. Sounds like a handful isn't it?
The term plastic surgery comes from the Greek word plastikos, which means to mould or
give form. Plastic surgical procedures fall into two major categories, reconstructive and
cosmetic.
Reconstructive procedures are carried out with the goal of restoring the form and in many
case the function of the body parts that are abnormal. This is the painful branch of Plastic
Surgery where you will deal with accident victims; severe burn injuries and people born
with physical deformities.
Cosmetic Surgery on the other hand will bring you face to face with wanna be Miss
Indias as well as models and film stars. These are operations done purely to enhance the
physical appearance. Procedures such as face-lifts, nose reshaping done only for
appearance, fat suction, etc. fall under this category
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Requirement:
Plastic Surgery needs super specialisations in medicine. It involves many years of

training. After putting in four and a half year for an MBBS degree, you have to serve in a
government hospital or college for about a year. Only then will you be eligible for a
Master's degree course in surgery.
Here you can specialise in General Medicine, ENT, Ophthalmic, or Orthopedic surgery.
Hold on, we are not done yet. You will then have to take up a super specialty course or
Master of Chirurgiae (M.Ch) in Plastic Surgery. Yes, it is long winding road.
What about the personal attributes? Good aesthetic sense tops the list. Actually a Plastic
Surgeon is an artist who gives shapes to people's nose, eyes, smiles and what have you.
Strong communication skills come next. You got to be able to explain the limitations of
this field to people who come with dreams in their eyes. Often you will have to explain
that a Plastic Surgeon is not a magician who can turn ugly ducklings in to beautiful
swans.
As a Plastic Surgeon you have to convince your patients about what is possible and what
is not. "Usually, the problem is not so much with the looks but in the brain. We then have
to refer these patients to psychologists," says Dr Sattur renowned plastic surgeon and
consultant (plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery) at various hospitals.
A course in plastic surgery, which is offered as a super speciality in Mumbai in

government-run colleges lasts for three years.
Job Opportunities:
Once you are a certified Plastic Surgeon your first option and the one most preferred is to
work under a renowned plastic surgeon for a while. This is a good way to learn the tricks
of the trade and establish your reputation in the field.
As a Plastic Surgeon, your next option is to be a consultant with a hospital, which is not
easy. Apart from recommendations from well-known doctors, you need to get published
in medical journals to be eligible for this.
If you love teaching you could try the option of working as a lecturer with an academic
institution. Of course you can also start your own practice immediately after you have
done your course.
Besides, the rent or investment in premises, you will have to spend between Rs 50,000-
80,000 on equipment. It takes about three to five years to establish yourself in the field.
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Though Plastic Surgery is a Super Specialisation and there aren't too many Plastic
Surgeons around, don't expect to make potfulls of money as soon as you finish the
course. The truth is that the initial 2-3 years when you will be working with a renowned
plastic surgeon will be tough.
If you are lucky you'll be paid Rs 10,000-20,000. This is obviously not much considering
all that work you put in becoming a plastic surgeon. Moreover there are come doctors
who believe you don't deserve to be paid as far as you are learning the tricks of the trade.
Yet another option after the M.Ch is to work as a lecturer with an academic institution, at
a pay of Rs 15,000- 20,000 per month in the beginning. You can also start your own
practice right away.
When you start your own practice, your earnings usually depend on the number of
references you receive from other doctors and the locality where you set up practice.
Career Prospects:
The prospects for a plastic surgeon are very bright to say the least. With people becoming
more and more conscious of their looks, skilled surgeons with steady hands and steely
nerves are very much in demand the world over. "There is not much work in the field of
reconstructive surgery but as far as cosmetic surgery is concerned plastic surgeons have
never ever been that busy. The trend is expected to increase as far as people have an urge
to look good," says Dr Sattur.
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Veterinary Doctor
Have you ever picked up a wounded, stray pup on your way to school/college and nursed
it back to good health? Do you have a special affinity for friends of the four-legged
variety? Well, then, you have all the trapping of a Dr Dolittle in you? So, join us in
discovering the life of a vet - up, close and personal.
Veterinarians are doctors who not only diagnose and control animal diseases, but also
prescribe medical or surgical treatment for diseases in animals. They prevent
transmission of disease and advise on pet care and farm animals.
Veterinarians not only deal with household pets but also work for the care, sustenance
and breeding of animals in the agricultural sector.
Your job as a vet will involve investigation, diagnosis and treatment of injuries and
ailments in animals. If you choose research, you will work in laboratories on subjects
such as Pathology, Bacteriology, Genetics, Physiology, Anatomy, etc. You will also
conduct innovative research on biological products, food, and pharmaceuticals and also
work in animal genetics and breeding.
Animal Genetics is an interesting topic of research which deals with problems concerning
the evolution of new breeds, rearing of livestock, genetically controlling diseases,
artificial insemination, sterilization, etc. You will also study inherent traits of animals and
conduct analytical studies for tracing the genesis of these in environment, food, colour,
growth, maturity, sterility, disease, etc.
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Conducting experiments to come up with improved breed of animals that have better
resistance to diseases, higher yield in products such as milk, meat, eggs, even silk, wool,
etc. is the job of a Veterinarian.
Requirement:
It goes without saying that you got to have a love for animals of all kinds (and not just
your cute Dalmatian). Good communication skills come next. No, you won't have to talk
to the pets as did Dr Dolittle, but gift of the gab will be resourceful when dealing with pet
owners.
"A vet's job does not end with just treating the animal. It also involves talking to the pet
owners about their pet, the treatment and the follows ups. And this has to be skillful
talking as you are constantly dealing with over sentimental owners," says Dr. Nehete,
Senior Professor, Parel Veterinary College.
Patience is a virtue as you are dealing with mute animals here. So a veterinarian needs to
be extra sensitive, patient and perceptive. You got to be physically strong with good
stamina and quick reflexes as your job will involve dealing with animals of all sizes. You
should be quick to gauge the animal's mood. Willingness to work in uncomfortable
surroundings is a must.
If anything, a veterinarian's job is more difficult than that of a doctor dealing with
humans. This is because a veterinarian's patients cannot communicate verbally. After all
Dr. Dolittle happen only in fiction!
As for the educational qualifications the base as in all fields of medicine is a 10+2
(Physics, Chemistry and Biology). You can choose a graduate or postgraduate course in
Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry.
The graduate course known as B.V.Sc is of four years duration followed by one-year of
practical internship. You can go for a Masters course M.V.Sc after this. You can
specialise in Animal Anatomy, Animal Biotechnology, Animal Husbandry, Animal
Economics, Animal Husbandry Extension, Animal Reproduction, Livestock Extension,
Animal Genetics and Breeding, Dairy Science and Technology, Dairy Chemistry, Dairy
Engineering, Dairy Microbiology, Food Hygiene, Feed and Fodder Technology, Meat
Science and Technology, Animal Nutrition, Poultry Science and Technology, Piggery,
Preventive Medicine, Toxicology, etc.
Note: After B.V.Sc. students can also appear for Biotechnology entrance test for a
future in this branch.
Selection Procedure: The Veterinary Council of India, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110005
conducts an All India Common Entrance Examination for admission to 15 per cent seats
in each veterinary college for B.V.Sc. or AH (Animal Husbandry). A minimum of 50 per
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cent aggregate marks in PCB and English is required in the qualifying examination for
taking the test.
The Indian Council for Agricultural Research, Krishi Anusandhan Bhavan, Pusa, New
Delhi - 110012 conducts an All India Entrance examination for filling up 15 per cent of
the total seats in State Agricultural universities and 100 per cent seats in National Dairy
Research Institute, Karnal and Central Agriculture University, Imphal in several subjects
related to this field including Veterinary science.
Job Opportunities:
Veterinary scientists work both in the rural and urban setting. Dairy farms, stud farms,
poultry farms, and agriculturists employ veterinary scientists to care for the animals.
Veterinarians work in the agricultural sector in rural areas, in government animal

