SOME CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES
Introduction
Events and occasions are an integral part of human life. We simply cannot bypass them as they touch almost all aspects of our social existence. Birthday celebrations, social gatherings, engagements and weddings are events we celebrate at the personal level.
During academic years there are school events such as annual day functions, inter and intra school contests, sports day celebrations, followed by college and university level festivals. In the sphere of work, there are annual general meetings, exhibitions, marketing campaigns, conferences, product launches and brand development activities. Other events such as fashion shows, cultural programs, talent hunt shows, promotional campaigns, religious gatherings and so on also play an important role in our life.
And what’s more, all of us have been a part of these events from time to time. We either organise these events or take part in the show. Either ways we want these occasions to go on as per our expectations and in doing so we often seek professional help. However, we do not pay much heed to the people who assiduously put in their effort and creative talent to make these events memorable and successful. They are the event managers.
Event management is a multifaceted activity. Major constituents of this profile include creativity, meticulous planning, relationship management, advertising and marketing and much more, all rolled into one seamlessly choreographed process.
Step-by-Step
The very basic qualification to get into the realm of event management is to be a graduate in any discipline. However, you must possess certain traits that would help you go a long way in this industry.
Essential skills include:
Public Relations: to manage clients, their agents and a vast gamut of professionals you would meet in the line of your profession
Creativity: from the germ of the concept to manage an occasion to its final delivery
Marketing skills: to sell your idea to your clients in order to make their events memorable
Analytical ability: you must have the knack to solve all sorts of problems and even have the foresight to anticipate unforeseen issues
Organisational skills: to carefully plan for tasks for self and for the entire team
Networking skills: this industry thrives on the shoulders of personal networking and you must have the ability to utilise it and expand it in your favour
Management skills: ability to manage time, stress, subordinates, clients, budgeting, risks, situations and so on
Institutions that offer event management as a vocational study program are few and far between. Most of these institutes offer certificate and diploma courses. On the other hand, event management companies prefer candidates who have earned their qualification in allied fields such as a degree or a diploma in Public Relations, Tourism, Hospitality Management, Sales or Marketing.
Start Early
A creative aptitude and the skill to manage things meticulously are the main ingredients of getting into the event management industry. These skills can easily be honed especially during the academic years.
You can start off in this direction by organising school and college events such as skits, quiz contests, cultural meets, annual day functions or sports events. For this, you need to have the acumen to select an appropriate venue for the occasion, visualise the décor and the sequence of items as they would unfold in front of the spectators. Further, you must arrange for an assortment of equipment, technicians and artists who would make the occasion successful.
A rich experience during these years plays a crucial role when you select event management as your preferred profession later on in life.
Is it the right career for me?
Like many other career paths, the route to a successful occupation in the event management industry is not based on the foundation of academic laurels and certifications. However, the basic survival toolkit to get into this profession is both wide and subjective.
Your basic task is to plan and present an event in a novel way and that too from scratch. For this, you must possess the quality to think out of the box. Apart from ample creative juices, you ought to have good planning, marketing, budgeting, negotiation, client management, communication and leadership skills.
Further, you must have immense patience and insight to see right into the smallest details of the entire event management process and always stay focussed on your project goals. Good networking skills, client management, business analytics, time management, ability to take on challenges, problem solving skills and adjusting to rapidly changing situations are some other qualities essential for this role.
The mantra for success in this cutthroat business is to constantly improve upon your existing skills, stick to your career objectives, avoid complacency and always delight your client.
What would it Cost Me?
A Post-Graduate Diploma in Advertising, Media and Events (PGDAME) from the National Institute of Event Management (NIEM), Mumbai, costs around Rs.1,25,000 approximately, whereas the Post-Graduate Diploma in Event Management (PGDEM) costs up to Rs.55,000 and the fees for a Diploma in Event Management (DEM) is around Rs.40,000.
Funding/Scholarship
Since most of the existing study programs pertaining to event management are certifications and diplomas, scholarships are not on offer for students pursuing these programs.
Job Prospect
There are plenty of jobs in this industry. In spite of the current global economic slowdown, the event management industry has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. There are plenty of events: weddings, birthday parties, talent hunt and reality shows, fashion and cultural shows, academic and sports meets, religious functions, corporate events, conferences and so on.
Talented youngsters who want to leave their mark in this industry have numerous avenues. You can join an event management company or a media house that specialises in event management activities. Once you have garnered ample experience you can either start working in the capacity of a freelancer or event set up your own events business.
Pay Packet
The pay packet in this industry varies according to your role and responsibility. It also depends on factors such as the organisation you are working with, the type of clientele your organisation is catering to, your experience, the city where the firm is located and so on.
As a fresher in this industry, you can easily bag a pay cheque in the range of Rs.10,000 – Rs.15,000 per month. The remuneration goes up with your experience and area of expertise. You can earn big money working in the capacity of an expert freelancer or the owner of your own event management company.
Demand and Supply
There are is an insatiable demand for professionals associated with this particular industry. As very few educational establishments offer professional courses for aspiring event managers, there is a great paucity of experienced professionals in this field. To fill this gap, the event management business has to acquire professionals from a vast array of other vocations.
