I’m in the final year of B.Sc. (Hons) Agriculture. Should I opt for an M.Sc. or Agri-Business Management? Are there any diploma/ certificate/ online courses in this field? Divya
Dear Divya,
Both have good scope and offer distinct career paths but the choice depends on your interests. M.Sc. Agriculture will focus on deep technical knowledge in a specific agricultural science (e.g., Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Genetics and Plant Breeding, Soil Science) and expose you to in-depth technical study. You could work in agricultural research, government agricultural departments, or teach at the university level.
Agri-Business Management (ABM) looks at management principles applied to the agriculture and allied sectors. Job opportunities would be across management, marketing, finance, and business roles.
There are also numerous diplomas, certificates, and online courses available such as PG Diploma in Agri-Business Management, Diploma in Agricultural Extension Services for Input Dealers (DAESI), Horticulture, Floriculture, Organic Farming and certificate courses in specific techniques and skills. Coursera, edX, and FutureLearn offer online courses on sustainable agriculture, food security, agribusiness value chains, and more. The National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management, Hyderabad, offers various online certificate and diploma programmes. FAO e-learning Academy offers free online courses related to agriculture and food systems. Consider your long-term goals and look up programmes before making a decision.
I am a recent Civil Engineering graduate and wish to pursue a career in Quantity Surveying. Are there any specific accreditation bodies or standards that I should look for when considering a course? Yadukrishnan
Dear Yadukrishnan,
The RICS School of Built Environment (RICS-SBE), Amity University, Noida and Mumbai; the Indian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (IIQS); the National Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR); Chennai Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS); and SMEClabs India are some of the reputable institutes that offer Quantity Surveying Certifications. Coursera, edX, and Udemy also offer a variety of courses from universities and industry professionals globally. While these might not always be “certifications” in the traditional sense of professional body recognition, they provide valuable knowledge and skills. SeeVill Quantity Surveyors and Training Pvt. Ltd., Delhi and Pune offer job-oriented certification courses. ARCITE School Of Technical Education offers a professional course with international recognition for the certificates.
Consider the reputation of the issuing body to ensure its credibility and value before you sign up. How long has the institute/ organisation been offering certifications? Look up alumni success stories and placement opportunities. Research the curriculum and see if it involves hands-on exercises, case studies, or project work. Also check the professional body accreditations and standards, if they are endorsed or recognised by professional bodies like RICS or IIQS or NABCB.
My son completed B.Tech. Food Technology in 2024 and has been working in food processing industries in Kerala, but the salary is meagre. His grades in college were average. He is not sure whether to pursue higher studies or look for better jobs. David
Dear David,
What do you mean by a “meagre salary” for a fresh graduate? Researching average entry-level salaries for B.Tech Food Technology graduates in Kerala will give you a honest benchmark. With regard to what he should do, what are his career goals? He needs to proactively assess his current situation, research his options, and align his next steps with his long-term career goals and financial considerations. Upskilling via short-term courses while actively looking for better job opportunities seems like a sensible immediate step. He can then make an informed decision based on his career progression and interests.
To look for better jobs, he must develop specific skills that are in demand in the industry. Certifications or short courses in HACCP, ISO 22000, and other food safety standards are highly valued in Food Safety and Quality Control. He could also target specific companies and roles for better pay and growth opportunities. Networking can lead to unadvertised job opportunities. He should keep an open mind about relocating to a larger industrial hub if the opportunity is better.
If he prefers higher studies, he can consider M.Sc. or M.Tech in Food Technology or an MBA in Agri-Business Management or Food Processing Management. He can also consider specialisations in areas like food safety and quality management, food processing and engineering, dairy technology, or post-harvest technology, depending on his interests. Many short-term certifications can be done online or through vocational training institutes.
My brother is in Class 12 (Computer Science). He has no specific career or course in mind but has expressed interest in cybersecurity. Is this a good option? Dileep
Dear Dileep,
With increasing reliance on technology and the ever-growing threat of cyberattacks, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals is skyrocketing and is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. So cybersecurity is an excellent career option with significant growth potential.
However, ask him to shortlist his interests. What is it about cybersecurity that interests him? Encourage him to research different roles within cybersecurity to understand the domain. Websites like CyberSecurity Ventures, Infosecurity Magazine, and job portals can provide insights. Let him check the details of different programmes to see which areas pique his interest and identify his strengths in subjects like Maths, logic, and problem-solving. Let him connect with cybersecurity professionals and network at events or online platforms for informational interviews. Even before starting a course, he can learn basic networking concepts, operating systems, and programming fundamentals online. Then, depending on his choice, he can look at a B.Tech/B.E. in Computer Science, B.Tech in Information Technology (IT) with a specialisation in Cybersecurity or a B.Sc. in Cybersecurity or a BCA with a specialisation in Cybersecurity. There are also diploma courses in Cybersecurity or Cyber Crime and Law that provide a more focused and shorter pathway into the field.
Chennai Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS) offers online courses, NIELIT (National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology) offer online programmes. Some courses that are industry-recognised and focus on specific skills are Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Information Security Manager (CISM). Companies like Cisco, Microsoft, and AWS focus on the security aspects of their technologies and have short-term courses. Online platforms like Coursera, edX, Udemy, and Simplilearn also offer a wide range of courses and certifications.
Disclaimer: This column is merely a guiding voice and provides advice and suggestions on education and careers.
The writer is a practising counsellor and a trainer. Send your questions to eduplus.thehindu@gmail.com with the subject line Off the Edge
