Media and more
I am a TYBCom student and I am keenly interested in pursuing a career in the media. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the adequate percentage to secure admission to the BMM programme to a college of my choice. I have a list of institutes in mind where I want to apply. I know that I have the language skills and the sensibility to become a news reporter. My problem is that I am unable to cope with the stress that while other students will graduate with a BMM degree and may be able to work immediately, I will have to wait another year before I can work. My parents are pressurising me to take up an administrator’s job to start earning immediately. We are not in financial stress, but they just want me to start earning. Please advise.
– Mona Mehta
Dear Mona,
You need to relax a little. Before the BMM degree was offered by the Mumbai University, most mass media students had your profile. They graduated from any stream and took up a post graduate course in mass media, after which they joined a media house to start their careers. Even today, a majority of the BMM graduates prefer pursuing a further qualification after graduation, before they enter the industry.
If you think that your parents are really worried about you starting your career immediately after you graduate, first, you need to sit and have a calm conversation with them as to why they are thinking that way. Try and understand their view point, their insecurities and reasons and then peacefully explain your situation to them as well. You should also be able to explain to them that your future prospects will improve heavily if you do a specialised programme in any field.
Just in case they are not willing to let go of their ideas, it might be possible for you to do both simultaneously. This is because several media courses offered in Mumbai are part time, and leave you with some free time to pursue a job. Often, students work as well as study.
I must commend the fact that you are sure of what you want to do, and you have also checked your aptitude and interest, and you have determined that you are cut out for being a news reporter.
Dilemma of choice
I am an ICSE class 10 student. I have always been a good student in terms of securing marks, and have scored well throughout the years. My dilemma lies in the fact that although I have the capacity and capability to pursue science after my ICSE, I want to opt for commerce, because my interest lies in that field. I do not like studying science. My father is supportive, but my mother is vehemently opposing my decision, and dreams of me becoming an engineer. I am now second guessing myself as to whether I have made the right choice.
– Simit Doshi
Dear Simit,
As a counsellor, I would say that you should look into your interests, likes and dislikes while choosing your career stream. You should realise that whatever you choose now, you will most likely be spending a major part of your life working in that field. That means in case you choose science now, you will be working in that field for a long time.
So you should choose a path that you are comfortable with, and you are interested in, so that every day will seem like a good day to go to work. If you choose a stream which you don’t like, then every day will seem a burden.
If you research the field of commerce and the options open to you after you take up commerce, you will find a wide array, from finance to travel and tourism and media to chartered accountancy, marketing to human resources, you name it. You can pursue whatever you want. If you show this research to your mother, perhaps you will be able to convince her that you are making the correct choice for yourself. Also, ask her why she thinks engineering is the best option for you? Factor in the reasons in making your decision. What are the reasons you are second guessing yourself? Are you not sure of yourself and your abilities? You need to take into account all of these aspects while making a decision. If you are confused even after putting a lot of thought into this, I suggest you see a counsellor along with your parents.
From science to food
I am an SYBSc student, and I am pursuing life sciences. I am a good cook, but unfortunately I was not well aware of the study options when choosing my field so I could not take up a related field. I know that I want to make a career in food, mainly cooking and baking. What can I do to steer my career in that direction?
– Kshama Pithale
Dear Kshama,
Today, with the internet, the world has become a place where off beat careers can be pursued easily. The first step would be to hone your cooking and baking skills, and popularise them through social media by letting your friends and family know that you cook well and are interested in pursuing orders for catering to their food needs. This is the best and most economical way to start a career in this field.
Since getting a break within the restaurant industry might take a while, you should look at it the other way. In your way, you may have to invest a little in a kitchen and your time cooking to specific orders, but you will have the exposure and experience.
You could also write about your cooking experiences on social media to build a readership which could extend into future clientele. There are many agencies and websites (you will find them on the internet) which team up home cooks with those clients who need some catering services for small party orders. Register yourself on these websites stating your expertise and strong points in your cooking, and explore opportunities through these sites to get the ball rolling.
After that, you should strongly depend on word of mouth to build business. Whenever you get an order, make sure the first few times you deliver it personally, and network with the guests at the place, leave a few business cards. Thereafter, make sure you follow up, taking feedback from the hosts on your food, take some tips and pointers and try to make your services stronger with your own uniqueness. That will definitely help you to take it on further.
