Category Career Query

Food for thought

I am a student of class XI studying physics, chemistry, maths and biology. I really enjoy reading about health and diet issues. To become a nutrition expert, is it necessary to be a doctor? I am not sure if i could get admission to a medical college. Please guide me.

No, it is not necessary to be a doctor to be a nutrition expert. In fact, dietetics and nutrition as modules are offered at B.Sc. level and specialisation programmes at M.Sc. level in many universities, including some agriculture universities. Avinashlingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, is one of the most reputed places to study home science. In Delhi, Lady Irwin College offers BSc and MSc courses in home science. You will be eligible for admission to BSc home science programme after class XII, since you are a science student. The universities ask for science in 10+2.

 

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I am a student of history and am very interested in archaeology. Are there jobs for archaeologists that will not require travelling?

How can one become an archaeologist without being on the site? Yes, there are archaeologists who in their capacity as lecturer/professor spend a larger part of the year in colleges or university departments, but even they have to continuously upgrade their knowledge, do research work and visit various sites as part of excavations. Even people associated with various museums are on field visits as part of conservation and restoration projects. So, if you are looking for a career in archaeology, forget the comforts and cosiness of your home.

 

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My daughter writes in a very untidy way. What course of action should I take?

If your daughter is good in all other aspects related to academics, she just needs practice to write neatly. As for drawing or colouring, as long as she is able to do these tasks as required for science, drawing etc., don’t worry. However, if there is any special difficulty, you may have to consult the school psychologist or the counsellor.

 

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Memory Retention

Can you provide us tips for higher retention of what we study for exams? Can a student remember what he/she learnt in November/ December, in the month of March? Is there a way by which he would not forget the formulae?

Definitely a person can remember in the month of March, what he or she learnt in Nov/Dec (that is three or four months earlier). It depends on how well one has understood the concept and the text.

To remember what one has learnt, the only way is to understand clearly what one has studied.

As for remembering a formula etc., apart from understanding the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of it , one must also do the following:

  • Learn the formula first. Look for some cue numbers, signs or words that you can easily associate it with.
  • Then try to recall it without seeing the text.
  • Check for any errors in recalling. Try to correct the errors and once again recall the formula.
  • Write the formula without seeing the text, after a gap.
  • Repeat this exercise again and again.
  • Thus, whatever you have memorized will remain intact in your memory.

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All at sea

I am doing my BE in electronics and power (electrical) from Nagpur. I want to join the merchant navy right after the completion of my course. Please tell me how to join the merchant navy. Are government companies included? When and where should one apply? What is the criterion? Would i have to undergo special training after BE?

Since you are doing electronics and electrical engineering, you could apply for merchant navy straight after your degree. The shipping company that recruits you will then send you for training. In fact, there are special courses at government institutes like T S Chanakya that are specially meant for cadets sponsored by shipping companies. Meanwhile, you must start looking for newspaper advertisements for vacancies in these companies. Also, do an Internet search to assess job prospects in these companies. 

 

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Take-off stage

 

I am student of class XI, studying English, economics, maths, psychological, geography and computers. Earlier, I had opted for the sciences but since I was weak in chemistry I changed my mind. I have come to know that if one has studied physics and maths at the +2 level, one could take the examination for entry to the Air Force Academy. So, if I take up physics as an additional subject instead of psychology, would it help? Can I do a BSc in physics after that? I am really keen to join the Indian Air Force or the Navy. My parents are very supportive and want me to join the defence forces. Will physics and maths help me become a pilot?

First things first. You could have continued in the science stream. If you are good in maths and physics, you could have managed to do fairly well in chemistry with some extra effort. The PCM combination would have enabled you to join a science-based course (barring life sciences) in a university of repute. Most universities demand PCM/PCB for their science courses. For BSc physics, you do need PCM.

As regards the qualifications for entry to the Indian Air Force, yes, you are right. For the graduate entry scheme to the flying branch of the Indian Air Force, only maths and physics are required at 10+2 level. Not only that, you could be a graduate in any stream.

While graduate males could be given permanent commission, graduate women are inducted only on short service commission. They cannot be fighter pilots – they can fly transport aircraft and helicopters.

Besides the flying wing, there are two other wings – technical branch and ground duty branches. Technical branches recruit engineering graduates. But you can again apply for the administrative functions, as for most functions (barring accounts, for which a B.com. is required), a degree in any stream is accepted.

 

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