Careers in Software Development

The phenomenal growth of computers in all fields has opened jobs at different levels, including software. Since computers need software, there is a great demand for people who can write error-free software. Indian software engineers have made a mark and it is for this reason that the software industry has been registering a growth of 40% a year. Software professionals are in great demand abroad too and many Indians are employed in the world's biggest software companies.

Software exports were valued at Rs 6375 crore in 1995-96 and with companies like Samsung,Motorola, IBM, Texas Instruments, Siemens and Sun Microsystems setting up facilities in Bangalore, the demand for software professionals has increased manifold. It is estimated that 2 lakh new jobs will be created in the country in the next 5 years,Now you can imagine Microsoft like companies have enterted . while India produces about 20,000 computer science graduates every year. The high demand and limited supply has caused salaries to riseearnings increase by 20% every year in the industry. A software professional, thus, can bargain and has a high mobility.

A good person is often tracked by recruiters who persuade him to give up his job and work with someone else. Staff turnover in companies is, therefore, high. Since salaries are higher abroad, people prefer to leave the country. Others prefer to set up their own software unit after working with a company for some years.

Jobs have also multiplied by better communication systems. Satellite links enable much of the work to be done in India itself: clients in America may e-mail their requirements to Bangalore while leaving their office in the evening. As they sleep, engineers in India work on their problems and e-mail back the solutions as the offices open in America the next day. An Indian software engineer is cheaper than an American one so the country is preferred for software development jobs. Bangalore has become the centre for such operations.

How to get in:

One needs to be a M.Tech, BE or an MCA to get into the software industry. Engineers are sought after, but if you are a science or commerce graduate, a career in software could still be pursued. There is an entrance test for MCA but it is important to do it from a good institute. Many universities have opened MCA courses without adequate facilities or trained teachersgood software professionals prefer to join the industry rather than teach. Similar is the case with private institutes which offer software courses.

One also has to be wary of the high pressure marketing gimmicks employed by private institutes. While all of them claim that wonderful jobs can be found after doing their course, the claims are often not true. It is important, therefore, to look at the kind of jobs that ex-students have got before committing oneself to an expensive course.

Software courses are offered by engineering colleges and universities. Among the private institutes that offer software courses are: NIIT, Aptech, Tata Unisys and First Computers. A host of smaller institutes have mushroomed in neighbourhoods. One indication that can be used is the accreditation of the Department of Electronics (DOE-ACC) through which 'O' and 'A' level courses can be done. The government has not publicised the scheme or its benefits very well and even courses without the accreditation also reportedly do well.

Aptitude:

Before joining, it is important to assess one's aptitude. For, if the salaries are high, the industry does expect a very high quality of work. The sky is the limit for a good programmer, but an average one or someone who makes frequent mistakes will be thrown out. One must, therefore, make sure that one understands the machine and the nature of programs. A client will not pay for a program that encounters frequent glitches. In exports, the need for programs that do not create problems is all the more essential.

Usually, people get drawn in by the promise of high salaries without recognising their own limitations. The ability to think logically is absolutely essential. A quick way to assess one's aptitude is to see whether one can make flow charts and write small computer programs. Many people simply do not have this knack. For them, a career in computer software would not be a perfect choice. Software requires patience too and the ability to sit for long hours at a computer terminal. Unless it is a job of selling, a software job is not for the extrovert.

Choosing a course:

If software be your calling, start thinking about it in school itself. Appear in the B.E. or B.Tech entrance exams after Class 12 and specialise in software. If you are a graduate in any stream, start preparing for the MCA entrance exam. Maths upto class 12, logical reasoning questions and a bit of English is asked in these exams. Some correspondence courses are available which will help you prepare for the entrance test.

Alternately, one can join a private institute while one is doing graduation and learn programming. Crash courses must be avoided as they merely teach basics of computers. Unfortunately, many institutes churn out semi-literates and the only jobs that can be found after such courses are those of data entry operators, which is nothing but a typist.

It is also important to do the course when you absolutely require it. This is because one becomes outdated and out of touch in no time at all, since technology is changing so fast. Many students take courses as a time-pass or as something to be done in summer holidays, which is an utter waste. It is, therefore, important to have one's career objectives clear before joining a course and the course should also be chosen with care.

