Internet Jobs, Social work

Internet jobs

Please tell me something about home-based internet jobs. Are they reliable? How can we ensure the authenticity of the advertisements?
Farah Nizam
Open any internet site and the chances are that you will be looking at advertising banners exhorting you to work from home and earn pots of money. But then if that were true, wouldn't we all be working from home?
Here are some dos and don'ts before you take-up any such offer:
1) Know the company you're dealing with. Often companies may have no plans to employ you directly, only to sell you training material and find customers for your work. Most importantly, find out if there is really a market for your work
2) Don't fall for promises of big profits. Operating a home-based business requires hard work, skills and time besides good products or services
3) Get references of other people who are doing this work. Ask them if the company has kept its promises
4) Be wary of offers to send you an advance on your payment. Some slick operators use this ploy to build trust and get money from your bank. They send you a check for part of your first month's pay.You deposit it, and before it has cleared the company contacts you to say that you were mistakenly paid the wrong amount so you need to return a portion of the payment for some reason. After you send the money back, the check that you deposited ultimately bounces because it turned out to be an elaborate hoax. Now the crooks have your payment, and you're left with a hole in your pocket.
So be very careful to only deal with legitimate companies that hire people to work for them at home.

Social move

I am interested in doing some social work in my spare time. How do I go about choosing a good NGO which can provide me exposure to the social sector?
Kanika Mahajan
Over the last decade, many NGOs have come up in India.There are over 12 lakh NGOs, over half of which are based in six lakh villages. Many do good work, but lack of accountability and transparency or voluntary code of conduct has allowed the lesscredible ones to undermine the work of the credible ones.This has led to a dilution of trust between donors and beneficiaries. Many of them have been found to have abysmal standards of accounting and reporting. Few put up their financial accounts on their websites. While it's not fair to paint the whole sector black, it's important to separate the grain from the chaff.
Working in an NGO is certainly a good option if you are passionate about social work. However be careful about the NGO's bona fides and credibility. Before pulling out a leaf from your checkbook, make sure you check if it is genuine and committed.
The Council for Advancement of People's Action and Rural Technology (CAPART) has blacklisted nearly 770 NGOs for indulging in unscrupulous activities. These NGOs have misused the funds sanctioned by the government, indulged in financial mismanagement and even submitted forged documents.
A genuine NGO would have a systematic structure with an active set of trustees.
Another way to check the credentials of an NGO is to visit the centre to get a first-hand knowledge of how it is carrying out the social activity.
Apart from popular organisations like CAPART there are others like Give Foundation, Karmayog and Concern India that run independent checks on the credibility of NGOs. Use these resources to choose a befitting place.

Special needs

I am a graduate. I want to work in the field of special education. Please tell me about the institutes offering courses in this field?
Richa Jain
Surprisingly, nearly a quarter of the world's disabled live in India. Unfortunately, lack of education and awareness has become biggest obstacle in enabling the disabled to lead a normal life.
There are a staggering 35 million children with disabilities between 6-14 years, while there is a huge shortfall of special educators. Their number stands at just a little over 20,000.
Special educators mainly work with children with special needs like speech or language impairment, mental retardation, learning difficulties (autism, dyslexia, ADS, slow learners, Asperger's Syndrome), visual or hearing impairment. They help these students develop emotionally, train them to be comfortable in social situations, and be aware of socially acceptable behaviour.
Empathy, communication and co-operation are essential traits. After understanding their special needs, a special educator is required to be highly innovative to devise appropriate learning strategies and motivate the child to be as optimally functional and well adjusted as possible.
A course in special education equips you to work with such children studying either in special schools or in general schools in an integrated setting. But be prepared, while it is immensely satisfying and gives you the opportunity to make a difference, it calls for a great deal of patience, commitment and hard work.
A variety of options ranging from one-year diploma and BEd (spl) courses to three-four year Bachelor's degree courses are available. Since you have already done your graduation, you could opt for any of the one-year BEd (Special Ed) programmes offered at a number of universities.
Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is a statutory body under the ministry of social justice and empowerment, located at 23-A, Shivaji Marg, New Delhi 110015. It is mandatory for every special educator to get registered with RCI. Log on to RCI's website for details: www.rehabcouncil.org.

