Q: I am 53 years old and I have been working in a subsidiary branch of a nationalised coal company in Calcutta for the last 28 years. I have experience in working in the legal/personnel, IR/accounts departments. I was a sportsperson and I had joined the organisation via the sports quota. I had joined in the junior clerical grade in 1976. Now I am in O.S. grade (non-managerial/ non- executive) after promotion.
I hold a BSc degree from Calcutta University. During my employment, I have earned several professional degrees ? LLB plus postgraduate diploma in management (PGDM) from IMM, (Calcutta) plus DPM from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and NIPM and DHRM from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). I was not considered for promotion because my qualification is not recognised by DGMS under the Mines Act 1952 and also for other reasons.
I will soon be opting for voluntary retirement scheme (VRS). Given my age and the fact that it is a tough job market out there, will I be able to get a position that will match my skill and experience? Please advise.
Sanjeev Ghosh, Calcutta
A: It is difficult to comment on employability unless we can evaluate the resume of the person in greater detail. Age might be a factor that will go against you, especially in the private sector. You may want to get in touch with placement consultants in your city to get them to evaluate your career till date and then advise you on the next steps.
Q: I am a teacher by profession and I teach physics and computers in a private higher secondary school. I have completed BSc (physics honours) and CNE from Novell Inc. as well as CCNA from IIHT, Calcutta. Recently, I had appeared for the MCA entrance test conducted by Annamalai University and got selected. However, since this course will be conducted under the distance education mode, I am a bit apprehensive.
Is the MCA offered by Annamalai University recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)? Will this course help me in getting a job as an IT professional? Many of my friends and colleagues are advising me not to go for the course. I am confused. Please advise.
Chandan Munshi, Calcutta
A: The MCA course conducted by Annamalai university is recognised by several IT companies as a good course for software programmers and software professionals.
However, since you have no prior experience in software, the best you can hope for is an entry-level job in a software company from where you can rise up the ranks. All the best.
Q: I am a 27-year-old BCom (honours) graduate. I have completed the three-year course from NIIT and a course in e-commerce. I have five years? work experience in office administration and technical support.
At present, I am working as an office administrator in a reputed company and also pursuing masters in business administration (MBA) course with specialisation in marketing. There is no scope for growth in my present job and I feel that I am stagnating here. Hence, I wish to change my job.
As I am doing MBA in marketing, I am thinking of joining the marketing field. What career options will suit me at this stage? Is there any field where I can implement my computer and MBA skills at the same time? Please advise.
Ratul, Calcutta
A: Ratul, First sit down and ask yourself what you want to do in your life. What excites you more ? computers or marketing? Do note that taking rash decisions will only ruin your career prospects.
If it is marketing that excites you more, then you should ideally look for a study break in your career and do a full-time course from a good institution and then be prepared to let go of your computer/ administrative skills or use them proactively in your marketing career.
If it is IT that you like to stick to then Calcutta is emerging as a IT/ITeS hub, and you can speak to HR consultants/ friends/ associates/ colleagues who will be able to guide you.
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.