Market Watch
Event management is an industry that is on the move. An exponential growth in events such as talent-hunt competitions, music concerts, fashion shows, academic functions, exhibitions, trade fairs, religious gatherings and the like have fuelled the demand for talented event managing personnel. The demand for creative and result oriented event managers is going to continue in the near future.
International Focus
Off late our country has started getting more and more media coverage and recognition abroad. Further, the cine industry has started hosting mega annual events at international venues. This has greatly improved the scope for people engaged in the event management industry to try their luck in international market.
Professionals in this field also get the opportunity to showcase their talent at international events where delegates from our country participate in cultural festivals and exchange programs, trade shows, conferences, exhibitions, corporate events and so on.
Positives/Negatives
+ives
You get numerous opportunities to rub shoulders with celebrities from different walks of life be it cine stars, sports persons, politicians, corporate moguls and so on
You have the satisfaction of having pulled off grand events with aplomb
You get the thrill of organising and managing events from their concept all the way up to their execution
-ives
Like other creative pursuits you will have to put in endless hours of hard work to meet your deadlines
You have to cope up with immense work pressure to live up to your client’s high expectations
Other than long working hours the time schedule can frequently be erratic
Different roles, different names
An organisation that is into event management business offers numerous positions to job seekers. The following are some of the departments in a typical event managing company:
Public Relations – managing a vast gamut of people ranging from clients, artists, stage performers, government officials, public and so on
Promotion and Marketing – for promoting the image of the organisation and also for marketing the event to the public at large
Brand Development – a talent pool that is responsible for managing client requirements pertaining to brand restructuring
Designing – team of creative people who visualise and then prepare design layouts for the stage, costumes, accessories and so on
Administration – department that is responsible for back office and general administrative tasks
Production – team comprising of media professionals who manage the production and editing of audio video related media
Printing – department that takes care of printing all sorts of marketing collaterals and promotional items
Top Companies
1. Cineyug Entertainment
2. Cox and Kings
3. DNA Networks Pvt Ltd.
4. E-Factor
5. Fountainhead
6. Percept D Mark
7. Sercon
8. Sita Conferences
9. Tafcon Group
10. TCI Consultancy Services and 'e' Events
11. Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt Ltd.
12. 360 Degrees
13. Top notch media and production houses
Tips for getting Hired
Since you would be working in the service industry and meeting people all the time having good communication skills helps
Although a graduation degree is enough to get into an event management firm but qualification in Hospitality Management, Tourism Management, Public Relations, Human Relationship Management, Marketing enhances your chances for getting hired
Keep an up to date portfolio of all your creative and organisational activities and highlight your achievements during the selection process
It is not mandatory but desirable to have a certificate or a diploma in event management from a reputed academy
Introduction
The world has witnessed a phenomenal and unprecedented explosion in communication technology and media. All boundaries have been transcended, and the entire global community seems to have been brought together into one unified whole. And it is here that mass-communication, as a stream of study, and as a career, becomes so important and enviable.
Mass Communication is not limited to journalism alone. To a great extent mass media is a modern reality which covers all aspects of human life. Moreover, a great change can be observed in the concept of people working in mass media. Careers in Mass Communication are not only high paying but also bring in a great deal of job satisfaction and expression of creativity.
Step-by-Step
Not long ago, people with good communication skills and a degree in literature were considered fit for journalism and other areas of mass communication. However, with technology playing greater role in our lives, all professions related to mass communication now require skilled professionals who work fast and efficiently send across the message to a whole range of audience. Even though with the proliferation of blogs, it is commonly claimed that ‘anyone’ can become a journalist, a closer inspection of reality proves that only those with professional training make the grade.
Start Early
Unlike engineering or medical streams there are no preparation strategies or set formulae for making a career in mass communication. A graduate degree in the field is good to start with but a post graduate degree or diploma is almost essential to be considered for responsible positions in any organisation. Meanwhile, you need to start blogging or work as a freelance contributor to newspapers and a host of online publishing sites to develop your communication skills. Maturity, objectivity and a sensible train of thought are essential.
Is it the Right Career for Me?
Answering this question requires a critical self-evaluation. You need to have creativity—a way with words and excellent communication skills as you will be required to explain and inform, about the most complex of issues, in the simplest of terms—to a large number of people. Moreover, you require great deal of patience, because in this field, it takes a lot of hard work, and quite some time, to make it to the top.
What would it Cost Me?
Courses in mass communication are expensive as tuition fees and charges and expenses for doing projects, internships, and field work are quite high. Most of the institutes offering under graduate courses charge anywhere from Rs 60,000 to Rs 2, 00,000 per year. It means you will have to pay nearly three lakhs for a course of three years duration. Similarly, a PG diploma course from Indian Institute of Mass Communication can cost in the range of Rs 40,000 to Rs 1,00,000 for one year. PG course in Mass Communication from MCRC at Jamia Millia Islamia can cost around one lakh for two years.
Funding/Scholarship
IIMC offers scholarship for candidates in each branch i.e. print media English and Hindi and Electronic Media which is almost half of the fees – for first two toppers. Several other memorial scholarships at the institute are based on merit. Other mass communication institutes too provide merit based freeships and scholarships. Education loans are available from nationalised banks such as Allahabad Bank and Punjab National Bank wherein a student can seek a loan up to Rs 7.5 lakhs at low interest rates.
