Q: I am a 59-year-old retired army officer. I have served in the Indian Army for 26 years. Thereafter, I have served the corporate sector for more than six years. I was looking after the security and fire services of corporate houses. I have a diploma in mechanical engineering and also in labour laws with specialisation in administration laws. I am a graduate and have a PG diploma in personnel management. I am physically fit and I can work for a few more years. What are my chances of getting a suitable job given my age and qualification? Which are the likely areas that I can tap for suitable jobs?
S. R. Chakravorty
A: With your knowledge and experience, you can try several options in the corporate sector. You can look after operations in a BPO, which essentially revolves more around people management and inter-personal skills. You could also opt for a role in hotels or hospitals in the HR or the operations side, which would essentially revolve around people management, time management and interpersonal effectiveness.
Otherwise, you can opt for security jobs in big industrial houses or you can even start an organisation of your own which provides security services to various residential and market complexes in India.
Q: I obtained an LLB degree 10 years ago. But due to my marriage and the birth of my children, I could not practise in court. I am now 35 years old and I wish to pursue a career in law. Is it possible for me at this age to do LLM or go in for judicial service examinations or pursue a career in academics?
Neelanjana,
Orissa
A: Since your education was completed almost a decade back, there will be some initial hiccups in starting a career at this point. But I would not completely rule out a possibility in the matter. I would advise you to take up a job in a reputed law firm and brush up the basics before venturing into anything further.
Q: I am 29 years old and hold a BSc degree in chemistry honours. I have two years? experience as a quality control chemist and around six years? experience as a process operator in an MNC petrochemical industry.
For the last four years, I have been pursuing a course in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (AMIICheE). This course is equivalent to a BE/BTech. I am also trying to appear for the GATE exam.
But I am in a dilemma ? in order to change my present job for a higher position in the same field, is this qualification enough? I will have to compete with other fresh or experienced BEs from reputed universities. Do I have to complete ME/MTech and leave my present job for the same? I am a married person. Please advise.
Arindam De,
Kalyani
A: I do not think you have to acquire further degrees or diplomas to get a better job. The qualification and experience you have now should hold you in good stead against the fresh engineers.
You also have to look into the fact that age is not on your side to experiment with further degrees. In case you want to pursue GATE, you can do so, but maybe you have to do a job at the same time.
You have a responsibility to your family which you have to keep in mind. I would not advise you to leave a regular job at this point to pursue further studies. If you can manage, do both at the same time.
Q: I am an electrical engineer and completed my MCSE from Delhi. I am now searching for jobs. I will be going to Calcutta for a training programme in networking project in a company which is asking us to pay Rs 10,000. Will the training benefit me?
Debabrata Chakrabarty,
Guwahati
A: The information you have provided is too little to comment on the benefits of this programme. Since you have already done your MCSE and also looking to do a course on networking, I presume you would like to make a career in the IT sector. If that is the case, then I am sure you can attend courses that will benefit you in getting a job in the sector.
Please do check the details of the institute which is providing such training. There are many such institutes but not all of them are recognised. So to get your money?s worth, you should do a thorough check before embarking on the project.
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