Q: I hold a three year-diploma in mechanical engineering and have about eight years of work experience in teaching and training. Recently, I learnt about a university that offers admission to a three- year correspondence course in management for diploma holders in engineering. Will this course help boost my career prospects?

Krishanu Bhaumik, via email

A: You need to enquire about the credentials of the university offering the degree and also check if they offer guaranteed placements upon completion of the course. The placements received by the alumni of the university will give you a fair idea of the suitability of the course.

Q:I am a commerce graduate. I have done a diploma in information technology from the Sikkim Manipal University. I have been working in frontline sales in the FMCG sector since the beginning of my career. Presently I am working in a furniture company in retail sales. I want to diversify from direct sales to HR. I am very keen to work in training and development. Could you suggest a course that would improve my career prospects?

A:You can opt for a diploma in human resource management / training and development from a reputed university. Initially you will not get any opportunity to participate in the training sessions as most companies will seek previous experience in the field. So it would be better if you request for a lateral shift to human resource / training and development in your present job. This will help you test your suitability in the profession as well as provide you with the experience to take this up as a career. Also, if you are able to establish your credentials as a competent in-house trainer you will not need to do a diploma in training and development.

Q:I am a 23-year-old commerce graduate. I have been working as a back office executive in a private firm for the past one and a half years. I am keen on a career in the banking sector. Hence I have decided to do an MBA in banking from ICFAI university. Please tell me about the job opportunities in the banking sector and the future of the industry.

A: The banking sector is a very vibrant and booming sector. You can be assured of good career growth. But you need to do a reality check on suitable job opportunities once you graduate from ICFAI. Otherwise, it is a good decision to boost your skills with an MBA.

Q:I am desperately looking for a change in terms of finance and job content. Soon after graduating in communicative English, I got a job in an English daily in the administration department. Though I was appointed as a receptionist, I do all kinds of administrative work. Now no one is willing to hire me for an administrative position as my appointment letter says I work as a receptionist.

A:Companies do not hire on the basis of designations alone. You should prepare your resume with details of key job responsibilities and accountabilities. Your prospective employers will have a good understanding of your competence and accomplishments once this is available to them as a ready reference. I see no reason why you should have any difficulty getting a suitable job just because your current designation is misleading and does not reflect the true nature of your job.

Q: I completed my masters in social anthropolgy from Calcutta University in 2007. I am currently working with an NGO. What should I do to improve my prospects? Should I opt for an MBA in HRD from IGNOU? Are there other options I could consider?

A:If you wish to work in the NGO sector then you could consider other options that will enhance your current skills. You could go in for a diploma or degree in psychology. You could also do a diploma or degree in counselling.