A FOREIGN DEGREE?

WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM?

A FOREIGN DEGREE?

RAJIV KHURANA

I qualified as a CA last year. Prior to that had six years of experience in accounts and and MIS. I currently work as deputy finance manager in Rs 150cr internet company. I want to make a career as consulatant on Mis and finance. I am told a foreign degree CPA/CIMA would help my cause. Would that be of any use in India though? Or should I join a consultancy firm?
SAYEE PROBHU
Gurgaon
Adding further qualifications can always expand your mental and professional horizon if you have the inclination, commitment and time. CA itself is a good qualification in India. You can certainly try to work for a consulting firm to follow your interest and simultaneously think of acquiring management qualification through distance learning. Be careful and examine all odds before jumping into individual consulting practice.
How do I get a loan to study in Australia and fix up accomodation or a part-time job there? Should I convert my current licence to an international one? How do I get a student’s concession on airfares, health insurance etc. How do I get sponsorship or a scholarship for a masters in special education from Australia.
SP JAIN
Gurgaon
Don’t expect all information to be gathered by someone and present to you on a silver plate. Each task requires detailed research, careful evaluation and decision making. Any nationalised bank in your neigbourhood can provide you the eligibiliy criteria for studying overseas. Check the guidelines for students of the respective university in Australia over the internet. They provide complete information to a new students to settle down in the campus. These are normally comprehensive guidelines that can offer you all the information that you need. You can even write to the concerned incharge of the students services for any specific information that you require. Travel agents in India can give you the right idea of acquiring International students card, concessional travel rates and insurance.
I have been working in a project management consultancy as a project engineer since last three years. I am 26 yrs old and really interested in real estate, infrastructure etc. Could you suggest what sort of MBA programme I should take on - part-time,distance or EPGPM? Is there an institute you can reccomend?
ALOK GUPTA
Bangalore
Your experience itself could be of interest to the ‘infrastructure industry’ which is aggressively scouting for talent. Flash your profile to some of them and you will be better educated to understand their more specific needs and smell opportunities for yourself. Do a generic MBA so that you also have the flexibility of venturing out of the industry at a later date to move into a different sunshine sector.
I’ve just appeared for TYBA in economics from Mumbai University and plan to do an finance MBA from a top-level institute. I also plan to apear for CAT and similar tests. I don’t know how to go about it. It is difficult to work full time as well as study. I don’t think a diploma or certificate would be that valuable.
NIKHIL CHHEDA
Mumbai
If you want to make an entry into a top level management institute, you have to make top level preparations. You have two options - Take up a job, work for few years and then take a sabbatical to enter into a leading institute OR invest heavily in terms of your efforts to appear for CAT, MAT or GMAT. Check the net to get all details or talk to your campus counsellor or walk into a coaching institute to get the right information needed for preparation. Participating in few career fairs can also expand your mental horizons.
I am 24 year old B.Com graduate with a masters in finance & control. Currently I am working with an NBFC as an analyst . I want to do some additional courses to enhance my skills. I can’t leave my job for a full-time course. Which courses and institutes would you reccomend?
MOHD. ATIF
New Delhi
You can explore the options of doing MBA or CS. Both can be done through distance learning. You can also explore the possibility of doing MS in consultancy management conducted by BITS Pilani in collaboration with consultancy development centre. They have a weekend contact programme at India Habitat Centre in Delhi.
I worked as an office assistant in the Army for a decade, and then switched to software testing. At 30, I am starting my life all over again. Do you think it was a good move? I am a English-medium PG in economics as well as a PG diploma holder in computer programming and applications. How should I improve my skill-set?
PEARL
New Delhi
You cannot change the time you have already spent. You did what you thought was right at that time. You surely have your unique set of skills that you are putting use to. Talk to your seniors in the company to understand their expectations from you and the career they visualise for you. Planning to upgrade your skills in that direction may make sense. While these will be mainly the ahrd skills, you should also focus on fine tuning your soft skills, e.g., leadership skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills etc. This can be done with better interactions with people around, reading and reflecting a lot, modeling your behaviour or conduct on the basis of what good things you see in others etc.
I am appearing for BA finals from Delhi University. I want to do an MBA and have cleared MAT with scores 633/800. I have been selected for admissions in by Asia Pacific Institute of Management and Indian Institute of Finance, and am waiting from Amity- Noida and IIPM. Which of the institutes should I do my MBA from?
SHILPI SETH
New Delhi
