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After completing my Plus Two (science) in 2014, I want to enroll in a design degree programme. Please advise me. Bhaskar Rao, Chennai The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, offers seven undergraduate and 17 postgraduate degree programmes. Specialisations include industrial, communication, textile, lifestyle accessories, apparel, IT and retail design. The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), with 15 centres countrywide, also offers degree programmes in design. Other premier institutes include MIT Institute of Design, Pune; MS University, Baroda; Symbiosis Institute of Design, Pune; Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore; Department of Industrial Design, School of Planning & Architecture, New Delhi; D J Academy of Design, Coimbatore etc. Admission is on the basis of entrance exams conducted by each design school. Which reputed institutes offer study programmes in automobile and auto-motive products design? Vikas Desai, Ahmedabad Among the prominent schools for automobile and auto products design are the Industrial Design Centres (IDCs) of four IITs; National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad; MIT Institute of Design, Pune; and Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore. All these schools stipulate stringent admission criteria involving a written exam, studio test and interview. Postgraduates in automobile and auto products design are in great demand with starting salaries pegged at Rs.6-14 lakh per year. I’m in class XII (science) and keen on a career in microbiology. What are the job options and prospects in this field? Sunita Rajan, Bangalore Microbiology is offered at three levels — undergrad, postgrad and doctoral. Students with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology can work in science and pathology labs. Microb-iology postgraduates are usually empl-oyed in the pharmaceutical industry, dairy, breweries, distilleries, etc, or can press on for a Ph D. Students who complete their doctoral programmes become eligible for teaching or post-doctoral research with excellent fellowship and contingency grants offered by agencies such as UGC, CSIR, ICMR etc. With a number of micro-speciali-sations available and growing demand for qualified microbiologists, graduates can expect fast career growth.  I’m enrolled in a postgraduate degree programme in mass communication. What job opportunities are available in radio journalism? Deepa Mehra, New Delhi With 839 new FM channels slated for auction in the near future, radio offers great career opportunities. A typical radio station is divided into four departments — creative, activation, marketing and sales. The creative dep-artment dealing with programme cont-ent, is manned by RJs (radio jockeys), producers and scriptwriters. The producer is responsible for story ideas and works closely with scriptwriters. Music is an important element in radio. Those with a keen ear for music and melody are needed as music managers and sound engineers. In addition, as in any other media organ-isation, there are jobs for researchers and marketing professionals.  I’m in the final year of my bachelor of chemical technology undergrad degree programme. Please advise if chemical technology is an elective in GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering). Rahul Fonseca, Bangalore Admission into postgraduate courses with scholarships/assistantships in engineering/technology/architecture and pharmacy requires students to clear GATE. Some colleges/institutes specify GATE as a mandatory qualification…