Career counsel: Higher education prospects

I have completed my engineering in IT, but I’m interested in social work. Can you suggest something which I can do now in this field? Also suggest colleges that offer courses in social work.-Richa Sharma

You can pursue MSW (Master of Social Work); there is a great satisfaction in doing something for others, which cannot be equaled or compensated by any remunerative job. Even those working in full-time jobs want to do some social work in their spare time. It is indeed a noble gesture to indulge in working for others or lend a helping hand to those who may not be as privileged as we are. The scope of social work is very wide. There is a dire need for people who can provide help to the disadvantaged members of the society.

After your MSW you will know where to use your technological skills in social work. You will get a clear view of the crossover that exists between social work and technology and then meet the challenges of your profession. NGO’s hire engineers for solving technological issues in agriculture/irrigation; handling projects to provide shelter, medicine and water to the needy and many such areas where your field of study is required.

• In our state the institutes that offer a course in social work are:
• Roda Mistry College of Social Work & Research Centre,
• Osmania University,
• Telangana University,
• Masterji Group of Institutions, affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad
• IGNOU offers a PG diploma in social work (PGDSW) program which is in open and distance learning (ODL) system in India.

Eligibility criteria

Although there are no basic qualifications to get into the social sector, a Master in Social Welfare (MSW) degree, rural management or any masters' degree in social sciences will help., degrees in environment and forestry management are also offered by various institutes. Apart from this, diplomas can be obtained in specific areas like those for the hearing impaired, physically handicapped an old age. Some organizations train volunteers themselves. The various courses in social work, their duration and qualifications required are:

• B.S.W / B.A (SW), Duration: 3years; Eligibility: candidates who have passed the XIIth standard can apply for this course.
• M.S.W / M.A (SW), Duration: 2 years; Eligibility: candidates who have completed graduation in any subject can apply but graduates having sociology or social sciences as their subjects are preferred.
• M.Phil, Eligibility: candidates who have completed M.S.W can apply for this course
• Ph.D, Eligibility: candidates with a M.S.W or M.Phil degree can pursue a doctorate in social work.

Social work job prospects

Social work is among those fields where job opportunities differ with the kind of specialisation that a social worker has chosen. As of now, a qualified social worker can work in the following domains:

• Specialists in medical aid and psychiatric social work can make a career in hospitals, clinics, counseling centers, mental hospitals, old age homes and similar institutions.
• Specialists SW professional in the specialized field of criminology can opt for a career in prisons, correction cells and similar institutions.
• Those with specialized knowledge in labor welfare segment can work as labor welfare representatives in the private and corporate sector including MNCs and HR department of various labour-centric industries.
• Job opportunities are also available with NGOs working for the development of rural health and sanitation facilities. Here, a SW professional can work as community welfare specialist.
• Getting into academics and teaching to masses about the utility of SW is another option available to professionals associated with this field.

Lastly, premier international organisations like WHO, UNESCO, UNICEF and other international organisations with similar goals targeted at developing nations, require social workers in their developmental campaigns and projects. These organisations also pay well.

If you are not ready to pursue masters in MSW right now, you can always get a job in the engineering field and start working right away. Get some experience; understand your true passion and then you can opt for MSW. Do not rush into any decision, take your time, try and work out on both areas considering options in both the fields.

I am a commerce student and I have completed B.Com through correspondence and now I am pursuing M.Com (correspondence). Could you suggest what course to take up after completing M.Com as I want to study further? Please recommend some good course and as I hail from a middle class family I would not be able to afford a course where I have to spend a lot.

Once you finish your M.Com I would suggest you start working, get an experience of 2 to 3 years, save some money and pursue an MBA. It will be an added advantage to the master’s degree that you‘ll have, however if you want to fetch a fat salaried job, then it has to be pursued from a reputed B-School.

MBA from a good B-School opens up limitless opportunities in diverse spheres and brings in rewards such as status, good remuneration and a good scope for professional and personal growth.

The second best option will be writing the UPSC exam. Understanding your passion for studies, I suggest you write UPSC to join the civil services

You can pursue your PhD ( Doctor of Philosophy) in ,

Banking and Finance

Business Economics

Commerce

Corporate Secretary ship

Financial Studies Statistics

• NET: you can write this exam to become a lecturer/professor
• NSE course: If you are interested in stock exchange pursue this course
• You also have the option of pursuing CS, CA or CWA

If your family wants you to start earning right away, then you can simultaneously pursue your studies on a part-time basis. Do some short term courses which are not a burden to the pocket and which can upgrade and add value to your qualification.

Short term courses/certifications:

Practical accounting course from Accounts House, this gives you a detailed practical knowledge in Accounts, Taxation including TDS, e- filing, Excise, Customs, VAT, Pay rolls, etc.

Certification courses in:

• Stock broking
• Financial planning,
• Office automation
• Applied managerial economics
• Micro finance
• VAT
• Accounting
• PG certificate in Investment Banking
• Certificate in Tally
• Chartered Financial Analyst Equity Research
• IFRS Certification – ICAI

With M.Com and related certifications, you have a great career scope in areas such as:

• Banks
• Public accounting firms
• Foreign trade
• Business consultancies
• Educational institutions
• Marketing
• Merchant banking and
• Policy planning
  

By:shehre banu