A perfect office – Career in Office Administration

— By FPJ Bureau | Aug 31, 2015 12:01 am 

No office would be able to function effectively with the structural backbone – the administrative staff. Knowledge looks at the career

Sector overview

Technology can make the various jobs easier, but the fact remains, that there needs to be a person to run the technology effectively. The job in question here is one that you watch happening in every office in every city or town in every country. Whichever office you go to, one thing is common. Virtually every business needs office support personnel. This is needed and is not likely to change anytime soon. Many small businesses started out by working without support staff (admin or assistants), but with expansion, they had to give in and hire.

It is understandable that when dealing with the employees internally and in dealing with other business parties externally, businesses need the services of such personnel, apart from the day-to-day office administration functions. Whatever the number of people working in the administrative capacity in an office, the role could mean looking after several functions. It could all include handling the telephone, dealing with difficult phone calls from customers or other parties, handling challenging clients, presentation and storage of documents, maintaining reports, accounting for petty cash, mail and file management, banking work, sometimes handling computer data entries for the organisation, and so on.

In fact in several companies and professions, a trusted administrative assistant is looked upon as a confidante. Many managers prefer assistants who know everything about them, about their lives and especially about their style of work. And that’s why effective and efficient administrators are in great demand, and once they gel with the employer, seldom are they let go. There is something deeply comforting about having everything in office run smoothly, and meetings happening on time, with the correct coffee and snacks. And for that, you need personnel!

To get there

Since a formal education may not be necessary to get a job, there is no single route to becoming an administrative assistant. There are several ways in which one can go about it. It often happens that people get a job, and learn on it and develop expertise while working. Even then, there are certain soft and behavioural skills, apart from technical skills that assistants are supposed to have.

Aspirants should ideally think of taking a professional course, since the curriculum is designed to look into particular job descriptions and so training will be offered in those areas. This training provides an upper hand in many cases in terms of getting a good job. In either case, the skills are essential. When hiring office support personnel, many companies look for employees with a combination of the types of technical skills that are needed in the particular job as well as a positive attitude and strong communication skills. With technology now ruling the roost, most positions look for personnel who not only display the soft skills to work on the job, but also have a fair knowledge of operating computers and the required software on them. Often, before recruitment, companies ask applicants to take several tests to gauge their abilities in handling the tasks that lie ahead. These may include tests for typing speed, skill with basic software like Microsoft Word and Excel, drafting emails, handling mock telephone calls, accounting for petty cash (basic maths) and so on.

The most important skill that you should be looking to develop is that of working to perfection and learning how to gel with others, since you will be working with (or even as a subordinate) with someone else, who might often give a few ‘orders’ every now and then. Undoubtedly, they expect the tasks to be done!

Institutes and courses

• S.N.D.T Women’s University at Premlila Vithaldas Polytechnic – Diploma in Administrative Services
• Indian Institute of Hospitality & Management – Certificate/Crash Course in Front Office
• Apeejay Institute of Hospitality Professional Development Programme
• Maniben Nanavati Women’s College – Certificate Course in Secretarial
• Avalon academy – Certificate Course in Personality Development
• KES College of Arts and Commerce – Certificate Course in Business English Skills
• Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management Career and Leadership Development Programme
• Davar’s College – Certificate Course for Professional Secretaryship. This is offered for three levels – Executive Assistants, Millennium Secretaryship and Executive Personal Assistants
• The Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension, Mumbai University – Certificate in Office Administration Market and remuneration

Whatever the designation or the title, the person in charge of office administration (management) carries a lot of responsibility. The diverse duties comprise those that must be performed on a daily basis, and some that need to be handled on a case-to-case basis. The role may vary with the business and the size of the office, but the primary duty is to ensure that the daily running of the office is smooth. Among other things, the office administrator is responsible for collecting and sending out mail, for directing the calls to the appropriate offices or extensions, and making sure that the documentation is in place.

