French could be an asset

Q:After completing my graduation, what kinds of jobs will a specialisation in French language offer me? Which is the best place to learn French in Calcutta?
Shubhra Majumdar

Shubhra Majumdar

A: Apart from the obvious language-centric jobs like interpretation, translation and teaching which call for a very high degree of language skills, your knowledge of the language can be used to your advantage if grafted on to other skills in the fields of travel & tourism, public relations, mass communication, publishing, commerce and industry, etc. Here the level of language skills required is essentially of the practical sort — speaking, understanding and some reading. Familiarity with the jargon of your trade may be of help in some cases.

Of late, voice-based call centres have begun to recruit customer care executives with 1-2 years’ experience in multi-lingual speaking capabilities.

The Cabinet Secretariat recruits interpreters from time to time in the Central government. You need a bachelors degree or a PG diploma in the language concerned. A high degree of proficiency in English is equally necessary.

The hospitality industry, including hotels, airlines and travel trade would also be a good sector to look at. Knowing the language would be an asset if you wish to specialise in French cuisine. You can also look up the fashion industry, export houses and companies transacting global business with Francophone countries, as also the French companies operating in India. Trade delegations, exhibitions and seminars also require the services of business and specialist interpreters. International organisations like the UN require interpreters, but you need to be highly skilled.

The Alliance Francaise de Calcutta, would be your best bet to learn French in Calcutta. For further details, log on to their website: www.afindia.org/calcutta/

Economics in agriculture

Q:What does an agricultural economist do? What are the prospects in this field?

Nilanjan Mitra

A: Achieving food security has been the overriding goal of our agricultural policy. To achieve this goal, we need not only agricultural scientists, but also agricultural economists who can apply the principles of economics to ensure greater productivity in agriculture.

Apart from land appraisal, crop grading, marketing and sales, an agricultural economist is involved with farm management, co-operative management, farm utilities, custom services, wholesale and retail marketing of agricultural products, priority setting for research and others.

Job prospects are promising. There are openings in cooperatives, banking and insurance sectors, private firms and the public sector in the agricultural sector, foreign embassies, NGOs and other donor agencies.

Taking diploma engineers on board

Q: I am a diploma-holder in engineering and am very keen to pursue a career in the Indian Navy. Is it possible?

Harish Patel

A: While there are several direct as well as special entry routes into the Indian Navy through Permanent Commission or Short Service Commission for engineering graduates, diploma-holders in engineering need not lose heart. You can join the Indian Navy through the Direct Entry Diploma Holders scheme.

The propulsion machinery, weapons, sensors and equipment on board the Indian Navy’s highly sophisticated ships, submarines and aircraft are operated by artificer sailors of the marine engineering branch. In order to become an artificer sailor, you should be a diploma-holder with minimum 50 per cent marks in mechanical/electrical/electronics/telecom/aeronautical/ship building & architecture/automobile /instrumentation engineering (three-year) from a government-recognised polytechnic or an institute. Unmarried men between 17 and 21 years of age are eligible.

The nine-week training at INS Chilka, Orissa, is followed by professional training and you are initially engaged for a period of 20 years (extendable) till you turn 57. You can be promoted to the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer.

The selection procedure includes an objective-type written test (conducted at over 14 centres) of English, science, maths and GK. Successful candidates are required to clear the physical fitness and medical tests.

For further information, log on to www. nausena-bharti.nic.in.

Q: I am a fresh graduate and want to study e-commerce. However, I don’t know if I can afford to pay the fees charged by some computer institutes. Please advise.

Tripta Dhawan

A: To learn e-commerce, you don’t necessarily need to burn a hole in your pocket.

You can opt for short-term vocational courses that teach specific skills. If you are net savvy, all you need to do is access the books and manuals including HTML tutorials that you can download and learn for free at www.htmlgoodies.com.

Those with limited computer knowledge can opt for web publishing or website maintenance while at the higher end of the spectrum, one can look at application development like web-hosting services.