Leisure management

I am an executive with travel and tourism industry. I want to know about leisure management as a career option?
Diwakar Patil
Holidaying has taken on an e n t i re l y d i f fe re n t connotation in present times. Today, it is not just about getting the right booking for a desired destination but a multitude of activities and
events that make holiday a memorable experience.
With big bucks being spent on travel, leisure management has come of an age in India. Various industries come under its ambit including resort, hotels, restaurants, event management firms etc. Essentially, leisure management professionals are in-charge of managing their client's leisure time.
All the activities at a country club or resort including the live entertainment need to be flawlessly executed.
Behind all the fun-n-frolic are a bunch of hawk-eyed professionals who ensure that everything moves timely.
If the client enjoys the adrenaline rush of adventure sports like bungee jumping, white water rafting or rock climbing then organisers have to ensure that the client is cushioned against any mishap or inconvenience.
Although Bachelors, MA, MPhil and PhD courses are available abroad, there are hardly any programmes on leisure management in India. However professionals from the travel and tourism sector can join as management professionals.

Sunil Sharma

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Students Corner:-The Counsellor

 

IPE Prospects


I have got admission in Dehradun Institute of Technology in Industrial Production Engineering (IPE). I wanted to do a BTech in computer science but had no option other than to opt for IPE. Though there is a provision of altering the branch after first year if one secures good percentage and I am working hard at it, but if I fail to do so, are there any job opportunities in IPE? Where are IP engineers required?
    Kranti Choksi
Production engineering is an offshoot of mechanical engineering that involves designing and operating equipment, systems and processes involved in the production of goods to achieve optimal productivity. Specialisations in this field include applied thermodynamics,machine design,fluid mechanics, machine tool design and industrial engineering. Employment opportunities exist in almost all industries engaged in the production of goods. Most industries that employ mechanical engineers also take in production engineers.
   The fundamental acceptance of India as a product-engineering hub is proof of our capability of doing high-end engineering. From IT to Automobile design, MNCs are increasingly upping the quantum of product engineering work to India.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunil Sharma

    Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

 

Students Corner:- The Counsellor

Defence dreams

I am an IT professional and want to join the defence forces. Is it too late for me?
Neeraj Pahwa
Sure, IT professionals can join the Territorial Army (TA). If selected, you will undergo two months of training in a year so that in case of an emergency, you can serve the country with your expertise in the IT sector. Presently, there are 66 units in the TA of which 42 are departmental units. In all, more than 48,000 jawans are engaged in the TA. There are quite a few IT professionals who work as commissioned officers.They train their TA unit for eight hours every weekend while continuing with their regular jobs.
In times of war or similar situations, TA officers and personnel are called in for active duty and become regular army officers drawing the same perks and emoluments as others. All you need to do is train for 46 days in a year on weekends and enjoy all the privileges of being an officer.The mayor of Delhi has recently called upon citizens to join the TA to serve the nation. She announced that every Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) officer and employee who joins the TA will be given two months' leave with full pay to undergo training.
Anyone between the age group of 18 and 42, who clears the Services Selection Board test and the medical exam can join the TA.

Marine dreams


I am pursuing MSc in oceanography. What are my job prospects? Could you tell me about the organisations and industries that provided lucrative jobs for my degree?
Suraj Varghese
Most openings for oceanographers are in organisations handling environmental conservation and protection. Industries involved in the packaging, marketing or export of marine products also provide employment to oceanographers. Besides oil exploration, petroleum and petrochemicals industries such as Essar Oil, Reliance Industries, ONGC, and government bodies like the GSI and National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, are involved in ongoing frontline research.
Oceanographers spend months of their time in data processing, computer programming, analysis, writing, budgeting, planning, and conferring. Also since most of the time is spent outdoors (although not necessarily at sea), the job demands physical fitness and adaptability to variations in the work environment.
Laboratory work demands precision, computer proficiency and an ability to consolidate data. Communication skills and the ability to work as a part of a team are also essential.
Depending upon the subject you major in (like physical oceanography, chemical oceanography, marine biology, marine geology), you can be working in the respective research departments of institutes like NIO or their research stations.
Besides the satisfaction of working in a growing profession, people who love the sea get to experience the exhilaration of actively doing something about conserving and protecting ocean life and its environment. The world's coastal ecosystems are currently in a critical condition and there is no accurate record of their history. Just as doctors have a better chance of saving the patient's life if they know his medical history, scientists would be better equipped to help reverse the dwindling marine population and restore the balance of marine ecosystems if they know the history of these environments.
Most research jobs are usually filled by those who have doctorates in the subject.
As a fresh postgraduate, be prepared to carry out routine jobs in the beginning. If you are deterred by vast amounts of paper work and mathematics, then oceanography might not be your cup of tea (or saline water). Also be prepared, this line of work requires constant travel.

