CAREERS

CAN A C.A. WORK IN THE BANKING SECTOR?
I'm an F.Y.B.Com. student. I secured 82% in S.S.C and 79% in H.S.C. I'm good in accounts and interested in banking. Does a C.A. have a career in the banking sector? If not, then please suggest some courses that are useful for banking. Which post graduation degree should I do to get a good position in a bank?

One can get into banks through many routes. One is through recruitment in nationalised banks, which is done through the Banking Service Recruitment Boards (BSRBs), or join a private bank through direct recruitment. In nationalised banks, openings are available at various levels: from Bank Clerks to Probationary Officers (PO). For POs, eligibility is graduation and selection is on the basis of a written test. Private banks recruit MBAs and Chartered Accountants. Fresh graduates can get the jobs in private banks as direct marketing executives.

M.Sc. or MBA
I am doing my B.Sc. with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. I am good in my studies but quite confused if I should do M.Sc. with Mathematics or an MBA through CAT as I am a confident student. What's best for me?

Both the fields require hard work but the type of work you'll get is different. M.Sc. in Mathematics followed by a Ph.D. will take you to a career in teaching in colleges and universities. You may also become a scientist and join some research organization. This career will require you to update your knowledge frequently and you'll be surrounded by scholars and books. An MBA is required if you want to join a private firm as manager. Try to find your interest and then decide accordingly.

FINE ARTS - THE RIGHT CHOICE?
I'm 17 years old and want to make a career in Fine Arts. I'm good at sketching but average in painting. I'm planning to give the entrance examination for the National Institute of Designing. How should I prepare for it? Is this the right choice for me? What are the other options?

National Institute of Design at Ahmedabad (www.nid.edu) offers a 4-year intensive Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (GDPD) in specialisation like Product Design, Furniture & Interior Design, Ceramic & Glass Design; Graphic Design and Textile Design. Admission is through entrance exam followed by a studio test and personal interview. It tests one's skills in drawing, design concepts, creative thinking, colour psychology, and colour applications, symbolism and logo design. You can also go for a Bachelor's in Fine Arts (BFA). This is offered by many institutes all over India like Sir J.J. Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai; MS University of Baroda, Baroda; Kala Bhavan, Visva-Bharati, Shantiniketan; College of Art, New Delhi etc.

I WANT TO BE A PHOTOGRAPHER… OR A CA
I'm a 13-year-old school student and I want to become a photographer. I love to take photos but I feel I should be thinking about a more serious career. My second option is to become a C.A. I am very confused. Where can I do a degree in photography / C.A.?

Photography is a unique and creative medium of self-expression, while study for CA requires that you should be comfortable with numbers. I think you are still young to make a final decision right now. But you can start clicking photographs with whatever type of camera you have. Try to find out if it is just a hobby or you can really be good in it. You may also take it up as your hobby and CA as your career.

CAREER OPTIONS FOR A B.COM. GRAD?
I am a 19-year-old visually challenged girl. I have passed class 10 with 92.4% and class 12 with 79.2%. Currently, I am pursuing B.Com. (Honours). Which career option would be the best for me?

Even though you say you're visually challenged, you are showing results which are better than those with good eyesight! After your B.Com. you can go for an MBA or do PG Diploma in some related field and join a private firm, or you can do M.Com. and start teaching. Think about the type of work you would like to do and go for it. You can do it.

Dr Vibha Gupta is a Ph.D. in Mathematics from IIT Roorkee. Her book Careers: A Pathfinder and articles in various publications are an attempt to guide students in choosing their career according to their natural strengths, talents and skills.