husbandry departments, poultry and dairy farms, private and government veterinary
hospitals and clinics. Veterinary scientists also work with the government, the Armed
Forces and the Border Security Forces for the care of the mounted regiments.
With the trend of keeping pets at home Veterinarians are much in demand in the urban
areas. Private practices flourish in these areas. Vets are also employed in colleges for
teaching purposes.
Other areas of functioning include vaccination of animals, providing information on

nutrition and health, scientific breeding using methods like in-vitro fertilization and
artificial insemination, experiments on animals in order to control diseases spread by
them, research involving animals for various purposes like vaccine production, animals
genetics and so on.
If you are into private practice, the money will actually depend on your area of practice.
On an average a vet charges Rs 150-250 per visit (excluding the cost of medicines). And
for a home visit it shoots up to Rs 250-350. They generally work in two shifts - mornings
and evenings. So that's a lot of money. On an average a veterinarian can earn in the range
of Rs 30,000-50,000 per month.
Career Prospects:
For those who love animals this is the best career choice. The scope for veterinarians is a
swell. Your area of work will not be restricted to zoos, national parks and wildlife
sanctuaries. Various organisations employ veterinarians in their research and
development departments. Postgraduates in the field of veterinary science can go in for
research.
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Off Beat
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Actor
Glitz, glamour, glory and loads of money. That would be your life as an actor. If you
have perfected that throaty crackle - a la Demi Moore, the famous Dev Anand swing and
that unmistakable Dilip Kumar pause, you could try your hand at acting.
Make up on, dialogues ready, action…
An actor's life is not all about singing and dancing around trees. It's much more than that.
For starters as an actor you may have to mug long dialogues, work in extreme climatic
conditions like blazing sun or rain, rehearse difficult dance movements for hours till you
perfect it, try 100 outfits before selecting the final one, perfect fight scenes and most
often work long periods of time.
Imagine a dingy, sweaty place for a makeup room (if you haven't made it) and a co-star
with bad breath! Add to that a lecherous director and you can imagine that acting is not
all song and dance.
As an actor you will have a wide canvas to work on. You could do theatre, stage,
television or movies. As an actor you could also try dubbing. While television shows and
commercials take a shorter period of time, mega -serials and movies take longer to shoot.
Stage performance is considered the ultimate challenge as the actor performs in front of a
live audience and there are no retakes here. Films and television on the other hand are the
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most sought after for their reach and money. Not to mention they guarantee instant
popularity.
All this after you have appeared for the screen test and been selected.
To be a successful actor you need a good amount of stamina to work round the clock.
Then of course there are the riding lessons, fighting lessons, diction classes and most
importantly - dance classes to take care of.
No formal education is required here. But as an actor you should at least know how to
read and write (to memorise your lines). What you basically need here is talent and a love
for acting.
An actor should be able to perform totally uninhabited in front of an audience. Clear

speech and diction is another essential requirement.
Although, no one can actually teach an actor how to act, acting schools can hone your
skills. You can join an acting course that teaches you everything from acting to riding and
fighting.
Alternatively, you can join different classes like for instance Shiamak Davar for dancing
and Ashok Kumar Academy for acting. Whistling Woods International, Mumbai –
Institute for film, television and media arts- provides students with an artistic
environment harnessing both creative and business skills to become future leaders of the
film and television world.
If as an actor you have the talent and the right contacts there is plenty of work for
everyone here.
Theatre: This is considered the most satisfying and challenging. Renowned actors like
Nana Patekar and Naseeruddin Shah have all had an enriching theatre background. If as
an actor, you choose to work with a production house it will give you ample scope to
travel and perform in front of different audiences and even travel abroad.
Television: The boom in this sector has opened up a whole new world of opportunities
for aspiring actors like you. This is also the place where less successful actors from the
big screen resort to. You could work in television serial or do commercials.
Production houses like In-House Production, Adhikari Brothers, Plus Channel, Zee
Television, Star T.V Network, Sony Television, etc. hire actors. Chances are you might
be flooded with offers at one time and sit empty the next. Your contacts will be helpful in
getting you roles.
Films: It can't get any bigger than this. If you want name, fame and money, this is it. As
an actor, if you strike lucky you could be working with none other than biggies like
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Subhash Ghai and Ram Gopal Varma and raking in lakhs. Talent and networking are not
the only things here. You got to have loads of luck too.
A beginner can earn anything between Rs 1,500-3,000 per episode, on television. As