Sunil Sharma

Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

Students Corner:- The Counsellor

Creative career

I am in second year pursuing BBA and I want to opt for a postgraduate course in advertising and public relations. What is its scope and which are the known institutes for the same? Is work experience necessary?

Piya Joshi Public Relations (PR) professionals work in public relations firms, advertising agencies, large business houses, non-profit organisations, media and entertainment companies, hotels, tourism, hospitals, MNCs (corporate communication) , lobbies and pressure groups. You need good communication skills, written and oral, to get your foot in the door. Almost every ministry in the government has an information/liaison officer to handle press relations and public relations. All public sector enterprises, government information departments, trade fair authorities and banks and other financial institutions employ PROs and corporate communication professionals. The travel and hospitality industry also hires publicity officers. A hotel may hire you as a guest-relations officer and the package here is much better. The work will range from researching and creating content to media relations and business development. With sufficient experience in hand, you can also start your own PR consulting service. Typically for a postgraduate diploma course in advertising and PR, work experience is not mandatory. Some of the leading institutes are: Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, www.iimc.nic.in, course: PG diploma in advertising and public relations, one-year Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, www.nmims.edu, course: PGDBM, specialisation in advertising MICA, Ahmedabad, www.micaindia.net, offers two courses: certificate programme in PR and event management, nine-month, fulltime residential and postgraduate programme in communications (with specialisation in corporate communication and public relations. Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune, www.simc.edu, courses, two-year: Master’s programme in mass communication/communication management. Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, www.xaviercomm.org/courses. Courses: PG diploma in public relations. Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, www.mcu.ac.in, course: MA in advertising and PR/broadcast journalism/mass communication Besides these, Bhartiya Vidya Bhawan, YMCA and YWCA centres all over the country offer courses in PR and advertising. Migration woes I am working with a leading bank. My company has given me a transfer to China. I am wondering whether to accept the offer or not as it would mean living far away from my family. Please guide. Binoy Chatterjee Getting China on one’s CV has been a big trend in western economies and now Indian executives have realised that China is a completely new world.They are happy to flaunt the Chinese experience on their CVs.The number of Indians ready to take on jobs in China has gone up. Cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu are the main attractions for Indians. A host of companies across sectors such as Gati, L&T, Mahindra and Mahindra, TCS, Cognizant, Bank of Baroda and SBI have been sending their executives to China to expand their overseas operations. One of the reasons for doing so is to overcome the language barrier that exists in the country. Moreover, in order to provide better career opportunities, companies encourage the China stint, as it is one of the fastest growing economies. Even if you have to live away from your family for a few years, it doesn’t matter if your future holds bright in the long run. Which way I am in class XII and planning to join a five-year integrated MBA programme offered by a university in South-India. Please let me know its worth and prospects. Does an integrated MBA have the same value as a regular MBA or should I pursue a BTech instead? Farida Elavia While integrated courses are fine, they are not of much value unless done from a top-notch institution. It may be better to do your graduation first, particularly if you are a science student and contemplating a BTech anyway. Work for a while to gain some practical experience and then try for an MBA from a really good Bschool that offers excellent placement facilities. This is a better option than tying yourself down to a mediocre fiveyear course. Moreover, a technomanagement qualification is highly rated in the job market Teaching wise I have completed MSc in zoology. If I pursue BEd, can I teach biotechnology at the school level? Purnima Rawal To teach biotechnology, you need a postgraduate degree in biotechnology/biochemistry/genetics/microbiology/life sciences. The biotechnology syllabus demands a different kind of content expertise and teachers who have done MSc in botany or zoology are not eligible to teach the subject at the senior secondary level.

