Explore a career in Foreign Languages, Office Administration and more!
WE continue with our series on graduate degrees that make you job-ready. Part 3 explores a range of degrees from architecture to tourism studies:
Part 1: Acturial Science, Hospitality, Graphic Design...more
Part 2: Pharmacy, Physical Education, Speech & Hearing..more
Part 4: Forestry, BBA, BMM (media), Agriculture, Social Work...more
Architecture
Duration: 5 years; Eligibility: 10+2 (science). You must take the National Aptitude Test in Architecture; Job Profiles: Architect trainee (salary of Rs 10,000 as a beginner), Interior Decorator, Urban Designer, Rural Planner
An interest in history, buildings, construction costs, the ability to think 3D and good drawing skills are required.
Course overview
Combines theoretical and practical training. You will develop, sharpen creative skills, and also spend hours in the design studio and work on projects individually as well as in groups.
Job opportunities
Work with the Government and developing agencies like the Public Works Department (PWD), National Institutes of Urban Affairs and Housing, Department of Railways and Urban Development Corporations. Some choose to work under an established architect or for an architecture/ interior design firm. Freshers can start as a Junior Architects/Assistant and earn Rs. 12,000 to 15,000 a month.
Click here for a detailed career review (featured in the March 2010 of Careers360 magazine).
Office Administration
Duration: 3 years; Eligibility: 10+2 from any stream; Job Profiles: Accountants/Office Assistant, Manager, Executive
Administration is a crucial element in an office and includes managing day-to-day activities like financial planning, billing, and maintenance of employee and company records. Even small organisations need office administrators.
Course overview
You will learn office administration methods and systems, and about industrial and administrative law. Studying organisational behaviour, financial, personnel management and managerial economics is also part of the curriculum.
Job opportunities
You could get a job with a government or private organisation. Initial pay is low but could increase to Rs. 3 lakhs with experience and efficiency. You would start out as a typist, DTP, Office Assistant or Accounts Assistant. As you show initiative and gain experience, you could move towards Office Manager or Admin Chief in large organisations.
Physiotherapy
Duration: 4 years (can vary); Eligibility: 10+2 with Physics, chemistry and biology as subjects. Some institutes conduct an entrance exam; Job Profiles: Physiotherapist (can earn between Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000), Researcher, Personal Physiotherapist, Pharmaceutical Intern, Physical Rehabilitator, Fitness Instructor
Physiotherapy is a type of treatment that has gained in popularity on the global platform. Developing skills such as manual therapy is a must along with knowledge about therapeutic exercise and application of electro-physical modalities. You need to understand various diseases, medication and history of each individual patient that comes for treatment.
Course overview
Understanding movement and health is a core part of the course. You will need to understand prevention, assessment and treatment of the whole range of physical disorders.
Job opportunities
After completion, you can work in the government or private sector, join the physiotherapy department in hospitals, medical institutions, health departments or private nursing homes. A number of NGOs have also started running physiotherapy programmes for the aged and the infirm, pushing up the demand for trained physiotherapists. You can also set up your own physiotherapy clinic.
Rehabilitation, fitness programmes or research and development in pharmaceutical companies are other viable options. Physical rehabilitation is in great demand worldwide. Doing this course guarantees you a job.
Tourism Studies
Duration: 3 years; Eligibility: 10+2 in any stream; Job Profiles: Travel agents, Tour operators, Tour guides, Travel writer
Travel and tourism encompasses both the public and private sectors. Basic people skills, organising, executing and managing the travel and stay of a traveller, will give you the edge.
Course overview
You will learn about various aspects of tourism, which includes a glimpse into Indian culture, ecology, environment and development. You will also learn about tourism management and marketing, besides related aspects like air ticketing.
Job opportunities
If you opt for the public sector, you can join Directorates and Departments of Tourism across the country. The private sector provides jobs at travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, transport and cargo companies. Adventure sports and heritage walks are newer options available in this field. Freshers can expect to start with a salary of between Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 15,000 a month.
