Father Mathew Principal, St Xavier’s College, Calcutta

Q: Which are the best colleges for studying BCA? What are the job prospects, the salary package, etc. after doing a BCA?

Anish, Calcutta

A: In this age of Internet it should not be a problem for a youngster studying in Calcutta to find out the best colleges offering BCA in West Bengal. All colleges of technology of West Bengal are affiliated to the West Bengal University of Technology (WBUT). So visit www.wbut.ac.in for information on colleges offering BCA under WBUT. For the best colleges, instead of going by popular notion or newspaper reports, I would advise you to form your own judgement, using the following criteria: the tradition and heritage of the college, the quality of the faculty, its placement record, and last but not the least, the infrastructure facilities offered.

Finally, a small note of warning. Do not expect a big ‘package’ after a simple BCA. One has to prove one’s worth after joining a profession or a career of one’s choice. An MCA from a reputed institution should help you fulfil your ambition faster. Best of luck in your efforts to achieve your ambition and dream.

Q: I scored 63 per cent in HS and took a year off for WBJEE. I didn’t get into a good college and sat for the exam again. This time, I got admission in NIT Durgapur, which was my first choice. But I am not so euphoric anymore. I am confused and am thinking if I have acted immaturely. Will two wasted years have any impact on my career?

Name and address withheld

A: After waiting for a year, you got into the college of your “first choice”. But you do not say why you are not euphoric any more. Like many other youngsters perhaps you stand disillusioned after two years. Are you perhaps nurturing unrealistic goals beyond your limitations? Or perhaps you have not come to terms with the college you got admitted to, and even more with what you are and what you are worth. This is making you lose confidence.

You must first accept what you are and limit your ambitions within the boundaries of your talents. And finally, come to terms with the situation you are in. This is the beginning of building up confidence in yourself. Now that you are in NIT, should you not put your heart and soul into the course? Cheer up young man, the world is there for you to conquer!

Rajkumar Roychowdhury Head, physics and applied mathematics unit, ISI, Calcutta

Q: I have appeared for my HS exams in science this year and want to take up a professional computer course. However, I am very confused if I should go for an MCA or for computer engineering. Please advise.

Shaista

A: It is always preferable to study computer science in a good college or institute. If you want to specialise, you can opt for MTech in computer engineering. In case you are unable to get admission to a reputed college, you can study MCA. But don’t forget to check the credentials of the institute from where you want to pursue the course.

Q: I have appeared for Plus Two in science this year. I would like to take up biomedical engineering. I would be grateful if you could please tell me how I should go about it? Is there any way of knowing if it would suit my temperament before I take up this course?

Name and address withheld