Looking ahead I want to know more about the new Master’s programme in education offered by Ignou. Please guide. Riya Manchanda Ignou’s Master of Arts (education) programme is an innovative programme that provides a wide and comprehensive understanding of education covering a variety of areas ranging from understanding the concept of education to understanding how knowledge is generated in education. The course will help you acquire a higher level of specialisation in a specific aspect of education - higher education, distance education, educational technology and educational management. The objective of the programme is to produce well-trained professionals who are knowledgeable in education and its various dimensions. More specifically, it intends to: a) Provide learning-experience, which will enable you to understand and appreciate knowledge structures and paradigms of education. b) Develop professionals for effective participation in different areas of education c) Create a community of scholars adequately equipped for participation in educational discourse. Total number of credits: 68. You must cover 34 credits each year.The dissertation work in year two carries 10 credits. The eligibility criteria is Bachelor’s degree (any discipline) with/without a degree in education. You can complete the programme in a minimum of two years and in a maximum of five years. The medium of instruction is English. The fee is Rs 10,000 for the entire programme (in one installment). The multi-media instructional mode combines self-instructional print material, audio/video components, assignments, counselling sessions, teleconferencing, interactive radio counselling and dissertation work. Ignou’s School of Education also offers courses in following disciplines: PhD in Education, MA in distance education, Bachelor of Education (BEd). PG diploma in distance education, PG diploma in higher education, PG certificate in professional development of teachers, PG diploma in school leadership and management, diploma in primary education, certificate in primary education, certificate in elementary teacher education. The following academic programmes are under development: MPhil in education, PG diploma in educational technology, and postgraduate diploma in educational management and

Sunil Sharma

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Student's Corner:- The Counsellor

Technical scribe

Are there are any institutions where one can pursue a formal qualification in technical writing?
Gauri Pant
Few universities in India offer education in technical writing, and online courses can be very expensive. On the internet you can access mailing lists like TECHWR-L, TechComm, and TWIN that are akin to daily online seminars for Indian writers.There are few journals or books available for technical writers to hone their skills. It is not mandatory to have a technical background to enter this profession. Though there is better scope for science graduates many professionals from the field of journalism, English and even advertising move into in technical writing.
Most entrants tend to pick up the skills through on the job training. However, knowledge of DTP tools (Page Maker etc), development tools (RoboHelp) and web tools (HTML and XML coding is a definite advantage for an online environment. Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL), www.scdl.net, offers one-year certificate course in Instructional Des. Shortterm courses in technical writing are also offered by the University of Pune, Department of Journalism; University of Cochin; and the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Society for Technical Communication, India Chapter organises training and networking activities in this field. They also have a regular newsletter "Indus" which carries articles on technical communication, particularly in the Indian context. For more details you can log on to: www.stc-india.org. Technical writers in India have joined hands to form TWIN (Technical Writers of India) - an association that provides a platform to share their experiences and exchange information. Details are available on www.twin-india.com The Writers Block (TWB) #30 Service Road, Domlur Layout, Bangalore 560071, www.twb.in, offers following courses:

• The TWB fundamental certification programme

• The TWB associate certification programme

• The TWB Online course in Technical Writing (Distance mode) Also check out the following:

• Technical Writers of India, Mumbai

• Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore

• Technowrites Pvt Ltd, Pune

• S A international, Ltd, Chennai

• TASC Consulting Pvt Ltd, Mumbai

• TechnoPoint, Bangalore

Looking ahead

I am crazy about sports and would love to run a sports management company. Please give me some tips. Do I need to get a degree in mass communication?
Heena Mago
No, an academic degree is not absolutely necessary, although some background in marketing, either through education or experience, should help.
Managing celebrities is a well-established concept abroad. In India, it is more in vogue with film stars, but now cricketers,tennis players and golfers are also becoming savvy about their image. People who are creative, confident, self-motivated and have an eye for detail are well suited to work as event managers or public relation managers for companies that organise sporting events. If you have a sports background, it would be useful.

• Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences, Pune, offers a postgraduate diploma in sports management

• Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Science, New Delhi offers a one-year postgraduate diploma in sports management

• Indian Institute of Social Welfare & Business Management, www.iiswbm.edu, Kolkata offers a one-year postgraduate diploma course in sports management

• Alagappa University, department of distance education, Karaikudi, www.alagappauniv.org, offers a postgraduate diploma course in sports management through distance learning

