Discover What is Possible.

 

 A career is related to one’s lifestyle and living and it has much to do with personal choice, skills and self-satisfaction. Today the youngsters are getting ready and trained for something which is yet to be innovated. This will be the disruption. Information and access to technology have empowered the students and they are much more knowledgeable. There are massive opportunities for people in multiple sectors offering better lifestyle. The recent trend of jobs and opportunities has brought dynamism in career options. Conventional ideas of jobs have become a sort of outdated concept. The advent of a new social order backed by information, opportunities and awareness have rendered a progressive attitude in social mind-set. There is a progressiveness in the economic as well as social structure of the nation. There is a promise and chance of getting a job with equal respect as well as remuneration based on skill and productivity.

The changing dynamics in the country has brought massive opportunities. Innovation and productivity linkages have ensured that here is an exponential rise in the number of jobs in various domains of business and the industry. There are new jobs in the market. There are a lot of interesting career options you can consider after school and Indian colleges are now offering some unique courses.

Bachelor of Rural Studies

If you love the countryside and want to make a difference to the Indian villages, this course is for you. The course will give you an opportunity to engage in various rural and community development activities. The coverage will be on topics like environment management, community development, animal husbandry, forestry, farm management, child development, and agriculture. After completing the course you can apply for jobs at various government, public and private organizations that work for rural issues. Bhavnagar University in Gujarat offers Bachelor and Masters in Rural Studies.

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Public Health Entomology

It is a study focused on insects and arthropods that impact human health. The job also includes research on behaviour and ecology of various such species. Jobs are now available in universities, government agencies and chemical companies. Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) at Pondicherry University offers a two year Post-Graduate Degree course in this field.

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Photonics

This course is a mix of optical technology and electronics. The study deals with photons, the elementary particles of light, and helps you master the techniques of emission, detection, transmission and modulation of light.  You need to have an immense interest in science and a curiosity to know more about it, only then you are best suited for this course. You can work as an engineer, scientist, researcher and professional officer in many companies and government offices.  Some of the colleges that offer courses in Photonics are- International School of Photonics, Cochin; University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Cochin; Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi and Chennai; Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal; Periyar EVR College, Tiruchirappalli; Department of Photonics, and Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Pilani.

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Puppetry

One of the oldest forms of entertainment. It is also an important medium of education and many schools and institutes are making use of it for various topics. Live TV shows and performances have helped in putting puppetry back in the spotlight  Over a period of time, this art, which was in danger of getting lost, is again gaining recognition and appreciation. Mumbai University offers a Certificate Course in Puppetry covering theoretical and practical aspects of the art.

 

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Gerontology

It is the study of the social, psychological and biological aspects of aging. It focuses on physical, mental and social changes in people as they grow old. You will need to work with a NGO at the start of your career. This will help you know more about this field and the people working in it.  Many private companies, healthcare agencies, old age homes and nursing homes look for specialists in this field. Tata Institute of Social Sciences offers a diploma course in Gerontology. Institute of Home Economics, New Delhi offers a course in this field. Calcutta Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology also offers a one year postgraduate diploma course in Gerontology and Age Management.

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Museology/Museum Studies

It is the study of museums and their role in society. It offers you the knowledge of managing museums and museum collections. The course is connected to Archaeology and one needs to have a good knowledge of history and culture to opt for this profession. National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology, New Delhi offers various courses in this field. University of Calcutta also offers MA and MSc courses in Museology.

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Carpet Technology

 If you want to know the art and history of carpets and want to make creative contribution to this field, you are the perfect fit for the course. Indian Institute of Carpet Technology, Bhadohi, and Uttar Pradesh offers you various degree and diploma courses in carpet Technology. It is one of its kind institute in Asia and will help you get good placements.

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Food Flavourist / Flavour Chemist

These people add flavours to the food and make it taste good. The job will require mixing of various ingredients to make a unique flavour and have a good knowledge of aroma chemicals, essential oils, plant extracts. This career is closely related to chemistry and those who have a background in chemistry are best suited for this. A Flavourist has job opportunities in various sectors like food & beverages, cosmetics, fragrance, and toothpaste.  Some of the colleges that offer a course in this field are – Indian Institute of Hospitality and Management, Mumbai; SRM University: Department of Food Process Engineering, Ghaziabad, UP and Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore.