There job prospects are usually high for those who are qualified, since offices will always need administrative personnel, and with expansion, they tend to take on more and more people. Openings can be found at departments and offices in the public as well as private sectors, no matter the industry. A variety of positions are available depending upon the work and the kind of hours to be put in. Usually, the office administrators and assistants have fixed hour jobs. It is a good option for those looking for a little flexibility, or even a single shift, and they should be able to work something out with employers.

Salaries vary like night and day. They depend heavily on the size of the organisation, the duties involved, the tasks assigned and most importantly, the experience the person has. A new entrant to the profession is can draw a pay cheque of an amount anywhere between Rs. 14,000 and Rs. 20,000. Individuals seeking high-level positions will face increased competition for jobs during the same period.

An aspirant asks

Sulekha Karande / FYJC student    

I am not going to be able to complete my graduation from college, since I have to work to help with the family responsibilities. I want to pursue a course in office administration and try and become a secretary. I am worried that due to my limited skills in the English language, I might not be able to get a good job. Please advise.

Professional Najma Memon answers: I do feel that you have perhaps taken an appropriate decision keeping your duties in mind. My first piece of advice to you is that even if you land a job, please finish your graduation via distance education. Although it might seem quite unnecessary in the short run, you will find it extremely helpful in future when you are looking to advance in your career.

As far as your concern for the English language skills go, I advise you to hone them immediately. Anyway, you will be able to take up a good administrative course only after your HSC, so you have at least a year and a half to improve your English. Join a course or try and learn online. The best way would be to read a newspaper every day, and read magazines whenever you have the time. Look up the difficult words in the dictionary and try and remember how to use them. If you have the willingness, you will succeed.

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‘Art’ you interested? Career in Arts

— By FPJ Bureau | Aug 17, 2015 12:45 am 

Art is gaining importance really fast, like few other fields are. Take a look at a career in this field, if you have the talent

Sector overview

Without a little bit of beauty or a splash of colour, everything would seem dull and drab. On a personal level, we all tend to add that zing to our wardrobes with the accessories we like most. And that’s exactly what a piece of art does for a space that you want to liven up. It adds that little bit of zing to everyday activities. The minute you hear the word art, you are most likely to conjure up the image the image of a painter capturing the fine thoughts of his mind. But there is much more, including paintings, sculptures, installations, beautiful writing, and perhaps even design!

A couple of decades ago there were hardly any options for artists to make a steady income, but now there are many options. The opening up of more art galleries, conduction of exhibitions and art appreciation events has led to the growth of opportunities in this field. Over the years festivals such as the Kala Ghoda art fest not only provide a platform for budding artists and artisans, but they also prove to be inspirational for artists across the country.

Sine art is a matter of personal choice, the work in this sphere is now more open, and artists are more sociable, meeting with the patrons for whom they create their pieces. This field has come a far way from being associated with sale, purchase and commissioning for recreation purposes only.

Today, fine art creations find practical applications in the commercial world across mediums, including music, theatre and cinema. With the realisation that this field could actually be monetized to offer a decent living to artists, several organisations and societies have been formed to promote the cause of specific arts. With that, the awareness of the arts increases and so does its appreciation and sale.

Market and remuneration

The market is young, and there are a variety of work options open for those who have acquired a degree. Most professionals suggest that you should build your portfolio along with your education, so that you have something to show and tell for your talent when you go in for work interviews.

Within the industry, you can start working for an art designer or a graphic designer, which will enable you to pick up job skills needed in the real world. For many artists, free lance work is a huge options, it provides the liberty to work from home (or your own studio) as well as the flexibility in terms of the time you want to work for. For free lance work, you need to build a ground network, so that you can look for more work. Apart from that, you need to be constantly tracking the trend, and look out for arts festivals and exhibitions that happen across the city (or even the country) and try and mingle with the others there to widen your network.