Job Prospects
A professional course in mass communication opens doors for a career in films & TV, publishing, public relations, journalism, editing, direction, filmmaking, scriptwriting, production, etc. In nutshell, Mass Communication widens up the horizon of career options for a person. Depending upon personal interest and inclination a mass communication professional can choose a job. Attractive and high paying jobs as journalist, actor, director, editor, screenwriter, RJ, producer, VJ are available to the talented and trained individuals.
Pay Packet
Whereas candidates passing out from IIMC, MCRC Jamia, Symbiosis College and many other institutes receive attractive placement after their courses and handsome salaries, students from not-so-well- known institutes have to work hard to get placed. Starting salary for a mass communication professional could be between Rs 12,000 and 25,000. After 5 Years of work experience a professional can expect higher salary in the range of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1,00,000 per month.
Demand and Supply
Demand and supply plays a crucial role in careers of mass communication professionals. The global recession had cost many high profile journalists their jobs and the graduates of these turbulent times found it extremely hard to get placed. On the contrary, there is a dearth of trained professionals in mass media, new entertainment and news channels and with new launches in the pipeline the demand will only shoot up. Opening up of media sector for foreign investment is expected to create new jobs in the field.
Market Watch
Career opportunities in mass communication are expected to increase as not less than 70 news channels will come up in next five years. Thanks to mass media, news and entertainment job opportunities are aplenty for trained professionals in various roles - particularly in journalism and films. India being the largest producer of films in the world has ample opportunities. Technically qualified media professionals can work for TV channels, production houses or can make documentaries on their own.
International Focus
News Corporation of Rupert Murdoch, Disney Entertainment, Warner Brothers, CNBC, Guardian Group, BBC, ABC and many others are included among the large media groups which offer attractive jobs in mass communication at different levels and positions. In fact jobs in these organisations are attractive in terms of compensation and offer challenging job profiles. Indian professionals have an edge to work in international media houses for they have excellent command over English language.
Positives/Negatives
Like any career option, mass communication too has positive features as well as a flip side.
A career in mass communication requires commitment, dedication and sacrifice of personal time for the sake of staying on front or top, particularly in news industry. A journalist may have to work day in and day out to get breaking news. Similarly, media professionals who are in entertainment or film making need to work with passion which may come at the cost of their personal life.
However, in a nutshell, mass communication as a career provides job satisfaction, name and fame and a challenge to live with.
Different Roles,Different Names
Following are the various job profiles offered to graduates in mass communication:
Fashion Photographer
Film Director
TV Correspondent
Producer
Radio Jockey/ RJ
Screenwriter
Sound Engineer
Sound Mixer and Sound Recordist
Special Correspondent
Video Jockey
Art Director
Editor
Event manager
Public Relations Officer
Tips for Getting Hired
Besides pursuing a course from a mass communication institute, a candidate is required to possess certain skills or interests which help him get a job. Candidates who are interested to get into news media should have keen interest and sound knowledge of news and current affairs. Global perspective on various issues helps candidates in obtaining the position of reporter or journalist.
Similarly, those who are interested in electronic media are required to have practical knowledge on video editing. Most of the mass media training institutes offer internship programs with news channels or entertainment channels which help candidates get a job after completion of the course.
Top Companies
Hindustan Times Group of Publication
NDTV Network
Zee TV Network
Times of India Publication Group
Viacom
BBC
TV 18 Group
Big Entertainment and numerous others.
Top Institutes
Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune-411004
AJK Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-110025
Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi-110067
Asian College of Journalism, Chennai
Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Bhopal
Introduction
BPOs and KPOs have thrown open exciting job opportunities to youngsters in India. This is a field that has employed thousands of professionals and given them international working environment with great salary packages. BPO stands for Business Process Outsourcing and KPO expands to Knowledge Process Outsourcing.
These are companies that hire resources on their payroll and offer them work from their customers empanelled from different countries. To elaborate, a BPO is a company that hires people to offer services to its clients abroad. The work these resources do may vary from data entry, medical transcription, content writing, software programming to HR and Financial services.
While BPO is a common term used for all businesses, KPO focuses on Knowledge and information related activities and demands highly skilled personnel. Some examples of KPO include legal services, intellectual property and patent related services, engineering related services, web development, CAD/CAM applications, business research and analytics, legal research, clinical research, publishing and market research (market research KPO).
Step-by-Step
To get into a BPO, you need not be a very qualified or overtly experienced professional. You can directly start working after school or college and start earning. You must be willing to work in shifts. The challenge in a BPO job is that it requires you to be extremely fast and professional. If you have good communication skills, you may start with a customer services job. If you are technically qualified in Information technology, you may try appearing for interviews for technical support professionals.
The basic requirements in a KPO are much higher when compared with a BPO. For instance, the usual functions associated with a BPO are data entry, processing, department outsourcing, technical support and customer support. However, a KPO operates on the following: Research & Development, ; Financial Consultancy and Services; Advanced Web Applications; Business and Technical Analysis; Learning Solutions; Animation and Design; Business and Market Research; Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology; Medical Services; Writing and Content Development; Legal Services; Intellectual Property (IP) Research; Data Analytics; Network Management; and Training and Consultancy.
