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I’m a science (statistics) graduate interested in pursuing a career in the insurance industry. I am currently preparing for the licentiate examination of the Insurance Institute of India and wish to know about study programmes offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute of London. — Navin Bajaj, Mumbai  With your statistics background, you might consider training to become an actuary. Actuaries calculate probabilities of death, sickness, injury, disability, retirement, income levels, property loss and return on investment. These calculations form the basis of premium rates and determine the policy contract provisions for different kinds of insurance schemes offered. Actuaries work in life or general insurance companies, consultancies, accounting firms, government departments, merchant banks, stock exchanges or private industry. The licentiate examination is essentially an introductory course which is recognised by IRDA (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority), insurers, state governments, etc as a precursor to specialisation. Becoming an agent is also a possibility. The Chartered Insurance Institute, 20 Aldermanbury, London offers Insurance Foundation Certificate and the Certificate of Insurance Practice courses. Visit http://www.cii.co.uk/ for more details.   I am an electronics engineer interested in signing up for a Ph D programme in astrophysics. What are the career prospects for astrophysicists? — Narendra Rao, Bangalore  Astrophysics is the study of the physical nature of stars, galaxies and the universe. Astronomers/astrophysicists find work in defence and space research organisations, with electrical, electronic and search and navigation equipment manufacturers etc. They also tend to be employed by universities and large research and development laboratories and observatories. Admission into a Ph D programme in astrophysics requires a consistently good academic record. You also have to clear the Joint Entrance Screening Test (JEST). Doctorate programmes in astrophysics are offered by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore; Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune; National Centre for Radio Astrophysics; TIFR, Pune; Raman Research Institute, Bangalore and Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad.    I am a third year B.Sc (botany) student. What job opportunities can I expect after graduation? — Subhash Rao, Bangalore  The most preferred career options of botany graduates are in medical or pharmaceutical research, agriculture, horticulture and to a lesser extent in marine sciences or ecology. However, these options are usually open to postgraduates. Hence, if research and teaching opportunities interest you, and you have a creditable academic record so far, sign up for a Masters degree in botany.  You also have the option to apply for admission into M.Sc (biotechnology) programmes. If you don’t want to pursue higher studies in the subject or related disciplines, you could consider taking the Indian Forest Service (IFS) Exam conducted by UPSC for entry into the IFS. You could also try for admission into a business management programme or into the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. This course of action will qualify you for excellent corporate sector jobs.   I will complete my B.Com degree next year and want to explore a career as an officer in the income tax department. Please advise. — Sudha More, Bombay  You need to be a graduate, between…