your popularity soars, so does your pay cheque.
In the movies, a junior artist starts off with Rs 15,000. Once you get good recognition as
an actor in the industry you could demand your price. Some actors get paid as much as
Rs. 30,000/- per episode.
Television is no more the small screen. It has really grown big. The addition of newer
channels everyday, spells more opportunities for actors. Music videos are also a great
place to get yourself noticed .
Theatre is increasing becoming popular not for the masses but for the intelligentsia and
corporate sponsorships is breathing new life into it.
The advertising industry is another avenue you should be looking at as an actor. Once
you make it big in Bollywood, sky is the limit. India makes the largest number of movies
in the world and there is place for you here.
Also, a recent development is the emergence of young, independent filmmakers who are
making arty films with commercial success. They look out for talented actor. So what are
you waiting for?
This type of jobs can be held after you do the specific courses. You may need to complete
your 12th or your graduation but Educational qualification is not at all a necessity. The
courses required may be a short term course and you definetly need to have a srong
passion for the field. You may also become a professional by just assisting and working
under people with more experience.
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Astronomy
Do you look up at the sky and say to yourself, "I wonder what's out there?" Do you
look up to Galileo, Aryabhatta and Arthur C Clarke? Are you an avid Star Trek fan? If
you are star struck (not the Bollywood type!) then welcome to the world of Astronomy
where space is the final frontier.
Astronomy is in fact all about the study of heavenly bodies. You will try to discover new
planets, stars in our own solar system as well as those in galaxies millions of light years
away. As an astronomist, you will try to find out peculiarities of these bodies and come
up with theories to explain them. You will also study the behavior of comets and
asteroids and hopefully warn earth of any impending disaster!
As an astronomist, you will not only use optical telescopes (both land and space based
like the Hubble space telescope) but also use giant radio telescopes (these look more like
the common cable dish antenna!)
As an astronomer, your expertise will also be sought while planning space missions like
the Apollo Mission to the Moon and the Viking Mission to Mars. Who knows as an
astronomer, you could even be space walking outside the International Space Station
once it‟s completed!
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Besides these, you can also focus your attention towards S.E.T.I. That stands for Search
for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence - to put it plainly aliens from outer space. No, this is not
about being Fox Mulder chasing little green men. Looking out for life beyond earth
includes the search of fossilised microorganisms on Mars and algae in the oceans of
Europa - one of Jupiter‟s 12 moons. A pretty dignified occupation indeed!
Requirements of an Astronomer:
You got to be genuinely interested in stars and planets. And by that it means not just the
usual 'Oh the moon looks so beautiful tonight' kind of interest. This is one subject the
textbook of which is open right over your head every night. You need good powers of
observation and concentration. As an astronomist, you also need good analytical and
mathematical skills to decipher all the data before you can proclaim that the world is
about to end. Imagine the consequences if you got that calculation wrong!
As an astronomist, you will be required to travel and stay in remote locations to record
activities like eclipses and meteor showers. The stay might not be very comfortable and
so you must have the ability to rough it out.
Education wise you need a B.Sc in Physics/Mathematics/Computer Science or a

B.E./B.Tech. in related disciplines to be eligible for the master's course in Astronomy.
You can also complete your master's programme in the above subjects and then apply for
a PhD programme in Observational Astronomy, Astrophysics or Space Sciences.
Apart from IIT‟s, a good starting point would be the Centre for Space Science and
Technology Education in Asia and Pacific (CSSTEAP) that is affiliated to the United
Nations.
The Introductory Summer School at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and
Astrophysics, Pune gives you an excellent opportunity to find out if you are cut out for
this job. You can enroll for this 5 weeks programme in the first year of your master's
course/ 3rd year of engineering. In this course a series of lectures, workshops and field
trips are organised through which you will be acquainted with the basics of astronomy
and astrophysics.
Young students with an interest in astronomy can appear for the nation wide Indian
Astronomy Olympiad tests organized by the IAOP and about 50 selected students are
then invited to the Indian Astronomy Training Camp. The best student in the camp then
represents India at the International Astronomy Olympiad (InAO). The Indian Astronomy
Olympiad Program (IAOP) is designed to encourage students with good foundations in
physics and mathematics and an interest in astronomy.
Job Opportunities for an Astronomer:

If you thought a career in Astronomy meant floating around in a spacesuit then you
couldn‟t be more wrong. Many space jobs involve been rooted to earth- building
spacecrafts for example. Other possible career options include space scientists,
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technician, technologist, engineer, space biologist, space physician, aerospace medicine
and astronaut.
You will be working mainly for government agencies like ISRO (Indian Space Research
Organisation), The Department of Science and Technology and institutions like the Inter-
University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), National Centre for Radio
Astrophysics (NCRA), Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Physical Research
Laboratory (PRL), etc. Depending on your qualifications, experience and expertise you
could be working on various projects that these establishments are involved in.
Getting an entry into the field of asronomy is not much of a problem. The numbers of
seats for various courses in this field are limited and most often then not you will end up
assisting your professors in their projects. Teaching thus goes hand in hand with research
in this field.
NASA (National Aeronautical and Space Administration) USA looks very favorably
towards India when it comes to scientists and experts. If you do your master's or doctoral
studies in prestigious US colleges, you sure can walk straight into NASA. But more often
than not your experience in astronomy in a particular area of specialisation will help you.
Even after retirement, you could work in a planetarium or a science centre trying to make
this complicated science easier for kids. You could even author books be it fact or fiction.
Who knows you can even pen 'Star Trek - The Indian Generation'!
There is enough money for a decent living but you cannot dream to be a Bill Gates or a
Richard Ellison. The average starting salary in this field with a B.E degree is around Rs
20,000-25,000, which can grow with experience. Accommodation and traveling
allowances are among the additional benefits that you can avail of.
You should take up Astronomy only if it is your passion. Most organisations are
government funded and so you will have a tough time obtaining grants to research your
projects. Space exploration remains a costly affair and many in the corridors of power
still remain skeptical of its value.
The Internet has been a big boon for astronomers. You can for instance hire a radio
telescope in New Mexico, point it to the area of the sky that you wish to survey and
gather its readings all via the Internet. Then of course there is the plus point of having a
star or a comet named after you and your name being immortalised till the heavens fall
apart.
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Chef
Are you a foodie? Do you enjoy cooking up a meal and even serving it with all that jazz
that accompanies a five star buffet meal? Can you imagine yourself sweating it out at a
kitchen in a restaurant, creating culinary masterpieces? Then my friend you were born
to wear a funny white hat and make everything deliciously edible from lasagna to a
crepe soufflé. Ready to make noses turn and tongues water…
As a chef you will be leading a platoon of sous chefs in a glamorous, stainless steel
kitchen and presenting fabulous meals to hundreds of people. But it is not half as
glamorous as it sounds.
You will be lifting heavy pots, being on your feet for eight hours, stirring vats of sauces,
rolling pounds of dough. So you see it's a lot of hard work.
Many chefs specialise in a certain type of cuisine. A chef should be able to relate well to
guests and cater to their specific tastes. So as a chef you are expected to be armed with
extensive knowledge about different cultures, cuisine and related information.
A would-be chef is trained in preparing food, pre-preparation of ingredients, usage of