Thus, to join a KPO, you need to have the relevant skill set and knowledge.
Start Early
As a student who has cleared school exams and on hunt for a part-time job, a job in BPO is the best option. You may join as a customer support executive, a technical support executive, or a process executive in the beginning at a decent salary that would compensate for your pocket money.
Joining a BPO is a bright option when in college as that would give you industry exposure and the courage to face the real world at a young age. For getting into a KPO, you will need to study further. You may try completing your Master’s degree by the time you apply for a job with a KPO.
Is it the Right Career for Me?
Choosing a career with a BPO or a KPO is the right choice for students who prefer challenges on the work front. Owing to long hours of work that you would be putting in, you should be ready to face a lot of work pressure. Similarly, as it is a job with odd timings you should be willing to let go of your routine. Growth in a BPO is much faster compared with other industries.
Job Prospects
The job prospects in a BPO/KPO are quite high as several countries such as the US and the UK prefer to outsource their jobs to countries such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and other Asian countries.
You may check jobsites over the internet and find jobs for process executives if you are a fresher. If you are an experienced professional from IT or another sector wanting to join the BPO/KPO industry, you may check out positions in the following divisions: Operations Management, Content Management, Research and Analytics, Legal Services, Training and Consultancy and Data Analytics.
Pay Packet
The salaries of BPO employees start from Rs 7,000 and Rs 20,000. The salary depends entirely on the complexity and shift requirements of the job offered. Nonetheless, the career growth is quite fast in this industry and within a few years’ time, it is possible to become a team lead or a group lead. All that counts is good performance.
However, if you are looking at a job option that allows you to travel abroad frequently, you should try for a job with a KPO after qualifying for it.
Demand and Supply
There is always healthy requirement of BPO employees. For instance, companies that hire data entry operators, shipment executives, web designers and graphic designers for US and UK publications would always require diploma or certificate holders in multimedia courses. Even if one does not hold a proper engineering degree in computer science, it is possible to get a job. Thus, the supply is usually at par with the demand.
On the other hand, you need to be highly qualified to get into a KPO. The demand is quite high but the supply is usually less as the numbers of qualified professionals are less.
Market Watch
The growth of BPO and KPO cannot be challenged in the coming 10 years at least. This is owing to the rampant globalization of businesses across the world. As a result of this, there are several ‘work from home’ options available.
International Focus
Several top-notch companies in the field of publications, IT, Knowledge management and financial and legal services continue to outsource work to Asian countries as the value of labour is less in these countries. This has opened up a wide array of opportunities for youngsters who shift to cities from rural areas. This has further helped youth to think from an economical perspective and economically support their families.
Even Asian countries such as Japan and Korea have outsourced their jobs to India.
Positives/Negatives
+ives:
The opportunities are many. As a fresher, you have a wide array of options to choose from, in order to enter the BPO industry.
The growth of the industry has seen a positive upsurge in many parts of Asian countries.
The opportunities have provided bread and butter to several families that had been living in poverty for several years.
-ives:
The work pressure is quite huge in BPO and KPO. The sleep cycles are disturbed for individuals and they often require medical guidance to handle stress.
The timings are not very flexible; however the pay packages are low when compared with the work volumes. This leads employees to feel exploited several times.
There are no proper laws for governing BPO and KPO yet. As a result, the dignity of labour is not very high. There is a constant risk of lay offs every now and then leading to instability in an individual’s career.
Different Roles, Different Names
The KPO is primarily a part of the BPO sector itself. However, due to the enhanced skill set and educational background needed for joining a KPO, it has been categorized separately. Overall, the tasks and job responsibilities in both these sectors vary in complexity, salaries and nature of the job.
Top Companies
According to NASSCOM, a well known regulatory body in India, the top 10 BPO so far is:
1. Genpact
2. WNS Global
3. IBM Daksh
4. Aditya Birla Minacs Worldwide
5. TCS BPO
6. Wipro BPO
7. First Source
8. Infosys BPO
9. HCL BPO
10. EXL Service Holding
Tips for Getting Hired
To get started with a job in an outsourcing company, you need to be aware of three basic principles:
Be willing to work any time of the day or night without any hesitation and be willing to work extra hours.
For the first few years, focus on growth into a team lead and then as an Operations Manager so that you may change your job if you receive better opportunities in future!
Accept a salary of about Rs. 9,000 to Rs. 12,000 in the beginning and then move on from there.
If you are well qualified with excellent communication skills, you may demand more. However, if you accept very low salaries, you may land up being exploited!
Introduction
Space for residential and commercial places is shrinking due to rapid urbanisation. This anomalous situation calls for professional help to make the living and working space more comfortable, beautiful and practical. Earlier, it was the task of an architect to do the entire exteriors along with the interiors of a house, office or any other functionally useful edifice. Now-a-days people have become more and more particular about the designs and the layout of the living or working area. This has led to an increasing requirement for professionals in interior designing.
As an interior designer, you will be trained to design exclusive furniture artefacts and fittings besides learning managerial skills. With the help of a course in interior designing, you will come out with a professional designing solution that is efficient, eye-catching and at the same time safe.
