Animation

With the twin combination of talent and technology, India is fast emerging as a hub of animation activity as our own animated Hanuman and Tenali Rama turn into hits. “There is a boom in the Indian animation industry with a growth rate of 30 per cent per annum,” stresses P. Jayakumar, CEO, Toonz Animation India Private Ltd, Kerala. By NASSCOM estimates, the Indian animation market is expected to reach Rs 3,850 crore in 2009. But there is a shortage of skilled manpower. “At present, there are only 5,000 animation professionals in India but in the next few years, there could be a demand for 30,000 animators,” says Jayakumar.

Career prospects: As an animator, you can work on web animation, feature films, video games, cartoons, digital post-production, info-graphics on TV and special effects. Some of the reputed animation studios in India include Maya Entertainment, Crest Communications, Toonz Academy, UTV, Ram Mohan Biographics and Pentamedia.

Skills required: An artistic bent of mind and an ability to draw.

Starting salary: Rs 15,000 to 20,000 per month.

Study options: Industrial Design Centre, IIT Bombay, Mumbai; National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad; Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics, Mumbai; National Multimedia Resource Centre, Pune; Arena Multimedia; Toonz Animation India Pvt. Ltd; Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore.

Biotechnology

From healthcare to animal husbandry, biotechnology finds application in every area of life. “The best part of working in this field is that you can make a difference to people’s lives,” says Ravi Dasgupta, head, human resources at Biocon, Bangalore. At Biocon, biotechnologists can find work in the research and development department or do clinical research or join quality and manufacturing teams. This field is poised to touch the Rs 20,256 crore mark by 2010. Experts predict that by 2012 the industry would require at least 10 lakh qualified biotechnologists.

Career prospects: Biotechnologists can find openings in the food and chemical industries, pharmaceutical firms, bio-processing sector, textile industry and agriculture-related industries.

Skills required: A scientific bent of mind coupled with analytical ability.

Starting salary: Rs 25,000 to 35,000 per month.

Study options: Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi; Osmania University, Hyderabad; University of Chennai; Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Noida; Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar; Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal; Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu.

Info-tech

This evergreen field continues to grow at a phenomenal pace. “There is a lot of scope in this evolving industry — from systems management to software development, from web-based applications to hardware programming,” points out Ashish Kumar, who runs Tekriti, a software company in Gurgaon.

According to a NASSCOM report, the domestic IT market will grow from Rs 3,643 crore to Rs 7,473 crore between 2005 and 2009.

Career prospects: You can work as a hardware programmer, systems analyst, web developer, an e-commerce specialist or software engineer.

Skills required: Logical and meticulous with a knack for numbers.

Starting salary: Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 per month.

Study options: You could opt for a BTech/BE or BCA or BSc in computer science. Well-known institutes are the Indian Institutes of Technology; Delhi College of Engineering; Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani; Institute of Technology, Benaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Bengal Engineering and Science University, Shibpur.

Media

The current media explosion denotes exciting times for aspiring journalists, radio jockeys, copywriters, PR consultants, graphic designers and producers. “Most students are attracted by the money and glamour these fields offer,” says Fr Myron Pereira, director, Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai. A CII-KPMG study estimates that the media industry’s projected revenue growth will touch Rs 56,600 crore by 2010.

Career prospects: In print journalism, you can be part of the reporting or editing team. In the electronic medium, you can work as a reporter, anchor, producer, cameraperson, video editor, graphic designer or a programming expert. Radio stations employ RJs, programme managers and air time marketing personnel. In public relations and advertising firms, you can join the client servicing or creative departments.

Skills required: An inquisitive mind, communication and writing skills.

Starting salary: Rs 8,000 to 15,000 per month.

Study options: Opt for a bachelors degree in journalism or mass communication offered by universities such as Delhi University; University of Calcutta; Benaras Hindu University; University of Mysore.

Travel & tourism

Here’s a career option that will take you places. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council, there will be a demand for 10 million jobs in the tourism sector by 2010. “Most students get placed in tour companies even as they do the course,” says Ashok Bhatnagar of Kuoni Academy of Travel.

Career prospects: Recruitment in government departments is done through the UPSC and SPSC. In a travel agency, you could work at the ticketing counter or join the marketing, operations or accounts sections.

Skills required: Good communication skill and interest in travel .

Starting salary: Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 per month.

Study options: You could do diploma programmes from YMCA, Kuoni Academy of Travel, Delhi and Skyline Business School, Delhi. The government-approved Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management offers diploma and degree courses.