From Newton to nano

Q: I have completed my postgraduation in physics with a specialisation in electronics. Now I would like to do a doctorate. Could you please tell me what my area of research could be?

— Munaf Hussain

A: The fields are truly diverse ranging from fiber optics communication, microwaves, IC technology, lasers, digital electronics, experimental electronics, optoelectronics, power electronics to medical electronics and nano electronics.

In fact, the list can go on and on. However, since you have already done your MSc, I think your professors will be better able to guide you about the cutting-edge areas in physics so that you can choose one related to your interests.

Also, doing your MPhil will give you deeper insight into the different areas you could do your PhD in.

Do scan the websites of the Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs) and the Indian Institute of Science for areas in which research facilities are offered.

Moreover, the Association of Indian Universities (www.aiuweb.org) regularly publishes a list of theses submitted by research students every month (just click on the “research” link to access the list).

Scanning through the list is likely to give you a fair idea of what research is being undertaken in your field.

Similarly, do log on to the website of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (www.csir.res.in) for a wealth of info.

State job vs state school

Q: My brother is 20 years old. Our father passed away last year. He was a health supervisor in a government hospital.

As per the rules, being a dependant, my brother is entitled to get a job at the hospital.

He has also passed the intermediate exam from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) this year.

We would like to know if the mark sheet and certificate acquired from the National Institute of Open Schooling is considered on par with that of a government school in terms of being able to acquire a government job.

Otherwise, he will have to take the intermediate exam from a state government school.

That will take one more year and further delay the entire process. We are confused. Could you please advise?

— Kaveri Kalra

A: You do not need to worry. For all practical purposes, an NIOS certificate is recognised as being on par with any government school certificate, unless specifically mentioned to the contrary.

After all, the National Institute of Open Schooling is an autonomous institution under the HRD ministry. Hence the secondary or senior secondary certificates obtained from NIOS are recognised as being the same as those issued by other Boards.

Nothing temporary about temps

Q: I have been working as a temporary employee for the last two years in an information technology (IT) firm in Mohali. People say that the economic slowdown in the US will jeopardise temporary jobs the most. If so, what should I do?

— Sudipto Das

A: I really don’t think you have any reason to be worried. Temporary staffers continue to find favour with India Inc, notwithstanding worries over any economic slowdown. And they are the most sought after in talent-hungry sectors such as communications, information technology (IT) and IT-enabled services (ITeS).

The TeamLease Annual Temp Salary Primer 2008 has found that these three sectors are not only ahead of others in hiring temporary staff but also in rewarding them. The survey covered temporary staff working across more than 200 profiles and 10 industry domains in 12 major locations throughout India.

Interestingly, the communications industry — which was covered for the first time by the TeamLease survey this year — moved in sync with the IT and the ITeS sectors in terms of salaries and wage hikes for temporary staff.

Metros like Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi emerged as the cities that offer the best salaries and pay hikes.

The survey also revealed that qualification preceded experience this year. For example, for the post of a collection officer in Delhi, a postgraduate candidate with no work experience can draw as much as a graduate with up to three years of work experience.

This is one per cent higher than that of a graduate with up to five years of work experience. However, while this trend is most visible in the IT sector, experience still holds importance in the sales function.