I am in my final year diploma in electricals and electronics and I want to join the IT field. Which courses will I have to study and at what institutes?
Avnel Vernon Pinto (18) / KPT, Mangalore

For courses in IT field, you may go for short term courses in institutes like NIIT (www.niit.com) and APTECH (www.aptech-education.com). Some state level colleges give direct admission to 2nd year of B.Tech. to diploma holders. For details, contact the respective authority of your state. Otherwise you may go for AMIE (Associate Member of Institution of Engineers) examinations. Clearing these examinations is equivalent to having an engineering degree course recognized by all State Governments, Central Government, UPSC, etc. as equivalent to B.E./B.Tech. This examination consists of two sections A and B. Section A has four papers on subjects which are fundamental to engineering. In section B there are nine papers which include specialized study in your chosen branch of engineering. For further details visit www.ieindia.info

I have completed Std X and want to do fashion designing. Should I take Science or Commerce? Which colleges are best in this field? How should I prepare myself; should I do 11th and 12th from ISC or CBSE board?
Chanchal Adwani

To pursue a degree in fashion designing, the minimum requirement is 10+2 (any stream, any board), while for a diploma you can enter after class 10. Duration of the courses vary from few months to 5 years. National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi (www.niftindia.com) is the premier institution in the country offering professional training in various areas of the fashion industry. It has branches in Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune and Gandhinagar. Admission is through an entrance test, which has objective type questions on general ability and creative ability. Some institutes also take an interview for those who have cleared the written test.

What courses should I take up to become a radio jockey? After which class should they be done?
Rakshita Poojary (12) / Bal Bharti Public School, Navi Mumbai

To be a good RJ, formal educational qualifications do not hold much value because it is a talent based field. One should have good command over language, good sense of sound and music, good sense of humor and should have good communication skills along with clear voice. An RJ needs to keep track of the happenings in and around the city. Since the field is upcoming, there are not many training institutions offering specialised courses in radio jockeying. Some such institutes are EMDI Encompass Institute of Radio Management, Mumbai; Academy of Broadcasting, Chandigarh (www.aofb.in), Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai (www.xaviercomm.org); Academy of Radio Management, Delhi (http://arm.net.in/).

I am doing my B.A. L.LB. (Hons.) from a recognized university. My main aim is the judiciary but I have very little knowledge about this field. Please tell me about the entrance test, selection, and in general about starting with district courts and how to go about it in next stages (high court, etc.); how to start preparing (presently I am in 1st year).
Poornima Kapur

A career in judiciary is an intellectually stimulating profession where you shall command the respect of the common man. To enter into judicial services, law graduates can appear in the entrance exam conducted by their respective state Public Service Commission. Generally, these examinations consist of a written exam followed by viva-voce and personality test. An entry through this avenue assures a secured employment and time based promotions. Written examination includes questions on law subjects, general knowledge, English and local language. Since questions are concept based, understand the topics and clarify any doubts right now. That will be your preparation for that exam and you will also score well in your semester exams. Lawyers with some experience of litigating practice may join the Higher Judicial Service (HJS). Those selected through HJS get posted as an additional district judge.

I want to be an interior decorator. I would like some information about the exams and admission criteria related to interior decoration.
Neha (17) / Jyoti Sen. Sec. School, Rewa

A diploma/degree in interior decoration is the minimum requirement to enter this field. Various polytechnics and institutes offer these courses for which the eligibility is 10+2 (any stream). The duration of the course varies from two to four years. If you want to enter into interior designing, you should go for more rigorous training. Admission to most of the institutes for interior designing is through some test, which covers questions from the field of design involving common mental ability, general knowledge and sensitivity to environment, creativity, drawing and communication skills. National Entrance Examination for Design (NEED) is conducted by National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad (www.nid.edu), score of which is considered by some other institutes as well. Some institutes like CEPT University (www.cept.ac.in) conduct their own all-India level entrance examination/aptitude test.

Which stream is a better option for me if I want to pursue corporate law? Does corporate law have a good scope or is it hard to be successful in it just like criminal law?
Roselina Roby (14) / Anandalaya, Anand

Criminal law relates to crime while corporate law is concerned with the legality of commercial transactions. To pursue these fields, you should go for BALLB, a 5-year course after 10+2 (any stream). Though not necessary, it will surely help if you take commerce after 10th. In BALLB, you will study both criminal law and corporate law. Specialize later in the field that interests you more. Don't worry about success. You'll be successful in any field if you work hard and put in 100% effort. Don't get misled by stories which talk about people (hardly 0.5%) who are successful without any (visible) effort.