Career Guidence

PERVIN MALHOTRA
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
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS Can you please tell me something about study and career options in agricultural economics? Anand Gehlot
The key goal of our country's agricultural policy is to achieve food security.To achieve this goal, we need not only agricultural scientists but also agricultural economists who can apply the principles of economics to ensure greater productivity in agriculture. As technology and economic forces drive growth in this sector, the demand for agricultural economists increases.
The programme teaches you how to deal with the constantly changing economy and make decisions concerning risk and uncertainty of agricultural production, reliance on natural resources, key aspects of institutions that govern food and agriculture, and the competitive structures within agribusiness.
Besides land appraisal, crop grading, agricultural trade and finance, wholesale and retail marketing and sale of agricultural produceproducts, an agricultural economist's work covers farm management, cooperative management, setting priorities for research, investment analysis and planning, assessment of returns on investment and more -in short, all those activities that ensure agricultural productivity at the planned growth rate.
There are promising job options in this field. There are openings in co-operatives, the banking and insurance sector, private firms in the agricultural sector, foreign embassies, non-profits and donor agencies, the agriculture ministry, the Indian Economic Service as also in the field of research and academics.
Although you can specialise in agricultural economics while enrolled on your Master's in economics, separate MSc courses in agricultural economics are offered at more than 35 universities, most of which are agriculture institutions, in India. Here are some of the institutes: z Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat), http:www.aau.in z Aligarh Muslim University, http:www.amu.ac.in z AKS University, Satna (MP), http:www.aksuniversity.ac.in z Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (UP), http:www.bujhansi.org z Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswa Vidyalaya, Mohanpur District ­ Nadia (WB), http:www.bckv.edu.in z Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, Kanpur (UP), http:www.csauk.ac.in z CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur (HP), http:www.hillagric.ac.in z Dr BR Ambedkar University, Agra, http:www.dbrau.ac.in z Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan (HP), http:www.yspuniversity.ac.in z GB Pant University of Agriculture & Tech nology, Pantnagar (Uttarakhand), http:www.gbpuat.ac.in z Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Delhi, http:www.iari.res.in z Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur (MP), http:www.jnkvv.nic.in z Narendra Dev University of Agriculture & Technology, Faizabad (UP), http:www.nduat.in z Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan), http:www.mpuat.ac.in z Rajendra Agricultural University, Samas tipur (Bihar), rauabm.org.in and http:www.pusavarsity.org.in z Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Gwalior (MP), http:www.rvskvv.net z Smt Genda Devi PG College, Kasganj (UP), http:www.sgdm.org z Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture & Sciences, Allahabad (UP), http:www.shiats.edu.in z Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut (UP), http:www.svbpmeerut.ac.in z Sardar Krushinagar Dantiwada Agricultur al University, Banaskantha (Gujarat), http:www.sdau.edu.in z Shri Shivaji Agriculture College, Amravati (Maharashtra), http:www.ssacpdkv.org z Swami Keshwanand Rajasthan Agricultur al University, Bikaner (Rajasthan), http:www.raubikaner.org z Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coim batore, http:www.tnau.ac.in z University of Agricultural Sciences, Dhar wad (Karnataka), http:www.uasd.edu z Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur (Kerala), http:www.kau.in z Vanavarayar Institute of Agriculture, Coimbatore, http:www.via.ac.in
STAMMER
I am an IT graduate with a high CGPA. I stammer which makes me feel embarrassed. Keeping this in mind, which career should I choose? Please guide me.
Yashpal
There is no need to worry. Stammering is not a permanent disability. It is largely curable with some medical help and determination on your part. Any job that predominantly involves research, analytics or deskwork should be fine to begin with. In your line of work, this may not be a problem. Once you gain in confidence, you can slowly graduate to activities that involve greater human interface.
You should proceed one step at a time. You are a bright young man. So, make the most of life and the opportunities it throws up. Don't let a minor problem hold you back in life.Also, remember that people take their cues from you; if you are not embarrassed or selfconscious, no one can possibly make you feel uncomfortable.
Try composing your sentences in your mind before speaking. “Practice“ is the operative word here. Do consult a good speech therapist for professional advice. You could even sign up for a short course in dramatics which can help.
IQ TEST
Our 4.5-year-old daughter can memorise things quickly and is good at maths as well. What special training can we give her to make her a superachiever? Which IQ test should she take? We would like to see her achieve as much fame and success as possible.
K V Ninan
It is nice to have such a bright child, among less than one per cent of children who are gifted. However, there is no need to give her any special attention. Just leave her alone with paper, pencils, toys and books. There are many graded maths puzzles and exercises on the Net that could help hone her maths skills. You may try to expose her to as many new experiences, activities, and learning opportunities as possible so she can discover her real talent.
At this stage, it is not prudent to force anything on her because it can hamper her growth or she may peak too soon.
Also, I think it is too early for an IQ or any other test. Pen-and-paper tests cannot capture all abilities. Many talented children end up confused and stressed if their well-meaning but overambitious parents impose their goals on them. I know you mean well, but I would urge you not to rush or push her.At this age, it is important that you let your daughter enjoy a normal and balanced childhood.