Those who are comfortable with the digital medium can easily find work with advertising agencies and media houses and other industries where art is needed like textile houses. Young talented graduates also find work with art studios and fashion and production houses.

Like many other fields, art is one such where generalisation of the pay scale does not work. This is because the earning differs from job to job. The job depends on the requirements of work, and sometimes, for those who work on an assignment basis, the money differs from month to month.

To get there

Is a course a must? Well, that is a very subjective discussion, for many would argue that in the old days, artists just created their work, they did not need to study it. But today, there are many aspects to being an artist, apart from creating the work. And for that, it is essential to undergo some formal training in the field.

Needless to say, whether or not one

pursues a course, an aspirant needs to have a certain inherent aptitude, not only to create art, but also to visualise and appreciate it. If a person has this aptitude, it can be polished with work experience as well a study programme. But like in singing or any such other field, an aspirant needs to have that talent to create the art. Without it, looking at this as a profession would not be a suitable idea.

Formal training can help you work on your existing talent, and bring out the best in you. For this it is essential to choose an appropriate course. There are degree, diploma and certificate courses to choose from. The most popular of these is the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. It is of four years’ durations, and offers a lot of knowledge and perspective to the students. It looks into print and electronic media as well as the use of art in advertising, among the study of many other technical subjects related to art.

To get admission into the course, you have to pass class 12 (HSC or equivalent). You can choose the specialisations later in the course, depending on your interest and aptitude. After completing the bachelor’s degree an aspirant can also opt for the master’s degree, which is the Master of Fine Arts (MFA), which is a two-year programme.

Some institutes in Mumbai are:

• Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Art
• Rachana Sansad’s College of Applied Art
• Faculty of Fine Arts, SNDT Women’s University
• Kala Vidya Sankul Polytechnic
• L S Raheja School of Art

An aspirant asks

Rupali Ranadive   / SSC student    

I am really good at art, and I have also taken the talent exams like elementary and intermediate. My parents are very supportive, and have encouraged me to continue my passion even while I prepare for my board exams. The drawback is that currently I do not have a computer at home, and even though my father might be able to get me one soon, I am not sure I want to use that medium to become an artist. Will it be possible for me to get work if I do not use a computer?

Professional Aakanksha Sheth answers: I get asked this question often, because as artists, we often visualise our medium as the paper and colours or the canvass. I would say that to build your skills and be up to date in this world, you should learn how to operate the art software modules on the computer, even if you do not intend to work in it. It will show you the contrasts and the possibilities and the drawbacks. Also, as I said, it will keep you updated on stuff. That does not mean that you pressurise your family to get a computer right away. You have some time, and so you can wait until they can actually get one for you.

As far as looking for work goes, the fields are different and the needs and necessities from each medium are different. Thus, even though it may not be difficult to find work in the traditional medium, the digital world will have more opportunities.

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Knowledge abound! – Career Guide

— By Ratan Mani Lal | Aug 10, 2015 12:02 am 

There’s a lot more than knowledge process outsourcing to what meets the eye, and a career in the field can be rewarding, says Reena Jhaveri

Sector overview

One known as the poor man’s five-CD changer, the radio has come a long way, and more ways than one it has become a lifeline for citizens. It is a humbling leveller for all kinds of listeners, for those who blast it on a state-of-the-art system in their top-notch brand cars to those who listen to it on their beaten down phones while talking the bus to work. There is a lot to choose from, the number of stations, the variety of songs as well as the theme-based shows conducted by the radio jockeys. Each and every programme has a loyal set of fans and followers, and this has made the industry robust and growing. With over 250 private FM stations operating in close to 90 cities, one can hardly say that this industry is not growing.

Financial reports show that the growth rate is robust, and the popularity keeps increasing according to many, since of the ease of access of the radio for everyone, opines an industry insider. He mentions that mobile phones have made it much easier for listeners to tune in any time anywhere. Even if radio is not a new concept for our country, earlier, a listener was expected to purchase a special radio device to listen it, and even it was small and easily portable, it was an additional thing to carry. The mobile phone solved this issue, since even the most basic model offers connectivity via radio. With such figures, the stage is set for major growth among the various radio channels. Needless to say, growth will bring more opportunities for those looking to be employed in this sector.

