Q:I am an industrial engineer doing a postgraduate diploma in energy management. What are the prospects in this field?
Name withheld
A: The prospects in energy management are likely to improve in the near future. The Energy Conservation Act, 2001, makes energy audit and energy management an important and compulsory activity for organisations. With the soaring prices of energy, almost all consumers of energy (in any form) will have to be more conscious and concerned about energy usage. With time, new positions will be created in energy management alone. And there will be jobs in all manufacturing companies where energy is an important input and all other energy utilities in the country. Similar opportunities are available even outside the country. Also, there are jobs in the consulting sector.
Q:I am a 26-year-old engineering student in my fourth year (electronics and communication). I have a BSc and a diploma in the same stream too. But I still can?t find a job. Is it because age is not on my side?
Pratik Sinha, Calcutta
A:It?s surprising that with your qualification, you are unable to get a job. I would say that the field you are studying currently in is a lucrative one and with telecom being an emerging sector, ample opportunities exist in this industry in India and abroad. The reasons behind your not being selected could be either something behavioural or academic. You need to assess this yourself and take remedial steps.
Q:I did a two-year software diploma from NIIT and an FA course from YMCA after completing my BCom. I have been working for more than five years now as a store keeper-cum-computer operator with an authorised dealer of Siemens. I?d like to build my career as a store manager for an MNC. What are the qualifications required? Many firms ask only for inventory control diploma holders. I?d like to know from where I can pursue this course.
Sumanta Nundun
A: With experience, you would be considered for a store manager?s job in the organisation that you are working with currently. In case you want to accelerate your career, you could do some additional courses related to your field, like the inventory control diploma you mentioned. These specialised courses are offered by various institutes across the country. Also, there are e-learning courses from Cambridge International College, UK, and AXIOM, MSS, UK. You could try the Institute of Materials Management for guidance.
Q:I am a 26-year-old MBA working as an area sales manager in a pharmaceutical company. I want to go abroad to work in a similar industry where my experience would be valued. How can I migrate and what are the industries I should apply to?
Ashutosh Panda, Calcutta
A:If you wish to migrate to a different country, then you will have to find out the processes for migration. Different countries have different immigration rules. But if working abroad is the option you are looking at, then you should look at organisations in your sector that have international offices and work out a way to be posted at these international branches. In India, there are many pharmaceutical companies that have offices in foreign countries and offer job prospects at these locations.
Q:I am doing my MBA from ICFAI, Hyderabad. I have done my graduation in computer engineering. I want to take up software product marketing as a career. Must I look only at the product-based companies for job openings or do I have a good chance with service-based companies as well? Which are the companies I can apply to for summer internship?
Bitan Banerjee
A: It is good to have a career plan in mind. There are certain organisations that are only looking into products and there are some others that are only service-oriented. But there are also organisations which do both, based on the requirement of the client. So you have a choice of various organisations to apply to in your chosen field. You will have to do some research to find out which companies would be right for you to do your summer internship in.
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