CHARTERED ACCOUNTANCY

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANCY

Educational Qualifications
CA course can be pursued in two ways. If you want to pursue the course after graduation, then you need to have a minimum degree of commerce with 50% marks. If you are a Science or Arts graduate, then you should have scored a minimum of 60% or more at the graduation stage, other graduates are eligible if they have an aggregate of 65% or more at the graduation stage.

Those who do not have the minimum entry required or who want to pursue the course immediately after their class 12th examination have to appear in the Foundation Exam conducted by the institute. Once they clear the examination, they can pursue the course by working with established CAs who are into the practice. This duration of their practical training is called articleship. Articleship makes the budding CAs aware of the practical aspects of their job. It involves maintaining books of accounts, going on auditing assignments, helping CAs in taxation matters, etc. At the same time they also have to study and clear examinations conducted by the institute. So the profession entails both practical training and theoretical education and knowledge.

Aptitude
Numerical proficiency, academic excellence, willingness to study extremely hard, time management, ability to see behind what is obvious, decision making, determination and self motivation are the key requirements to be successful in the profession.

Examination hurdle
The main entrance exam for CA is the Foundation Exam. The subjects include Accounting, Mercantile Law, Mathematics, Statistics and Economics. Once you have passed the CA Foundation exam, you are eligible to become a CA student under the ICAI. There are two stages after that. First is Intermediate and the second is Final. You have to clear both the stages to be called a professional CA. Once you pass out of the institute, you are called ACA or an Associate member of the institute. With additional experience, you become FCA or fellow member of the institute.

Job Prospects
CAs are highly paid professionals. The boom in the economy has led to further demand for the professionals. They are needed in all sectors and industries be it manufacturing, service, financial sector, capital market, banking etc. Today a fresh CA can expect a starting pay of Rs. 25000/- and more and it can go up to 50000/- within 2-3 years of experience. Most of the companies pay a very good premium to the qualification and offer incentives to retain the right people. Alternatively you can also join as a practicing CA. The pay and emoluments will depend upon the firm you join. One thing is for sure that with letters CA tagged after your name, there won’t be any dearth of good job opportunities for you.

CAREER OPTION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

CAREER OPTION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Biotechnology is a research-oriented field for application in various areas such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and environment. It’s an interdisciplinary science that encompasses subjects such as biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Engineering. Biotechnology is one of the fastest growing fields as it finds application in every aspect of industry and daily life, from the chemical, pharmaceutical and the textile industry to genetics and agriculture to environment industry and so on

Work Area for Bio technologists
Today, the services of biotechnologists are required in a wide range of activities such as developing new variety of seeds, improving livestock breeds, creating pesticides of various kinds, developing industrial enzymes that hasten the production process. The work done is essentially scientific and result oriented, involving much work in laboratories. In the area of health care biotechnologists are involved in development of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and vaccines. They are also involved in chemical processes, textile development, cosmetics, genetic engineering, and industrial waste treatment. Biotechnology has opened up new opportunities for crop tree and animal improvement. Control of industrial and pollution waste and effluent treatment are some of the important areas using biotechnology.

Educational Courses
Admission to a 5-year integrated M.Tech programme offered by IITs, Delhi and Kharagpur, is through a Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) held for students who have completed 10+2 or equivalent exam with physics, chemistry and mathematics and is one of the most sought after courses. Besides various universities and colleges also conduct conventional courses in the field. While B.Sc. is of 3-year duration, B.Tech. takes 4 years. It takes 2 years to complete the MSc course. The integrated M.Tech programme offered by IIT Delhi is for 5 years, while at IIT Kharagpur it is 5 and a half years. The course guarantees immediate absorption after completion due to its rich content and excellent background.

Job Opportunities
Candidates with a Post graduation qualification in biotechnology are employed in leading pharmaceutical companies. In chemical, as well as agricultural and allied industries Biotechnologists are also employed in the areas of planning, production, management of bio-processing industries, organic and chemical industries in pollution control activities Employed large scale in research labs, run by government as well as corporate sectors

Remuneration
Initial remuneration in corporate sector for candidates is in range of 25000/- to 35000/- Rs per month for an IIT graduate and Rs. 10000-15000/- for B.Sc. /B.tech graduates from other universities. These are only figures for freshers and go up significantly as one gains experience. Career in government sector and laboratories offers stable and decent life style.

Personal attributes
High level of intelligence, ability to concentrate, inquisitive mind, determination, perseverance, ability for team work, imagination, innovation and originality, systematic and methodical approach, attention to minutest details, objectivity and resourcefulness are some of the vital attributes for success in the field.

CAREER OPTION IN ARCHAEOLOGY

CAREER OPTION IN ARCHAEOLOGY
Archaeologists (jokingly called as experts who prefer older things in life) excavate, preserve, study, and classify artifacts of the near and distant past in order to develop a picture of how people lived in earlier cultures and societies. The profession combines a broad understanding of history with sophisticated digging procedures. It is an exciting field of study as it takes you back by millions of years and mystery of that time seems to unfold due to your efforts.

Main areas of work
Archaeologists work in the field of numismatics or epigraphy. Numismatics involves the study of old coins, money instruments and other related objects such as medals etc. Through the study of these objects these experts provide insights into the past and assist in restructuring it with that experience and knowledge. Epigraphy is the study of ancient inscriptions with a view to interpret that for today. Apart from these specific specializations, an archaeologist could take up the task of preservation and maintenance of ancient monuments and priceless artifacts in various museums and other places.

Educational Qualifications
Post-graduate diploma in archaeology from the Institute of Archaeology in Delhi is the most sought after course in the field. Candidates who want to do this course need to have a Masters degree in ancient of medieval Indian history or an MA/M.Sc. with archaeology or anthropology. A minimum aggregate of 55 per cent is essential. A written exam and an interview is conducted on the basis of which the candidate is finally selected. To do a BA in archaeology candidates are required to have history as a subject in their 10+2. To do an MA in archaeology the minimum qualification is a BA in archaeology or related fields.

Job Prospects
Master’s and doctoral candidates in archaeology pursue their studies as well as work under qualified archaeologists. Museums, excavations, and classrooms are all places where graduate students work to gain experience. They are required to put long hours as they must complete their studies and work at the same time. Remuneration is slight, and graduate students rely on grants and other financial aid. A number of professors and doctors publish regularly and make discoveries that justify the expenses that their excavations incur.

Related Careers
Archaeology is often paired with anthropology. Archaeology is the study of cultures and societies while anthropology is the study of the development of people within societies. In drawing their conclusions, anthropologists rely heavily on the work of archaeologists. Individuals who no longer wish to be archaeologists may join any of the various disciplines that the archaeologist must be familiar with; they may, for example, become historians, linguists, or surveyors.

Remunerations
The pay scales of archaeologists working in degree colleges and universities have witnessed good growth in recent times. The minimum starting salary is around 18000/- to 20000/- per month. There are time bound pay scales and increase as you put in more years of service. A Ph.D in the field also entitles one to reach the higher scale earlier than others and is a must have for rise in career. Salaries at museums and palaces are not that high but allow one to make a modest living.