The Counsellor- 32

Defence dreams   

I am an IT professional and want to join the defence forces. Is it too late for me?

Sumit Gupta

 

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? 

   

Ketan Mehta

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

 

Career in Security Industry

Towards a secured future

   While politicians and administrators grapple with the increase in terrorism and heightened local crime levels, the security industry is cashing in on the opportunity. Globally, the security industry is estimated at $140 billion and it is growing at around 10-12 % CAGR (compound annual growth rate). Among the high-growth markets are India, China, South America, South Africa, West Asia and some of the South Asian countries. 

 

   Increased urbanisation, poverty owing to imbalanced development, terrorism, economic development and asset creation have forced stakeholders to look for security. This is where those men in uniform sporting friendly smiles but firm attitudes come in. Topsgrup employs over 65,000 guards and has a clientele that includes Tatas, HSBC, IDBI, Oracle, Birla, Reliance and Airtel. 

 

   The security industry in India is approximately Rs 4,000 crore, combining the organised and unorganised markets. The industry has also matured over a period through various regulatory policies with the latest being the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005. This is a central act and comes under the home ministry. Hence security as a subject has shifted from labour to home ministry, which is definitely an acceptance of the role that private security plays in safeguarding the interest of citizens of India. 

 

CURRENT DEMAND OF PROFESSIONALS 

 

Private security business in India are all set to enter a high-growth trajectory. Analysts and industry watchers say that the business, estimated to be around Rs 4,000 crore currently, will grow at 20-25% annually over the next few years. While foreign investors have started looking at the sector, Indian players are also going for overseas acquisition. 

 

   For hundreds and thousands of job-seekers, especially rural youths, private security service has thrown up a wide range of job opportunities. The number of people employed as security guards is expected to double in the next five years to 10 million. Today, Tops Security Limited has over 65,000 people on its rolls, which are expected to grow to 100,000 people by the year-end 2008-09. 

 

   Professionals from various industries are joining security companies because this is the fastest growing industry in the world today. This is the only industry which possibly cannot see any kind of recession ever because security is needed when the economy is either on upward swing or otherwise. 

 

   With the advent of Private Security Agencies Regulation Act 2005, certain standardisation has been set. Strict guidelines for licensing and training norms are in place and most companies are now getting registered. 

   As regards revenue, 90% come from manned guarding and it is growing at 48% CAGR. The remaining 10% comes from 'Strategic Business Group,' which includes services such as intelligence, cash management, facilities management, event management, training, uniform manufacturing, emergency response service and air ambulance service. 

SKILL-SET REQUIRED 

The manpower is drawn from the low-income strata of society and also from states that do not provide enough employment opportunities. There has been an increase in the recruitment and deployment of lady guards in certain industry segments, which have a high growth going forward, like retail among others. 

 

   The minimum qualification for the candidate to join at the supervisory level includes a graduation degree and good communication skills. As far as the guarding personnel are concerned, the minimum qualification is class X, for supervisors - class XII with minimum three years of experience as a security guard and for security officers/assignment managers - a graduation degree. 

 

   There are positions in lower, middle and senior level management where we recruit personnel from reputed business schools. And for special security, investigation, rescue and vigilance (emergency response services, like TOPSLINE-1252 and Tops Air Rescue), we recruit personnel from specialised security training, medical and paramedic backgrounds. 

REMUNERATION 

The remuneration in the security industry is lucrative for those professionals who are willing to take the ownership and prove their mettle through performance. It is the right place for people who believe in doing things differently every day. People who come with experience can only raise the bar in terms of willingness of taking up the challenges and ownership.

 

 

 

Sunil Sharma

   Moderator

Dil Se Desi Group

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www.dilsedesi.org