Being one of the foremost mediums of digital mass communication, it is a medium of entertainment for a majority of the country’s population, which relies on the radio.

Market and remuneration

The market is huge, and so are the opportunities with are closely related to a person’s qualifications, expertise and knowledge. Once you clear the interview levels of a particular company, you do not have to worry much, since the company will train you in the various processes and create an environment in which you can learn and grow.

Different kinds of job profiles cater to different types of roles. The industry is fast picking up in India, and needs a lot of trained personnel. One skill that you need is proficiency in the English language, along with your subject knowledge expertise. Apart from domain knowledge, you also need great web researching skills and hands on experience in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) as essential skills for this industry.

The remuneration is higher than a comparable industry within India, plus, this industry offers lots of incentives and perks. It also depends on the skill of the person. A KPO job offers its employees a chance to hone skills in a specialised field. A fresh graduate can start at Rs. 30,000-35,000 per month, whereas a professional with about two years of experience can look forward to an annual pay packet of around Rs. 6 to 8 lakh. An experienced professional can draw between Rs. 15 and 20 lakh.

To get there

The study routes are varied, since the processes are so different that the need a more expert approach in every sense. Hence, to get into this industry, first, you need to have a professional qualification and knowledge to that extent. Since knowledge process outsourcing is associated with standardised process with expertise, advanced technical and analytical skills are needed. The work could be related to any field such as finance, legal issues, intellectual property, analytics, market research and data management. It includes research work too. There is no particular qualification required as such to work in a KPO. These processes may include

• Legal Process Outsourcing
• Intellectual Property (IP) Research
• Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
• Animation and Design
• Learning Solutions
• Business and Technical Analysis
• Business and Market Research
• Medical Services
• Writing and Content Development
• Research and Development
• Training and Consultancy
• Data Analytics

Those with the ability to think and analyse, and a good command over the English language are better-suited to work in this industry. Working knowledge of computers and basic software suites is also expected. Another aspect is that this industry needs a high level of confidentiality of the work done, so if you are one who needs to unwind in the evening by rehashing work at home, make sure you do not give away the details!

An aspirant asks

Shefali Shinde   / Financial management student  

I have developed my knowledge in the field of finance in a pointed and focussed way, and I am looking at all the career options available to me in future. I know what knowledge process outsourcing means, but I do not know the details of this field. Do they hire fresh graduates? My communications skills are great, and so is my knowledge of finance, but I am not sure what this industry expects and how to break into it. Will I be able to do it?

Professional Sheetal Desai answers: If you have the expertise and the skills, why won’t you make it? It is only a matter of time, and you will be able to land a job in this field. You will also be able to do some satisfying work in this industry. As far as getting a break, you have to be on top of things. You need to look at opportunities in different organisations by visiting their websites regularly. There are some online job portals that specialise in listing job openings in the outsourcing sector, including KPO jobs. Search for the various outsourcing job openings available to locate a job opening that suits you. In terms of salary, the industry has some good prospects. Even those who are working at entry level are able to take home attractive salary packages. As you reach higher positions, salary and other perks will also increase.

This detailed profile is done at the request of our reader, SYBA student Naina Arora. If you want to know more about a particular career, write to us at knowledge@fpj.co.in

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On air! Career in Radio Broadcasting

— By FPJ Bureau | Aug 03, 2015 12:07 am 

If you have the imagination and creativity to build images without the visual element, think of a career in radio broadcasting

Sector overview

One known as the poor man’s five-CD changer, the radio has come a long way, and more ways than one it has become a lifeline for citizens. It is a humbling leveller for all kinds of listeners, for those who blast it on a state-of-the-art system in their top-notch brand cars to those who listen to it on their beaten down phones while talking the bus to work. There is a lot to choose from, the number of stations, the variety of songs as well as the theme-based shows conducted by the radio jockeys. Each and every programme has a loyal set of fans and followers, and this has made the industry robust and growing. With over 250 private FM stations operating in close to 90 cities, one can hardly say that this industry is not growing.

