Does a Post-Gradution (PG) Degree Help? Usha, Education Counsellor Advices Students

Here are some questions which students asked Usha Albuquerque, Career Counsellor.

I graduated with a BA degree in 2010. I then completed a computer hardware networking diploma. I am now preparing to pass a Cisco exam. I want to make my career in IT as a network engineer. Should I go for further studies such as a master's degree? If yes, please tell me which degree can help me reach a high level in IT?

Satish There is huge scope in computer networking, and courses like CCNA (Cisco certified network administrator) are highly regarded and lead to great job opportunities. The network certifications from Cisco and Microsoft are quite established in the computer industry. A networking course equips you with the knowledge required to set up computer networks and link-ups.

In the IT world, more often than not it is the computer competencies rather than degrees that can boost your career growth. However, if you do want to extend your knowledge and training in the field, an MCA would be a good option.

Different institutes offering MCA degree have different prerequisites for admission.

But a graduate with 50% to 60% marks in the last qualifying exam along with maths in Class 12 and/or graduation may apply in the majority of institutes, after clearing the MCA entrance test.

Gap Years and Jobs

I am a first-year BTech student at a top private college in Lucknow. I had dropped a year. I had secured the 3000th rank in a state entrance test in 2011 but due to some document problem, I couldn't take admission in MITS Gwalior. Can I participate in the 2012 state level entrance test? Will a two-year gap be harmful for my job placement from a reputable government college?

Worried student If you do well in your BTech course, your two-year gap will not make such a big difference. However before making a second attempt at the engineering entrance test, you may also like to consider the possibility of taking a diploma in engineering. Diploma courses in engineering are offered by vocational and technical institutes in a number of fields including footwear technology, food technology, sound technology, textile technology, paper technology, printing technology, petroleum engineering, and packaging technology, and so on, across the country.
You can consider any of these courses and train for a career with good prospects.

There is also the possibility after a diploma course to take lateral admission in the second year of a BE/BTech course in many universities.

Through the `Lateral Entry Scheme' offered by many colleges, diploma-holders from any branch of engineering/technology with a minimum of 60% marks are eligible for entry into any of the BTech programmes.

Among the institutes permitting lateral entry into the second year of BTech are Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi www.ipu.ac.in Punjab Technical University, Jallandhar www.ptu.ac.in Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Sangrur, Punjab www.sliet.ac.in

Actuarial Science

What is actuarial science? Which institutes offer courses in this area?

Sidhart Sharma,  Actuarial science is built on the statistical evaluation of the financial and economic implications of possible future contingencies. So, the work of an actuary involves the calculation of insurance risk, premiums and pensions for different insurance schemes. An actuary is a problem solver and calculates a company's long-term liabilities. Therefore, mathematical skills are important for this job.

To qualify for a career as an actuary, you need to become a fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of India (formerly Actuarial Society of India). This requires you to pass the institute's examination. The course is at four levels 100, 200, 300 and 400 series. On completion of the first level, you get a certificate in actuarial training.

After the 300 series you become an associate of the ASI, while clearing all the levels makes you a fellow. You can take the exam after Class 12 with any subject combination but with 85% in maths, or after graduation in any subject with 55% marks in maths, statistics, econometrics, computer science or engineering. For more details, visit www.actuariesindia.org.

Some universities offer BA/BSc degrees in actuarial science. These include: Kurukshetra University, www.kuk.ac.in and University of Mumbai, www.mu.ac

If you want USHA ALBUQUERQUE to answer your queries too, post your question on the ASK & ANSWER section.

Source: HT Education