Q: I have been working in the State Bank of India as an assistant manager (systems) in Mumbai for the last two months.

I have a MCA degree. I want to shift to Calcutta now. Would it be advisable for me to switch to the private sector or should I get some experience in the State Bank of India first? Also, will it help if I did my MBA by correspondence?

Abhijit Mukherjee
Calcutta

A: Since it has been only two months that you have been working with the State Bank of India, the switch would not affect your career prospects.

In case you want to come back to Calcutta, you can first try in your organisation and if that does not work out then try other organisations. An MCA degree would enable you to get good jobs in the private sector and an MBA would only enhance your chances.

Since you are planning to do a long-distance MBA, the job prospects would diminish in comparison.

Q: I have more than nine years’ experience in the IT industry. I have a BE in computer science and have worked in mainframe technologies.

I also have a certification in the insurance-domain and consultancy experience in India and at client locations in Germany, the UK and the US. However, I feel I am in a rut. Will taking courses in SAP help?

Name withheld

A: I fail to understand why you feel deprived of intellectual capability despite having a series of educational qualifications. You also have experience in other countries, which is an added advantage. With the insurance sector booming in India, if you were to stick to your domain expertise, you would be an asset to any organisation.

Taking a SAP certification would definitely open up new avenues, but do you really want to do it.

It would be better if you sharpened your skills in the field you have gained experience in.

Q: I am working as a sub-editor with a reputed national daily and I have a postgraduate degree in English. However, I am completely dissatisfied with the job. I was thinking of changing jobs. Will doing an MBA by correspondence help? If yes, then where should I do it from and what specialisation should I opt for?

Name withheld

A: I do not know your age but I presume that you are still young enough to pursue an MBA. Doing a long-distance MBA will not give you as much of an advantage as a full-time MBA would. Being a postgraduate in English won’t hamper your prospects for an MBA, but I think you should weigh your options carefully and think what career you want to pursue and act accordingly.

Q: I am working in a hospital as an electrical engineer (maintenance-in-charge). I have a diploma in electrical engineering. What courses can I pursue to enhance my job prospects?

Amit

A: Since you are in charge of electrical maintenance, I would assume that you also shoulder managerial responsibilities like work planning and allocation, report preparation, etc.

In that case, it would certainly help if you can complete your AMIE, and then go for some part-time courses in management. Your AMIE and management diploma will help you take up positions of responsibility and also increase your earning potential.

Q: I am employed in an ad agency. However, I am a graduate and am facing problems in terms of promotion and incentives.

Would it help if I did a course in brand management?

Archit Sarkar

A: There are several individuals who are graduates and are doing very well in the advertising industry.

It is very important to know what discipline you are involved with in the agency to comment upon a course option. For example, a client-servicing executive would require a different exposure than a copywriter. If you were in marketing or client servicing, then a brand management course would definitely help.

However, I would advise you to talk to your seniors and ask them the reason for your poor performance evaluation. This will give you a fair idea of the spheres you are lacking in and help you arrive at a better decision.