Finally, it may be said that software has grown tremendously and is poised to grow still further. The quality of Indian software engineers is being recognised the world over. With multinational companies showing an interest in India, the field is growing as never before. Shortage of personnel is also likely to exist for some years to come. Software is, thus, a viable career option for those who have the talent and the aptitude.

Master in Computer Applications

With the boom in the computer software industry, demand for computer professionals has increased manifold. People in software tell of fabulous success stories, as firms have been poaching on each other's professionals, offering tremendous salaries. There is great demand abroad too, and many software professionals have been sent abroad, earning phenomenal amounts. This feature explains why this has happened, as well as future prospects of the career. It also explains how to get admission and which are the institutes that offer the MCA degree.

One of the careers which has gained importance in the last few years is the Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and its junior cousin, the Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA). All over India there is a craze to get into them, the demand being fuelled by the phenomenal growth of the software industry. An fact, in these times of an economic slowdown, software is one sector which has gone against trends, registering a good growth rate.

The reasons for this growth are three: first, many foreign companies are looking at India for trained but cheap manpower. In Indian software engineer, for example, can be employed at a lower salary in dollar terms. The sums may sound huge in rupee terms, but are lower than what would have to be paid to an American or European. Second, the development of communications has made working from the country feasible. An American company just needs to e-mail its problem to its counterpart in Bangalore. Indian engineers work on it while America sleeps and when offices there open the next day, the Americans have the solution right on their desktop.

Aptitude:

A career in computer software requires a high level of commitment and time-bound results. You must have very good analytical and reasoning skills. One must have the patience to sit for hours before a computer screen either writing lines of programs or going through them to discover bugs. This work can sometimes be very tedious. One may well forget normal working hours as one chases deadlines and one may often have to put in late hours to finish projects as per schedule.

Where to study:

The MCA can be done from universities or engineering colleges spread all over the country. Private institutes offer the Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA), the most prestigious one being the one at Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Calcutta. The MCA and the PGDCA are two-year courses. Apart from these, private institutes offer two or three-year courses as the GNIIT programme, which can be done along with graduation. It is claimed that such courses are equivalent to the MCA.

Where should one study? Evidently, an aspirant should find out what kind of jobs the graduates are able to get. Going by claims could be misleading. For instance, computer education is a lucrative business and franchises of large institutes have been set up in all corners of India. The quality of training at these franchises is not uniform. In many towns, young people do the courses just as time-pass'. Such centres will not be able to provide good jobs for the students. So it is important to assess your own needs before opting for any institute. Make sure that adequate instructors are available who have full knowledge about the subject.The Department of Electronics has an accreditation scheme for institutes, the DOEACC, but it has not been very successful in controlling the quality of computer education in the country. People who join computer courses usually have no idea whether a particular course has the accreditation or not. Even in universities, the quality of education is doubtful, as their pay scales prevent good professionals from becoming teachers.

Some of the universities offering the MCA programme are: Bhopal, Rourkela, Allahabad, Delhi, Pune, JNU, Punjab, Aligarh and Cochin. Among the engineering colleges are the regional engineering colleges, the IITs, Thapar Institute in Patiala and Birla Institute of Technology in Ranchi. There are many private institutes, among them are Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad and National Institute of Management, Calcutta.

Admission Procedure:

The eligibility to get admission to an MCA degree is graduation with maths up to class 12. Some institutes have a minimum cut-off of 50% marks in graduation. For BCA, you have to apply after class 12. There is an admission test, which contains questions on class 12 maths and reasoning. Some amount of English is also asked, as well as computer basics.

Sometimes, the entrance test for the MCA is the same as that of MBA and the candidate has to only take an additional test in maths. This means that one must be conversant with MBA Entrance tests also. There is no group20discussion but an interview is conducted. Generally speaking, the weightage is 80% for the test score and 20% for the interview.