Life is full of choices. Some require little thought or reflection while others demand rigorous deliberation. You have this option of choosing an interesting career that no one else has probably ever heard of.

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Manu Anand

Director Alpha Mindz

manu@alphamindz.com

 

 

“CORPORATE SKILLS - YOU DON’T LEARN IN SCHOOL”

 

 “They do not teach corporate life in school or college”. What you do next when you get a job in a big company after your graduation. You think that the toughest part of your entry into the business world is over. You dump your extra résumés in a recycling bin and eagerly await your first salary. You look forward to business trips, stimulating office brainstorming sessions and hanging out with your co-workers every weekend. But then you realise it’s not happening cause you are still at an entry level position even after 18 months of working hard and late nights.

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Three years into the working world and your resume lists five positions in different companies because you were always on the lookout for a better opportunity that would bring the ever-elusive job satisfaction. Eventually, you consider joining the large numbers of your friends who were leaving the corporate world in favour of an MBA in a prestigious college. The idea of going back to college is tempting, and why not? You’re comfortable with the concept of studying in a college. You know how the story goes. If you work hard, you get good grades, and everyone is happy. The business world is another world entirely. You have worked so hard but have not been valued or recognized.

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The corporate world is a different Jungle which is full of animals and politically motivated for kill in the name of ambition and success. Like in a jungle there is a Lion and a deer. The Lion wakes up every morning with only one thought. To run and Run faster than the deer or starve to death and the Deer also wakes up with only one thought to run and run faster than the Lion or get killed. So it does not matter if you are a Lion or a Deer, when the sun goes up you’d better be running. The same applies here. It does not matter if you are a Boss or a subordinate, every morning at work you need to not just outperform each other but maybe outperform your own self to survive.

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This world is not a natural fit for ambitious graduates who leave college expecting results from a logical combination of education and effort. Suddenly, the tenets of success you’ve followed since your school days don’t apply, because getting ahead in the corporate structure often has nothing to do with intelligence or exceeding a set of defined expectations.

So if you want to succeed in this, here are some tips to help you through this game called corporate.

Establish profitable relationships: You need to be visible in your field, network to gain information and make connections that will help you move forward in your career. Seek out mentors whom you like. There’s no shame in learning from mentor’s experience and who can give you advice and be positive role models in your life, before you start to burn out.

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Master transferable skills:  You might not know exactly what you want to do with your career, but the transferable skills will help you no matter what future path you decide to pursue. Work with your boss to set specific, reasonable and attainable goals for your present position that will help you advance to the next level.

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Get people to cooperate: People don’t care what you want — they want to know what’s in it for them. By approaching negotiations with an attitude that allows a win – win situation, you’ll be more effective at eliciting cooperation and ultimately getting what you want.

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Develop a Marketable Personality: Learn the art to promote yourself. Capitalize on your skills and achievements. Project you’re most mature, professional and competent face.

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Stay motivated in all circumstances: The Corporate world can be frustrating at the start, but it’s your response to the environment which matters. Make a conscious decision to begin each day with a positive outlook. Aim at increasing your self-awareness so you can better understand your emotional intelligence.

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Be proactive about your career growth

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: Approach your performance review strategically by soliciting feedback on your progress, identifying new goals and growth opportunities. Always be prepared with a list of contributions that have positively impacted the bottom line of the organization.

Set the right goals: Chasing that next promotion can seem like the best way forward, but that’s not always the case. Focus more on your personal development and less on your job title. Be patient with your career path. Success will come. Don’t waste time only focusing on climbing the corporate ladder. Focus on learning all that you can in each position, knowing that your credibility and experience will be more valued.

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Learn to let go: Small daily frustrations can get bigger and suddenly explode at the least expected moment. Repressing emotions create physical issues, expressing them may get relationship issues. Learn to release emotions in a healthier way with visualizations so you can let go without destructive behaviours.

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Be confident: Never say to yourself that you’re not good enough to do something. Do not limit your options and ruling out possibilities that could have otherwise been great opportunities for you. No matter what, continue persevering and giving yourself chances to succeed.

