A drive for hospitality

Q: I want to pursue hotel management from a good institute after my Plus Two. Please recommend some institutes. What are the job prospects in this field?

A.D.

A: A course in hotel management opens up job opportunities not only in the hotel industry, but also outside it. Some of the other options are jobs in the railways, airlines, hospitals, motels, banks and other sunrise service industries like call centres and insurance, where customer-interface is at a premium.

You can also find employment in the defence services and as an instructor at various hotel management institutes.

There are also avenues for self-employment for those trained in hoteliering. If you have the requisite qualities ? business acumen, initiative and drive, ability to roll up your sleeves and work hard, you could set up your own hotel, restaurant, bar, resort, canteen, mobile van, kiosk or outdoor catering service after having worked for a few years. Good professional chefs are paid handsomely.

There is also a demand for trained and experienced hotel professionals all over the world, particularly in developing countries of Asia, the Middle East and Africa. If you can adjust to new environments and get along with people, this may be a good option. Some of the reputed ones are the 24 institutes accredited to the National Council for Hotel Management & Catering Technology. Admission to the 2715 seats is through an all-India entrance exam exam in May. The advertisement appears in March. Eligibility is a 10+2 in any stream (www.nchmct.org).

Besides, there are several courses both at the degree and diploma levels offered in collaboration with some of the leading hotel chains like the Indian Hotels (Taj Group) in Aurangabad, Welcomgroup in Manipal or the Welcomgroup Management Institute in Gurgaon.

Crossing the GD hurdle

Q: I have got a pretty decent CAT score, but I have a very average academic record. What are my chances of clearing the group discussion and personal interview?

Amitabh Ghosal

A: Congrats on being one of the 6180 to get a call from the IIMs! The fact that there is no minimum cut-off marks specified for CAT implies that unlike other institutes, the IIMs don't use just academics as a filter. Besides, each IIM assigns its own weightage to sectional scores, work experience and academic excellence.

But overall, if you are good enough to crack the CAT, you are good. The problem arises when you face the interview panel where you would be competing against other people who have done equally well, and have better marks backing them. If you can defend yourself in the grilling, nobody can stop you. And it helps if you have scored really well in the written. Good luck!

Playing Sherlock Holmes as a CBI officer

Q: I am interested in becoming a CBI officer. What are the eligibility criteria? What is the selection procedure?

Akash Chettri

A: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is a central investigating agency under the ministry of home affairs. It undertakes investigation of important cases that have inter-state and international ramifications relating to offences like misappropriation of public funds, cheating, forgery, corruption, etc.

The CBI has field branches all over India, mainly in the state capitals. The investigation is undertaken by the deputy superintendent of police (DSP).

Recruitment procedure: DSPs in the CBI (Group B) are recruited through the civil services examination conducted by the UPSC. Certain physical standards are prescribed for officers in this service. On selection, candidates undergo a foundation course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy and then they are sent to the CBI Training Academy in Ghaziabad for further inputs.

A DSP can rise up to the level of joint director in the CBI.

At the lower rung, personnel of the rank of constables are recruited by the bureau through notifications in leading national dailies. Minimum qualification required is matriculation.

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) recruits personnel of the rank of sub-inspectors. The basic qualification for taking the selection test (written exam and interview) is graduation plus certain standard physical requirements. The age requirement is 20-25 years. Sub-inspectors can rise up the ladder to become inspectors, DSP, SP, etc.

However, a substantial number of posts at the middle and higher levels are filled through ‘deputation’ (temporary 5-10 year posting) of IPS (Indian Police Service) officers from various states who have a thorough experience in investigation.

Since the nature of scams and crime has gone increasingly “hi-tech”, an excellent working knowledge of information technology and the intricacies of corporate finance and related matters have become essential.