Q:I am 44 years old and I hold both MPhil and PhD degrees in philosophy. I have also published two books on the subject. Although I am not an academician, I would like to shift to a job in the educational field. Is that possible? If yes, the how should I go about it? Kindly advise.
Name Withheld
A: Your interest matches your qualification, but working as an administrator may not fulfil your career aspirations. You should definitely go into the teaching profession which will give you job satisfaction. It remains to be seen as to what you want to teach and at what level. With your qualification, you could easily be absorbed in any reputed college of this country.
From time to time, there are advertisements released in leading newspapers which you can scan and apply to or else, you can target a few reputed institutes and send in your application for their perusal.
Q: I am a 45-year-old BCom graduate. I have worked in data processing/ in-house EDP departments and IT consultancy firms for 22 years. I had accepted VRS four years ago and retired as the in-charge of the EDP department of a popular business house. At present, due to the lack of proper technical qualification and competition from the younger generation, my career is in a very unsure stage. Please advise.
Name withheld
A: Yes, today the competition in this field is very intense and it is difficult to get a job without proper qualifications. Age is also not on your side to start a new career. There are several agencies that provide outsourced services to corporates in the line of the job you were engaged in earlier. You can approach these agencies and get a permanent job there or work as a freelancer. You can also contact publishing houses who would require data processing skills similar to yours.
Q:I am a 28-year-old economics (honours) graduate and PG diploma holder in IT & management. Since I was not getting any job in the IT sector I accpeted a contractual job with an MNC bank. Afterwards I tried hard to get a job in the banking sector but my qualification did not match their requirement. After a gap of one year I got an opening in a marine logistics company. But I want to work in the IT industry. What should I do to get a good job in the IT sector ? within and outside the state? Please advise.
Arindam Hazra, Calcutta
A: In the process of shifting jobs at the beginning of your career, you have lost out on the age factor. Today, you are too old for a fresher?s job and companies will hesitate to absorb you at a higher level because of your lack of experience in the relevant field.
Today, IT jobs are not as they used to be a few years ago. But jobs still exist for qualified professionals. You would have to analyse what sector you would like to be with and seek jobs in companies operating in these areas. You will have to accept a fresher?s job, which will be difficult initially, but you will have to put up with it.
Also, several reputed organisations look for people in their EDP department. This can be a good launching pad for you to gain initial experience. You could then seek opportunities in the IT sector.
Q: I am working in the foundry section of an engineering concern for the last 16 years. I am a science (honours) graduate and my lack of any technical qualification has acted as a hindrance in career development. I wish to take up some short-term course that will help me to enhance my career. I am 44 years old and I wish to change my present job but I am afraid that I will not be able to fit in with a new work environment. Please advise.
Sandip Mondal,Calcutta
A: It is not prudent to go for a career shift at the age of 44. Though lacking in technical qualification, you have the relevant experience in the foundry section. This will be enough for you to get a good job in another industry. I do not think any short-term course will help your job prospects further. It will only increase your academic acumen. The work culture today is very different from what it used to be and it also differs from place to place.
But you have no choice but to adapt your style to the changing environment. Competition is fierce and change is inevitable. You have to face that reality.
