Your Counselor Replies

After completing my BE (electronics and communication) degree next year, which postgraduate course would you recommend for boosting my career prospects? Venkat Narayan, Chennai Enroling in an M.Tech degree programme will qualify you for jobs in teaching and research, while an MBA will prepare you for a management career in industry. I’m a qualified chartered accountant with two years work experience in the corporate sector. Am I eligible to enroll in a Ph D programme at an IIM or XLRI, Jamshedpur? Srinivas Iyer, Bangalore To qualify for the Ph D programmes offered by any of the IIMs and XLRI, you must have a Masters degree (any discipline) with a minimum average of 55 percent or a professional qualification such as CA, ICWA, CS with at least 55 percent, or a four-year/eight semesters bachelor’s degree. Thus, your CA qualification qualifies you to apply for a Ph D programme. I’m a second year B.Com student specialising in banking and insurance. Should I enroll in a CA or ICWA course or concentrate on banking and insurance? Neena Sabharwal, New Delhi After graduation you could opt for a Masters degree or write banking and insurance exams. Career prospects are good as the banking and insurance sector has enormous potential for growth. Concentrate on this career and don’t fritter away your energies chasing a CA or ICWA qualification. I’m a class XI student interested in making a career in biotechnology. Can I choose this subject as a specialisation in B.Sc or do I have to enroll in an engineering degree programme in biotechnology?  Nitin Rele, Pune Biotechnology is offered as a specialisation in B.Sc as well as a BE degree programme. For admission into an engineering college, you have to write a common entrance exam with admission into the best colleges depending upon your performance in the test. On the other hand, for admission into a B.Sc programme you don’t have to write an entrance exam. I’m a second year B.Com student keen on a career in financial planning. What are the available study options and career prospects? Sheetal Desai, Ahmedabad To qualify to write the certified Financial Planner (CFP) examination, you need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline, but enrolment in a commerce, economics or accountancy programme at the undergrad level gives you an advantage. The Certified Financial Planning Board is an independent professional regulatory organisation which licences those who pass the board’s exam. As a financial planner, your work involves advising clients on investment, wealth and estate planning, and risk management.  I’m in class XI (arts) and want to pursue a career in law. What are the job opportunities in this profession? Amy Furtado, Panjim After completion of Plus Two you should enroll in BA LLB, a five-year degree course. After graduation, you can practice in district or small sessions courts or work in a private law firm. If you specialise in corporate law, you can opt for private sector jobs. I’m a computer science graduate interested in applying for an MS degree abroad. Please advise how best…