Career
Opportunities in Humanities
DESIGNING
Design pervades all spheres of life in the urban setting today.
This field has particular reference to daily life and not only to architectural
relics of the past. It is more an expression of artistic creativity in form and
shape, put together for greater convenience and style in living. This includes
Interior Design, Fashion Design, Textile Design, Gems and Jewelry Design and
Industrial Design. Industrial Design has assumed importance because of industrialization
in the country.
Personal Qualities, Aptitudes and Interests
The designer has to be creative, this is beyond doubt. Art can be
taught, creativity comes partially through inheritance and also through
nurturance. Dynamic style and attitude
to work will certainly ensure good professional growth. An aptitude for sketching, drawing and communicating
ideas through the art form are prerequisites for success in this profession, three
dimensional perceptions, understanding figural relationships are abilities
which will be needed. Generally designers have interest in trying out new
ideas, experimenting with thoughts and are rather imaginative. They have lots
of ideas and like to visualize.
Entry and Career Development
Most designing fields are open to the school leaver. Growth in the
career, nevertheless, depends upon innovativeness and expression in terms of
form, medium used, shape, as well as functionality.
Mid Life Entries
Designing has most certainly become a very technical field.
Creativity generally finds expression in several ways. When changing to a
creative career, the aesthetic talent may be used in entrepreneurial work, e.g.,
in designing pottery, craft, handwork, embroidery, jewelry, etc.
MASS COMMUNICATION
Mass media today has invaded the life of
almost every individual influencing his perception, thoughts and action. A
radical change in society is noticeable. The satellite and electronic Communication
systems have made cross cultural exchange possible, bringing people in all
parts of the world closer. This dynamic change has generated a vast spectrum of
careers in, e.g., print Media, audio visual communication and also in the
commercial use of these mediums.
I am defining careers in advertising, journalism,
radio transmission, visual communication and also performing art which forms important
ingredients in this Mass Communication network in mass communication.
Aptitude, Interests and Personal Qualities
Mass Communication today offers a wide
variety of jobs. Each job requires a varied combination of abilities, interests
and personal traits, e.g., while the news reporter must have good verbal
ability, social attributes and a curious bent of mind, the transmission
executives job demands technical and organizational skill. In the 'ad' agencies
there are artists, copywriters and client executives; all with diverse ability
and personal traits. The job description, educational qualification and training
facilities given in each Chapter will help you match your personal attributes
and choices to find a place for yourself in very dynamic profession. If your
potential match the job, then growth, linked with success, is almost
guaranteed.
Mid Life Entries
Mass Communication offers entry to anyone
who has a flair for writing, who can effectively communicate and who' can
perform. It also offers avenues for coordinators, financiers, managers,
communication technologists etc. This profession in fact could accommodate any Person
who is creative, enterprising and dynamic.
MANAGEMENT
Management is one of the most popular
career and one of the most rewarding for the persons coming from different
streams of education. Management is a factor in every enterprise business and government
organization - in fact any operation in which one person directs another. The
need for management has grown out of the increasing complexities of world
activities today for any field and organization, no matter what its activities are.
Here I am will explain about the most popular management fields - Hotel
Management, Travel and Tourism Management, Finance and Business Management and
also about the emerging fields of Forest Management, Personnel Management,
Construction Management, etc.
Aptitudes, Abilities, Interests and Personal Qualities
Analytical, interpretative and
assimilative mental activity is an asset for the aspiring Manager. Various
branches of management require special skill, e.g., the Marketing Executive
must be motivated for peak performance, the Finance Manager must have better
numerical skills, etc. Successful executives, however, share a number of
characteristics; perhaps the most universal of those is the willingness to work
hard. Long work hours, travel on the job, work at home and a 7 days-a-week schedule
are accepted as matter of routine by
most Managers. The individuals who think of a job as strictly 9 to 5 will
probably not be happy in the management career. Another trait needed is the
ability to get along with people, to will their respect and motivate them for
peak performance. Finally, successful Managers never allow stop to their
intellectual growth.
Entry and
Career Development
All branches of Management can be
entered after 10+2. The Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Administration, the
Graduate Course in Travel Management are popular courses. Hotel Management too permits
entry after +2 and later after graduation, MBA, CA, etc. Those who have made up
their minds to enter the field of management may decide according to their
academic acumen. I feel strongly that skill development is better among early
entrants while graduates and post graduates are promising senior executives particularly
if they enter after a graduate course from a competitive institute.
Mid Life
Entries
Management can be entered at any stage. It
has tremendous scope for mid-life jobs seekers. The seasoned managers are
welcome in the private sector of business as well as in management schools as
teachers. The expertise they have acquired over years in their previous job
gives them an advantage in this field of work.
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS
In this topic I am explaining an insight
into professions related to Finance and Accounts. Accounting records and book
keeping methods have been used from early periods of history down to the present
time. Modern accounting began with the technique of double entry bookkeeping in
the 15th and 16th centuries. With the Industrial Revolution, business became more
complex and the need for accounting methods grew. Development of governmental
and industrial institutions in the 19th and 20thcenturies made it
imperative to have accurate information
and records for taking decision on economic procedures and management policies and to publish periodic reports for both public and private use. The demand of such services has grown to an extent that accounting and finance
are one of the largest fields of
employment.
Aptitudes, Interests and Personal Qualities
From routine book keeping to planning in perspective, the study
and work differ to a large extent in terms of personal attributes. Accountant
needs to be meticulous, neat and regular, a Chartered Accountant needs to be intelligent,
precise and a good manager. The Finance Executives are close to the top people
in this field and need to be very logical and-sharp in their approach. Dynamism,
professional brilliance, excellent interpersonal skills and problem solving skills
are required to reach the top echelons. An aptitude for thinking logically, clarity
of both oral and written expression, neat, accurate and orderly habits of work,
sound judgment and the ability to make decisions based on such judgments are needed.
