Career Guidance

SUPPLY CHAIN

I have been working in the navy for the past 15 years. Due to health reasons, I am considering early retirement. I have been advised to look at logistics and supply chain management. However, I am not sure whether I should target a new area such as this at this point of time. What would you advise?

LKM

Although it may seem like a relatively new discipline, logistics, as a concept, has its origins in ancient warfare. The term is considered to have originated when armies required steady supplies for battle as they moved from their base to a forward position. Today, logistics management ensures that the right item in the right quantity at the right time reaches the right customer at the right price in the right condition.All this calls for complex co-ordination of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material-handling and packaging -virtually from procurement to plate.

This is where your army background will hold you in good stead. For, regardless of the term used, logistics is something that ensures the smooth working and movement of man and material crucial to the operations of our armed forces.

Is this the right time to contemplate a career in logistics and supply chain management? I think there could not be a better time. With its new `Make in India’ mantra, the government is focusing on making India a production hub for the world.This would definitely create a huge demand in times to come for supply chain professionals. Also, at present, several multinationals have forayed into the Indian market, either on their own or through strategic partnerships. There is a lot of interest in the growing Indian logistics market. As soon as a firm policy on goods and services tax is formulated, the scenario will change. The market is headed for a lot of activity for which experienced professionals would be required. The market share of third-party logistics companies is increasing steadily, reflecting its maturity. As it moves towards an organised approach, there is an increasing demand for trained professionals. Also, for companies, supply chain is becoming a strategic function rather than a mere cost function. This, of course, would help those who have some experience in supply chain and logistics. Do enrol for a course in logistics and supply chain management -albeit in distanceonline mode to arm yourself with theoretical knowledge of the field.

SCHOOL MANAGEMENT

After completing my BSc, I took an MBA degree.However, due to recession at the time, I did not find a proper job in retail, so I joined a leading international boarding school. Besides handling general administration, my work included warden duties and dorm parenting, etc. In the meantime, I completed my BEd through distancelearning. Is there any course that helps one enhance their school management skills?
Jahnvi

Like most other sectors, the education sector, too, is becoming `professionalised’ and `corpora tised’. As a result, many structured positions and profiles are opening in this sector. Besides teaching, innovative changes are taking place in content, research and delivery mechanisms.

Positions are usually at three levels -frontend, back-end, and a combination of both. The front-end involves teaching, delivery, assessment etc, while the back-end includes researching content, support material and innovative pedagogies, among others. The right to education (RTE) act and the phenomenal growth of secondary education in India have created a shortage of qualified administrators, principals, headmasters and teachers, who can manage an institution efficiently.

To bridge this gap, the following institutions offer two-year and one-year postgraduate courses in educational administrationmanagement: z Guru Gobind Singh IP University, Delhi PG diploma in educational management, offered at the university’s affiliated institutions z Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi MA education planning and administration and a diploma in education management z MS University of Baroda, Vadodara Master of education management (full-time two-year and part-time two-year) and a diploma in educational administration z SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai Certificate in education management z University of Madras, Chennai Diploma in school management (one-year, parttime and six-month, part-time)

BARTENDING

I am a student of commerce. I am excited about doing some bartending to earn a little pocket money. Is there any way I can train to become an expert bartender? What are the prospects of working for good night clubs, hotels, pubs, etc, on a part-time basis?
Dheeraj

Besides mastering the art (trick) of juggling bottles, liquor and glassware with a flourish and shaking stirring up your version of the perfect mojito or Singapore sling, you need to be familiar with the terminology and lineage of wines and spirits along with serving techniques, classic cocktail recipes and correct posture. Balance and posture are the key to executing that perfect 360-degree swing without spilling a drop! But flair bartending is not just about flipping bottles.

With some practice, you will learn to slot your clients and almost instinctively guess what would tickle their taste buds. Once you know what goes with what, without losing its individuality, there is no end to experimenting. A dash of this and a splash of that in reverse proportion -and you may well have a new concoction to your credit! That’s mixology for you -the art and skill of putting together the exact combo of ingredients so your clients keep coming back for more.

Nobody can teach you to be a bartender.You have to learn from professionals who know the business. The rest, as the `pros’ say, comes with experience.

Apart from the metro cities, which have a large demand for new bartenders, this field of work is fast gaining popularity in satellite towns and cities as Indians get more and more `spirited.’ And the trend is not confined to five-star hotels. The cocktail revolution has spread to independent bars and pubs in almost every nook and cranny.

Bartending can be a long-term career or a casual part-time job. And the money is not bad either. Add the tips and you could end up making a decent package once you have built yourself a reputation.

Essential bartending skills form part of full-fledged food and beverage courses taught at hotel management colleges. However, if you are interested in learning only the art of bartending, there are several standalone courses you could opt for.

Pervin Malhotra,TNN