Prospects:

For some years, there has been a boom in salaries of computer professionals. Starting salary may vary from Rs 72,000 to Rs 3,50,000 per annum. If one gets into a foreign company or goes abroad, the starting salary will be at the higher end. As one becomes experienced, the salary may get higher. This trend is expected to grow in the near future.

A word of caution may be in order, if one is getting in computers just for a high salary. Much of the demand these days is for Y2K related work. This will finish on January 1, 2000. At best, it may continue for a few months into the year. The high salaries being paid today are to solve a problem which is time bound. Will the demand stay once that work finishes?It is almost certain that once the year 2000 dawns, work related to the Y2K problem will decrease. The size of India's software industry today is Rs 11,800 crore. The Y2K related accounts for 38% of this figure, which will vanish or is certain to be reduced to a very great extent in future.There are two scenarios. First, they may face a situation faced by finance professionals a few years back: many found themselves jobless of downsized. Second, even if the reduction is not that severe, salaries will certainly see a tapering off.Given the fact that computers are pervading every aspect of life, a career in software does have promise. If one takes a well-informed decision based on one's aptitude and is able to become good in the industry, the avenues are unlimited. Do not, however, get carried away by stories of high salaries and take a one-sided decision. Make a career in it only if you like computers and working with them.

A Career with the United Nations

A job with the United Nations (UN) is one of the most sought after. It has status and prestige, with lucrative emoluments. In this issue, we describe the various opportunities and how to apply for jobs with the UN. We have also provided addresses from where additional information can be obtained.

The United Nations plays many vital roles. More than ever before, member States are seeking assistance of the UN and trusting it with an unprecedented set of new responsibilities. In many areas of conflict and humanitarian assistance, it is the only institution that can tackle pressing global challenges.This challenge is met by a global Secretariat of 14,800 staff drawn from 160 countries and many more civilians serving with peacekeeping operations. The United Nations Secretariat needs dedicated staff who are competent in a multitude of fields. Some of the occupational groups which are required by the UN are listed below:

Occupational Groups Administration:

Positions in administration provide a variety of day-to-day support services for the substantive activities of the UN. Staff in this occupational group are involved in the planning and management of human and material resources, in recruitment and training of staff and in administration. They liaise with programme managers and financial planners, as well as secure goods and services required by the United Nations.

Economics:

This includes a wide variety of specilisation, such as designing and conducting research in various economic areas; development of economic models for long-range forecasting and development strategies; and planning, developing and monitoring technical assistance projects. A prominent area of activity is the field of sustainable development and capacity building.

Electronic Data Processing:

Positions relate to a wide range of assignments in data processing, telecommunications and infrastructure support. These assignments consist of feasibility studies, systems analysis, systems development and implementation, local and wide-area network implementation and support, electronic messaging, setting of hardware and software standards, and operations support.

Finance:

Accounting, auditing, financial analysis, and treasury personnel are required. Staff in the accounting field perform accounting functions for the regular budget as well as the peace-keeping budget of the United Nations and trust funds. Auditors are responsible for audit functions for all UN activities. The United Nations Treasurer is responsible for managing and investing the United Nations Pension Fund. Financial analysts provide information and advice, and respond to inquiries on financial matters to the major bodies of the United Nations and to Member States.

Language and related work:

Positions in this occupation group are found in the following areas: Translation, Interpretation, Editing, Verbatim Reporting, and Proof-reading in the six official languages which are: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. The services of interpreters are needed in the meetings of all UN bodies. Proficient in at least three official languages, interpreters are put to the test every day as they quickly and accurately convert statements from one language to another, often without the benefit of the written text. Translators are also required to be proficient in three languages and work on reports, resolutions and official communiques in social, political, technical, financial and other fields. Teams of verbatim reporters prepare written records of meetings of the most important UN organs. Editors ensure the accuracy and conformity of documents and publications to UN style and form. Terminologists establish and ensure the application of UN terminological standards, while copy preparers and proof-readers are responsible for typographic processing and accuracy.

Legal:

A specialisation in law is required. The following activites are conducted under this area: preparation of opinions and studies on the interpretation of the UN Charter and the rules of international law; progressive development, codification and harmonisation of international law; providing advice on commercial matters dealing with claims of an international or a private law character; responding to the needs of the Member States in dealing with legal, political, economic, scientific, technical and environmental aspects of the law of the sea and marine affairs; representation of the Secretary-General before the International Court of Justice and in the settlements of claims.

