Q:After my BTech in civil engineering, I pursued MS in environmental engineering in the US, followed by a consulting job with a reputed environmental engineering consultancy firm there. Then I completed a business degree (marketing), hoping to get a suitable managerial job in the water infrastructure arena in India. But since I did not, I returned to the US and did a mix of techno and marketing roles for my old company. Given the immense potential for the development of infrastructure in India, which are the organisations that can utilise my technical background and business education?
Arnab M. Hanra,Texas
A:There are several organisations that can utilise your skills, including consulting companies like PriceWaterhouseCoopers which advise governments and other organisations in the area of infrastructure management. Alternatively, you could work for international agencies such as UNIDO, DFID, Asian Development Bank, which focus on infrastructure in the country.
A third option is to work for companies such as Tata Consulting Engineers, L&T etc, which undertake major infrastructure projects and will be able to harness your skills. US majors such as Bechtel and GE are also active in the country in the area of infrastructure. You may want to explore a career with them as well.
Q: I am 36 years old. I have been working in a PSU life insurer as an assistant for more than 12 years. My qualifications are BSc (honours), Associate of INS Institute of India. Presently, I am pursuing fellowship III. I had got promotion offers but as the postings were not suitable I had turned them down. But now I feel I am stagnating here. Considering my age, would it be prudent to pursue CA? What are the prospects in the private insurance industry and in other sectors?
Abhijit Hazra, Jamshedpur
A:You have not mentioned what the area of your work is at present. However, you may want to pursue options like actuarial science or a course of certified financial planner which will help you position yourself in the retail financial services/ insurance domain.
Q: After completing my BE (computer science) I was employed in a private company for a period of four months. I had to leave this job due to a case of harassment. Thereafter, I enrolled for an MTech course. But recently, I have come to know that the course is not approved by the AICTE. There are several other problems with this university and hence I have decided to quit the course. What are the options open before me now?
Rini Ghosh
A:Since you are a computer science graduate why not try for a job with any of the IT majors that are setting up shop in Calcutta? You may be required to start at the bottom of the ladder, but then in IT, things can change pretty fast if you demonstrate the willingness to learn and an aptitude for programming.
Q: I am a 36-year-old MBA degree holder and at present working for a leading business group in their marketing and sales department. However, after eight-plus years of experience, I am not enjoying my work and seem to be lacking the aptitude for marketing and sales. I have discovered an interest in finance and hence intend to pursue a one-year full-time programme in the UK and thereafter return to work. Do you think that my decision to study in UK is right? Will it help my career? Please advise
Name Withheld
A: At your level, you should be looking to move into a commercial/ business head role which will give you the option of utilising your sales/ marketing skills as well as pursuing your interest in finance. Doing a course in the UK is just one way of achieving this.
The other way would be to look within your existing company and see if there is an option of moving into a business head role of maybe a smaller group business and then take it from there.
The third option would be to go for an advanced management course from an Indian or an international institute that will give you the exposure and knowledge to move into a business head mode. I wish you all the best in your endeavours.
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