Financial Engineering

What is financial engineering? What are the careers that financial engineers can pursue? What are the courses available?
Amulya Shankar
Also known as financial mathematics, mathematical finance, and computational finance, financial engineering applies mathematical methods to resolve problems in finance.
It draws on tools from applied mathematics, computer science, statistics, and economic theory. Quantitative finance is a well-developed discipline that is gaining ground as global financial markets grow and become integrated.
Investment banks, commercial banks, hedge funds, insurance companies, corporate treasuries, and regulatory agencies employ financial engineers to tackle problems like development of new financial products, valuation of derivative securities, structuring portfolios, risk management and scenario simulation.
Quantitative analysis has brought innovation, efficiency and rigor to financial markets and to the investment process. And as the pace of financial innovation accelerates, the need for highly qualified people with specific training in financial engineering continues to grow in all market environments.
Financial engineers apply their skills in a broad selection of finance-related careers including the pricing and trading of securities, financial modelling, sales, risk management and portfolio management. The skill sets acquired in a good financial mathematics programme at the masters level prepare students for many interesting fields. Moreover as it is increasingly recognised in financial firms that computational and mathematical skills are critical to the success of all organisations, the market for students with financial mathematics degrees continues to broaden.
There are dozens of masters degree programs in financial mathematics and engineering around the world. The majority of these programs are in the US, but there are programs in Canada, UK and continental Europe, as well as nearer home, in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Sunil Sharma

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Dil Se Desi Group

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Student's Corner:- Q & A

 

 

?


I am in class X and I am very nervous as the board exams are fast approaching. Though my memorising power is fairly good but I cannot sit at length while studying. What should I do?
   Pawandeep Singh

a


It can be disturbing at times when you compare yourself with others, who can study for long hours at a stretch, but everyone has his/her own capacity to study. Also, what is more important is the quality time you devote to your studies and not necessarily the number of hours. As long
   as you are able to deliver the desired output and are doing well in your studies, I think everything is fine. Putting extra pressure on yourself will only worsen the situation by making you nervous and anxious during your exams. So even if you can study for about half-an-hour at a stretch, it is good enough so long as your entire syllabus is covered and you have no difficulty with any of the subjects.

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I am in class XI pursuing science, non-medical. I was an above average student till last year, but now, I am hardly able to score even 50%. It's not that I don't grasp concepts, but because I hardly get any time for self-studying due to long coaching hours besides school. Please help. Jayita Roi

a


What you are going through is understandable, however this is also the time to pull up your socks and put in all the more effort as the results will certainly come, if not right away, then at a later stage. It is important that you develop a schedule for yourself and most importantly, stick to it, for which you may also take the help of others around you. Also, it is extremely important to identify your weaker areas and work on them.Taking the help of your teachers can be a possible solution here. Also, taking regular self-tests will ensure that you have a good idea about how the paper needs to be answered and what are the potential areas where you may be making mistakes consistently, so that you can improve upon them.

 

 

Sunil Sharma

    Moderator

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Students Corner:- Q & A

 

?


I am in class XII, preparing for my board and medical entrance exams. I am from a Hindi-medium school and always topped till class X. I changed my school in class XI
   and I am facing difficulties since then. Though I am trying to adjust, I feel jealous when I see someone else on top. Also, I feel I waste most of my time sleeping and when I am unable to complete my targets, I lose my temper. What should I do to make things right?
Tript

a


Adjustment to a new environment and situation requires time and the people around us may not make it an easy task for us. Peers have a significant influence on us and any feeling of not being at par with them can make us feel low and dejected. However, this is the time to put in your maximum effort, though you have been doing it since long and have significantly progressed in it. Ensure that you cover the entire syllabus and understand what is being taught. Clarifying your doubts is extremely essential. At the same time, it is also important that you try and develop a schedule that will help you balance the studies for both — your entrance and board exams, as both are equally important. It does sound tough but taking help of others around you to help you stick to your schedule will be beneficial as well.Try this and it will certainly make a difference.

?


I completed my post-graduation in public advertising two years back and currently, I am pursuing an MBA from Symbiosis through correspondence. My problem is that I find it difficult concentrating on my studies, as I am an average student and also because of time constraints as I recently got married. What should I do to improve my scores?
Samta Jangid

a


There are various ways of improving concentration that can help you build your ability to focus. I don't know much about the silva mind control training, but I think you can find out more about it and decide to choose if it works for you. Besides, ensure that you sit on a study-table while studying and there is nothing except your textbook on your table, to minimise any kind of distraction. Before you start studying, pick up any newspaper and circle out all the 'e's' in any one paragraph or if you are a music enthusiast, you can pick any instrumental song which has four or five instruments playing, and try and focus on any one of the instruments. These exercises will help your mind focus before you start studying and subsequently help build up your concentration level. Also, ensure that while you are studying, you don't have the television, music system or a phone lying besides you. Try these out and your scores will surely improve.

 

 

 

Sunil Sharma

    Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

 

Student's Corner:- The Counsellor

 

 

?


