Career Planning for Entrepreneurship - Article by Farzad Minoo Damania in Afternoon Newspaper

Hi Friends,

Check out the article published in Afternoon Newspaper on Career Planning for Entrepreneurship written by Farzad Minoo Damania – Founder and Career Counsellor @ Career Nurturer

Article Discussion on: Career Planning for Entrepreneurship 

Article Date: 17^th August 2013

Article in: Afternoon Newspaper

Article Author: Farzad Minoo Damania

Career Planning for Entrepreneurship - Article by Farzad Minoo Damania in Afternoon Newspaper

You can read the entire transcript of the article below:

As a career counsellor and corporate trainer, Farzad came across many students and professionals who ask him how to get into an entrepreneurial role. Here are few pointers given by Farzad for our youth that can help in their career and professional development.

How to get started in your career?

To be successful in your job or business, it is very important that you plan your career path prudently. Career Planning is a lifelong, continuous and an ongoing process.  This process assists in understanding what kind of job/business you would like to do. It involves discovering your abilities and interests, planning your career goals, and creating action plans to achieve your goals. Do not follow the herd-mentality of taking courses in college according to what your friends are pursuing. Make a wise decision by understanding what is right for you, and accordingly choose your career field. Reach out to a career counsellor for guidance.

Do you have it in you?

Here are some skills that you should possess or develop as an entrepreneur: strong leadership skills, out-of-box thinking, analytical decision making, risk taking ability, strong negotiation skills, and good networking and interpersonal skills. And remember, you should be passionate in your work and be focussed towards achieving your goals.

When to plunge into an Entrepreneurial Role?

After completing your graduation and post-graduation, it will be very helpful if you get an opportunity to work for around 5 to 6 years as a full time employee in the corporate world. This will give you the corporate exposure and understanding of how an organization functions. Now that you have gained knowledge of the industry, you can pursue your dream of starting your own business venture.

How to go about it?

Here are some basic steps that you can follow: 1) Explore and identify your business idea. 2) Write a business plan. 3) Research your market and check your competition. 4) Deal with legal matters, financial assistance and get an office location. 5) Develop a marketing plan … Good Luck!!!

For all your career queries, reach out to me on farzad.damania@gmail.com or 9833971773.

Your feedback is highly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Farzad Minoo Damania

Career Counsellor & Corporate Trainer 

Career Nurturer

http://farzadminoodamania.blogspot.com

http://www.careernurturer.com

http://www.facebook.com/careernurturer

Email: farzad.damania@gmail.com  

Mob: 9833971773

Career Guidance Q&A - August 2013 by Farzad Minoo Damania - Career Nurturer in Bandra Buzz Newspaper

Hi Friends,

Career Nurturer answers career queries of students/parents in Bandra Buzz Newspaper – August 2013 issue, on Career Guidance Q&A.

Article Title: Career Guidance (Q&A) - August 2013

Article Date: August 2013

Article in: Bandra Buzz Newspaper

Article Author: Farzad Minoo Damania

Career Guidance Q&A - Farzad Minoo Damania, Career Counsellor, Career Nurturer 

You can read the entire transcript of the article below:

I am a B.Com graduate. Many of my friends pursued Company secretary course along with their graduation. I would like to do it now after graduation. Is it a good idea or am I too late? – Ms. Batliwala

It has been a general trend to pursue CS along with graduation. However, you can pursue it any time. It is never too late. Since you are graduate, you need not apply for the 1st stage i.e. Foundation exam and can directly register for 2nd stage i.e. Executive Program. Students also consider pursuing LLB or LLB (General) along with the CS course after graduation.

My daughter is in 10^th SSC. We are confused about what field she should get into after her 10th. Please guide us? – Mr. Sagar

Your daughter should make a career decision based on her aptitude, skills, interests and personality qualities.  You must consult a career counsellor and make your daughter undergo aptitude and other psychometric tests. This will help you all decide her correct career field. There are several career options that exist after 10th. The career counselling session should be able to guide you on what suits her best based on her abilities.

