10 degrees that you need to back up with a PG course

Yesterday we featured 20 degrees that can make you a job-ready graduate. Today we look at 10 programmes that are valuable in the professional world but although they claim to train you for a job (and the possibility of getting a job immediately after the completion does exist) invariably, further education is essential for a large majority of the aspirants.

In some cases like BBA, the job possibility is almost nil, but in cases like agriculture, and mass communications, a Master's degree significantly improves your potential for employment. In the case of domains like computer science, graduate-level programmes just about equip you with the knowledge essential for entry-level jobs. But the domain is changing so fast that a Master's degree becomes a sine qua non for success.

BBA

Duration: 3 years; Eligibility: 10+2. Very few programmes also demand prior knowledge of commerce for admissions; Job profile: Sales executive, research assistant, office executive, officer, assistant manager. Salary varies from Rs 7,000-23,000 depending on the size of the firm

A programme that came into national consciousness in the wake of the MBA boom, it is one of the most hyped degrees in the country. Similar to an MBA, both in structure and level of specialisation it offers, the course ideally must have been enough to make you eligible for entry-level position in corporations and factories. But since MBA-level graduates are aplenty, barring a few leading colleges, a BBA never gets you a job. You will be forced to pursue an MBA.

Course overview
You will study the basics of commerce, trade and accountancy, along with elementary mathematics in the first year. Functional subjects like marketing and HR will be taught in the second year as well as computing subjects. Some colleges also have a mandatory internship. The final year lets you specialise in one or two functional areas.

Job opportunities
A BBA gets you entry-level positions in many corporations and factories. You would do backend work, and provide support services to your seniors. Exceptional candidates could expect to do some customer interface, though it is very rare.

Also invariably, you would hit the glass ceiling very fast, and would require an MBA to move up the ladder.

Linguistics

Duration: 3 years; Eligibility: 10+2; Job profile: Linguist (Rs 10,000-15,000), speech trainer, copywriter, corporate communicator

This is defined as the scientific study of languages. You need to study and understand the nature, structure, phonetics,
grammar (including syntax), semantics and morphology of a language. In addition, the connection between mind, society
and other languages is also delved into deeply.

Course overview
You will become proficient in reading, writing and speaking of the language concerned, and also understand the social, historical, psychological and economical aspects of the language.

You will develop in depth knowledge about various aspects of a language, such as syntax, acoustic phonetics, prosody and intonation. Developing an interest in research is a must.

Job opportunities
You can be a speech trainer in call centres or work with the Anthropological Survey of India. You could work in advertising, journalism or corporate communication, as well as a software company that writes programmes to teach a language.

Becoming a historical linguist is another avenue you can explore. Another emerging, yet well-paying field, is helping
IT companies in developing computers that sound as close to human voice as possible. Opportunities are available in
India as well as abroad, especially in defence-related fields.

A beginner can command a salary of Rs 10,000-15,000 per month.

Duration: 4 to 5 years; Eligibility: 10+2 PCB/M. You must clear the entrance exam held by ICAR; Job profile: Finance executive (agriculture) (about Rs 30,000 per month for a fresh graduate), agricultural scientist, tea garden caretaker, researcher, rubber technologist

With productivity levels nowhere near global averages, the possibilities for growth are immense. And with the entry of
corporations into agriculture only jut beginning in the country, employment is expected to grow by leaps in the coming years.

The course costs less than Rs 10,000 a year, and consequently pay-offs are phenomenal.

Course overview
You will study agronomy, agricultural economy, agricultural biochemistry, agricultural meteorology and biotechnology for example.

Job opportunities
As an agricultural graduate, you will have various options available. In addition to government jobs, you could work in
tea gardens, rubber plantations, fruit orchards and vegetable farms. Also, you can get a job in a bank or finance company.

Research is another great opportunity to explore. With this degree you can expect a competitive pay package.

Horticulture

Duration: 4 years; Eligibility: 10+2. You must write ICAR's entrance exam. Private institutions have their own norms as well; Job profile: Horticultural officer, horticulturists, landscape expert, facilities expert

Despite being the second-largest producer of fruits in the world, India wastes nearly half of what it produces every year. The lack of trained professionals is one of the prime reasons, alongside the absence of infrastructure facilities.

Course overview
You will study all kinds of plants, from medicinal and fruit-yielding trees to plants that bear flowers. Also, weather and
soil conditions, plant diseases and specific treatments, and economic viability of each plant.

Job opportunities
The largest employer is still the government, which recruits Horticultural Officers for its various departments. Large food retailers such as Wal-Mart, Spencers, Reliance, all need horticulturists to manage, advise and regulate their large battery of suppliers. Starting out your own akin to Ferns&Petals, which retails cut flowers, is also an option. The field extends beyond fruit production, to landscaping, medicinal plants, vineyards, plantations and orchards.

Forestry

Duration: 3 or 4 years; Eligibility: 10+2 PCM/ agriculture. You must clear an exam conducted by ICAR; Job profile: Forester, research fellow, subject matter specialist, assistant commissioner, animal husbandry

Due to dwindling forest cover, and competing demands on resources, the sector has huge potential for employment in the coming years. Forestry includes protection of forests and the planting of trees for timber supply.