The basic job of an interior designer is to make optimal utilisation of available space. Further, you have to make the space more functional and in accordance with the taste and budget of the client. Besides visualising and conceptualising the designs for new structures, interior designers also plan the interiors of existing structures that are undergoing renovation or extension.
Step-by-Step
The popularity of interior designing as a discipline is not confined to urban cities but it has rapidly spread to small town and cities across the nation. This is largely because of the changing lifestyle of people and their want to customise their residence with the help of an expert who can understand their taste and preference.
Numerous reputed institutions all over India are offering study programs in interior designing. The basic qualification to get into most of these programs is a 10+2. Moreover, you will also have to get through an entrance examination that judges your drawing and design skills. It is advisable to prepare a portfolio of your creative work and display it at the time of admission to these study programs.
Architecture and design colleges generally offer study programs in interior designing. Most of these are diploma programs. You can also pursue an interior design course from a polytechnic or a private institution that provides specialisation in a particular area of interior designing.
Furthermore, entry into this profession is also possible through other areas of study such as graduation in architecture, fine arts, design, environment planning or a post-graduate program in a similar field.
Specialisation in a particular area of interior designing can be done depending on your choice. For example; you can excel in business design, residential design or landscape designing. You can further gain expertise for yourself in particular area of a building such as bedrooms, kitchens or baths.
There is enormous demand for qualified interior designers in India. So to be professionally qualified from a reputed institution is a must. With professional qualification comes the assurance of a good job. And with adequate experience, you can start your own interior decoration business.
Start Early
The earliest you can start for a career in interior designing is 10+2. However, it is essential to have excellent drawing and designing skills to get into this job profile. Furthermore, if you have knowledge of decorative items, home improvement products and basics of architecture, then it becomes easier to follow this particular career path.
Is it the Right Career for Me?
The key ingredient to be a successful interior designer is client satisfaction. In this context, all you need is creative thinking, excellent communication skills, originality, good listening capability and a keen interest in transforming a simple place to a beautiful one by adding extra zing to it. If you think you have it in you, then this is the right career for you.
An understanding of fashion, cultural preferences and good management skills are also equally important aspects expected for a career in the interior designing business. A professional course helps you to develop and polish these traits.
What would it Cost Me?
You can get into this profession at different levels of your academic life be it a 10+2 or a post-graduate program. However, most of the students generally opt for short and long term diploma courses. All these courses can cost you around Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000 roughly.
Funding/Scholarship
Different institutions offer scholarships to students from the weaker sections of the society, children of defence personnel and physically challenged candidates on the basis of merit.
Job Prospects
There is a scarcity of professional interior designers in our country. With more and more people willing to get their residence and working areas designed according to their taste, there has been a great demand for experienced interior designers.
Employment prospects are plentiful and in various fields. Setting up your own business is also a very lucrative option in this industry.
Pay Packet
Some features that affect the pay packet of an interior designer are regional differences, name, repute, experience and demand.
For beginners the salary can be around Rs 10,000. For experienced professionals the monthly pay cheque can vary from Rs 30, 000 to Rs 75,000.
After gaining some experience, you can start up your own business. Self-employment is very profitable as when you become an established interior designer you can ask for the moon.
Demand and Supply
There is an imbalance between the demand and supply of professionals in this field. The demand for experienced interior designers is on a high in spite of the recent global economic slowdown that hit almost all sectors of the world economy.
The increasing construction activity in urban areas and small towns has only added to the demand for these professionals. The demand for interior designers has surpassed the supply.
Market Watch
Market for interior designing in India is all set to absorb new and aspiring talent. Due to the rising significance of interior design, this profession has become one of the best ever emergent fields in India.
Job opportunities are immense in both private and public sector for a qualified interior designer. Large architectural firms, building contractors, hotels and resorts are constantly on a look out for eligible professionals in this field.
International Focus
International markets are opening up for interior designers now. And if you are highly creative, have a good communication skills and advance knowledge in this field then you can also look to work with international firms.
Positives/Negatives
+ives
The profession of interior designing is such that you can carry on consultancy activities independently with minimum investment.
For hardworking people, name, fame and money is assured in this profession.
There is a great probability to meet celebrities and well known people in your line of work.
-ives
Interior designing is a hectic and a very demanding profession.
Many a times the working hours can become erratic and that too when deadlines are stiff.
This profession involves both working at sites and in the office.
You should be able to complete a task in a given time span with deadlines.
Creativity is fine but you will have to do the needful for the client keeping their budget in mind.
The initial years are really tough and you must not lose heart.
You must not be disheartened by the fact that this profession has not yet received its due in the society.
Different Roles, Different Names
The different roles of interior designers are as follows:
Teaching in a government or a private institute that offer courses in interior designing
Being self-employed
Employment in private or public sector firms
Top Companies
Work with top notch architects and architectural firms
Work with renowned builders
Hospitals and other medial facilities
Town and city planning bureaus
Hotels and health resorts
Design studios and exhibition organisers
Event management companies
Innumerable public and private sector establishments
Tips for Getting Hired
It is advisable that you should have completed an internship or some sort of apprenticeship under the tutelage of an interior designer or a firm.
You should acquire good knowledge of Auto CAD and other computer related programs which can help you give new dimensions to your career.
Strong business skills, personal networking, as well as flair and perseverance are likely to impress prospective employers.
