I am in II PUC and would like to pursue BHM. Please give me the names of colleges in Bangalore which offer the course and help in placements.

Ghousia Shaikh

After PUC, you can pursue the four-year Bachelor of Hotel Management (BHM) at Christ University (Deemed to be University, under Section 3 of the UGC Act) (www.christuniversity.in), Hosur Road, Bangalore-560 029 and at M.S. Ramaiah College of Hotel Management (www.msrchm.edu), M.S. Ramaiah Nagar, MSRIT Post, Bangalore-560 054. The programme is recognised by all statutory bodies and has excellent placement facilities.

I am a BPO professional and have enrolled for M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication in KSOU. Since I do not have a guide/mentor, I am confused with respect to preparing for the course. I request you to give me some tips to prepare for the Correspondence programme and appear for the examinations with confidence.

Varun

Distance Learning provides immense opportunities since the universities provide Self-Instructional Material (SIM), interactive sessions in the classroom and online (wherever feasible), and counsellors/mentors who ensure peer interaction and provide the learning opportunities in a classroom environment. The study centre to which one is attached provides the much-needed support to the learner.

If the course is related to your area of work, you will be able to juxtapose the learning with the day-to-day environment. If you have taken up a programme that is not in unison with your work, make efforts to go to an organisation focusing on the aspect of study and understand the same. However, considering that you are working in an ITES set-up, this may be a little difficult.

Submission of assignments, which is an important aspect in distance learning, also helps a lot.

I am a consultant for an IT organisation. I finished my B.E Electronics and Communications in 2005. I am confused regarding my future. Should I pursue MBA or postgraduation in IT for better career opportunities?

Harish P.M.

You have to decide whether you want to go in for managerial opportunities or focus on technology or do both. Pursuing an MBA in Information Technology will help you to get to the aspects of management and also focus for one semester on Information Technology, which will keep you in good stead.

These days, organisations tie up with institutions of repute world-wide for the associates/employees to pursue programmes that will help in career growth.

Instead of pursuing something outside of your work environment, speak with your Unit Human Resource Leaders and understand the learning opportunities that are available.

If none of these interest you, you can look towards the IIMs which have devised many programmes for the technology specialists. BITS, Pilani (www.bits-pilani.ac.in/dlp-home) has developed innovative programmes for in-service executives which has wide ramifications on one's career.

I am studying for the 12th Standard through NIOS. I want to pursue B.Com through distance mode. Which university is better: IGNOU or Bangalore University? I heard that it is very difficult to get tuitions for IGNOU courses. Kindly advise me on this issue.

Ashwin Unnikrishnan

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) (www.ignou.ac.in) focuses on Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Bangalore University has both the Campus and Distance Education orientations. Both conduct the Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) programs with élan. Have a look at both the curricula and infrastructure provided and decide where you would like to pursue the programme.

I completed PUC in the Science stream with a low percentage and am pursuing B.Sc. in PMCs. I have got an aggregate of 62 per cent.

If I do postgraduation in MBA, will I be able to get a good job in the IT field or should I pursue M.Sc?

Farooq I.M.

Pursuing an MBA will push you towards generalist roles. Considering that you have taken up Computer Science along with the pure sciences of Physics and Mathematics, an MCA programme will add value to your repertoire and also provide opportunities in the field of IT. MCA, along with the relevant IT certifications, will take you to the acme in the field that you have identified.

My daughter completed her graduation (B.Sc Bio- Tech) during 2009 with a total aggregate of 77 per cent. Her interest is in Biotechnology and related matters. However, keeping in view the present trends and demands,

I am confused about deciding which one will be suitable for her: M.Sc in Bio- Sciences/Biochemistry or MBA. My worry is that since she is from a science background she may not do well in MBA Finance. HR alone will not be adequate for the present situation. Kindly advise which one will be best suitable for her.

Rajashekhar Juchani

Let your ward select the programme that she likes or is motivated to pursue. All academic disciplines have their own ups and downs in the job market. Applied sciences have grown in the past decade and brought in a new temperament in the minds of the students.

Science/applied science postgraduates and doctorates do get a lot of opportunities in the IT field, considering that many of the IT companies are servicing Life Science projects and programmes worldwide.

A research degree becomes mandatory to reach for the higher echelons of the corporate world.

The Government will provide opportunities to such specialists through the scientific and research bodies that come under various Ministries and Departments.