I will be appearing for class X ICSE board exams this year. Though I aim to excel but I think I am not putting in my best effort. My parents and teachers have a lot of expectations from me and I don't want to let them down. Another problem is that I feel very sleepy which I guess is a major hindrance to my progress. Please help.
   Shikhar

a


Besides our own expectations, more often than not, we are also burdened with the pressure stemming from our parents, friends, families and teachers and trying to live up to these expectations frequently creates feelings of nervousness and anxiety within an individual. At times, this may manifest itself into a tendency to try and avoid things that may be particularly relevant to the achievement of one's goals. So your feeling sleepy and being hindered in your studies by unrelated events can be seen as a possible sign of anxiety.And the best way of overcoming this will be to force yourself to get down to your studies, starting with topics that you find relatively easier and gradually moving to the difficult ones.Take some guidance from your teachers or elders on ways to improve your scores. Also, take regular self-tests to help build your confidence. Try these things and I am sure that things will work out for you soon.

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I am a class X student and will be appearing for my board exams this year. My problem is that I am an average student and I am unable to concentrate on my studies. Also, my principal has given me a last chance to improve my scores in pre-boards, else I won't be allowed to appear for boards.What should I do?
   Priya Gupta

a


Many students experience such anxiety where concentrating on studies tends to be difficult despite the overburdening pressure of board exams. However, it is also important to constantly remind yourself of the relevance and importance of these exams and try and gear up to work even harder. To improve your concentration, ensure that you sit on a study table while studying with no other book other than your textbook. Also, there shouldn't be any distractions around like a television, radio or a cell phone. Before you start studying, pick up a newspaper and circle all the alphabet e’s in a single paragraph as it helps improve concentration. Also, start with topics that you find relatively easy and then move to the difficult ones to help build confidence in yourself. Finally, take regular self-tests, which will help you assess your strengths and weaknesses and will also help you identify your weaker areas where you need to put in an extra effort. Try these things and your performance will surely improve.

?


I am 21 years old and my problem is that I am too sensitive. I feel offended at small things and end up crying. Consequently, I feel frustrated and lose my temper. What should I do? Ruchi Dhawan

a


Every individual has his/her own idiosyncratic way of responding to events and situations. Some individuals appear to be more calm
   and collected, while others tend to be easily agitated by situations. However, the way we perceive, interpret and eventually respond to situations, most certainly does influence our moods and behaviour following the experience. Thus, if the way one reacts to situations and the way one is influenced by events is something that is bothersome, then one should certainly try and make efforts to alter it.I think you should take the help of some professional psychologist. In the meantime, however, it would also be essential to build your social support network and when you are faced with such situations, take a step back, think first about the situation and the consequences of your intuitive reaction and then make a conscious decision to react to it.

 

Sunil Sharma

Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

 

Q & A- Skill Based Higher Education

 

Q & A

Skill-based higher education

GILL BROADHURST, HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT, LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY (LJMU), SPEAKS  ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY'S RADICAL NEW APPROACH TO HIGHER EDUCATION

What is your role within the international office?
I am responsible for recruitment, enrolment and all other administrative processes relating to international students until they arrive at LJMU.
What does LJMU have to offer to international students?
Most potential students will have made up their minds about the course or subject area they want to study and they will already have done some research about the university. People in Liverpool, more than in most cities, are friendly and talkative, so international students are given a warm welcome to both the city and our university. Most are overwhelmed by the help that is available from tutors and support staff, which is not just confined to academics.
What are the changes that you have introduced in your approach now?
We carried out an extensive research to identify exactly what is required from a university and its graduates and we realised that a conventional academic degree alone is no longer sufficient to prepare students for successful careers and industry skills are equally important. Therefore, we overhauled all our undergraduate degrees, that's over 420 programmes, to make graduate skills development and work related learning explicit in every single course.
   Besides, all students will now have the opportunity to develop high-level 'World Of Work (WOW)' skills in addition to their academic development. These WOW skills will cover areas like leadership, professional and business ethics, finance, and entrepreneurship among others, determined by an advisory group. Therefore, by the time students graduate, they receive two certificates - a degree certificate and a WOW skills certificate, which is beneficial for students during their placements.
What is your experience of working with international students?
It is really nice to talk to someone overseas, advise them what a great university we have and then to welcome them. The recognition that they have made a good choice and the diverse backgrounds and experiences they bring with them make my job worthwhile. I like to think that we make a student's experience as positive as it can be, a truly worthwhile investment in their future.

 

 

 

Sunil Sharma

    Moderator

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