Last, but not the least, it is essential to complete an interior designing course from a reputed institute.
Introduction
Banking today is a niche career for enthusiasts in the field of commerce and accounts. For the beginners, it is the first step towards understanding the global economy, discovering the challenges of the marketplace and identifying themselves with a career that provides them with tremendous opportunities, both within the country and abroad.
With new banks coming up every year owing to privatization of services, the industry indeed provides sufficient room for graduates in any field. If you are a student of BCom, you can get placed as a sales executive for loans, mortgages and insurance with any of the leading banks. All you need is good communication skills. Similarly, if you hold an MBA in finance from a good b-school, you can expect to be placed as a relationship manager. The salary packages are accordingly decided.
Step-by-Step
An admission to bachelor’s program in banking requires good percentage in Class XII. If you are a student from CBSE Board, you would require at least 80% overall to get admitted to a good college.
Besides, the skills expected from students to clear the interview include good communication skills, aptitude for banking, sales, marketing and money matters. If you are an enthusiast who loves trading in stocks, mutual funds, hedge funds and understands the pros and cons of availing personal loans and insurance policies, then it only adds to your career prospects.
It is recommended that you start preparing for CAT (Common Aptitude Test) right from college onwards so that you are ready and fully prepared to clear the entrance tests and get into a top b-school heading towards an excellent career in banking.
Banking programs introduced by various government and private organizations aim at equipping students with concepts, tools and techniques in the banking sector.
For instance, broadly, the bachelor’s degree program in Banking and Insurance offers specialization in the following areas:
• Environment and Management of Financial Services
• Micro Economics
• Effective Banking Communication
• Quantitative Techniques in Banking
• Organizational behaviour in Banking organizations
• Taxation of Financial Services
• Laws relating to Banking & Insurance
• Cost Accounting of B&I Services
• Equity Debt
• Corporate Laws governing Capital Markets
• International Business Management in Banking Organizations
• HRM in Banking Organizations
• Strategic Planning in Banking organizations
Start Early
Banking is a career that offers opportunities to students from all streams, be it humanities, commerce or science. However, to make a career in banking, you must be good at analysing numbers, that is, your mathematics must be strong enough to interpret and analyse numerical data. You must be prepared for the Banking Entrance Exams and for the interviews that follow these entrance examinations.
Is it the Right Career for Me?
Banking as a career provides opportunities to students from all subjects. For instance, if you are a BA student with excellent communication skills, you can actually get placed with a banking BPO as process executive. Companies such as GE Money, Max New York and leading banks such as ICICI, HSBC, HDFC, Standard Chartered, American Express, to name a few, select students from colleges for their BPOs and KPOs.
Thus, choosing banking as a career is a wise option for those interested in growing fast in their careers and those who wish to get exposure to world markets at an early stage itself.
What would it Cost Me?
The fees structure for a banking bachelor’s degree varies from Rs 10,000 to Rs 100,000 depending on the college you select. Private institutions such as NIIT (National Institute of Information Technology) offer diploma programs that cost between Rs 1 and 2 lakhs.
For a post graduate diploma or master’s degree, you may be expected to spend anywhere between Rs 50,000 to Rs 7,00,000 based on the college you select.
Several colleges such as IIPM, Amity, Birla Institute for Insurance provide laptops to students and take them on student trips to foreign companies abroad. This, in addition, is the advantage of getting admission in a private institution.
Funding/Scholarship
There are several ways to fund your banking degree. You may approach banks for educational loans or if you are a working professional with an organization that offers study programs to employees, your company may fund your studies and allow you to repay after a few years.
Job Prospects
Job opportunities for graduates and post-graduates in banking are excellent in India. Once you complete a selective professional course in banking, you will immediately be offered a position as a banking sales officer with the private banks. Of course, your technical skills and basic communication skills do matter in the process.
Besides, positions in insurance, personal loans, mortgages, collections and back office operations are always vacant and offer all bright to average students to avail the opportunities presented.
Banks such as ICICI, HSBC, Kotak Mahindra, HDFC, Standard Chartered, Barclay’s, and American Express are some of the companies that hire banking students at all levels depending on the colleges they are recruiting from.
Pay Packet
The pay scales for banking student who is a fresher could vary anywhere from Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 to begin with. Students who have post graduated from top b-schools and banking institutions can expect up to Rs 8 lakhs per annum for the role of relationship managers depending on their overall scores and the college they are from.
Several banking companies recruit Indian students from the IIMs, XLRI, FMS and other popular colleges every year for pay packages not less than Rs. 10 lakhs per annum.
However, please be wary that the financial markets are ever fluctuating and may all of a sudden cause crashes in career. There is a constant need to keep yourself updated with latest trends in banking so you remain relevant in your job profile.
Demand and Supply
Demand for banking process executives, collection officers and financial analysts with BPOs is the highest till date in India. There is still a considerable dearth of graduates, post-graduates who have mastered cost accounting.
Concepts such as Hedge Funds dominate the overseas markets. However, Indians still survive on 10 hour BPO and KPO jobs and definitely, these are excellent opportunities to begin with.
If you are a graduate in banking or any other degree with an aptitude for it, just go for it. There is always demand for banking professionals.