utensils, knowledge of various ingredients, food science, changes the food undergoes
while heating, safety, like at what temperature you need to hold and serve the food,
sanitation aspects, communication, nutrition, food science and more.
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As a chef you require to be:
When people dine out they expect the food to not just taste good but also look appetising.
Looks count because it makes a customer psychologically more receptive to the food.
It's the chef's responsibility to not only tingle the taste buds but also the eyes. Making a
dish look fabulous is an art, which needs to be perfected.
As a chef you will work in tandem with other chefs to make sure that the dishes reach the
table on time, according to the specifications of the guest and looking breathtaking.
Innovation is the word for a Chef. You can't keep serving the same dishes for long as
guests need variety. So you will be expected to cook up new dishes.
Customers can be finicky, and so as a chef you got to be very sensitive and patient.
Another important aspect of a chef's life is the long and unusual work hours, making it
difficult for them to socialise.
To become a chef one can go in for courses in food processing, catering technology and
any other relevant course. This is one field where skills of a person who has not had any
formal training in the area may be superior to that of a trained chef. The proof of the
pudding, so to say, is in the eating.
As a chef you can find jobs in:
As a chef you could start your career as a trainee in a hotel and learn the ropes. Most star
rated hotels recruit trainees in all departments. As a chef you could approach them with
your CV.
Alternatively as a chef you could also start your own catering unit or a fast food joint if
you have the financial backing. However, a small stint in a large hotel would widen your
horizon a lot.
In a large hotel as a chef you will start as an apprentice cook and then work your way up
to a certified cook, demi-chef, chef-de-partie, sous chef, executive sous chef, executive
chef, and finally a corporate chef or food director. However, the names of the
designations may differ from hotel to hotel.
It has to be mentioned that it might take as long as 15 years to reach the top - the position
of an executive chef. If you hit it big time you could even be called to do television
shows. Such shows can bring a good mix of income and fame.
Take Tarla Dalal and Sanjeev Kapoor. Established chefs can also publish cookbooks.
This has also proved to be a runaway success.
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Conducting cookery classes is another option that can be pursued either full time or part
time.
Expected Earnings As a Chef:
During the trainee period, you get paid a stipend of Rs 500 that does not even cover your
to and fro travel cost but you learn the tricks of the trade.
If you do well, you may be offered a job -- at Rs 45,000 per annum or Rs 4,000 per
month!
With 2-3 years of experience you will be drawing around Rs 6,000. Chefs with 10 years
of experience earn between Rs 15,000-20,000.
After a stint as a chef abroad in a hotel or on a cruise liner you could easily make about
Rs 40,000-60,000 a month.
Career Prospects as a Chef:
• You can become restaurateurs or enter some related food-industry position.

• A few chefs move into catering.
• As a chef, you could even try your luck working at a hotel or a cruise liner abroad.
• Apart from a fat pay cheque you also get to see the world, stay in the best hotels and
eat the best food.
One thing's for sure - you won't go hungry!
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Commercial Pilot
Flying an airplane is great. Getting paid to do that is even greater. No wonder it's one of
the most sought-after careers in the world. And you can see why. A typical day will see
you 'brunching' in Frankfurt, 'lunching' at Atlanta and dinning in Texas. Now that's what
we call a real globetrotter!
What's more, you get to see the world, stay in the best hotels and hobnob with the best
looking women in the industry. Did we say you'd take home close to Rs 1, 50,000 a
month?
Piloting is serious business. It carries considerable charm, prestige, responsibility and

risk. You'll find yourself in different time zones, climates and cultures every day. It's like
a different expedition every time...a new and exciting world to discover and journey
through.
A typical workday depends on the number of pilots a plane needs and whether you are
flying international or domestic. A long day can last for as many as 12 hours. But with
international flights there could be no limits to your working hours. In any case, you
won't be at the cockpit for more than 4 hours at a stretch.
As a commercial pilot, you will be flying different types of aircrafts right from a 16-
seater small plane to 747 jumbo jets and airbuses. Flying at a height of 5000-30,000 ft.
above the sea level can be a real high!
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As a commercial pilot you will be responsible for the safe run of the aircraft between
destinations. You will also be responsible for the safety of the crewmembers, passengers
and the aircraft during its flight.
As a pilot you will have to be fully aware of the weather, flight conditions, flight routes
and international sky limits. Seeking the approval of the Air Traffic Control before flying
and landing, checking the electrical and mechanical functioning of various components of
the aircraft and checking the fuel conditions are part of your job.
A pilot has to make sure that there are absolutely no technical snags before taking off.
This job calls for very high level of precision. No mistake, however negligible can be
overlooked as even a small error in the engine can spell disaster.
The Captain/Senior Commander makes all the major decisions and is overall responsible
for the flight's safety. He is the team leader and must establish an effective crew
atmosphere, with good communication and resource management.
The First Officer assists the Captain. He also helps the Captain in pre-flight duties like
reviewing paperwork and pre-flight checks. The First Officer is also a pilot but a junior
one at that. Trainee Pilots generally fly as co-pilots.
A Trainee Pilot goes on to become a Pilot or First officer on board. The first promotion is
a Commander or Captain and thereafter a Senior Commander. Seniority is determined by
the hours of flying and successful completion of various training programmes and
subsequent certification.
Requirements to be a Commercial Pilot:

If you are ready to take responsibility for the billion-dollar aerodynamic machine called
an airplane and the numerous lives that will be entrusted in your hands, you need to be:
• A very intelligent person with excellent analytical and reasoning abilities

• Excellent scientific reasoning and comfortable with scientific facts and figures
• Alert in every situation
• Able to maintain your cool in times of crisis and even otherwise
• Quick at taking decisions
• Excellent leadership qualities
• Physically fit
The above qualities will just about impress your teacher, but won't land you a flying job.
For that you need a Commercial Pilot License, which can be acquired like this:
Student Pilot License (SPL) - After SSC you could register with a flying club,
recognised by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), followed by a written test.
Then you have to get your medical check-up certified by the Institute of Aviation
Medicine or Armed Forces Central Medical Establishments. After this you can stake
claim to the most coveted Student Pilot License or SPL.
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Private Pilot License (PPL) - This is the second step. After a minimum of 15 hours of
flying training with instructors, you are then eligible to fly alone. Thereafter, you have to
obtain at least 60 hours of solo flying experience to be eligible for a written test. For this
you have to be minimum 17 years of age, 10+2 pass with Physics and Mathematics. Few
flying clubs and institutes allow you to register directly for PPL.
Note: This license does not allow you to work with commercial airlines.
Commercial Pilot License (CPL) - This could be obtained from any DGCA recognised
flying training institute. Apart from a minimum age of 18 you also need a certificate of
fitness issued by a Medical Board approved by the DGCA, Ministry of Civil Aviation,
and Government of India.
Academically you need to have completed your 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics or
BSc with Physics, Maths and Chemistry. At least 250 hours of flying experience is
required inclusive of 60 hours in PPL. Twenty-five hours of cross-country and at least
five hours of night flying experience is a must.
Apart from the flying experience you also have to pass a written test. Additionally, a
commercial pilot needs an instrument rating (which includes night flying) and a multi-
engine rating (twin engine flying).
Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ALTPL) - This is the final step in becoming a full-
fledged airline pilot. It involves flying for over 1500 hours in a variety of aircrafts apart
from passing the theory papers.
Job Opportunities for a Commercial Pilot:
• Government carriers like Indian (formerly known as Indian Airline); Air India or their
subsidiaries like Alliance Air.
• Domestic private airlines like Sahara, Jet Airways, Go Air, etc.
• Foreign Airlines like British Airways, Delta Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United Air,
Lufthansa, etc.
• Corporate companies that own private jets like TISCO, Kirloskar, Reliance, Tata,
Mahindra & Mahindra, etc.
• Cargo companies that own fleets like DHL, UPS, etc.
• You could also acquire a CPL and apply to the Air Force as a pilot on Short Service
Commission for a period of five years.
Trainee pilots on international routes get Rs 80,000-1, 00,000 a month or more (salary
plus other allowances).
Domestic airlines pay Rs 40,000- 80,000 a month
A Pilot may earn Rs 2 lakh-3.5 lakh a month.
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A Captain makes Rs 2.4-4 lakh a month.
Senior commander gets paid Rs 5 lakh a month in Air India. The salaries include various
allowances and perks.
Career Prospects of a Commercial Pilot:

The good news is that the existing domestic airlines have been allowed fleet expansions.
Add to that the investment in air traffic infrastructure and there sure seems to be a silver
lining.
Besides opportunities in the domestic sector it is always possible to get a job in foreign
airlines. Lastly, greater the number of flying hours, better is the chances of landing a job
or at least getting the employer to look at your curriculum vitae!
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Merchant Navy
Were you in awe of Sindbad the Sailor? Or Do you wish to travel the world at no extra
cost? Is sailing the Seven oceans your dream and fighting storms your idea of adventure?
Then join the Merchant Navy where money literally flows like water. If you can bear to
be away from your loved ones for months together let's set sailing…
The Merchant Navy has nothing to do with the Indian Navy. They are not used as an
army to defend our seas from infiltrators or any such thing. The Merchant Navy
comprises of passenger vessels, cargo vessels, liners, ore carriers and other types of
specialised ships. These ships are operated by private sector shipping companies and
manned by trained navigators, Marine Engineers and crew. Merchant Navy fleet consists
of cargo ships, container ships, tankers, bulk carriers, refrigerator ships, and passenger
ships.
A closer look at each of these:

Bulk carriers carry heavy weight cargo such as grain, oil, ore, etc. Container ships carry
cargo in containers.
Tankers are ships, which carry oil and other petroleum products in large tanks built inside
the ship.
Refrigerator ships have huge cold storage plants to carry perishable foodstuff and items
on specific service routes.
Passenger ships carry passengers from one place to other. These ships are either just ship
with different classes for carrying passengers or are luxury cruise liners.
You could join the Merchant Navy as a Junior Navigating Officer/Second/Third Mate, or
Marine Engineer (as a Fifth Engineer). You could even join as service crew. You'll work
on a contractual basis for a period of six to nine months. Thereafter, you will have to
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upgrade your skills, get a certificate of higher proficiency, and again get a new contract
on board.
Don't you want to know your responsibilities in Merchant Navy in each of these job
functions? Here it is:
Mate/Navigating Officer: You are in the operation side. As a Navigating Officer you
will act like a pilot (in this case a ship) and help the ship navigate its way through the
rough, handle loading/unloading of cargo and ensure safe operation of the ship. Apart
from that you'll also keep a watch over the many seamen, crew and passenger, ensure
safety, observe and implement national and international codes of conduct, etc. You will
also act as a Radio Officer (not a radio, you will be handling sophisticated electronic
communication system operated through satellite), handling the communication with
other ships, land, and port authorities.
Marine Engineer: You'll handle the technical side of the ship - engine and all the
electrical, mechanical and electronic equipments. Maintenance of the ship in tip-top
condition is your forte.
Service department: This department manages the kitchen, laundry, house keeping,
medical and other services.
Your career in the Merchant Navy will start as a deck cadet (the lowest order in the
hierarchy).
You'll do just about everything from deck maintenance, looking after ship equipment,
cargo handling to ship handling (docking, undocking and maneuvering). You'll also be
trained in handling emergencies and paper work. In other words you'll work like a dog!
If you survive that, you'll be promoted to the post of Third Officer or Safety Officer.
You'll be in charge of safety procedures and the ship's equipments. You are followed by
Second Mate, someone who overseas navigation of the vessel and stationery.
If you reach the post of the Chief officer/First officer, you'll will be second in command
to the master and supervise the Third and Second Officers. You'll also look after the
cargo. If you reach the post of Captain, you have finally made it. You are the boss now.
Promotions and better salaries depend on clearing the requisite competency exams
conducted by the Ministry of Surface Transport through DGS.
On the other hand, in the engineering side, your career will start as the Fifth Engineer,
and thereafter Fourth Engineer, Third Engineer and finally the Chief Engineer.
Requirement to join the Merchant Navy:

A basic quality here is a love for the sea. You have to be water borne. Willingness to stay
away from your family comes next. Of course as you rise in your position, you will be
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allowed to bring your wife and children on board. But that will take some years of
service.
On the personal front you should:

• Love adventure
• Have willingness to travel
• Have strong leadership abilities
• Presence of mind
• An ability to adapt to different situations/environment/people
• Be very hard working - your working hours may be all 24 hours!
Those were only the personal qualities. Now for the academic qualifications:
To qualify a place on a Merchant Navy ship you should complete B.Sc. in Nautical
Science/Deck Cadet Officer course at any of the training academies. Alternatively, one of
the shipping companies could sponsor your studies, but then you would be contractually
obliged to serve the merchant navy for a certain number of years.
Eligibility for Deck Cadet Officer:

HSC or B.SC with Maths and Physics as their main subjects from a recognised
university.
Age Limit: The age restriction is 20 years for HSC and 22 years for B.Sc. candidates.
This restriction is however, relaxed for some Foreign Shipping Companies and must be
verified with the companies.
Medical Standard: Candidate should be physically fit for sea service under standard
norms.
Engineering branch requirements are as follows:

Degree in Marine Engineering/Mechanical Engineering from a university or institute
recognised by the Ministry of Human Resources Development.
Medical Standard: Candidate should be physically fit for sea service under standard
norms.
Age Limit: Maximum 25 years at the time of entry.
For Service department:

Any background will do. However, background in hotel management with experience in
the hospitality business will be a great help. In this field you need to upgrade your skills
every nine months or so, through proficiency development or skill development courses
in the maritime academies and pass examinations conducted by the Directorate General
of Shipping (DGS). This will be your key to new contracts with the merchant navy.
390
Your career graph would be as follows:
• Deck Cadet
• 3rd Officer/Mate
• 2nd Officer/Mate
• Chief Officer/First Officer/Mate
• Captain
In the Engineering branch, you'll join as a Junior Engineer/Fifth Engineer. You could rise
to the post of Chief Engineer Officer after upgrading your qualification. But, you cannot
be the captain of the ship as that is only for deck officers.
After a successful stint or retirement, you can return to land where you can work in:
• *Government Surveyors of Ships
• *Cargo and insurance surveyors
• *Marine Superintendents of Shipping companies.
• *Pilots of ships at ports.
• *Lecturer in Maritime Education/training academies
• Mostly you would have earned so much that you would be working just for the fun
and to keep yourself occupied.
The money is good if you are working in Merchant Navy. You could start off with as
much as Rs 27,000 per month and work up to 1.5 - 2 lakh a month.
If you work for foreign vessels then well you will earn in dollars. Your gross salary can
be as much as Rs. 4 lakh a month at the top of your career. You are usually allowed 4-
months leave every year. Items like imported liquor, cigarettes are all duty-free on board.
Merchant navy is said to be the backbone of the international trade. Domestic shipping
industry accounts for only 30 per cent of India's total sea-borne trade (aggregate of cargo
coming in and out of India).
It is also decreasing over the years. This means, foreign shipping companies control rest
of the 70 per cent. And it is not always easy to get jobs in a foreign shipping
company. You could even be a shipbroker, freight broker or work in a shipping company.
391
Radio Jockey
―Good Morningggg, Mumbai‖ remember the scene from Lage Raho Munna bhai or
"Yeh Aakashwani hain" a phrase very familiar to our parents. Ask your mom and
dad and they will tell you about those days when they all used to be riveted to the
radio listening to Ameen Sayani hosting 'Cibaca Geet Mala.'
'Video killed the Radio star' goes the popular song but radio is staging a comeback with
FM and the likes. And so has come into limelight the profession of Radio Jockeying.
As a Radio Jockey, you will be sitting in a booth, surrounded by audio equipment and
your voice will be filling up the airwaves. All radio shows are packaged keeping a certain
audience in mind. You will be wooing this target audience with your persona. A radio
jockey is different from a disc jockey as you will not just introduce the tracks but you
will also talk about them.
The role of a radio jockey is not restricted to playing music. As a Radio Jockey, you will
be called upon to read the news and make important announcements. Conducting
interviews with celebrities and moderating group discussions also form a part of your
responsibilities.
A lot of work goes on before a show is aired. You will have to do the initial research,
prepare your script and decide as to how you want the programme to run. Of course you
will be assisted by scriptwriters, producers and other executives. But at the end of the day
it is your show.
392
Requirement:
Hey good news folks! For once looks really don't matter. What does matter is your voice.
Now, everybody doesn't have the voice of an Amitabh Bachchan or a James Earl Jones.
But that is not important. You should have a clear diction. This means that you should be
able to talk clearly and be understood. No formal education is required as such (although
you should be able to read and write!).
What however is very essential is the ability to modulate your voice. No, this is not some
great science that you have to master. It is just that you should be able to control the
pitches of your voice and learn to use them to the best effects. More than voice, one must
also have good communication skills.
At the end of the day an RJ must know his/her audience & talk accordingly For instance,
if you are hosting a programme for teenagers, you have to sound bouncy and bubbly. On
the other hand you need to sound serious and mature for an older audience.
Radio requires a passion for music. Knowledge of music is not as much a necessity as
love for music. You also must be able to put across your personality through your voice.
This is important as your attitude and persona will set you apart from others and cultivate
a loyal audience.
You will need to be well-read and keep yourself updated. Then there are the technical
aspects that you need to know like operating the CD players, the Sound Mixers and other
digital equipments. Then there are aspects of being on a live show like blending in your
voice to the background music and cutting your chatter right before the lyrics begin.
These are some of the stuff that you learn by trial and error.
Presence of mind is required in this business. From covering up audio goof-ups to