I am a working professional having background in accounts with over 5 years of work experience. But my highest qualification is 12^th pass. Now I want to do my graduation. Is it a good idea? – Ms. Ragini

In today’s time, it has become very important to at least have a graduate degree. Pursuing your graduation is surely a good idea. You may consider B.Com in distance learning mode from University of Mumbai or Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Also, taking short term courses or certifications related to your field would also help.

I am interested in pursuing B.Des. (Fashion Designing). Can you tell me about the entrance process for NIFT? – Ms. Sheetal

The entrance exams at National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) are conducted in two stages. The first stage (written test) will be conducted in February wherein you have to give a creative ability test (CAT) and general ability test (GAT). If you are shortlisted from the written test then you will be eligible for second stage and will be giving a hands-on practical situation test in April. This is followed by group discussion and personal interview.

For all your career queries, reach out to me on farzad.damania@gmail.com or 9833971773.

Your feedback is highly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Farzad Minoo Damania

Career Counsellor & Corporate Trainer 

Career Nurturer

http://farzadminoodamania.blogspot.com

http://www.careernurturer.com

http://www.facebook.com/careernurturer

Email: farzad.damania@gmail.com  

Mob: 9833971773

Career in Software Testing (QA Testing)

A Software Quality Assurance Tester is a person who works on designing of test plans, scripts and procedures for testing applications, software and website portals before it is deployed into live systems. A Software QA Tester works closely with programmers, developers and analysts. 

QA Tester’s Motto:

• Design Test Plan
• Test S/W & Apps
• Bug Tracking

A Day in a Software QA Tester’s Life

• Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures
• Test system modifications to prepare for implementation
• Develop testing programs to address scenarios like upgrades and migration
• Document software defects, via bug tracking system, report defects to s/w developers
• Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, content
• Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes
• Create or maintain databases or repositories of known test defects
• Plan test schedules or strategies in accordance with project scope or delivery dates
• Participate in product design reviews to provide input on functional requirements
• Review software documentation to ensure technical accuracy, compliance, risk analysis.

Skills Required

• Dependable, responsible, reliable and good time management skills
• Good critical thinking for identifying alternate solutions  or approaches to a problem
• Being careful about details and thorough in completing the assigned tasks
• Strong analytical thinking and logical approach for troubleshooting
• Strong perseverance and persistence when faced with obstacles in testing
• Good natured, co-operative and pleasant nature
• Stress tolerance to work in high stressful situations and tight deadline conditions
• Good communication skills to convey information to programmers and developers
• Understand various technologies in hardware, software and business functions

Job Titles

• QA Analyst
• QA Director
• Software QA Engineer
• Software Quality Engineer
• Product Assurance Engineer
• Software Test Engineer
• Computer Systems Analyst
• Software QA Analyst
• Information Systems Analyst (ISA)
• Business Intelligence Analyst

Career Chart

Other Related Careers

• Systems Analyst
• Business Intelligence Analyst
• Management Analyst
• Operations Research Analyst
• Information Systems Manager
• Information Security Analyst
• Software Architect
• Information Research Scientist
• Software Architect
• IT Systems Architect
• Web Architect
• IT Systems Designer

Salary Expectation

• Diploma Holders: Rs. 7,000 to Rs.10,000 per month
• Engineers : Rs. 20,000  to Rs. 30,000 per month
• Certifications are essential for better remuneration

Growth Chart

Software QA Testing Certifications

• QAI Certifications: CAST / CSTE / CMST / CASQ / CSQA / CMSQ / CSPM
• ISTQB Certifications: CTFL / CTAL / CTEL
• IIST Certifications: CSTP – A / CSTP – P / CSTP – M / CSTAS / CTM / CSQM
• ASQ Certifications:  CSQE / CQIA
• Vendor Specific Certifications: HP-Mercury / Empirix / Seque / Rational

Note: Certifications in the fields of Business Analysis, Software Programming, Project Management and Change Management are also pursued along with QA Testing Certs to improve IT knowledge.