Market Watch
During the recession of 2009, the demand for banking professionals drastically reduced. Many top finance organizations went bankrupt and several others laid off thousands of employees in India.
However, in 2010, the situation is far better and the same enthusiasm has been revived. With popular mergers and acquisitions such as Royal Bank of Scotland and ABN Amro, people do see hope at the end of the tunnel. The world economy has revived itself to the post-recession challenges quite effectively.
International Focus
The CAT scores and GMAT scores after graduation enable students to get into post-graduate programs in banking per se. However, even as a banking professional who joins after a BCom with a leading bank, you can look forward to excellent scope and growth in your career.
The international market offers challenging roles for banking professionals nonetheless.
Positives/Negatives
+ves:
• Banking professionals are required all year long. After privatization, the requirement for banking professionals has increased manifold.
• Students with different specializations such as Science, Arts and Commerce can apply for jobs with banks after equipping themselves with diplomas that provide them with the basic knowledge required in the banking organizations.
• Salaries of students getting placed abroad are huge and provide excellent scope for professional and personal growth.
-ves:
• The layoffs in banking jobs have become frequent due to fluctuating stock markets in recent times.
• Post recession, the enthusiasm of several banking organizations has been dampened.
• A student from other fields will require developing enormous expertise in financial matters.
Different Roles, Different Names
It is quite obvious for people to mix up between a course in finance, accounts and banking as these are highly related areas. However, a course in banking is slightly different from a B.Com or a CA or an ICWA.
Degrees and diplomas in banking courses aim to equip individuals to survive in a banking organization both in terms of technical and non-technical aspects. This is different from a CA course that is much more complex and difficult to clear.
Top Companies
Based on the college you are graduating with a banking degree or diploma, you may expect placements with various companies.
If you are from a tier-1 college such as the IIMs, you can expect banks abroad such as JP Morgan Chase, Fidelity etc. to hire you for an excellent salary.
Besides, as evident, top banks such as Barclay’s, Royal Bank of Scotland, American Express, Standard Chartered and other financial institutions require hundreds of banking professionals every year and are more than willing to hire the same for considerably good salaries.
Most of these companies come for campus placements with universities, which makes it quite easy for students to approach them and understand the opportunities.
Tips for Getting Hired
1. Be thorough with accounting and financial skills acquired in school and college.
2. Display a mathematical aptitude to impress the interviewers.
3. Speak to the point and measure everything quantitatively as you display your subject skills.
4. Carry your awards and certificates from school and college when you appear for the interview.
5. Be dressed formally and speak boldly as this is a prerequisite for all candidates appearing for interviews with banking organizations.
6. Assure the interviewers that you are a target-oriented person who loves daily challenges and narrow deadlines.
7. Assure the interviewers that you have no hassles working extra hours every day.
Introduction
Ambrose Bierce in his Devil’s dictionary describes a lawyer as someone who is skilled in the ‘circumvention of the law’. The notion of a lawyer who is adept at finding ‘loopholes’ in the system is a popular one in our country too but we cannot deny that to one up the law one must know the law. From writers to politicians to freedom fighters, lawyers have donned many hats. Mahatma Gandhi, Dr Rajendra Prasad, Franz Kafka and Abraham Lincoln – all these were lawyers.
Law is one of the popular career choices in our country for a long time. Those whose families have been into the profession for generations in India usually opt to study law too. However, to become a lawyer it is not mandatory to have a family background in law neither is it necessary that you belong to an affluent family. Anyone can choose to study law as long as one has the passion for it.
Traditionally, students could specialise in either civil or criminal laws. However, this concept has changed and now students can opt to specialise in any of the various options offered like patent laws, corporate laws, etc. A degree in law not only lets you practice as a lawyer in the courts in the company but also opens up career options in sectors like corporate management, legal services and administrative services.
Step-by-Step
Students interested in making a career in law can either do a three-year law course after graduation in any discipline or a 5 years’ course after 12th class. In fact, the 3 years’ course is now giving way to the 5 years’ one which is seen as a better option. In most cases, colleges run the 3 years’ course only for those whose main discipline in graduation is something other than law, or working professionals who want to do an LLB as an additional qualification. The five year course is meant for those who want to take up law as a career – be it as a litigator, or any other kind of legal professional.
The LLB course is regulated by the Bar Council of India which sets rules and regulations regarding legal practice in the country. Any specialisation is done at masters, MPhil or PhD stage. A higher degree helps candidates get jobs in academics.
Start Early
A candidate can start preparing for law entrance exam conducted at national level for 5 years’ BA LLB at various National Law Schools soon after completing the senior secondary exam. The national law entrance exam, CLAT (Combined Law Admission Test) basically tests the student’s general english, legal aptitude, general awareness, logical skills, etc.
Some universities which offer the three years’ LLB conduct entrance exam which have a syllabus on the same lines.
Is It the Right Career for Me?
Law is a career which requires loads of patience and logical skills. It takes loads of hard work and dedication to become a successful lawyer. First generation lawyers particularly face numerous problems in their profession as is true of every other profession. It becomes easier if one trains under a Senior Counsel in the beginning of their career. This is not to say that newbies cannot make it own their own. Anything is possible with determination and of course, hard work. Great communication skills and a faculty for critical analysis and articulation are pre-requisites for lawyers. Therefore, one should analyze these points before opting for law as a career.