calming down nervous wrecks, you will have to utilise those grey cells to the maximum.
Work timings are erratic and you should be prepared to be up at four O' clock on a
Sunday morning to do a show at 6.00 am.
AIR has a two-month in-house training course for its radio jockeys, auditions for which
are held every three months. Radio Mirchi recruits RJ‟s through an annual RJ hunt, where
auditions are followed by a screening process.
You could train at EMDI- Encompass Institute of Radio Management, Noel K‟s Radio
Jockeying classes or the Xavier Institute of Communication.
Job Opportunities:
The first thing that you have to do is audition. Your voice is tested to see how it sounds
over the radio. But it is not just your voice but your personality that will also be taken
393
into consideration. You could work for radio stations like AIR (All India Radio), Times
FM, Radio Mid-Day and other such independent radio stations.
But that's not the only avenue for you. You could do voice-overs for Ad films and even
host events and shows. Of course there is also the option of turning into a Video Jockey.
Then there is the emerging arena of online jockeying.
You are paid on the basis of the number of hours that you put in. This could be anywhere
in the range of Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,500. Reputed RJs make as much as Rs 30,000 a month.
This is besides the money that you can get ad-libbing commercials and comparing shows.
Career Prospects:
The radio industry is expected to grow at a rate of 32 per cent per annum over the next 5
years, opening up a plethora of opportunities for those who aspire for a career in the field.
Previously, there was only AIR. This meant that the government had monopoly over the
airwaves.
Then FM (Frequency Modulation) was opened to the private sector in the same way as
satellite television was allowed and suddenly there was a big boom. FM is growing and
the demand for people to fill up the ever-increasing number of slots is increasing
proportionately.
Players in the Indian publishing industry such as the Times Group and Mid-Day group
too have taken a keen interest in FM, which indicate a healthy growth in this industry.
If you want to be a part of the Radio Industry, you could also try your hand
in Programme Direction where you will decide the “sound” of the station and lead the
programming team. You could also be a Radio Producerwhere you will work closely
with the Programming Director.
Your duties will include developing programmes and coordinating technical requirements
like equipment and the radio set-up etc. You could also be employed as a script writer at
a radio station. Other options include Station Manager, Studio/sound Engineer. On the
corporate aspect you could be a part of the marketing team which deals with studying
consumer tastes, target segments and market trends. The sales team, on the other hand,
has to sell air time to advertisers.
This type of jobs can be held after you do the specific courses. You may need to complete
your 12th or your graduation but Educational qualification is not at all a necessity. The
courses required may be a short term course and you definetly need to have a srong
passion for the field. You may also become a professional by just assisting and working
under people with more experience.
394
Singer
Talent, genuine interest, sincerity and willingness to work hard can guarantee a big
success in the field of music. Having an inborn talent to sing is a wonderful gift.
But making a career out of this talent, demands regular devoted practice. Joining an
institution and getting trained is one of the first steps towards making a career in Music
but the main emphasis should be real dedication and commitment.
Today the advent of satellite television, the growing popularity of the music channels and
corporate sponsorship of musical events, has all made music big business.
Singing through television can be included in one‟s repertoire of avenues as it can prove
to be a good start. One should try to participate in music-based programmes, contests,
opening montages for products, occasional telefilm and so on and also network with
advertising jingle producers.
Requirements of a Singer:
Among the attributes, one that tops the list is a good voice. A person considering a career
in music should have a genuine love for music, a musical sense, which means a sense of
time and rhythm, besides versatility, creative ability and also stage confidence.
Other attributes include inherent talent, dedication, determination and hard work,
creativity and adaptability, teamwork, accept criticism in the right spirit, self-confidence
and ambition.
395
A high standard of musical and technical skill is required and expected from performers
in all areas. At the same time one needs to have publicity- contacts with the right people,
money for training and for making demo cassettes for commercialization.
Education: There is no specific qualification required to enter into this field. However, to
take up a course in this subject the basic requirement is 10+2.
Courses offered in this area are certificate courses, bachelor courses, diploma courses and
post graduate level courses.
Duration of various courses: Certificate course is of one year, Bachelor courses is of three
years, Diploma and Post Graduate level courses is of two years.
Training in this field is imparted by many schools and institutions. Most prominent
among them is Kalakshetra in Chennai and The Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi
As a Singer you can find job opportunities in:
Just as there is a wide variety of forms in music like classical, folk, jazz, pop, fusion etc
there are also a variety of opportunities in this field.
Besides becoming a performer (vocal or instrumental) or a teacher, one can be a

