Your Counsellor Replies

Your Counsellor RepliesI‚m a class XI student. I want to pursue a career in communications. Please advise. Nalini Sawant, PuneYou could enroll for a bachelors‚ degree in mass media and later for a Masters in communication studies/ mass communications. Or you could complete your graduation in any subject of your choice and sign up for a postgraduate programme in mass communication or communication studies. The University of Pune (www.unipune.e.met.in/dept/emrc) and AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110 025 are among the most well reputed institutions for study programmes in communications.I‚ll be graduating (BA economics) in 2005. What are the career options available to me other than MBA and IAS? Please provide information about the company secretary‚s course as well.Ashok Patel, AhmedabadYour economics degree qualifies you for a career in journalism, mass communications, advertising, chartered accountancy, company secretaryship, insurance and cost accountancy among others. A Masters in economics will qualify you to enter the Indian Economic Service after clearing the Economic Service Examination conducted by the Union Public Services Commission. A Masters will also facilitate entry as a management trainee into the corporate sector or into financial institutions which usually employ economists in research positions. Vis-ƒ -vis the company secretary‚s study programme, contact the Western India Regional Office of ICSI, No.13, Jolly Maker Chambers, II Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021.I‚ll be completing my B.Com in 2004 after which I propose to write the UPSC exam. Please provide information about the exam and coaching classes too.Ravi Kolhatkar, NasikThe minimum eligibility criterion for writing the UPSC civil services exam is a bachelor‚s degree. Success in the UPSC examination is the prerequisite of entry into the IAS, IPS, among other all-India services. UPSC also conducts other examinations such as the Combined Defence Services Examination for entry into the army, navy and air force. For more information visit www.upsc.gov.in. Numerous study options are available to prepare for UPSC examinations. These include guides, correspondence courses, classroom coaching, etc. In Mumbai, coaching classes are conducted by the University of Mumbai and the State Institute of Administrative Careers.Can you suggest some reputed institutes where I could pursue a programme in mass media with specialisation in advertising? I graduate next year.Rekha Rao, BangaloreYou are eligible to enroll for a two-year Masters programme in advertising and communication management after graduation. Among the institutions offering this programme are: the Mudra Institute of Communications, Ahmedabad (MICA), Shela, Ahmedabad 380 058 (www.mica.India.net); Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, V.L. Mehta Road, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai 400 056 (www.nmims.edu) and the Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communi-cation, Senapati Bapat Marg, Pune 411 004 (www.simc.edu) which offers a two-year postgrad diploma in communication management with specialisation in advertising/ public relations. Applicants to the highly rated MICA are shortlisted on the basis of CAT scores and are required to write an entrance test which assesses their analytical, divergent thinking and written communication skills. You could also consider applying for the postgrad advertising and public relations programme of the Indian Institute of Mass Communications, Aruna…