HR MATTERS 24-06-2008

Q: I work in a steel manufacturing company as a deputy manager (works). I have five years of work experience. I completed MCom in 1998. I am planning to do a part-time MBA course from Sikkim Manipal University. Will it boost my career prospects?

Sanjib Chanda

A: A full-time MBA course is always better than a part-time one. You will definitely gain some knowledge about management from the part-time certificate programme but it might not be considered on par with a full-time MBA. If this is the only option you have then I would suggest you go for it.

Q: I am a BCom graduate and work for a private company. I have some queries regarding MBA through distance education. Do these courses help to boost job prospects? Could you also suggest whether it would be a better idea to do an MBA from IGNOU or Sikkim Manipal University?

Name withheld

A:The value addition of a programme would depend on the organisation offering a job to a candidate. Some organisations recognise distance education and some organisations do not. If you are really interested in doing an MBA and do not want to do a full-time one, then a part-time MBA from either of the institutes you mentioned would serve the purpose.

Q:I have done MBA in marketing from ICFAI, Ranchi. I have been working as an area sales manager at HCL for the last four years. At present, I am looking for a job abroad. Is there any website where I can get information on overseas jobs?

Aditya Kumar, Ranchi

A: If you scan the leading dailies, you would come across advertisements for overseas jobs. You also need to send your CV to leading recruitment consultants all over India. There are also specialised recruitment agencies that work for specific countries.

Q: I am 25 years old and have been working as a customer service executive for the last one and a half years. I am an MA in political science. What should I do if I want to build a career in the IT sector? I am also interested in doing an MBA. Kindly suggest which specialisation I should opt for.

Gopa Roy

A:I think you need to do some soul searching as to what career you want to pursue. You have an MA in political science and are working as a customer service executive. You are looking for a job in the information technology sector and also want to do an MBA.

If you go for an MBA, I think with your background a specialisation in either HR or marketing would be appropriate. As far as the IT industry is concerned, you would be suitable for an administrative position.

Q: I am 24 years old. I completed MBA in 2007 with finance and marketing. Since the last one year I have been working in an NGO. I would like to shift to the corporate sector. Could you suggest which sector would be appropriate for me?

Rakesh Prasad

A: Since you have done an MBA in finance and marketing, you would be suitable for any sector since finance and marketing are required for all industries. I think you have to choose carefully where your strength lies and based on that you should choose your field. If you are interested in finance, your first choice would be financial institutions. In case you select marketing as an option, you can choose FMCG, retail or insurance as your field of work.

Q: I am a BTech in electrical engineering and I have also done a training in automation. I am working in WBSEDCL as an assistant engineer. What are the future prospects in the field of automation?

Kumardip Sen

A:I think you have adequate qualification to do well in your chosen field. Automation is a very lucrative field and a lot of opportunities are available in the job market. If this is the field you like then I think you should certainly go for it.

---

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.