composer/song writer, music publisher, music journalist, Disc Jockeys/ Video Jockeys,
Music Therapist, Artist manager/PR and so on in the Music Industry.
They can even undertake challenging performance in concert halls, small or large
ensembles, in studios as recording artists, and live shows in lounge settings, pubs,
nightclubs, etc.
They can also work for film industry as playback singers. One can also try their hand as a
“track singer” where in they will have to work with the music composer to get the song
in-tune before it is sung by a play back singer.
Talented and qualified persons can find numerous employment opportunities in:
• Television channels like Doordarshan
• AIR and private FM channel stations
• Government departments of culture and public relations
• Production houses
• Music troupes
• Music research organisations as a musicologist
• Music companies
• Educational Institutions, Kala kendras etc.
• There are also many opportunities for self-employment in the form of holding private
classes at home or opening a music school or producing and directing independent
programmes.
396
Expected earnings for a Singer:
Although fame and money in this field depends a lot on luck and getting a good break,
but once you are established there is ample scope for making good money in this field.
A track singer singing for an album earns Rs 500 a song whereas a well-established
playback singer can earn a few lacks on a single song. Singing for weddings or other such
functions can earn Rs. 10,000/- a day.
A Singers career prospects:
As long as there is music, films and festivals, music as a career is a sweet melody.
Singing competitions on television too have given an easy platform to many to start a
career in singing.
Music videos, films, television all need singers to survive. Also weddings, festivities and
religious ceremonies, all call for good singers.
397
Video Jockey
Have you been called a chatter box by people? Are you good looking? Do you have a
wacky sense of humour? Then get ready for a life laced with loads of money, fame and
glamour. All this when you are barely 25.
A VJ is a Video Jockey. One who hosts music shows on a television channel. In this
age of competition and remote controls it is very difficult to retain loyal viewers.
Your main responsibility will be to keep millions of viewers glued to the channel.
You have to generate a group of loyal viewers who will not move from the channel
during the programme. How do you do this?
The success of a music show depends on how interactive it is. So it is your responsibility
as a video jockey to interact with the viewers through telephone, email and fax. The more
the people want to interact with you, the more successful is your programme. In short you
will carry the show on your shoulders.
In fact a few channels are known purely by its VJs. Take Cyrus 'bakra' Broacha or VJ
Anusha for instance. They have an amazing fan following and all their shows have high
ratings. In fact, no music show can now be stand-alone. The songs have to be peppered
with perky conversation, jokes and celebrity appearances among other things, to sustain
viewer interest.
Your job as a video jockey is certainly very glamourous. Be prepared to be recognised on

the streets! A certain celebrity status goes with the job, once the viewership ratings jump.
The flip side, however, throws up long and erratic hours of work and frequent travelling.
398
As a video jockey you will not just play music but also take part in programme planning,
research, script writing, selection of songs to be played according to the theme of
programme, promotion of the programme or the channel (they work for) in general,
attending road shows, and so on.
Requirement:
You don't need to have any specific educational qualification to become a VJ. Of course
you got to have good command over English, Hindi and 'Hinglish' which is the language
of television today. Not to mention the right accent. This is important, as a video jockey
needs to talk a lot.
Candidates with backgrounds in journalism, mass communication and performing arts are
likely to enjoy a head start.
Some amount of voice training would definitely help. You need a voice that's clear,
pleasant and strong. Needless to say, a well-kept physique in combination with a trendy
dress sense is expected of a video jockey.
You will have to keep your ears tuned to the latest in the field of music - all the latest
videos and information about music stars and other celebrities.
It helps to have knowledge of more than one regional language. This will come handy
while you are on road shows. Basically you need to be creative, bohemian and fun loving.
Job Opportunities:
You have to go through a grinding test to be selected as a VJ with a television channel.

Tests can be on paper, before the camera and the voice test. And it's not easy getting the
first break. Once you are in as a video jockey, you will work on a contract basis for a
music channel.
If you have a good personality and a wacky sense of humour you can bag your own show
within the first six months. It all depends on how you carry yourself and your ability to
relate to your target audience.
However there is a lot of uncertainty in this profession. Channels are always looking for
fresh faces. This can be both good and bad news. Every year music channels replace old
VJs with new, fresh faces. So, your life span as a VJ is short. But that does not mean you
will be out of work. If you are good, you are sure to be picked up by another channel or
television company.
Apart from Veejaying, you can model, endorse products, do stage shows and brand
promotions, act in films and anchor programmes. When you are bored of your job as a VJ
399
you can switch over to being a disc jockey, model, theatre or film actress, anchor for
social events or a Public Relations Executive.
That's the best part of being a VJ. This profession is highly paid and for what? To talk
nineteen to the dozen, to travel and to meet new people and of course to be a celebrity.
As a VJ you can earn anything between Rs 10, 000-2, 000, 00 per show. Every month,
you could easily take home a cool Rs 8 lakh.
Career Prospects:
The prospects couldn't be any better for VJs as of now. With the introduction of newer
music channels like B4U and the likes, the demand for VJs is only on the rise. In fact
some industry pundits believe that this is just the beginning.
Eventually all channels and not just the music channels will need VJs to project a positive
image of their channel. That may sound like music to the ears of wanna be VJs.
400

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Career Bank

Sr. No Topic Pg.No

1 Art And Design 7

1.4 Ceramic Technology 23

1.5 Exhibition Designer 27

1.6 Fashion Designer 30

1.7 Garden Designer 37

1.8 Graphic Designer 38

1.9 Interior Designer 42

1.10 Jewellery Designer 45

2 Engineering & Technology 58

2.1 Aerospace Engineer 59

2.2 Agriculture Engineer 60

2.3 Automobile Engineer 62

2.4 Biomedical Engineer - Human Engineer 65

2.5 Broadcast Technician 71

2.6 Chemical Engineer 73

2.7 Civil Engineer 77

2.9 Electrical Engineer 85

2.10 Electronics Engineer 86

2.11 Fire Fighter 90

2.12 Footwear Engineer 95

2.13 Industrial Engineer 97

2.14 Instrumentation Engineer 99

2.15 Marine Engineer 101

2.16 Mechanical Engineer 103

2.17 Mining Engineer & Metallurgist 105

2.18 Naval Architect 106

2.19 Production Engineer 108

2.20 Telecommunications Engineer 110

3 Environmental and Biological Science 113

3.1 Agriculturist 114

3.2 Biochemist 118

3.3 Bioinformatics 124

3.4 Biotechnologist 127

3.5 Dairy Technologist and Poultry Supervisor 134

3.6 Environmentalist 139

3.7 Fishery Science 147

3.8 Food Technologist 150

3.9 Forestry and Wildlife 151

3.10 Horticulturist 157

3.12 Microbiologist 163

4 Finance and Accounts 167

4.1 Actuary 168

4.2 Banker 172

4.3 Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) 177

4.4 Charted Accountant 179

4.5 Equity Research Analyst 182

5 Government Services 186

5.1 Civil Services Officer 187

5.2 Customs Officer 190

5.3 Indian Administrative Services (IAS) 194

5.4 Income Tax Officer 202

5.5 Indian Airforce Officer 206

5.6 Indian Army Officer 212

5.7 Indian Navy Officer 219

6.1 Air Hostess 228

6.2 Hotel Management 232

6.3 Travel and Tourism Professional 236