Tiding over dilemmas

Do you feel uncertain of a career option? Do you lack the freedom to choose a subject that you really want to pursue? Do you always feel low on self-confidence? Are you constantly doubting yourself? A Q&A column by Nandini Raman, practising counsellor and trainer, to assuage your doubts.

June 23, 2018 03:57 pm | Updated 03:57 pm IST

I am 22 and have completed my graduation in physics from Delhi University, two years back. After that, I worked in an IT company, but resigned, in order to prepare for government exams. Meanwhile, I have developed a taste for history (archaeology, to be precise) and thinking of pursuing it as career. Is it a good career option keeping in mind that there are very few job opportunities in this field? Where do should I start? I mean should I enroll in undergrad or postgraduate courses as both the options are open, and most of the universities ask for a bachelor’s degree to get admission into M.A Archeology? Which universities can I apply to? Please advise me on this. Thanks and regards, — Roshan Kumar

Dear Roshan,

What I understand is that you have developed a taste in archaeology (with a background in Physics) and would want to work in that field (as a researcher / teacher/ lecturer?) and/or become an archaeologist? To become a successful archaeologist, you first need to obtain a graduate degree, preferably in history, sociology, or anthropology — to get a deeper understanding of the subject. Further, check the admission and the eligibility criteria for related PG courses — Maharaj Sayajirao University of Baroda, offers a three- years bachelor’s degree in Indian History, Culture and Archaeology. Banaras Hindu University, offers two undergraduate courses — a three-years honours programme in ancient Indian history, culture and archaeology, and a three-years vocational programme in Museology and Archaeology. Then there is The Institute of Archaeology under the aegis of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi, which conducts a two-year post graduate diploma in archaeology.

Jobs with Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) are available both at the centre and the state-levels. Postgraduates qualify for lectureship in various universities across the country. The National Eligibility Test (NET) or the Junior Research Fellow (JRF)-Lectureship examination is a prerequisite for the same. Success in JRF paves way paves the way to a for a doctorate degree in the capacity of a paid research fellowship.

What do you want to do? Are you sure this is what you want, and not just a fancy that you are smitten by right now? Identify and gain complete clarity on what you want first. Meet a competent career counsellor to affirm that you have the aptitude and the attitude (plus personality) for this career choice. All the best to you!

I am unable to talk to people while looking them in the eye. I try my best to stay confident, but I feel uncomfortable. I also want to bond with them, but I don’t know how. Over socializing gives me headaches, literally. Should I seek medical help.— Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

The inability to look at people in the eye whilst talking could be due to an array of reasons. Maybe you don’t like to socialise and genuinely seek solace. The person at the receiving end, however, might feel that you think, you are ‘better off’, ‘smarter’ or have a ‘higher social standing’ than him or her. This can beembarrassing for you and demeaningfor the latter. It can create disturbance in friendships and relationships.

It can also stem from the fact that you have not organised your thoughts well, or you don’t want to share much — you say too much or too little and make a mess of the communication. The pressure for this ‘performance’ itself must create so much anxiety that it must be nightmarish to meet people. Friends can also feel offended and uncomfortable. You will greatly benefit from a therapist who specialises in behaviour modification, or a coach who can teach you this art.

I am 17 and I have just completed class XII. I am passionate about science and I want to pursue a related career. Ever since class X, I have always wanted to join IISER. But , I need to have a high percentile in the class XII board exam, about which I am unsure of. So, I have decided to try for medical entrance examinations, instead. But to prepare within this short period and being a person who has never attended any coaching, cracking the exams seems almost impossible. Meanwhile, I cracked the JEE Mains, but engineering is not my cup of tea. I am also thinking of going for a repeat, but my family is against the idea. Is going for repeat a good idea?I also have this issue with confidence. At times, I feel like I am good for nothing. Please guide me — Ankita.

Dear Ankita,

Congrats on cracking the JEE mains.What was the ranking? You certainly don’t need to repeat the year. I am assuming that you wrote this email before your class XII results were announced and the uncertainty caused you all this anxiety and fear. What was your class XII score? You can easily apply to IISER.

There are three channels of admission to IISER. The first is Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana channel where candidates having a valid KVPY fellowship commencing from 2018-19 academic session are eligible to apply for admissions. Additional cut-off criteria may be applicable. The next option is Joint Entrance Examination of Indian Institutes of Technology (JEE) channel where candidates in General category, securing a rank within 10,000 in the Common Rank List of JEE Advanced 2018 are eligible to apply. For candidates belonging to reserved category (OBCNC, SC, ST, PD), their category rank should be within 10,000. Third, State and Central Boards Channel (SCB) channel where students who have passed (10+2) level with science stream in 2017 or 2018 with marks equal or above the cut-off percentage in their respective boards as given (CBSE - 88.3, ICSE - 93.3, National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) - 83.6) are eligible to apply. For candidates belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBCNC) and Persons with Disability (PD) categories, there is a 5% relaxation. The cut-off percentage for the Scheduled Castes (SC), the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Kashmiri Migrants (KM) candidates is 55% in (10+2) level for all boards.

Please get in touch with IISER institutes and get on with your admissions.

I am going to class X. I am concerned as to what to opt for in my intermediate. I want to study psychology and become a forensic psychologist, but I don’t know what to do after class X. Please help — Grace Advitiya

Dear Grace,all the very best for your class X. What board are you studying in?

I think you would enjoy a B.Sc. in forensic sciences. A prerequisite for admissions would be PCM/PCB with psychology if possible, across your XI and XII. Also, please read the link given below; it will give you a course overview.

https://collegedunia.com/ courses/bachelor-of- science-bsc-forensic-sciencess

Good luck.

Nandini Raman has worked extensively with students and young adults across a range of issues.

Disclaimer: This column is not a substitute for long-term therapy but merely a guiding voice. Some issues might be serious and may need medical intervention.

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