Financial reports show that the growth rate is robust, and the popularity keeps increasing according to many, since of the ease of access of the radio for everyone, opines an industry insider. He mentions that mobile phones have made it much easier for listeners to tune in any time anywhere. Even if radio is not a new concept for our country, earlier, a listener was expected to purchase a special radio device to listen it, and even it was small and easily portable, it was an additional thing to carry. The mobile phone solved this issue, since even the most basic model offers connectivity via radio. With such figures, the stage is set for major growth among the various radio channels. Needless to say, growth will bring more opportunities for those looking to be employed in this sector.

Being one of the foremost mediums of digital mass communication, it is a medium of entertainment for a majority of the country’s population, which relies on the radio.

To get there

Even though in the initial phases, certain professionals did join the industry in the nascent stages without any special qualifications, the education sector has also come a long way to change that. There are specialised courses available for those interested, and it is essential to undergo one such course if you want to work in particular positions in a radio network.

There are different courses available like radio production, broadcast media and script writing. Even though the entry to such programmes is not stringent in terms of eligibility, they do look for certain qualities which the aspirant must possess. Institutes that offer various courses in radio production and broadcasting in Mumbai include

• Xavier’s Institute of Communication offers a Certificate Course in Radio Jockeying
• Radio City School of Broadcasting offers a Certificate Course in Radio Jockey and Radio Production
• The Mumbai Centre of the Indira Gandhi National Open University offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Radio Programme Production (PGDRPP)
• Livewires Institute offers courses in Radio Jockeying and Script Writing
• School of Broadcasting & Communication offers a Certificate in Professional Voicing & Radio Jockey
• Mumbai Film Academy offers courses in Voicing and Anchoring
• Harkisan Mehta Foundation Institute

Of Journalism And Mass Communication offers a Certificate Course in Radio Jockey

• AAT College offers a BSc in Audio and Music Production at its Mumbai centre

As mentioned earlier, the eligibility for each course differs with the institute as well as

the course, In terms of academics, it ranges from passing class 12 to completing graduation. Students are advised to check the eligibility on their respective websites. Apart from these courses, students who have pursued digital journalism or broadcast

media courses (BMM) at the undergraduate level may also be suitable to work in the industry.

In the field

Reema Manjrekar   / Production executive  

Even though the world is opening up to many new things, and there is a lot of information out there, the common man is still under some wrong impressions when it comes to radio, its programme and the people who make it all possible. It is a given that radio broadcasters they need great presentation, communication and performance skills, and the additional dimension is that all these are related to verbal and spoken skills. It is imperative that radio personnel understand how to use the voice effectively for radio.

Apart from that, any person who aspires to join this field needs to be creative, since the ability to generate fresh and original ideas is imperative. If you want to stand out against the competition, then you have to be creative, not only in terms of the things you do, but also in terms of how you do them. A person working in this field by and large needs to be proactive and people-oriented. Introvert persons will not be turned away but they will have to step out of their comfort zones and push through in terms of work. Deadlines form important guiding factors in every media field, and you need to know how to respect them and stick to them.

A student says

Dimple Rao     / Pursuing her course    

With specialisations ruling the roost in every sphere, training for any job adds value to a person. In a professional radio production course we learn things that are totally different from what we might have imagined. The programme is obviously structured in a way that students build skills to work in future environments, but this one in particular is a hands-on programme, handling equipment, working in a studio and so on.