Foreign Languages
Duration: 3 years; Eligibility: 10+2, Jawaralal Nehru University has an entrance exam for their graduate programmes; Job Profiles: Translator (Rs 23,000-35,000), Travel Guides, Interlocutor
A s more MNCs set up shop, language translators are in great demand. You need a good grasp of at least two languages, a source language and a target language to fit into this arena. You could go for a BA in Japanese, French, Spanish or Russian, depending on your interest and job scope. Make sure your institute is reputed for its teachers.
Course overview
Includes reading, writing, listening and speaking, as well as an overview of the culture and history of the home country.
Job opportunities
Translators work across the judiciary system, medical, technical fields, travel companies, embassies, companies or institutions with global operations and MNCs. Pay varies in terms of the language of expertise as well as the work involved. A beginner can earn between Rs. 15,000 to Rs.35,000 per month.
Click here to read about the scope in Foriegn Languages.
Yoga Science
Duration: 3 years; Eligibility: 10+2 (any stream); Job Profiles: Yoga trainer (a fresher can expect between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 a month), Yoga therapist, Yoga instructor
Yoga is an ancient art, and a natural way of remaining fit and healthy. It also helps in improving mental health. Curing health-related problems naturally is taught as part of the programme. An integral part of Yoga is practicing physical exercises (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayam). Fitness is the call of today’s world, raising the need for a yoga instructor or teacher on the global platform.
Course overview:
You will be trained on the various asanas and pranayam as well, and learn the art of imparting Yoga techniques to different age groups based on lifestyle patterns and health related issues. Designing personalised regimes along with inspiring others to live healthy lives, is part of the territory.
Job opportunities
Based on the Yoga training you have received, you can opt for the field of research, training or work as a Yoga therapist. You can find work in resorts, gyms, schools, health centres, housing societies and large organisations. Television channels also hire Yoga trainers, and renowned personalities prefer to hire personal Yoga instructors. Self-employment is an option many opt for as well. A great stress buster, Yoga is gaining ground among the ever-increasing number of foreign tourists who seek peaceful holidays, adding to the demand for Yoga specialists. A fresher can earn Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000 a month. With experience, the salary climbs higher at a faster pace.
Performing Arts
Duration: 3 to 5 years; Eligibility: Depends on institution and course; Job Profiles: Performing artistes, Teachers, Researcher, Choreographer
Here, an interest and aptitude are equally essential for success. Even years of practice cannot give you a sweet voice. There are three forms: Music involves vocals, composing and playing instruments; Drama involves acting skills that combine speech, gestures, facial expressions and sound to depict a story or thought; Dance combines drama and music.
Course overview
It offers a conceptual knowledge, a thorough grounding in techniques and grammar, and of course, performance. Students must specialise in one art.
Job opportunities
These depend on the performing art pursued by you. Talent and visibility in the world of performing arts is the deciding factor in terms of an artist’s future. A dancer can open their own schools to teach dance as well as keep performing on stage as a dancer. Remuneration will depend on your talent and the location where you practice. Struggling to make a name in the industry is part and parcel of the field.
Fine Arts
Duration: 4 to 5 years; Eligibility: 10+2. Most colleges conduct an entrance exam; Job Profiles: Junior Visualiser (varies between Rs.12,000 to Rs. 18,000 for freshers), Junior designer intern
The field focuses broadly on painting, sculpting, applied art, graphic design and mural design. You must have a creative streak and be able to learn and master various media to express your art. Colleges usually organise annual art and design exhibitions that get a critical reviews from the public.
Course overview
You will get hands-on experiences right from sculpturing to painting, print-making and photography. You will learn the process from beginning to end through each medium of expression. This is the time that students make their personal choice of medium as well. Studying art history is also part of the curriculum, along with continuous assessment.
Job opportunities
You can join creative departments of advertising agencies, magazines, newspapers in the publishing industry or the textile industry. Electronic media, films and theatre are other options. The salary is varied, and also depends on your talent. You can also be a art historian, art dealer, art therapist or art educator. Unfortunately, few artists have the luxury of becoming full-time painters or sculptors.