What would it Cost Me?
Three years’ LLB course usually involves lesser expenses in the range of Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 for three years. The 5 years’ BA LLB comparatively costsa little more in the lieu of about Rs 3,00,000 for five years. Hostel expenses are exclusive of the tuition fees.
Funding and Scholarship
Not many law schools offer financial help on the basis of entrance exam. The student must talk to the authorities and find out the specific policies on scholarship from respective universities. Students can also opt to take a bank loan or apply for various scholarships that are offered from time to time.
Job Prospects
There are a plethora of opportunities for a law graduate. One can either practice as an advocate in a court of law or work with corporate firms. By clearing exams conducted by Public Service Commissions, a law graduate can become a judge. After gaining experience, a law graduate can hope to become Solicitor General, a Public Prosecutor or offer services to government departments and ministries. One can also work as a legal adviser for various organisations. Teaching in colleges, working with NGOs and working as a reporter for newspapers and television channels are other attractive options.
Pay Packet
Whereas a lawyer who wishes to start practicing in a court can get a stipend of Rs 5000 to Rs 40,000 depending upon the advocate he is associated with, a law graduate working with Legal Process Outsourcing receives can earn attractive salary in the range of Rs 20,000 and Rs 50,000. It is a very high paying profession, but dfepends largely on the calibre, popularity and success of the candidate. The college you graduate from is another factor.
Demand and Supply
An acute shortage of qualified lawyers has been a major problem in India. The Bar Council of India has often expressed its concern that young lawyers do not join the Bar. There are nearly ten lakh lawyers in India but according to law experts only 20 per cent of them can be considered fit enough to practice law in courts. Several law schools like NLSU, NALSAR were established to increase the level of legal education and produce skilled lawyers to meet the requirement.
However, India is a country with one of the highest litigation rates among its population and Sir Ivor Jennings termed the Indian Constitution “a lawyer’s paradise.” Talented lawyers will never have to worry about their income.
Market Watch
Talks are on to expand the scope for legal practice in India and open the gates for law firms from outside India. Law graduates can expect better job opportunities when foreign law firms start their operations in India. LPOs have started to recruit young law graduates for their processes dealing in US laws or UK laws. Legal education has been liberalised and for that reason professionals from various other disciplines too are interested to do short term courses in law which ultimately will help to raise the standard of legal awareness.
International Focus
Legal education in India is similar to the one in Britain. Whereas several universities in UK offer legal education to Indian students, Indian students quite enjoy working in the UK wherein they receive attractive salary packages. A recent trend has been that students from India study in law colleges in the USA and receive attractive jobs after completion of the course. Harvard Law School, Yale University, Australia National University, etc. are some attractive options for Indian law students these days.
Positives/Negatives
Lawyers like other professionals such as doctors and chartered accountants require experience to polish their skills and become valuable for their clients. Therefore, it is time which helps a lawyer become effective. Candidates determined to succeed in the profession have to be patient in the initial phase of their career. However, there is no limit to success and money as well as power for a lawyer. Lawyers are not only respected but also help people in their battle for justice.
Different Roles, Different Names
Criminal Lawyer: Specialises in criminal laws CrPC, IPC, Evidence Act and various other penal laws.
Civil Litigation Lawyer: Specializes in civil laws e.g. taxation laws, excise laws.
Legal Analyst: Works for corporate firms or law firms and analyses laws pertaining to the sphere of the company and its operation.
Document Drafting Lawyer: Specialises in drafting various documents containing agreements, terms and conditions, case material, etc.
Legal Journalist: Covers crime beats, legal proceedings in courts, arbitration courts, international courts and arbitration events.
Legal Advisor: Offers consultancy to corporate firms regarding their legal obligations, duties, legal relations with other firms.
Government Lawyer: Works for the government and in close coordination with the police.
Judge: Offers judgment after conducting the court proceedings and hearing al the concerned parties.
Tips for Getting Hired
Candidates who do five years BA LLB from top law schools like NLSUI Bangalore, NALSAR Hyderabad get attractive job offers from law firms and ITES firms. Many also opt to start their own practice. All law graduates who wish to practice in the courts have to register themselves in the Bar Council of India (BCI) and practice in courts under senior lawyers.
Practical training in court can enhance your chances of getting hired by law firms and with senior lawyers. Though most of the law colleges impart practical legal education to final year law students, it is students who should take initiative and start visiting court proceedings in the final year to understand the day-to-day affair.
Top Companies
Some of the top law firms in the country are:
Amarchand Mangaldas
AZB & Partners
J Sagar Associates
Khaitan & Co
Luthra & Luthra
Trilegal
Desai & Diwanji
Singhania & Partners
Titus & Co
Wadia Ghandy & Co
Lakshmi Kumaran & Sridharan
Economic Laws Practice
Vaish & Associates
Top Institutes
Faculty of Law, University of Delhi
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad
National Law School of India University (NLSIU), Bangalore
Gujarat National Law University (GNLU)
Symbiosis Society's Law College (SSLC), Pune
National Law University, Jodhpur
National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal
ILS Law College, Pune
Government Law College, Mumbai
Amity Law School, Delhi
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh
COURTESY:JAGARANJOSH
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