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Your counsellor repliesI‚ve just completed class X and will be enrolling in class XI (science). I‚m very keen on a career in astronomy. Please advise.Gautam Puri, BangaloreIn classes XI-XII you have to take physics, chemistry and mathematics as your combination. Usually astronomy or astrophysics is integrated into the B.Sc physics curriculum with a handful of universities offering it as a major. At the Master‚s level astronomy is often offered as a specialisation in the M.Sc physics programme. After a Master‚s degree in physics or the mathematical sciences, you could press on for a doctorate in astronomy. Reputed institutes where you can read for a Ph D include the Inter-University Centre for Astonomy and Astrophysics, Post Bag 4, Ganeshkind, Pune 411 007; Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore; National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), TIFR, Pune University Campus, PB No. 3, Ganeshkind, Pune 411 007; Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad. Career opportunities for astronomers to reach for the stars are plentiful because only a few opt for this profession.I‚m an engineer and interested in an MBA (finance) through correspondence. Can you suggest some study options?Nikhil Srinivas, ChennaiThe All India Management Association (AIMA) offers a postgraduate diploma in management (PGDM) with specialisations in insurance, human resource management (HRM), finance, marketing, operations and international business through distance learning. The precondition of admission is clearance of AIMA‚s Management Aptitude Test (MAT). The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) also offers an MBA with specialisation in HRM, finance, operations and marketing through correspondence. Admission is for students who have passed MAT. Both these study programmes are good. Another correspondence option is offered by the Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University, Dnyangangotri, Near Gangapur Dam, Nasik 422 222 (www.yemou.com). The advantage of AIMA and IGNOU is that they have a countrywide network of study centres. Other universities/ institutions offering MBA programmes through correspondence also advertise in prominent dailies. I‚m in class XII and would like to qualify as a psychologist. Please advise.Pallavi Mukherjee, KolkataAfter finishing Plus Two enroll in a BA degree programme. Choose a college which offers a major in psychology. After that you need a Master‚s to qualify as a psychologist. At the Master‚s level, you could specialise in industrial/ clinical/ social/ counselling and allied fields. Qualified psychologists can pursue careers in teaching, clinical practice, research, psychological testing, or industrial counselling. Completing a Ph D will further improve your career prospects in teaching, research and consulting.I would like to pursue a degree programme in travel and tourism through distance education. Please provide details of study courses available.Neena Advani, Mumbai You could consider the bachelor of tourism studies (BTS) offered by IGNOU (www.ignou.ac.in). Simultaneously you could pursue IATA courses through home study or through IATA‚s authorised training centres. IATA (www.iata.org) study programmes are offered at four levels, one leading to the next. The highest level of training relates to opportunities in management and consulting. With BTS and IATA qualifications you will be well-equipped for attractive placements in the booming tourism and travel industry. You could also…