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Spend more time with people than with your laptop: The strongest relationship is formed in person, not online. Soft skills are always more cherished in companies so it’s important to drop your technology and actually communicate with people. People hire you, not technology and you have to remember that!

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Learn what you can in your first job and give it your best while you are there. Find jobs, projects and people that you can learn something from and put to use practically. Don’t just take a job. Have a purpose behind doing so.

 

Manu Anand

Director Alpha Mindz

manu@alphamindz.com

 

CHOOSING A CAREER PATH

 

CHOOSING A CAREER PATH

Choosing a career is a tough task at the best of Times .Today it is becoming important to have a career path well defined.  “If you do not know where to go, any road will take you there”. One needs to choose a career path that can twist and turn to meet the changing times technology and economy.

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Building career paths and practicing the art of personal marketing is an invaluable tool in choosing flexible career options. Students today have a common barrier, that is not being aware of his or her own strengths and abilities that translate into marketable skills. The key to a successful career is to be able to communicate the transferable skills developed through college courses, internships, professional organizations, work study programs, and part-time jobs.

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Expressing his or her skills in terms of specific achievements, makes a person more credible in moving along the chosen career path.  Today the need is for graduates who have the knowledge, skills, abilities and values necessary for continuous problem solving and lifelong learning, not people trained for a particular job. In addition, becoming a generalist in one’s field, keeping a flexible outlook regarding the workplace, and taking advantage of the continuing learning opportunities will be critical to one’s survival.

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When looking into career choices, one must realize that he or she spends more time at work than at home. Personal identity, competency, status, and self-esteem are all tied into the type of work a person does. An individual’s career is the totality of his or her life’s work. If one chooses the right career path, it can be creative, fun, challenging, lucrative, and a source of great pleasure and accomplishment.

Steps to our Dream Career

What will make you Happy?

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Explore the different career options associated with the lines of work you find yourself most interested in pursuing .Think about the aspects of different types of professions that you find most personally rewarding and fulfilling. If caring for other makes you happy, or you have an aptitude for science, you may be drawn to the medical profession, and you may find your place in nursing, medicine or physical therapy. If you think you might be interested in the field of journalism, related fields to consider include editing, reporting, writing, public relations and marketing career options. Decide what type of income level you want to make. This factor can help you narrow the focus of your career path. Money is important, but how much is the bigger question.

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Finding your Potential.

Research the professions of interest to learn the necessary skills and educational requirements for each career path. Narrow the field to those options that best reflect your aptitude and preferences. Obtain the training and education you need to pursue your chosen career goals. Some professions require specialized training or certification while others need a specific college degree.

When choosing a career path that makes you happy make sure that you're good at it too. The probability of something that you're not good at to create stress in your life is very high.

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Career Aptitude

Having a potential is good, but what you need to find is your aptitude on the skills required for your career path. These tests can and should be taken at an early stage. The results from the tests would help you to improve on your abilities and close the gaps in your chosen career path

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Internship:

You need to actually do it to see whether you enjoy it or not. You can always apply for an internship in a company or a field that you think you will enjoy working for. This can be done when you have passed school or are into college. In a worst case you might find out that you are not too keen on continuing in the same sector. The advantages of interning are far greater.

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Shadowing or Seeking Advice 

The best way to prepare for a career is to talk to as many people as one can in the profession. In career counselling, this process is called "shadowing." When a prospective job seeker shadows a person in the field of his choice, he or she spends an entire day or more with that person at the work site, and observes the day to day activities associated with the job. Shadowing is also helpful to explore salary ranges and the potential for growth and advancement.

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Have a Mentor

In order to be successful in your field you will need someone from the same field as a mentor to guide you towards making the right decisions in the career of your choice. Once you have a mentor you are sure to get career advice along with steps of how to achieve the things you'd like to.

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Make your 10 year Plan.

It’s not just the next year that you need to focus on, on a career path you must constantly look at your next ten years, and you need to be working on that plan. It is difficult to continue towards making the career growth in the right path as it is to choose one. Make sure that you are sure of what you wish to achieve and in what time period. 

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While having a plan and asking for advice it is important along with having the passion to work on it, there will be no substitute for hard work and intelligent work.

Manu Anand

Director Alpha Mindz