Library:

The services provided include management of an archival collection of United Nations documents and publications and in-house production and processing of data. This information is used by delegates, permanent missions, staff members and researchers. The UN libraries also support the world-wide network of depository libraries, which assist in disseminating United Nations information.

Public information:

Positions in the field of public information involve making of UN press releases and information materials, both in print and on-line. The assignments may include providing official coverage of United Nations meetings, conferences, and programmes for delegations, the media and Non-Governmental Organisations, the production of thematically-integrated publications, radio, television, video, and photographic products. Other major activities comprise the handling of promotion campaigns and media coverage of international conferences and observances, special events, conducting public tours and responding to public inquiries.

Social development:

Crime prevention, criminal justice, narcotics control, institutional development and popular participation, social integration and welfare, promotion of equality of men and women, rural development, as well as issues of importance to youth, the ageing, and the disabled, are part of the social development activities undertaken by the UN, Demography and population science are other important areas in this field. An increasingly prominent area of activity is the field of environmental protection.

Statistics:

Positions in this field provide for increasing the availability and use of relevant, timely and reliable statistics for national and international planning and action. They also contribute to the development, expansion, improvement and maintenance of cost-effective statistical capabilities through teh formulation and the improvement of statistical methodologies. Furthermore, assignments in this area are responsible for enhancing the collection and dissemination of statistics in numerous fields, promoting the co-ordination of international statistical work, and producing the international statistical series, which includes national accounts, prices, internatinal trade, population, social indicators, environment, industry, energy, transport, and housing.

Salary and Benefits

The United Nations offers attractive remuneration packages and benefits. Starting salaries are based upon academic and professional qualifications, as well as the level of the post. The base salary scales are set by the General Assembly. There is also a post adjustment element based on the cost of living and the rate of exchange of local currency and the US dollar at each duty station.

Recruitment Through competitive Examinations

Junior professionals and professionals are recruited through National Competitive Recruitment Examinations. The examinations are organised as a matter of priority in countries that are inadequately represented among the staff of the secretariat.

For junior professional positions, a candidate must possess a first level university degree and be 32 years of age or younger. For senior positions, a candidate must possess an advanced university degree, four years of professional experience, and be 39 years of age or younger. Fluency in either English or French is required. All those who meet these criteria and believe in the purposes and ideals of the United Nations are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should contact: United Nations Examinations and Tests Section, Division for Staff Development and Performance, Policy and Specialist services, Office of Human Resources Management, Room S-2590, NY 10017, USA.

Language Examinations

Examinations are held to establish a roster of qualified candidates from whichto fill language positions. The frequency of the exmainations varies according to the needs of the UN. Interested candidates should contact: United Nations Language Examinations Division for Planning, Recruitment and Operational Services, Office of Human Resources Management, Room S-2555, NY 10017, USA

Peace-keeping operations

In order to fulfil its primary peace-keeping role, the United Nations is involved in a number of operations established in different regions of the world, known as United Nations Peace-keeping Operations. Aside from the widely known "blue helmets", which are military forces provided directly by the member States of the United Nations, these operations also rely on civilian staff for a wide variety of functions ranging from monitoring the observance of human rights to managing human or material resources.

Positions are offered in the following fields: political affairs, legal affairs, human rights, election monitoring, humanitarian assistance, public information, general administration, procurement, logistics, civil engineering, and electronic data processing.

Interested applicants may obtain an application form and submit their curriculum vitae to the following address: United Nations Personnel Management and Support Service, Field Administration and Logistics Division, Department of Peace-Keeping Operations, S-2280, NY 10017, USA.