Our subjects that are directed towards making us aware of the processes in running a radio station, and teaching us how to conceive, plan, and manage audio programme production. I think that during the programme, aspirants build the skills to plan audio programmes. They also can understand the working of the various radio formats, and writing scripts. What’s most important, according to me and some of my close friends, is that we as young, impressionable students get out of the mindset that the radio programmes are made only by radio jockeys, who sit in the studio with a microphone and a telephone. There is much more to it!

Apart from practical skills needed in a studio or a station, some courses also have a managerial component which students are trained in. This might help when they reach the stage on managing a small arm of the station and in future, even an entire station.

An aspirant asks

Mihir Shetty     / BMS student  

I have decided that I want to work in radio broadcasting and production, and I have even experienced a part of the studio programming courtesy a friend. I am sure that if I work on my skills with a professional course, I will be able to work well in this field. My only issue is that I do not write very well. It is difficult for me to string two sentences together when I am writing. Will this provde to be a hindrance for this field?

Professional Reema Manjrekar answers: You need to understand that the absence of a visual element in this medium needs to be made up with other elements, and one of them is writing. A good script is the heart of radio programming and broadcast. In fact, there are special scriptwriters in the radio field as well. So if you are looking at becoming a jockey, then you will have to work on your writing skills, because most programming is scripted, even those shows which seem impromptu and interactive. It is the charm of the written word that needs to bind the listener to the station and connect the audience to it. And there is no point in giving up the idea of making a profession in this field simply because you feel you do not write well. Good writing skills will prove to be an asset whereever you work and whatever you do.

Market and remuneration

Like many industry here also there are various job roles that need to be fulfilled by trained personnel. These include marketing and sales, but in let’s look at profiles which are directly related to broadcasting. There is the producer with the production staff, the support staff and the radio jockeys who prove to be the voice of particular stations. There might also be station managers and directors.

In terms of production, the broadcast assistant is the backbone, providing all kinds of support to the staff and overseeing the most mundane tasks that need to be done. A radio station might have more than one production assistant and they ensure the smooth airing of any programme.

The radio jockeys, or the radio presenters are the popular stars of radio. They actually are the face of programming, even though their faces are not visible to the audiences! Each one creates a unique style and establishes a relationship with the audience. Producers play a key role in defining the programming, scripting and the content, and from the backbone of a radio station.

Even though it might seem that the jockeys make most of the essential decisions, they are actually made by the producers, who are seldom head on the air.

Station directors or managers have several functions tagged to their names – they are in charge of the smooth functioning of the entire station. They also overlook the work of all the personnel in the station.

Remuneration differs from station to station and role to role, but a fresh graduate in the radio industry can start anywhere between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 35,000 per month, depending on the work profile, talent, expertise and knowledge.

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Domain knowledge is more important than soft skills – Dr. Sharad Y. Mhaiskar, Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering

— By Shraddha Kamdar | Jul 27, 2015 01:10 am 

Dr. Sharad Y. Mhaiskar, Dean – Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering, Vile Parle, tells Shraddha Kamdar when talking to her about different aspects of student development

The dean of one of the most dynamic institutions in the city, he is a person who is open to new ideas and encourages students to think way out of the box. He is equally approachable, and all it took is one email requesting this interview, and not many days later, I was in his office, chatting with him over a cup of coffee. Having experienced both, the system of colleges affiliated to Mumbai University, as well as the other more open and dynamic system of a Deemed University, he is one who thinks of the best for his students. And that’s why Dr. Sharad Y. Mhaiskar, Dean – Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management & Engineering, Vile Parle, is popular among the students and staff alike. Moreover he is patient, and modest, for not once did he interrupt me for addressing him with the incorrect designation for the major part of the interview. He waited until we finished, and in a simple manner just pointed it out to me so as to save it being published erroneously here. There is a lot to learn from him, and I came away with some great nuggets on teaching. A few excerpts:

How do you encourage students towards academics when the syllabus sometimes is archaic and outdated?

