Dated June 02, 2004
What are `milk rounds' and what purpose do they serve?
LAXMI NARYANA SRIKANTHAN
Arupakatai
Milk rounds are those where the interviewers go to the candidates, rather than the candidate coming to them. Most universities organise sessions for company representatives to visit campuses and carry out preliminary interviews of students.
It's not that you can simply wander in and get an interview. Here also you have to apply in advance. If you are short- listed, then you are called for an interview - the first formal interview.
Interviews typically last for about half an hour, and some companies require students to take aptitude tests on the same day. The basic rules of appearance and preparation should be followed to make sure you come out with flying colours. For some tips, see our guide to interview etiquette.
I'm always running out of time and am often late in with my work. My boss keeps asking me that if I can't manage my short term goals, what I expected to do with my lifetime goals Please give me some tips on goal setting?
VIDHYADHAR JOSHI
Jodhpur
The primary criterion for time management is to have a clear goal. Your time must always be allocated and appraised in relation to the goals. And, as managing time is managing life, then it's appropriate to begin with the life goals.
The first step to good time management is to think things through and write down what you want to be or do in your lifetime.
A goal has to be accomplishable and measurable. When we say accomplishable, we mean realistic, something that we believe we can accomplish. When we say measurable, we mean be specific: when will it materialise, and how will we know that it did?
The desire "to have a large crowd at the Saturday evening meeting" is no goal at all. One person's multitude is another person's handful.
It's important to see that all goals are interrelated. Each event must take its place in the larger scheme of things. If one of your purposes is to be an effective executive in your organisation, then there are certain steps that need to be taken to accomplish the goal. These "steps" are the sub- goals that enable you to achieve higher goal or purpose. Goals must not be thought of as swords that dangle over our head, nor need we be afraid to set goals for fear of failure. None of us can accurately know what the future holds, but images of what the future should and could be like are powerful motivations.
Goals come in all types and sizes. It's useful to see that some goals reflect what we want to be, and others reflect what we want to do.
Make a short list of your lifetime goals and also of short-term goals, say over the next year. Put them on cards and carry them with you. Regularly pull them out and review them. Can you account for time you have spent on the list before you? If you can't, revise the list or revise your calendar!
Finally, remember that goal setting is a process. The primary purpose of setting goals is to set direction and to keep testing that direction against God's good will for us.
In a recent interview I was asked to explain the difference between engineering and technology, I know I made a mess; what should have been my answer?
Asa Srimanothip
Bangkok, Thailand
An engineer has to identify and understand the relevant constraints in order to produce a successful design. Constraints include available resources, physical or technical limitations, flexibility for future modifications and additions. And, other factors include costing, manufacturability, serviceability, marketing and aesthetic considerations. By understanding the constraints, engineers deduce specifications for the limits within which an object or system may be produced and operated. Engineering is therefore a contingent enterprise influenced by many considerations.
Engineers use their knowledge of science and mathematics and appropriate experience to find suitable solutions to a problem. If multiple reasonable solutions exist, engineers evaluate the different design choices on their merits and choose the solution that best meets the requirements.
Engineers typically attempt to predict how well their designs will perform to their specifications prior to full-scale production. They use, among other things: prototypes, scale models, simulations, destructive tests and stress tests.
Testing ensures that products will perform as expected. Engineers, as professionals, take seriously their responsibility to produce designs that will perform as expected and will not cause unintended harm to the public at large. Engineers typically include a factor of safety in their designs to reduce the risk of unexpected failure.
Meanwhile, the field of Technology applies science to solve problems with an industrial, commercial, educational, persuasive or military end in mind. Engineering applies human traits such as imagination, judgement and intellectual discipline to existing human knowledge to create or use technology safely and efficiently. The term technology often characterises new inventions and gadgets using latest scientific principles and processes. However, even very old inventions such as the wheel exemplify technology.
Could you please give me details about the CAIIB exam in banking?
APOORVA SINGHAL
Delhi
The Certified Associateship of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB) is an optional, not mandatory, course for employees of banks and financial institutions. The Indian Institute of Bankers, The Arcade, World Trade Centre East-Wing, Cuffe Parade, Colaba, Mumbai-400005, conducts a two-part exam (Part 1: 5 papers; and Part II: 6 papers) every six months.
Clerical grade employees who clear Part I are entitled to one increment and those clearing Part II are entitled to two increments. Those in the Officers grade are however entitled to only one increment for each of the parts cleared. Recently, IIB has also introduced an MBA in Banking & Finance (Affiliated to IGNOU). Those who have cleared both parts of CAIIB exam are admitted to this course without having to appear for the entrance test.
What are the career prospects for automobile engineers?
SPARSH CHADDHA
Kolkota
The automobile industry is a highly automated industry. Therefore, the area for employment is in computer-aided manufacturing and assembly line on the shop floor. Moreover, trained manpower will be required in areas like computer aided design (CAD) and research and development. The level of emoluments is higher in this sector, particularly on the shop floor where persons with a diploma are more technically suited whereas in other areas, graduates and post graduates with a mechanical engineering background and a research qualification are desired. In fact, the automotive industry is a multidisciplinary area that requires people to deal with dual technologies like alternate technologies and combustion.
Automobile Engineers deal mainly with the design, planning, manufacture as well as the repair, maintenance and up-grade of all automotives vehicles such as cars, trucks, motorcycles, scooters, etc. They look into the upkeep of vehicles to ensure their proper, efficient and economical running.
The work includes, at times, the dismantling and overhauling of vehicles, and at others designing new models keeping in view their performance, capacity, durability and appearance as well as the cost of both manufacture and maintenance. With increasing concern for pollution and fuel efficiency, these engineers also set standards of quality in such matters.
The faq column deals with career concerns addressed to The C&K Management LTD. PO Box 2178, Secunderabad 500003 or emailed to faqs@cnkonline.com
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