Specialised course in Patent Law

I want to do some specialised course like Patent Law. But my parents say that such specialised courses will have limited job opportunities. Is that so? Please advice as a lot of my friends who want to do rare and unique courses are shying away thinking it won't fetch us jobs.

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. - Robert Frost The above lines perhaps highlight that a single choice can leave an impact for years and also that fortune favours the brave. So if you want to go in for a course like, Patent Law, go ahead. With the advent of new global patent regime, patent fillings are expected to grow manifold and as per analysis, there is a pressing need for Patent Attorneys to cater to the needs of the whole spectrum � business, education and research. It is an immensely rewarding career, as it is an emerging field of law and provides financial stability in a short span of time compared to a lot of other career options.

Patent Attorneys work either in patent departments of large industrial organisations, in private firms of patent attorneys, or in Government departments, and their work deals in representing clients in obtaining patents and acting in all matters and procedures relating to patent law and practice. To be a patent attorney, a candidate needs to have a degree in science, technology or engineering stream, plus a degree in law. If the candidate does not have a degree in law, he or she can also write a qualifying exam that is conducted at the patents offices in the metro cities.

NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, www.nalsar.ac.in and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), www.ignou.ac.in offers a PG diploma programme in patent law.A The would-be patent attorney must have the ability to acquire, and enjoy exercising, legal skills of drafting, analysis and logical thought, and, particularly the skill to use the English language aptly and accurately, in written work.

As it is an emerging field of law, the opportunities are immense, hence stiff competition by rival lawyers could be expected, which in turn makes it quite a stressful job, at times. Prior consultation with a career counsellor is recommended for better understanding of the pros and cons, and how suitable you are for the job. Patent attorneys can also practice in the courts and with more and more Indian companies investing in R&D, patent attorneys have a very bright future. All the best!

Career options in Hotel Management

I finished my SSC, and I want to graduate in Hotel Management. Could you give me some information regarding career prospects and also about premier institutes offering this course? - Rizwan Ali, Ramgopalpet

The hospitality industry is a lucrative service industry comprising the hotel and catering industry and is among the fastest growing industries in the world. On an average, the hotel industry recruits around one person every 2.5 second somewhere or the other in the world which includes leisure and travel industries as well as food and catering business. In India, around 150 to 250 hotels come up every year and hence hotel management graduates have a plethora of opportunities across the services sector.

Initially, one is hired as hotel operations management trainees and then you start climbing the ladder for next years to come, wherein you get opportunities to become an assistant duty managers, assistant restaurant manager, restaurant manager, food and beverage manager, front office manager and finally general managers. Skilled professionals from top notch hotel management institutes can earn between Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per month.

Hospitality Management students working in international airlines industries can earn around Rs 25,000 to 50,000 per month. Other than a hotel, alternative employment options that a Hotel Management graduate has are: Cruise Ship Hotel Management; Airline Catering and Cabin Services; Club Management; Hospital Administration and Catering; Institutional and Industrial Catering; Restaurant Management; Guest Houses and Forest Lodges; Catering departments of railways, banks, armed forces, shipping companies, etc; Manufacturers and Suppliers of Hotel & Restaurant Equipment and Services.

Eligibility to join a Hotel Management course is 50 per cent or more marks in 10+2, but start preparing early after your Class X boards and it will definitely help. For information regarding the most prestigious Institutes of Hotel Management (IHMs), refer www.ihmhyd.org All the best!