United Nations Headquarters Internship Programme

The United Nations Headquarters Internship Programme is offered to students enrolled in graduate school with a view to promoting a better understanding of major problems confronting the world and giving them an insight into how the United Nations attempts to find solutions to these problems. The programme consists of three two-month periods throughout the year: mid-January to mid-March, mid-May to mid-July, and mid-September to mid November, As the UN has no provision in its budget to pay interns, all costs connected with internships must be borne by the students concerned or by their sponsoring institutions or governments. Interested candidates should contact: United Nations Internship Programme, Division for Staff Development and Performance, Policy and Specialist Services, Office of Human Resources Management, Room S-2580, NY 10017, USA.

Careers in Art

If you are artistically inclined or are otherwise creative, you can look for a career in art that will help you satisfy your creative urge. Among the various options that you can choose from are Applied Arts, Painting, Graphics (Print Making), Sculpture, Architecture and Interior Design.

Awareness for design is increasing by the day. Business houses are realising that a better designed product or advertisement will fetch more customers than a badly designed one. The scope of employment of designers and artists has thus increased in recent times. Not only are they employed full-time, but the profession also offers the possibility of starting a consultancy or even do free-lance work. The only requirements are that a person must be good and be able to finish the work in the given time. While a good designer will never be short of work, a mediocre person will not be able to find work at all. So it is not enough to be artistic, but the person must be good in his work and be able to understand the requirements of the client. Above all, an artist must have taste.

Where to study: The courses are offered by Arts Colleges in different States and the premier institute in the category is the National Institute in the category is the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad. Should one have an aptitude for designing buildings, one can seek admission in the Architecture Colleges. Many institutes offer short-term courses on interior design as well: Exterior-Interiors offer one-year courses in interior design in association with Jenson and Nicholson in many cities of India. A number of polytechnics offer shorter options.

For advertising too a number of options are available. There is the Mudra Institute of Communications and Advertising agencies (MICA). The National Institute of Advertising (NIA) offers diplomas in advertising. Alternately, one may join institutes of mass communication.

Before applying, assess whether you are suited for this career. You must have an in-born talent for drawing and a steady hand. A fertile imagination and creativity are pre-requisites since art is not something that can be taught. Only if you have a talent can it be refined in an Arts College. If you have no skill in drawing and sketching, it is better to look for something else. Above all, you have to put in 200% of yourself in order to succeed. A mediocre attempt will only produce mediocre results.

How to apply:

The minimum qualification for taking up the course is Class 12. For the degree courses, there is an entrance test in which the aptitude of a person is checked. You may have to make a still life sketch as well as a free-hand drawing on any medium from given topics. There is also a general awareness section in which general knowledge is asked. The next step in the admission process is the interview. A person should have a portfolio to show during the interview.

It is important to practice drawing at home. For help and guidance, one can approach students of the arts colleges or even the faculty members. In certain cities, those who have just graduated organise crash courses too. Free-hand drawing must be practiced too and the best of the work should be selected for the portfolio.

Scope:

Advertising agencies are forever in search of creative directors and artists who can create an advertisement that will catch everybody's fancy. If you are above average, the course is very helpful in getting a foothold in advertising. A tendency towards painting and sculpture and the ability to introduce some individual characteristics will result in your paintings and sculptures being sold at high prices.

Apart from advertising agencies, a designer can get employment with big companies, TV channels and programming companies, film companies as designers, set designers etc, export houses, textile designers and teaching. The scope is thus vast. In a sense there is a boom in designing as a number of foreign products and companies have come into India so people are realising the importance of a good design. With the introduction of computers, a whole new area has opened up in animation and computer graphics too. There is, in fact, a shortage of professionals.

Starting salaries at the national level for graduates range from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 per month. In smaller towns, the starting salary may even be as low as Rs 1,800. The scope is certainly higher in metros where advertising agencies and designers have their offices. Alternately, one can open one's own studio and take work on contract basis from clients.

A word of warning may be in order. Of those who take up art as a career, few survive. If you are interested in painting, for instance, it may take years for you to establish your name and be able to command a price. Others join for the glamourthey are soon disheartened. Even in an applied field such as advertising, an artist does not have fun and games; for the most part it means putting in hours at the drawing board. It is therefore important to ensure that your heart is in it. Otherwise you will be like thousands of others who have had to change careers midstream. To avoid frustration later on, it is better to assess the realities first.