I am pursuing BE in ECE. I will finish my fourth semester examinations soon. I want to start the CAT exam preparation as I want to pursue MBA from any one of the IIMs. Please guide me on which coaching institute to contact. I am confused whether to take regular classes or just the test series.
Alka Yadav
via email
It is good to start preparation and practice for the Common Admission Test (CAT). Qualifying in it will bring you to the doorsteps of IIMs and other leading B-Schools for the coveted Post-Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) programme which is equivalent to the MBA. The CAT has lakhs of students from various fields who apply in anticipation for an opening in an IIM. There are institutes which have been offering training programmes on a face-to-face basis and even online programmes. In Bangalore you can contact:
Byju’s Classes (Head Office) (www.byjusclasses.com), 113, Prestige Pinnacle, opposite Raheja Arcade, Koramangala 7th Block, Bangalore-560095. Mob: 98800 31619. You can browse the website and get to chat with the counsellors online as well.
IMS (www.imsindia.com), 5/A, 3rd Floor, 5th Block, KHB Colony, Koramangala, Bangalore-560095. Ph: 41672277, 41672255. Email: koramangala@imsindia.com
TIME (Triumphant Institute of Management Education) (www.time4education.com), Zam Zam Centre, Infantry Road, Bangalore-560001. Ph: 41138412
2IIM CAT Preparation (www.2iim.com), run by IIM alumnus. 2IIM has created a niche for itself. Browse the website and select the offerings. 2IIM has online test modules and even face-to-face sessions in a few cities. Contact in Bangalore: 91419 48484.
Career in fashion
I have completed my PUC in PCMB, however I am inclined to making my career in the Fashion field. As my parents are against my choice, please advise me on the advantages of making a career in this field. Also let me know the courses that I could enrol in to have a successful career.
Poornima Krupa
via email
When we talk of fashion technology and the business of fashion, we hear names such as Manish Malhotra, Ritu Beri, Ritu Kumar, Neeta Lulla, Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani, JJ Valaya, Satya Paul and many others. But then, to reach to the top, it is a sure struggle. There are many corporates that are contributing to the success in the field of fashion and even exporting their creations. Like all fields of work, the business of fashion technology has its ups and downs. But then there are those tread a new path and make beginnings that have become successful and worth emulating. All of us have ambitions and we make efforts to make them achievable.
One of the better places for options to study fashion and related technology is the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) (www.nift.ac.in) (functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India), located at 21, Sector 1, 27th Main, HSR Layout, Bangalore-560102. Ph: 22552550 – 55. The Bachelor programmes on offer are Fashion Design, Accessory Design, Textile Design, Fashion Communication and Knitwear Design. The institute also conducts the Bachelor of Fashion Technology in Apparel Production, Master of Fashion Technology (MFT) and Master of Fashion Management (MFM).
Another institution that has created a niche for itself is Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology (www.voguefashioninstitute.com) wherein you can attend the Bangalore University-affiliated three-year B.Sc (Fashion and Design) programme. It also offers programmes that are affiliated to the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) in the areas of Garment Manufacturing Technology and Lifestyle and Accessory Design, to mention a few.
Working with centres of excellence as mentioned above, one can surely make the grade to be the best in the business. Of course it is the experience that will matter over a period of time to practice as a professional; to have one’s own studio. The experience you garner, like in any other field, will hold you in good stead. Hence, looking at opportunities in the sector of Fashion Technology is by no means a negative and one can stand tall over a period of time.
As a professional fashion designer, one can work in the areas of designer production, fashion marketing, planning and concept management, fashion accessory design, quality control and even promotion of brands. There are those who have become fashion consultants, personal stylists, technical designers, graphic designers, and fashion coordinators. The opportunities are myriad; one has to strike a balance and ensure qualitative learning and create a brand for oneself. Then growth will follow.
Hotel management
I have corporate experience of about six years and then for family reasons have become a home-maker. I am a good cook and intend become an entrepreneur, not necessary a hotelier. Can I pursue any course with the Institute of Hotel Management on a short-term basis to get more knowledge from a corporate perspective? I am a graduate. Do you feel my qualification to pursue the programme, if available, is agreeable?
Gayatri Mohan
via email, Bangalore
The Institute of Hotel Management-Bangalore (IHMB) (www.ihmbangalore.kar.nic.in), set up jointly by the Central and State Government in 1969, has been considered as the best in the country. Besides M.Sc in Hospitality, the IHMB offers the flagship B.Sc (Hotel Management) which is a very popular programme. This apart, for the benefit of the employed and homemakers, the institute offers short-term programmes.
Those who have pursued the programmes have surely benefitted and gone on to become entrepreneurs. For more details you should contact the Director/Principal, IHM, SJ Polytechnic Campus, Seshadri Road, Bangalore-1. Ph: 22262960. Email: info@ihmbangalore.com
Considering that you intend to become an entrepreneur, you should connect to the Technical Consultancy Services Organisation of Karnataka (TECSOK) (www.tecsok.com), a Government of Karnataka organisation, for inputs and information on establishment of the enterprise that you intend to open.
TECSOK will be a one-stop shop for your requirements vis-à-vis inputs, information, registration, licensing etc. The Chief Advisor and CEO of TECSOK can be contacted on the following coordinates: TECSOK, 4th Floor, Basava Bhavan, Basaveshwara Circle, Bangalore-1. Ph: 22266134. Email: tecsok@tecsok.com
Shaheed Khan
Shaheed_k@yahoo.com