Course overview
You will develop in-depth knowledge about innumerable herbs, timber and other valuable products, an understanding of wildlife as well as ecological balance. An orientation towards agriculture, geography and economics is also required.

Job opportunities
Post completing your degree, you can appear for the Indian Forest Service Exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (log on to careers360.com for more information). You can work in an office, laboratory or outdoors, depending on your specialisation. Government organisations, corporates, industries, zoological parks, wildlife institutes and education are also options available.

Fisheries

Duration: 4 years; Eligibility: 10+2 with PCB. Entrance test by ICAR; Job profile: Fisheries inspector, project manager, fisheries extension officer

With its 8,000-km coastline and a vast network inland water bodies, India is the fourth largest producer of fish and the biggest inland fish producer. And of the eight million people employed by the sector, less than 0.01 per cent is professionally qualified. The field thus has tremendous potential.

Course overview
Includes study of oceanography, ecology, biology, economics and management in the functioning of fisheries.

Job opportunities
The government and state governments have positions like assistant fisheries development officers (AFDO) and fisheries extension officers (FEO), amongst others. Careers are also possible with Maine Product Export Development Authority (MPEDA), Fisheries Survey of India (FSI), NIO, WHO, FAO, NACA, NABARD, EIA.

Banks recruit domain experts in loan disbursement departments. Candidates can work as managers or officers in seafood processing and export units, aqua feed plants, fishing gear industries and in pharmaceutical companies in the private sector.

Duration: 3 years; Eligibility: 10+2 in science with usually PCM/PCB; Job profile: Drug researcher (Rs 15, 000 to Rs 25,000 for a fresher), forensic scientist, bio-technologist, sales executive, food technologist, pharmaceutical executive, R&D

A new field, biochemistry is developing fast around the world. This life science studies living organisms and utilises
this knowledge for betterment of mankind.

Course overview
Biochemistry blends chemistry and biological science. The curriculum trains you in aspects of mathematics, physics,
chemistry and biology. Your course will include studying DNA, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates and monoclonal antibodies.

Expect a blend of theory and laboratory work.

Job opportunities
Work in medicine, health, drug research, forensic science and agriculture, in government agencies such as National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, Department of Defence, and Food and Drug Administration and biotechnology firms.

Social Work

Duration: 3 years; Eligibility: 10+2, some hold entrance examinations; Job profile: Social eorker (between Rs 8,000-15,000 per month with an NGO), researcher, project officer, healthcare social worker

This profession revolves around the desire to improve lives of individuals and communities alike. Social workers provide assistance on a range of issues such as family, personal and economic problems. There are various avenues to explore after studying this course.

Course overview
Your study covers various aspects such as understanding poverty, class and gender. In addition, you will be trained on
issues related to individuals, family systems, and community as well. You will also be trained in health issues. Part of the
course entails going into the world and working on a weekly basis with a particular section of society. You will gain a combination of theory and practical aspects on completion of the course.

Job opportunities
A social worker is required in various sectors such as hospitals or healthcare, community agencies, social welfare organisations, mental health and the community. Depending on the area of your specialisation, you will look for work in that sector. Most people enter this sector not because they want to earn a good learning but because of an inner calling of helping others. The large number of NGOs in this sector has also boosted the demand for qualified social workers.

Library Science

Duration: 1/2 years; Eligibility: 10+2; Job profile: Librarian, information specialist, research officer

Most private and government organisations require efficient professionals to fill the position. Traditionally, this includes classification, indexing, cataloguing and shelving of publications and preparing abstracts of articles/books and bibliographies.

Course overview
You would learn the Dewey system of classification along with the use of information technology in the field. Making all
information about books, periodicals and magazines available online would be part of the curriculum.

Job opportunities
You could work at a school, college, university, research institution, government office, public library or libraries run by NGOs. Salaries are quite lucrative; if you work at a college or university library you will be paid a salary comparable to teachers.

Mass Communication

Duration: 3 years but can vary; Eligibility: 10+2, some have entrance exams; Job profile: Journalist in print and electronic media, PR executive

Until the advent of TV, media meant newspapers and magazines, and journalism was a public service calling. With changing mores of economy, media is now diverse in form and ownership. The rise of new media has created a whole range of new possibilities, and profiles such as disc jockeys or radio jockeys are not so unusual. A degree in mass communication opens up opportunities in journalism, public relations and advertising, as a career. But remember a solid command over the language is crucial for success.

Course overview
You will gain an understanding of all aspects of communication, from print media to television. The hands-on experience that you gain as part of the curriculum will instil professionalism. Internship projects as part of the course are good exposure points as well.

Job opportunities
You could join as a fresher and learn the ropes. For instance, you could join as copy or a desk person in print. In  electronic media you would be an assistant in research or production. As you learn the ropes, you would move on to become a reporter/ correspondent, editor etc.

Minimum salary for a fresher could be as little as Rs 5,000 a month. However, with some experience, the prospects will improve. In addition to print/ electronic media you could also work in public relations, advertising and marketing, and even the communications divisions of large corporations, where in salaries are markedly higher.