dated 28th Aug. 2002

I had applied for the post of a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) in DEBEL, a biomedical instrumentation lab of DRDO, Govt of India. The interview is in the last week of August. I want to know the details of the work carried out by a JRF, his responsibilities etc. The JRF tenure is for 2 years. I want to know if I will have bright prospects in software companies or not after the JRF. Is it mandatory for me to pursue Ph.D if I take up a JRF?

Sirisha Prasad

Via e-mail

JRF in biomedical essentially involves research in the said area. This experience will come in handy only if you opt for biotech and other related areas like bioinformatics if you have a software background too. However, it is not mandatory to pursue a PhD after your JRF.

I have secured admission in MBA (food and agribusiness management) in a university in Netherlands. Please let me know the career prospects of this course, both in India and abroad.

Dhanunjaya. K

Indore

The agribusiness curriculum prepares students for employment in banking, farm management, business management, and many other fields related to business and economics. The agribusiness programme effectively integrates business management principles with technical knowledge of the agricultural sector from actual production to marketing.

I am doing my MBA in marketing and finance. I would like to know the kind of entry-level jobs offered by companies.

R.K.Shetty

Mangalore

The entry-level jobs offered by companies are many. In case you want to enter the financial services sector, the following is what you can look at:

a) Mutual Funds - Fund Analysis Executive. Marketing of MFs

b) Finance Executive Trainee: You could work as a trainee with any of the big firms, banks and financial institutions. For this you need to have knowledge of cost and management accounts, financial accounting and security analysis and portfolio management.

c) Agency Development Manager in insurance or trainee in insurance companies like TATA AIG/ BIRLA/ ING VYSYA/ ICIC Prudential etc.

In case you would like to enter the sales and marketing field, you could look at the following posts:

a) Brand management executive

b) Media sales executive in ad agency

c) Marketing support executive

d) Client servicing

e) Sales and marketing trainee/ executive (Infotech, FMCG, Insurance, Mutual Funds, Real Estate, Banking)

General Areas

a) Process associate in a call centre

b) Business development executive

I am doing M.H.R.M from Annamalai University through correspondence. I want to know the job opportunities for this course in India and abroad. What can I do after finishing this course for a better career?

N.Ranjith

Tamil Nadu

Graduates of Human Resource Management are employed in a wide variety of industries, including: manufacturing, service, welfare, education, consultancies, etc. They are employed in various capacities including: human resource/personnel officer; industrial officer; employee relations officer; training officer; recruitment officer/consultant; trade union research officer; human resource/industrial relations/training consultant; specialist positions (e.g. compensation, recruitment, training, performance management) in human resource departments in private and public sector organisations; and line management, staff and policy positions. These opportunities may vary with the degree from a regular to a correspondence degree.

I have done my MCA. I have heard of an institute that provides corporate training. I want to know what corporate training means.

Raja .k

Via email

Corporate training is given so that individuals are better equipped to deal with workplace problems and issues. The ability to learn is innate and people require a suitable 'vehicle' to stimulate, encourage and catalyse learning. The purpose of corporate training is to make these things easier. Corporate training is carried out for different areas of finances, sales and marketing, IT etc. In the Information Technology field corporate training would include managing IT services, Internet technology, advanced access database skills and techniques, understanding networking, mastering MS projects, exploiting excel as a financial tool, and a certificate in business analysis, telecommunications and data, communications.

I wish to join LLB. What are the job opportunities in the legal profession?

Nadeesha

Uttar Pradesh

Generally, law firms employ fresh graduates as apprentices or assistants. During the final year of the course, a candidate takes up apprenticeship.

After two years of articleship, the apprentice appears for an examination for articled clerks conducted by the Law Society. Plunging into private practice immediately after graduation is practically impossible, unless there is a ready-made family firm. There are plenty of opportunities in private industry as well as government sectors.

There is also the possibility of becoming a legal consultant (part time or full time) for companies. A candidate who qualifies in the Law Service Commission or State Public Service Commission is eligible for appointment as munsif (sub magistrate). Promotion may take a person higher up to the post of a Sub-Judge, District and Sessions Courts Judge and further (depending upon seniority and vacancy) to appointments in High Courts and the Supreme Court. Opportunities exist in the defense services too.

The FAQ column deals with career concerns addressed to CnK Management Ltd, PO Box No. 2178, Secunderabad-500003, or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com