A college student aspiring to enter this field must be certain that to reach
the highest rungs he must be academically superior as well as socially precise.
Mediocrity in performance entitles one to the middle level routine functions;
however, you are well paid and hold responsible positions.
Entry and Career Development
Entry points are many, e.g., after +2with diploma courses, after /
or with graduation and professional training, after post graduate professional
courses. What is vital is the expertise derived from practical experience which
is at the core of progress in the career.
Mid Life Entries
Many go into professions by accident or chance. This field permits
late entries. For those keen on switching to this field of work can refer to
the section of ICWA, Financial Analysts, Actuarial Services.
LAW AND CIVIL SERVICES
I have placed information about the Legal Profession .and Civil
Services. These two Professions, to my mind, are protectors of the laws of the
land - the lawyers interpreted the law and the civil servants run the administration
of the State according to the guiding principles of the State.
Legal professionals have wider career options today than in the
past. Besides the portals of courts, they are seen in the corporate world as
Legal Advisors, as Consultants for legal matters and even as Company Secretaries.
The Civil Services have retained its glamour over the years for young
aspirants. Many-vie for this coveted service but few make it.
What can
bring success?
Personal Qualities, Aptitudes and Interests, Serious efforts ,
wide awareness and a genuine interest in national and international affairs are
perhaps the primary qualities which lawyers and civil servants must possess.
One with a logical mind, caring about human affairs, somewhat a
philanthropist, would perhaps be best suited to these professions.
In terms of aptitudes, the profession requires logical reasoning
and verbal competence. Ability to work with details, special personal
characteristic of being meticulous and organized, and an outgoing nature are
perhaps essential assets. Social skills are vital and understanding human
relationships is important for both professions. A bureaucrat needs also to
have innate leadership ability.
Entry and
Career Development
You can study Law after the 3 levels of entry, viz., after 10+2,
after 10+2+3 and at the postgraduate level. Career progression is primarily
hinged to developing practical skill and acumen. If you hitch your wagon initially
to a leading lawyer, perhaps you get a better grasp of the profession.
Mid Life Entries
There is no age bar to learning. The correspondence or open
education system permits entry into the portals of learning to people of all
ages. Higher studies in Humanities or Commerce need only an inclination to
learn. Facilities are growing and the educational opportunities are extending
to remote corners of the country.
SUBJECT AND CAREER OPTIONS
Here I will cover careers which are
related to History, Economics and Psychology. Other disciplines have not been
included for the simple reason that they are not popular with the students and
have poor employability potential. With the passage of time, some disciplines
may catch fancy of the students. Aptitude for business professions, financial
operations and interest in commercial transaction is important for Commerce
while for study of Humanities an interest in liberal education would be more appropriate. Aptitude,
Interests, Personal Qualities Humanities is still the first choice of only a
few students. It is ironical that many
EDUCATION
The teaching field covers abroad area of occupations : teachers in
public and private schools-kindergartens, in elementary schools, in public and
private secondary schools ias:~hool administrators/
supervisors, counselors and other specialists in elementary and secondary ,
schools; professional personnel in colleges and universities; professional
staff members in professional organizations, education departments of the
government and educational bodies.
Teaching is in a state of revolution due to the growing and
expanding profession and the critical opinion of the recipients of education.
Hence this profession needs to be considered with some thought.
Aptitudes, Interests and Personal Qualities
Teaching is a profession to the degree that its members are
professionals. An educated person who qualifies as professional in any level or
sphere of education, possess specialized skills and knowledge Essential for the
performance of his job, makes rational judgments and acts accordingly, accepts
responsibility for the consequences of his judgments and actions, believes in
service to society, assumes responsibility with his colleges and seeks new
knowledge and skills to improve his/her knowledge. Those interested in growth'
and the development of the young should only
aspire
for taking this challenge assignment in the present day society.
Mid Life Entries
Teaching and learning goes
through
out Life. Private tuitions have become the occupation of several retired
persons. Technical and professional institutions look for consultants in
various fields of education and who can be more appropriate than someone who is
experienced and free to contribute his/her time for educating the young.
PROTECTIVE SERVICES
This Cluster is on Protective Services and includes Military/and
Para Military careers. The largest among the protective services of the nation
are out Defense Services - the Army, Navy and the Air Force, Para Military
services such as Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police,
Border Security Force, Coast Guards and Central Industrial Security Force are
some of the major Para Military forces.
Job seekers looking for challenge, adventure and those with a
nationalistic feeling, often wish to know about the Armed Forces.
Aptitudes,
Interests, Personality Traits
In the Forces I have seen people of all aptitudes, interests and
personal qualities. From the adventurous combatant to the dedicated medico,
from the aeronautical engineer to the Legal officer, the educationist, the
accountant, etc., the
Armed Forces offer almost everybody a place. However, the
requirements, in terms of physical fitness and personal discipline, for any
branch are rigid. Service before self is the motto you would be expected to
follow. If you are physically fit and like disciplined, adventurous, challenging
life, study each job entry carefully and then select when and how you wish to
join the Military/Para Military Services.
Career Growth
Promotions and growth are to a large extent time bound or based on
professional performance.
Mid Life Entries
There is little scope for a retired person to enter the armed
forces; however, retired service personnel can seek re-employment. Para
Military Services, however, welcome retired armed forces personnel for
positions in this organization
.
