Career Guidance

Professional make-up I am keen to become a professional make-up artist. Please tell me something about the scope of work and how I should proceed. Tina DuraniNot all actors or models are born with flawless skin or perfectly chiselled looks, but professional make-up can transform the girlnext-door into a stunner. However, TV and film make-up is different from fashion or party make-up. And being somewhat heavier, film make-up is different from TV make-up.Depending on whether it is a period movie or a horror flick, you may have to use wigs, false teeth, highlights and shadow make-up for each character -maintaining the continuity shoot after shoot. If it is a thriller, innovative materials are used to change the shape and contours of the face or create life-like scars and wounds.As a professional make-up artist, you would be expected to research and meticulously plan the make-up required for each production. The medium -video, still or film -too, will determine the kind of look to be achieved.Previously, a traditional male stronghold, this line of work is seeing a rising number of women make-up artists in the Indian film industry -as in every other hitherto male-dominated field, which is a refreshing and welcome change.Besides a steady hand, speed and the stamina to stay on your feet for long hours, imagination and appreciation of the human form are the prerequisites to be a successful make-up artist.To learn the ropes, I suggest you enrol for a professional course in media make-up that focusses on how the camera perceives the face under different kinds of lighting -particularly with a curriculum that combines theory and practical demonstration.After that, interning under a professional artist can give you the necessary confidence and hands-on experience to find a foothold in the industry.AP coursesI am a class X student, planning to go to the US for my undergraduate studies. A few of my friends in classes XI-XII are preparing for something called Advanced Placement courses. Isn't it enough to take the SAT and TOEFL for admission to US colleges? Please tell me about the AP courses and who should take them.Arvind ThakurAP courses essentially help you earn “credits“ that count towards your Bachelor's. These are college-level courses that can be completed by high school students followed by an exam. Your AP credit in a subject will count towards your major in a US (or even a Canadian) college by helping you complete your course quicker. Some students also use their AP credits to support their application or bolster their academic credentials. Earning sufficient credits may shorten your programme by nearly a year, helping you save on tuition fees and living costs while studying abroad.The AP courses are typically offered in the following subjects: arts, English, history and social sciences, maths and computer sciences, sciences, and world languages.For more details, log on to the website of College Board which conducts the AP programme: http:professionals.collegeboard.comtestingap However, regardless of whether you decide to take an AP course or not, you will still have to take the SAT (and possibly SAT II) and TOEFL when applying to US undergraduate schools. In India, AP courses are taught at the American School and a few other international schools. However, you don't have to be “enrolled“ on an AP course to take the exam.You can do so by registering online.Incidentally, AP exams are conducted in several cities in India. For exam dates and registration details, visit http:www.ap-india.org While registration for 2015 is closed, it is open for 2016.ECE or nanotech?I have completed a BTech (ECE) programme.Now I wish to pursue an MTech.Simultaneously, I intend to prepare for PSU jobs. Which branch will be the best: ECE or nanotechnology, considering that I do not plan to pursue a PhD in that discipline? In which sector do more (PSU) jobs exist in India? I have heard that the scope of nanotechnology is more outside the country? Which stream will be better for lectureship? ANIf you wish to pursue an MTech while preparing for PSU jobs, I guess an MTech in electronics or communication would be better, particularly because you do not wish to study further, that is for a PhD, which subjects like nanotech would merit.As far as lectureship is concerned, either would be acceptable. Incidentally, the GATE qualification is now the minimum requirement to apply for various jobs as well as fellowships awarded by most government organisations.Finance jobsI completed my MBA degree through distancelearning. I am working as an executive in a small financial services firm. Will my MBA have any value when switching jobs? Should I study for the CFA, CPA, CIMA or CFP qualification if I have to work as a financial planner? RohanA distance MBA degree will count only to an extent. It is your work experience and track record that will matter as far as your subsequent jobs are concerned. So, make sure you leverage these effectively. If you wish to move towards a career in financial planning, then the CFP (certified financial planner) certification would be more appropriate as compared to the CPA or CFA.Negative reactionOur 17-year-old son is an above-average student. However, he performed badly in his semester exams. My husband expressed disappointment to which my son reacted in a negative manner and has stopped studying. He will have to write other exams as well. I am worried how he will fare. Please guide us.J DasAny extreme reaction on the part of a parent can make a child react adversely.The expression of disappointment can frequently lead to either an increased focus in coursework on the part of the child, or it may lead to a converse reaction, making the child averse to studies. In all likelihood, this will be a temporary phase. Nonetheless, it is essential to talk to your son and explain to him the reason for his father's reaction.Having understood this and the importance of academics, he would most likely change his attitude.Director, CARING Career Information & Guidance, New Delhi e-mail: pervin-et@careerguidanceindia.com or write to -Editor, Education Times, TOI, (3rd floor), 7 Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, New Delhi-110002