Dated 17th May, 2000

I have been appointed as a systems analyst in an organisation. Though I do not have any programming skills, I was taken purely on the basis of my having completed C.A. (Chartered Accountant). As per the HR appraisal, I will be involved in systems design and development of software for stock brokers etc. I would like to know what is the future in such assignments. What will be my prospects after the system has been developed? What are the prospects outside the said company? Will I stagnate in the firm after a few years? Going by the job description of the HR person, in three to four years, I may end up with no experience either in software programming or in my core subjects - accounts. I am wondering if I should join the firm at all. Please advise.

R. Srinivasan

Chennai

The job/person as defined by you is generally called business analyst or systems analyst. This person plays a very vital role in completing projects successfully even though you may not be directly involved in the programming. As the project is aimed at stock-brokers, it is essential to have a systems analyst from a financial background. It is an interesting job and you can definitely make a career in it.

All software companies which operate in the domain of finance projects need to have a few good business and systems analysts. You can rest assured that this is an excellent career opportunity. As you have not mentioned the name of the company, I do not know whether it is a good or mediocre company.

The HR manager is right in saying that you will not be directly involved in programming. Your work will be to define these programs, the kind of requirement the stock-brokers have, the accounting principles and their functionality.

I will be completing my B.E. Instrumentation and Control Engineering this year. I have done a couple of computer courses and am very keen on making a career in the IT field. Kindly advise me as to which computer courses I should take up to better my job prospects in the country as well as abroad. My aggregate score in engineering has been around 80 per cent.

B. Balasaravanan,

Kalpakkam

If your ambition is to make it big in the software industry, then you should do your MS\PG specialisation in computer sciences. If you cannot do a two-year full-time course, then I suggest you get trained in areas like C++, Java, Internet Technologies, as they are in high demand. You could join any good, established training institute in your town. Make sure however, that its faculty has good credentials.

I am in my second year B.Com. I want to do MBA along with a computer course. Is it possible to do so? I also want to know if PG diplomas are to be done only after graduation? Kindly, give me some details.

A.V. Nagaraj,

Trichy

Instead of doing some short term IT-related training courses, try to put in more effort in securing an MBA seat in a premier institution like the IIM. You could always do specialisation in MIS/ systems, which is sure to help you with your career.

I am studying in second year BCA. I want to know if I should complete my post-graduate diploma in computers and then go abroad for MS or do a PG degree in India itself. What are the job opportunities in India and abroad?

P.S.N. Kumar

Hyderabad

If there is a choice between doing your MS in India or doing it abroad, I must say go abroad. An MS degree from there definitely has more edge than one done here, especially if you are planning to work abroad. However, the Indian IITs are just as reputed and as good as any of the foreign universities.

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