Q:I am a diploma holder in instrumentation technology and am working as a technical assistant (laboratory) in a private engineering college. After serving seven years in this college, I have become frustrated since there’s no scope for promotion. In fact, my superiors frequently force me to do routine administrative work that is against the service conditions. As a result, I am thinking of upgrading my qualification and, for the time being, I am thinking of changing over to the construction sector. I am 29 years old. Am I taking the right decision?
Atanu Maity
A:As far as the construction or the infrastructure industry is concerned, it is looking at a big leap in the years to come. This is one of the booming industries with large numbers of government and private projects coming up. You would do well to catch the bus early. I do not know how much your current experience will have weightage in the industry but surely your qualification can get you a job there. You can apply for the engineering department or the R&D department or maybe gear yourself up for onsite projects. So, don’t waste time and start applying to suitable organisations in the sector.
Q:I completed a full-time MBA in finance from University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) in Australia in July 2007 with good grades. The school is AACSB-accredited and it’s a reputed university.
I want to come back to India. I have worked for eight years as a sub-broker in the Indian stock market. I am working in Australia as a data analyst in a state cancer institute for the last eight months. What are my chances as a fresher in the Indian job market?
Sanket Sheth
A:If you have eight years of experience in stock broking and have done an MBA finance thereafter, I do not think you should look for a job as a fresher in the Indian market. You would definitely be able to find a job in India, but organisations might not give credence to your full work experience. At the same time, they would definitely consider you at a position higher than a fresher’s.
Q:I am a 21-year-old BCom (marketing) graduate and I’m presently working in a multinational finance company. I have just passed my BCom this year and joined a job. My parents are pressurising me to do an MBA but I am more interested in getting some experience before I do an MBA. Am I making the right choice and how much will my job experience help me after I finish my MBA?
Subra Pratim Choudhury
A: It is a Catch-22 situation. It is good to have some work experience before doing an MBA, since work experience gives you a different perspective and helps you assimilate theoretical concepts better and also compare those with practical experience. But at the same time, what your job offer is now and what you will get after graduating is not in your hand totally and hence, if you ultimately join an unrelated industry, then this experience would not serve much purpose.
My advice to you is that since MBA is your objective, you go for it now. If due to any reason, you do not get a break in a good institute, you can go for a job and try again next year.
Q:I am a science postgraduate and have been a lecturer and a teacher for about four years. I have also been a university examiner, counsellor and a mentor. Now, I want to change fields and want to join HR. Are there any courses that I could do which would help me in this?
Amrita Chakraborty
A:With a postgraduation and four years of work experience, I would imagine you are closer to 30 years of age. At this age, going for formal education in HR would set you back considerably and you may have to start at the bottom of the ladder after graduating. Looking at your work experience, I would suggest that you start as a counsellor in the ITES industry.
This would suit your current experience and you would also get valuable corporate exposure. In the meanwhile, you can also do a correspondence course on the subject. You should also gradually take responsibilities in the HR domain like training and development, talent assessment. This would prepare you for a career in the HR domain.
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