As per our editorial poilcy, we cannot recommend any institute. We can only talk about the basis on which you can make your choice. Your choice should be based on the subject/discipline you are going to study, the kind of full time and visiting faculty the institute employs, the track record of placement your institute enjoys, the studentteacher ratio, extra-curricular activities that the institute engages in to provide allround growth to the young professionals, general level of satisfaction amongst the students etc. The institute brochure, a visit and interaction with the institute placement cell, students and faculty can give you fairly good idea and assurance about your choice.
I am pursuing a BBA from Delhi University. I am interested in human resources field. How can I pursue my interest?
NEHA BHUTANI
New Delhi
Do your MBA and join the gang! In between, become a student member of associations like National HRD Network, Delhi Chapter or Delhi Management Association and take part in their professional activities and talks/discussions. This can help you broaden your perspective and even get you spotted. You can also think of taking up a
job in the HR department of a company after your graduation and do your distance learning MBA simultaneously.
I am second-year student of B.Com and I am doing ICW too. How good is my job prospect with this combination. Also should I do an MBA after working for a bit, or straight away after graduation.
MANAN PURI
New Delhi
You are moving in the right direction. The other option could have been doing CS along with B.Com. but this is a matter of personal choice. More and more people are taking some years of work experience before doing their MBA but this is also a matter of personal choice. Just ensure that you do not bite more than you can chew!
I have completed my graduation in B.Sc (pass), M.Sc in (math) & completed PGDCA in 2004. Recently, I got married and settled in delhi. What kind of jobs are there in the market. I haven’t worked before, but want to support my family.
SUCHISMITA SAHOO
New Delhi
You can choose from the variety of options available in the job market today, viz., ITeS, Retail, and other services. discuss with your family in terms of your career aspirations and the time you intend to devote. Setting up your own enterprise or taking up an multi-level marketing franchise is also an option for you. If you wish to work from home, remember, teachers in maths will always be in demand.
I appeared for my TYB com exam in March this year. How should I prepare for the IIM entrance tests. should I do a Career Launcher or T.I.M.E. What type of guidance is required? Last week, I started reading the ET.
VISHAL TIWARI
New Delhi
Your fellow students and seniors can give you a better and first hand experience of the faculty that is coaching at any of the branded coaching centre. Joining a centre is no guarantee for success. Your efforts and preparations hold the key. Go through some of the books that prepare the students and know whether you have a liking and flair. Remember, you will have to be consistently much ahead of what and how others are doing. The competition shall be at a national level. Meeting some successful past students can give you a personalised insight as well as tips for preparation.
I have done my BE in computers and worked for an IT company for around about 2 years in ERP- SAP. I know many software languages. Where can I find freelancing jobs in the IT industry?
BHAKTI GATHANI
Mumbai
Why do you want to do the freelance jobs? If this is to earn extra money then please read your appointment letter. Most of the letters of appointment prohibit any additional employment, vocation or not-for-profit activities. Software industry work is essentially a team activity in which you contribute through your own skills set. I suggest that you should concentrate on your job and seek higher responsibilities to also grow as a team leader and later project leader. Set up your own consulting firm or company when you think that you have enough professional maturity, ability and resources.
I did my B.Com Hons from Ranchi University. Over the past two years I have been working for a BPO. I am not happy here. I want a career in banking and finance. Can you suggest any other options?
BISHNU PRASAD
New Delhi
Banking and finance companies also offer careers in customer services, account management etc. You can start with that then move into other functions. You must study more also along with your work.
I am a 30-yr-old cost & management accountant (ICWA) and have about 7 years of experience in financial accounting in small companies. I am currently 30. Now I want to change the track and go into core finance; like an analyst or evaluator. Where I will get the opportunity to beyond support functions.Is it a good idea to pursue MS-Finance (leads to CFA charter also) from ICFAI or MBA Finance from IGNOU or some other course that surely would add value.
KAUSHIK GUHA
New Delhi
Such courses can surely add value provided you know what and how to use them. Start with the company that you are working for and extend your efforts to incude the job that you intend to take. You may get some meaningful opportunities if you can impress the people about your interests and capabilities. Post qualification it may become easier for you to make your external move with some of the exposure you have already gathered.
I am a 26-year-old and have done MSc along with an airhostess training course from Frakfinn .Currently I am working with international hospital since I want to work in the service sector. I also want to do an MBA. Can you help me choose a branch and subject?
DEEPTI DUBEY
Noida
Your orientation seems to be more towards personalised services. Hence, studying HR and/or marketing discipline can be more useful for you. Your MBA can put you on a good pedestal from where you can find your path through exploring different options that come your way.