Q: I am currently working in the State Bank of Indore as an assistant manager. I had joined the bank as a PO in 1998. I hold a BSc (mathematics) degree from Calcutta University. I have also completed CAIIB. I am looking for a suitable job change and want to pursue a management/accounting course (part time/correspondence) to better my future prospects. Which course is best suited for me? Also, can I expect a better opening on the basis of my present qualification and experience?

Ananda Kar,Calcutta

A: Pursuing a management course will definitely help you in bettering your career prospects. Given your background in mathematics as well as CAIIB, coupled with your six-year banking experience, you may choose to either opt for an masters in business administration (MBA) in finance or you may opt for a course in a specialised subject such as foreign exchange and treasury.

You could then enhance your career prospects in banking or financial services. You could look up the website: www.indianmba.com for more information on the kind of management course offered in India ? both full-time and part-time. You may also like to consider the specialised courses offered by the ICFAI.

Q: I passed my chartered accountancy in 1990 and my cost accountancy in 1989. I am 42 years old. I am currently working as a financial controller in a well-known MNC in Dubai. I want to come back to Calcutta when I am 50.

Will it be possible for me to get a job in any big or middle-level audit firm at that age? These jobs do not have to be of my present status or emoluments. Ordinary jobs will also do. But I don?t want to retire at that age. I want to remain active. I know it is difficult to for you to forecast the scenario eight years from now. But I would still like to know your opinion on the basis of the current scenario.

Debashis Chatterjee, Dubai

A: You must be complimented on your long-range planning. Whilst it is difficult to predict the market context eight years hence, several factors indicate growth in the eastern region economy.

For example, the IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in Calcutta is clearly poised for exponential growth. Therefore, there should be considerable opportunity eight years later. Having said that, you would need to refamiliarise yourself with Indian accounting standards and industry-related regulations at that time.

You have not mentioned which industry you are currently working in nor your technical competencies. For example, if you have sound knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP (or whatever is in demand at that time) such knowledge would surely remain in demand. All the best.

Q: I am a 29-year-old honours graduate in physics working in the postal service sector in the direct marketing segment for the last five years. My job is to procure business for speed post, EPP etc. and provide after sales service to the corporate customers.

I got office-paid short-term training on sales and marketing in IISWBM, XLRI etc. Now I am inclined to start a small business preferably in an export-related field.

Kindly suggest some distance learning/ part-time course designed for entrepreneurship/ export/ import. Does IIFT offer any off campus/ distance learning course that one can pursue in Calcutta?

Sumit Karmakar, Calcutta

A: There are many institutes that offer distance learning/ part-time courses in fields like entrepreneurship. ICFAI Center for Entrepreneurship Development, for one, provides specialist courses in this field.

Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) offers a certificate course in export management covering issues like international marketing management, international business environment, India?s foreign trade and policy, marketing logistics, export and import procedures and documentation.

You may look into websites like www.indianmba.com which provide summarised information on all colleges that provide management related education in India that?s to do with both entrepreneurship and import /export.