Devi Kar Principal, Modern High School for Girls, Calcutta

Q: My son is influenced by the numerous talent hunt shows on TV and wants to become a singer. He is a good student and does well academically. However, I have apprehensions about him taking up singing as a career since I know that the industry can be quite fickle. What should I do to dissuade him? Or am I in the wrong? Since he’s so talented, should I just let him decide? I am completely at a loss as to what to do. Please advise.

Piyush Singh

A: You have not mentioned your son’s age. If he is very young, he is likely to go through several stages before arriving at a career decision. There are many students who are able to balance their studies and their other interests efficiently. If he has the talent as well as the passion, it would be a pity to suppress him. However, the danger is in the lure of show business coupled with the intense desire “to be a celebrity”.

Q: I am a first-year physics (honours) student at a government college. My AIEEE rank wasn’t very good this year. With my rank, I will probably get admission in a mediocre private college. Should I go ahead and do my graduation in physics or take JEE again next year and switch to engineering? Which one would offer better prospects?

Also, after doing badly in the AIEEE this year, my self-esteem is completely shattered. What do I do to get back my confidence?

Amrit Sarkar

A: In order to address your self-doubts, you need to answer the counter question that I shall put to you. Are you fond of physics? If you are — and you are reasonably good at it — I do not see why you should not focus completely on your undergraduate course and then decide on the next course of action.

Why should you think of engineering as your only path to a successful career? It is senseless to let one set of examination results affect your self-esteem. Of course, it is a different matter altogether if you dislike physics.

Biprodas Bhattacharya Senior teacher, Rama Krishna Mission School, Narendrapur

Q: I have completed Class XII this year with 70 per cent in PCM and 80 per cent in aggregate in the science stream. I had appeared in the WBJEE and AIEEE but didn’t do well in either. I am interested in maths and computer science but am unable to get admission in BSc in computer science due to my grades. However, I can take up BSc mathematics in good colleges. I am completely confused. What should I do? Should I try for engineering again or should I opt for maths honours right now? What are the prospects after doing a BSc in maths?

Rajneesh Kaur

A: The best thing to do is to take up BSc in mathematics and then switch over to a computer science programme at the postgraduate level. If you have 55 per cent aggregate marks in BSc (50 per cent for SC / ST) with maths as a subject for at least a year (or two maths papers for semester system candidates), then you are eligible to appear for the Joint Admission Test to the IITs for an MSc in computer applications. Many universities offer postgraduate degrees and diplomas in computer science and computer applications to students with BSc, or even BCom degrees. Also, you could get admitted to a college with mathematics honours and take another shot at JEE. It’s your decision.

Q: I am a Class XII science student. I am a fairly good student and have scored consistently well throughout my school life. I am not very keen on doing engineering or medicine but my parents are insistent. I would rather do a graduation in physics. Doesn’t physics offer a good career? How do I make my parents understand?

Tania Mehta

A: Your parents may come around if you promise to do a postgraduate degree in physics at one of the IITs. After graduating in physics, you can try to gain admission to IIT Kanpur or IISc Bangalore. Tell your parents that students of basic sciences are being wooed by several industries and that the prospects of a career in research are getting brighter.