Your Counselor Replies

I want to pursue a career in design after completing my B.Com degree next year. However I’m confused whether I should sign up for a course in web or graphic design. Please advise. Shalini Jagannath, Bangalore Graphic design is the better option as it prepares you for production and layouts of newspapers, magazines, journals, corporate reports and other publications. In addition, as a qualified graphic designer you will be equipped to design promotional displays, logos, packaging materials and marketing brochures for products and services. In contrast, web design is a narrow specialisation restricted to planning, designing and constructing websites for clients. Once you master graphic design, you can always upgrade by signing up for a short course in web design. Is it necessary to acquire a Masters degree in IT (information technology) to secure a good job, or will a B.Sc (IT) degree suffice? I’m a first year B.Sc student and would like you to recommend some courses which will improve my career prospects. Deepak Chhabria, Mumbai A bachelor’s degree is insufficient to land a fast-track job, particularly in the IT industry with its fast-changing dynamics. A B.Sc degree is a good foundation but a Masters degree identifies you as a high flier. You could also consider signing up for an MCA (Master of computer applications) degree programme if your interest is in software development. Other options are an MBA with specialisation in IT and/or an M.Tech degree. Make your decision in your second year to enable you to prepare for entrance exams.   How rewarding is a career in the patents field? Is there sustained demand for patent professionals?  Navin Bhatia, New Delhi Patents, trademarks and IPR (intellectual property rights) are important legal specialisations and are steadily gaining importance in India. There are numerous postgraduate courses you could sign up for in these specialisations. NALSAR Law Univer-sity, Hyderabad, Indian Institute of Patents and Trademarks, Hyderabad, and Government Law College, Delhi, among others, offer courses in these fields. I’ve been working as a sales manager in a reputed company for the past two years. I want to improve my career prospects by signing up for a regular or part-time MBA study programme. Please advise. Amol Patil, Pune Since you have only two years’ work experience after graduation, I suggest you enroll for a full-time MBA programme. You could write the CAT exam, clearance of which qualifies you for admission into the IIMs or XAT/CMAT exams for entry into XLRI, Jamshedpur or other top B-schools. I will graduate in home science in 2014. I’m keen on working in the armed forces but don’t know how to go about it. Please advise. Nalini Sen, Kolkata You could apply under the Women Special Entry Scheme (WSES) for entry into the Indian Army. The WSES examination notification is advertised in prominent dailies with details of eligibility requirements. For entry into the Indian Air Force/Indian Navy, keep a lookout for similar notifications. All vacancies lead to a Short Service Commission. After you apply in response to an advertisement detailing eligibility and…