Q:I am a 27-year-old science graduate with a diploma in mechanical engineering. I have also completed an MBA in marketing. I am working at the project site office of a construction company as an HR executive. I want to switch over to other public sector production units. Will my experience in construction count? Will the diploma in mechanical engineering help me get a job in the production industry?
Pranab Ghosh
A:If you make a lateral shift within HR from one company to another, your work experience in the HR field will be counted. But if you decide to look for cross-functional work then you will lose that advantage and be treated as a fresh recruit. Yes, your diploma in mechanical engineering will be useful in getting you a suitable job.
Q:I have completed my graduation with computer science and am working as a programmer. I am conversant with C, C++, Fortran, PL/SQL, etc. I want to be a systems analyst. Should I opt for learning languages like JAVA or any database software like Oracle?
Niladri Dey
A:You are already qualified to be a systems analyst both academically as well as going by the breadth of your knowledge of computer languages. So you would do well to focus on the languages you are already familiar with and build your competence further. There is no separate course for a systems analyst’s role so you can step into it right away.
Q:I have an MCom and an MBA in HR. I also have two-and-a-half years’ experience in the insurance and banking sector. I want to pursue a part-time course that would boost my prospects. What should I opt for?
Name and address withheld
A: Your query does not provide sufficient information for me to give you a suitable answer. Your experience in the insurance and banking sector was in which area? Are you interested in furthering your career in HR or accounts? Once you decide on the function that interests you, it will be easy to choose courses.
Q:I am a 21-year-old BSc chemistry (hons) graduate. For the last nine months, I have been working in a metallurgy firm. Though I was taken in as a trainee chemist, I was made to work in the metallurgical process and product inspection department. Would a degree from the Indian Institute of Metals help me to get a better job? Or is it better to go in for an MSc degree?
Name and address withheld
A:An MSc degree will not be helpful in furthering your career prospects. But if you are comfortable working in product inspection and quality control then you could learn statistical process control. Also, a degree from a reputed metallurgy institute would be helpful.
Q:I am a mechanical engineer with more than nine years of experience in a sponge iron plant in mechanical maintenance. Are there any courses that would add value to my CV? If yes, then which institutes should I be looking at?
Snehasis Bhaduri
A:You could gain knowledge of production processes. You could also go in for a course in maintenance management from the Indian Institute of Maintenance Management or any other reputed institute.
Q:I have a BSc degree in botany and an MBA in marketing. I am working with an insurance company in Assam as an assistant manager (sales) for the last six months. I am keen on joining international organisations like UNICEF, WHO, etc. Can I get a job there and what would be the profile of my job?
R. Sarma
A:It is a good idea to check the vacancies advertised by the international organisations as you never know when something will come up to suit your profile and the recruiting organisation’s needs.
WHO’s website gives details about their jobs along with the profiles and you can also apply online. For UNICEF you can write directly to:
Chief Recruitment and Staff Development Section, Division of Personnel,
United Nation’s Children’s Fund,
UNICEF House, 3, United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017,USA.
Send your letters to HR Matters at The Telegraph, Jobs Desk, 6 Prafulla Sarkar Street, Calcutta 700001; or fax at 2225 3142; or send emails to jobs@abpmail.com. All letters should have your full name and postal
address.
