Career guide

Financial interest:
Yash: After completing my class 12 in which I scored 97%, I was keen to opt for the BFIA programme offered by the University of Delhi. Unfortunately as I could not make it to the course, I enrolled for the BCom (Hons) degree. Could you please suggest a relevant course, which can give me a leg-up in finance before I go for further studies?
The Mathematical Sciences Foundation, Delhi (http:www.mathscifound.org), offers a programme in mathematical finance that will introduce you to the world of modern finance and its interplay with maths.Created in consultation with experts in academia and the corporate world, the part-time programme combines conceptual understanding with practical elements. While the classroom programme is conducted at the YWCA of Delhi, the online programme is offered via a website.
Anyone who has studied maths at the plustwo level is eligible to apply. It would help if one is familiar with calculus and probability. Incidentally, the programme is certified by ICICI.
Subsequently, you could take their short-term online courses such as 'Excel in Corporate Finance' and 'Excel in Options & Derivatives', which will be useful when you seek a career in investment banking, insurance and other fields.The fee is Rs 30,000.
Forensic science:
Ankur Goswami: I am a BSc (physics) graduate. Am I eligible for a diploma in forensic medicine?
All diplomas in forensic medicine require an MBBS degree (barring a couple which may admit students with an MSc degree). However, a number of universities offer PG diploma and degree courses in criminology and forensic science. Typically, these courses cover forensic investigation of the crime scene, forensic photography, forensic toxicology, forensic serology, fingerprint analysis, criminal profiling, drug detection, lie detection, firearm identification, cybercrime etc.So, you could pursue an MSc or a PG diploma in forensic science which is open to science graduates at the University of Delhi or Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University's LNJN National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, Delhi, offering the following: z MAMSc in criminology for which the eligibility is BABSc z MSc in forensic science which requires a BSc Amity University's Amity Institute of Behavioural Health & Allied Sciences, Noida, offers an MSc (forensic science) as well as a PG diploma (forensic science).
Besides these, you could consider Punjabi University, Patiala; Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra or the University of Madras, among others.
Defence research:
Manjari Upreti: I have heard that the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) recruits MSc and engineering graduates as scientists. I would be grateful if you could tell me something about this. I am keen to work in the defence field. Are women eligible for these defence-related jobs?
DRDO is the country's flagship defence R&D institution that formulates and executes programmes of scientific research, design, development, testing and evaluation of various systems, sub-systems, devices and products required for country's defence. This centre of national excellence has a network of over 50 laboratories engaged in developing defence technologies. It employs over 5,000 scientists and 25,000 other scientific and technical personnel, of which over 15% are women. It brings together some of our brightest scientific talent. Incidentally, former President APJ Abdul Kalam is an ex-DRDO scientist.
R&D covers a variety of disciplines such as aerospace and avionics, armament and explosives, combat vehicles, computer science and systems analysis, electronics, engineering, life sciences, advanced materials, naval technology, rockets and missiles and satellite communications, etc. DRDO employs highly qualified scientists and technologists who constitute the Group “A“ (Class 1) technical service -the Defence Research & Development Service.
However, scientists are mostly recruited at the entry level -Scientist 'B', a gazetted post.Salaries for DRDO scientists are pegged alongside grades for civil servants (minus the perks).DRDO scientists have achieved significant milestones at a fraction of the cost of similar experiments and projects in more developed countries.
Selection is on the basis of the three-hour DRDO SET (Scientists Entry Test). To be eligible, one should have a BEBTEch in mechanical, chemical, ECE, computer science, or electrical (first division). Please note that MCAMSc in any science subject is not considered equivalent to a BEBTech in the above subjects.However, due to administrative reasons, DRDO SET is not being conducted at the moment. You are advised to refer to the Recruitment & Assessment Centre website, http:rac.gov.in and the DRDO website, http:www.drdo.gov.in, regularly for updates.
Shortlisted candidates are trained at DRDO institutions in Pune and Mussoorie as well as at academic institutions for higher qualifications.You may also be sent abroad for training, presenting papers and specific assignments.
For details on job descriptions, log on to the DRDO website. Also, watch out for the notifications in Employment News in April/May each year.
You can apply for DRDO's research fellowships which is for students to carry out research lead ing to a higher qualification or for research experience. Research fellows are selected by DRDO's director of the laboratoriesestablishments. The selection process consists of an interview in which candidates are assessed for their aptitude for research, clarity of concepts, spirit of scientific enquiry, analytical reasoning, a range of scientific and technical knowledge, and capacity to apply it. Candidates who have passed the UGC NET or GATE are given preference.
At present, DRDO offers fellowships at three levels, namely JRF, SRF {P} and RA. The eligibility criteria and emoluments are listed on the website.
Genetic option:
Umang Hajela: My class IX marks were not so great (65%), but I worked hard to improve my performance in class X (85%). If I continue to do this through class XI and XII, will I have a good chance of getting into the University of California, Los Angeles? Also, what subjects do you recommend I take if I wish to study genetics?
The University of California's general catalogue states the two principles on which entrance requirements are based: The best guarantee of success is high quality of scholarship (academic performance) in previous work.z Study of certain specific subjects will give the student both a good preparation for studying at the university and reasonable freedom of choice of a major field of study. In your case, that would be biology, for instance.
Undergraduate applicants must have what is considered a “satisfactory“ SAT score as determined by the university.If you are looking at becoming a geneticist, take biology, physics, chemistry as well as maths in class XI and XII.
Although it is often believed that biosciences do not require any mathematical ability, this is not true.
Also remember that most people's career choices change several times before they finally pick a specialisation at the postgraduate level. So, be open and flexible about your career.