I recently completed my Plus Two (science) but I’ve taken a gap year because of the Covid-19 pandemic disruption. Please suggest ways I can make the maximum use of my gap year.
— Prerna Kumar, Nagpur

Use this time to hone your skills and gain valuable experience. Scout for internships and apprenticeship opportunities on LinkedIn, Internshala, Indeed, Angel.co, etc. Also note that Google is offering free-of-charge online IT courses and certification. Similar courses are available on Udemy, EdX, Coursera and other e-learning platforms.
Moreover you could enrol in a course of your choice and upskill yourself. Additionally, set time aside for reading and/or researching subjects that interest you. You can also shortlist books from college reading lists.

I am a class XII (science) student keen on a career in data science and machine learning. Although I don’t intend to write the IIT-JEE exam, I want to sign up for an undergrad programme in these subjects. Please advise.
— Divyansh Singh, Ludhiana

Several higher education institutions have introduced bachelor degree programmes in these disciplines. Among the reputed institutions offering B.Sc degrees with specialisation in data science and machine learning are: Vellore Institute of Technology; Manipal University; SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai; Amity University, Noida; Chandigarh University; Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, and Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi.

I am a class X student aspiring to qualify as an architect. What subjects should I opt for in Plus Two?
— Urvi Satish, Coimbatore

Physics, chemistry and math are mandatory Plus Two subjects for youth aspiring to qualify as architects, and successful completion of Plus Two is the minimum eligibility to write NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) admission exam conducted twice a year between April-August by the Delhi-based Council of Architecture for admission into the five-year B.Arch degree programmes.

Alternatively, you could opt for a three-year diploma programme in architecture after class X, and then write the NATA exam. For admission into the schools of architecture of IIT-BHU, Varanasi, IIT-Roorkee and IIT-Kharagpur, aspirants need to clear the IIT-JEE (Advanced) exam and then write the AAT (Architecture Aptitude Test).

I have completed my BA in political science. But I am also passionate about English and economics. What are my career options?
— Nikunj Mehta, Surat

Given your political science qualification and love for English and economics, you could consider a career in journalism by signing up for a short-term course in writing/journalism. A career in public life is also an option through the administrative services (examinations conducted by the Union Public Services Commission). As a government officer, you will become involved in framing state and national economic policies. Moreover signing up with multinational finance companies engaged in fund raising, marketing and operational strategies is another high-potential career path.

I am a class XII (science) student studying chemistry, biology, economics and math. I don’t wish to study medicine, but I am interested in a career in biotechnology. Please advise.
— Samridhi Sen, Kolkata

The current Covid-19 pandemic has beamed a searchlight on careers related to biotechnology and microbiology. Biotechnology is a good career option for youth interested in biology, research and micro-organisms. As a biotechnologist, you will be expected to study genetic, physical and chemical attributes of cells and other organisms to develop new technologies, processes and products that will improve the quality of human life.

Higher education institutions offering study programmes in biotechnology are: SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai; Lovely Professional University, Phagwara; Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi; All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi; IIT, Bombay; Maharaja Sayajirao University, Vadodara and Vellore Institute of Technology.

I want to sign up for a management and business administration degree programme at a Canadian university. What is the application process?
— Anisha Bhagat, Dehradun

Canada is well reputed for business management and administration education. Practical learning opportunities or ‘co-ops’ are a unique feature of Canadian universities and allow students to acquire valuable work experience during the course of the degree programme. Usually, co-ops are paid internships.

For admission into universities in Ontario, you are required to submit a completed OUAC 105 Undergraduate Application form. For all other universities, applications are submitted through college websites.

Some universities also conduct online interviews. Among reputed Canadian universities offering business management study programmes are: Toronto; British Columbia; McGill, Montreal; Waterloo; Queen’s; Kingston (Ontario) and York (Toronto) universities.

(Responses in collaboration with Mindler Education Pvt Ltd, the well-reputed Gurgaon-based online career counseling company)

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