Regards,

Farzad Minoo Damania

Founder, Career Counsellor & Trainer

Career Nurturer

http://www.careernuruter.com

http://www.facebook.com/careernurturer

Career in Foreign Language - Article by Farzad Minoo Damania [Parsi Times Weekly Newspaper]

Hi Friends,

Check out my article publication in Parsi Times Newspaper dated 3^rd August 2013, on Career in Foreign Language.

Article Title: Career in Foreign Language

Article Date: 3^rd August, 2013

Article on: Parsi Times Newspaper

Article Author: Farzad Minoo Damania

You can read the entire transcript of the article below:

As India marches towards being a global player and with an increase in multinational trade, foreign language speaking professionals are in great demand in the corporate world. Thus studying a foreign language as a primary or supplementary job skill can help you groom your career. Foreign language skills can help you in both professional and personal development.

When you study a foreign language, it entails learning about the language, literature, linguistics and culture of that foreign language.

Abilities and Traits:

Learning a foreign language requires high level of concentration, focus and hard work. Also, it goes without saying that you must love reading and writing. You need to be accurate with words, pronunciations, and grammar. You must have deep interest and passion in learning about the culture, language and way of life of other people. You should possess cultural sensitivity and have a genuine interest in understanding different cultures. Strong interpersonal and clear communication skills are also important.

Specializations and Courses:

You may consider learning any of these foreign languages – German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Mandarin, Chinese, Korean, Arabic and Persian. Few well known institutes offering courses in a foreign language include Max Muller Bhavan (German), Acdemia Espanol (Spanish), Alliance Francaise de Bombay (French), Instituto Hispania (Spanish), Indo - Italian Chamber of Commerce (Italian), and Indo-Japan Chamber Of Commerce and Industry (Japanese). These institutes offer beginner, intermediate and advanced levels courses. Also, you can consider foreign language graduate and post graduate courses offered by University of Mumbai, University of Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru University. Some universities offering courses in foreign languages conduct entrance exams (oral and written) for admission to their bachelors and masters degree programs.

Job Prospects:

Students have a wrong impression that language as a career option does not offer much job scope, because they feel that the only job option after doing these courses is as a teacher or professor. But this is not true. Other than teaching and research, you can find job opportunities as translator, interpreter and customer support executive in BPOs, KPOs and MNCs. Opportunities exist in travel agencies, airline companies and tour guide agencies. You can consider working in foreign diplomacy and external affairs departments of the Government of India via the UPSC route.  Several PR agencies, law firms, import-export companies, marketing and advertising agencies also hire language specialists. Jobs in publishing agencies and media houses are also possible.  

Salary Expectations:

Foreign language professionals can earn an attractive salary package depending on the work and organization. You can earn between Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 30,000 per month right after graduation. Translators charge Rs. 1 to Rs. 5 per word, whereas interpreters charge between Rs. 1,000 per hour to Rs. 10,000 per day.

For all your career queries, reach out to me on farzad.damania@gmail.com or 9833971773.

Your feedback is highly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Farzad Minoo Damania

Career Counsellor & Corporate Trainer 

Career Nurturer

http://farzadminoodamania.blogspot.com

http://www.careernurturer.com

http://www.facebook.com/careernurturer

Email: farzad.damania@gmail.com  

Mob: 9833971773

CAT 2013 Entrance Exam Schedule

The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2013 for admission to IIMs and other B-schools will be conducted from 16^th October 2013 to 11^th November 2013.

CAT 2013 Important Dates

• Online Registration/Voucher Sale: 5^th August 2013 to 24^th September 2013
• Registration Window: 5^th August 2013 to 26^th September 2013
• Test Dates: 16^th October 2013 to 11^th November 2013
• Results: 14^th January 2014

Details regarding eligibility, test centres, application process can be obtained from http://www.cat2013.iimidr.ac.in

Best Wishes,

Farzad Minoo Damania

Career Counsellor, Trainer

Career Nurturer

http://www.careernurturer.com

http://www.facebook.com/careernurturer