Well, you see, in the colleges affiliated with Mumbai University, it is difficult to keep the syllabus extremely flexible since there are just too many colleges, and the level of study has to be kept at a level where the colleges in the most interior regions can also cope with it. With such a common factor in mind, the engagement levels of all the colleges are going to vary.

Compared to that, our Board of Studies meets often, and has much greater industry participation. So not only do we know what the industry needs, but we can also cater to it through our dynamic curriculum.

On a more micro level, most universities today are moving towards preparing students for self learning. I believe a graduating student should get the seeds of everything, with the ability of self learning inculcated well. That way, the student can keep up with new knowledge as well as everyday challenges.

Is this method popular with the students?

Students today have information at their fingertips and often are way ahead even of the teachers as far as technology is concerned. They are online 24/7 and become restless during classroom hours. They need to be engaged differently, and we use modern methods like flip classrooms and activities beyond the classroom. We also offer them the option to learn at their own pace with the MOOCs available online.

For instance, there are MOOCs available for technical courses delivered by Stanford University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US. Our students have the option of learning from these MOOCs as opposed to attending lectures here. The only criterion is that they take the evaluation exam at the end of the MOOC course and earn the certification provided. If that criterion is fulfilled, the students are exempted from taking lectures in that course at the campus. There are two major advantages to this. First, they learn at their own pace, and second, it adds on to their resumes that they have a global certification in a self-learning course.

Apart from academic learning, what helps students to be more independent?

Out students participate in national and international competitions. Recently, they participated in a competition at NASA. These events present opportunities to work in a team, and develop and implement ideas and technologies on their own. They have mentors, but all the work is done by them, including trouble shooting. In this way, they develop life and work skills, including team work, learning to respect others’ ideas and objectively evaluating each option before picking the best-suited one for a particular goal. These are important skills which are best learnt in a practical way rather than in a classroom.

In addition, students undergo a mandatory internship after their second year, which is extremely well structured. Each student has a mentor in the institute and at the organisation. The faculty and the industry mentors are constantly in touch over the progress of the students. The students then end the internship with a professional report, which is evaluated at academic and professional levels. In this manner, many students become candidates for pre-placement offers, owing to the abilities and expertise they display with their work. These kinds of pre-placement offers also provide an incentive to work hard.

Do you think students should be a part of the policy decision on curriculum and what is taught to them?

Yes, and in many ways they are a part of such decisions. But we have to be careful about where and at which stage we involve them. We should definitely involve them for pedagogy and innovations in teaching and learning. I, however, feel that students are not aware of content when they are studying and they tend to miss the finer aspects of the curriculum. For that, it is better to involve the alumni, those who have passed through the process not long ago and are now applying the knowledge in the real world, to understand what worked for them and what didn’t.

An interesting fact that we have found is that the often, what the teacher says about the real world falls on deaf ears, but what the alumni says is listened to very carefully. Students are likely to learn a few aspects from their peers since they are at the level in the industry where the current students aspire to be.

Will students ever get out of the marks mentality? I mean knowledge is great, but at the end, they will still fight for that one mark.

Our system is about massification. At every stage, the initial elimination is based on marks, and we cannot neglect that fact. Even though at college level there are different ways of assessing, in the end, marks matter, often even for job interviews. There are so many students who are good at practical aspects rather than theory, and they are likely to miss out on marks during exams. So if the practical aspects are given adequate weightage, the true ability of such students will also be reflected. Assessing the students in different methods is the best an institute can do so that the marks reflect their abilities more closely.

How important are soft skills for professional students in modern times?

I often read reports which say that the majority of our graduates are ‘unemployable’ due to lack of soft skills. In that sense I guess they are important. But I want to point out that none of these reports talk about domain skills, which are equally (if not more) important. Ultimately, the work done by the candidate on the job depends on the domain knowledge, not only on soft skills.

Soft skills can be nurtured. These enable students to know themselves and their weaknesses. We also have psychological counsellors who work with students on this level so that students do not buckle under pressure over soft skills.

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