Q:I am a 26-year-old BCom (honours) graduate and am now doing an MBA from IGNOU. I am also working as a customer care executive in IBM-Daksh, Calcutta. Earlier, I was working in Reliance Infostreams private limited, Mumbai. I need to choose a subject for specialisation in my MBA. Should I specialise in finance in order to boost my career? If not, then what should I specialise in? My specialisation course will start from October 2005.
Dipsundar Kanjilal, Calcutta
A:The choice of specialisation is governed more by what you feel comfortable with. If you are more inclined towards numbers, balance sheets, etc. you must opt for finance. If your focus is brand management or advertising, do marketing. But please remember that your career does not completely depend on your choice of MBA specialisation but eventually, more on your ability to learn on the job.
Q:I am 45 years old and working as an assistant executive engineer with the department of public health engineering. My work includes water supply design and maintenance for rural and urban areas. My educational qualifications are a BE (mechanical) and a postgraduate diploma in ecology and environment through a correspondence course. Working over the years in the field of water supply, I have become passionate about the subject and related environmental issues. As water has become a global issue, the scope of working in this field is varied. Will it be wise on my part to pursue a course in global information systems (GIS) at this age? Please advise.
Atindra Bijoy Choudhury, Assam
A:Water management and supply has indeed become a crucial issue globally. I would suggest that you look outside the confines of the state and maybe even the country to do specialised courses. Some of these can be done online or through distance learning programmes. Check with a reputed university in your area. They may be able to guide you.
Q:I am a 40-plus retired sergeant from the Indian Air Force. My educational qualifications are a graduation in arts and a diploma in materials management (rail transport and management) from the Indian Institute of Materials Management. Through a systematic job rotation process over 20 years, my work experience has been varied and includes stores, logistics, purchasing and materials management. I have no marketing or civil job experience. I have personally submitted my bio-data to some reputed placement agencies in Calcutta. But no one has responded till date. I feel disturbed because my job-hunting experience shows that ex-servicemen are suitable only for security jobs. But I don?t want to do security jobs. Kindly advise what jobs I could apply for at this age?
Name withheld
A: It is unfortunately true that most ex-servicemen are considered only for security or administration openings unless they come from an engineering background. But you can try the BPO sector as they are generally more open to the idea of anyone joining them as a customer support executive or a team leader in operations. The important thing is to get the crucial first break in the private sector. Besides applying to placement agencies, it may be a good idea for you to approach the HR departments of some companies directly.
Q:I am a 34-year-old mechanical engineer working in a state electricity board as assistant executive engineer. I have more than 10 years? experience in thermal power plants in both public as well as private sectors. Now I plan to pursue a full-time MBA. Is it a good decision considering my age? Also, considering my past experience, please suggest some kind of specialisation that will help me better my career prospects.
Name withheld, Assam
A:The decision to do an MBA does not at all depend on one?s age. I suggest that with your expertise it would be better if you opt for an MBA in operations or production management. By doing this, you will be able to leverage your past experience when applying for jobs after an MBA.
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