I’d like to qualify as an aeronautical engineer. Please advise.
— John Rebello, Panjim
An aeronautical engineer designs, develops and tests aircraft, space vehicles and missiles by applying engineering principles and techniques. An aerospace engineer designs, develops, tests and helps produce commercial and military aircraft, missiles and spacecraft. There are only a few institutions in India where you can study aeronautical/aerospace engineering. It’s a specialised branch of engineering where only the best students are accepted. Employment is usually with research and development organisations, universities, defence services and other manufacturing industries.
PEC University of Technology, Sector 12, Chandigarh admits students into its BE (aeronautics/aerospace) programme on the basis of their rank in the Joint Entrance Examination (Mains) of the IITs. Anna University, Chennai also offers a B.Tech programme in aeronautics. The IITs (Bombay, Kanpur, Kharagpur and Madras) offer four-year B.Tech programmes as well as a five-year integrated M.Tech (excluding Kanpur) programme in aerospace engineering.
I’m a final year BA student aspiring to become an airhostess and have completed an airhostess training course. Will a course in public relations be an added qualification?
— Sunita Singh, New Delhi
To apply for a job as an airhostess, you should keep a lookout for the recruitment notifications of airline companies in the newspapers and apply within the stipulated deadlines. You could also apply for a job in the general marketing or front office department of a hotel. For these jobs, you can apply directly on the basis of duly published employment notifications, or by making personal enquiries about job openings. A public relations qualification would definitely be helpful in securing a guest relations job in a hotel.
The greatest attraction of a flight attendant or air hostess job is the opportunity it provides for free travel. If you can cope with irregular hours and maintain your poise and courtesy in all circumstances, this is an attractive career option. The money is good with perks and abundant allowances.
I’m keen on a career in architecture after completing my Plus Two (science) next year. Which are the best colleges in India? Are there many career opportunities for B.Arch graduates?
— Rina Das, Nasik
You should have completed Plus Two with PCM and 50 percent aggregate to write the aptitude test for entry into architecture colleges in Maharashtra. Among the premier colleges of architecture are Sir J.J. College of Architecture, Mumbai; Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), Kasturbhai Lalbhai Campus, Ahmedabad; University of Roorkee; Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur; Chandigarh College of Architecture and School of Planning and Architecture (deemed university), New Delhi. Employment prospects in architecture are good for those who are well trained and tuned to industry requirements.
You can also opt to study further or specialise in visual communication and industrial design.
I’m a Plus Two (science) student who performs above average academically. I would like to study astrophysics. Please advise.
— Srinath Iyer, Bangalore
Astrophysics is the study of the stars, galaxies and the universe. It is a field of astronomy as are celestial mechanics and cosmology. If you are studying physics, chemistry and maths at the class XII level, you are on the right track. Continue with a major/honours in physics with maths as a subsidiary subject since astrophysics isn’t commonly offered at the undergraduate level, though a few varsities do so in their B.Sc programmes. Doctoral level studies can be pursued at the Indian Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune and other physics/space science-related research institutions.
I will be completing my B.Com next year. After graduation I want to pursue a career in banking. What exams do I have to write?
— Deepak Rao, Bangalore
You’ll have to write the Probationary Officers Examination conducted by nationalised banks. Many private sector banks recruit graduates directly through a competitive selection process. A diploma in banking and finance is offered by the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (formerly Indian Institute of Bankers), Mumbai.
I’ll be writing my class X board examination this year. I wish to enroll in a bachelors degree programme in microbiology or computer science after Plus Two. Please advise.
— manish Chatterjee, Kolkata
At the Plus Two level your subjects combination should be physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology and English so as to enable you to qualify for an undergrad programme in biology-related subjects or computer science. You must also make an effort to gather information about the subjects that interest you and the industries that employ people from these fields. Simultaneously, research other fields of work too. This will help you decide your career goals.
Moreover, you must ensure a high level of academic performance. Careers related to your fields of interest demand good scores and perseverance. You can also consider career options in bioinformatics, genetics and biotechnology.