'Careers with Rashmi' on UTVi

Starting 8th of May, I will be hosting a new weekly show on UTVi - 'Careers with Rashmi' - where I answer queries from viewers. Now this is really exciting - as well as a little scary. Because the show is 'live'!

As they say, fortune favours the prepared mind. So the show will not be based on completely random call-ins. There will some method to the madness :)

Since 'careers' is a very broad area, each week I will choose a theme for my show, It could be industry specific (say, the advertising industry) or an idea ('finding a job you love').

The theme for my first show is the 'software industry'. So any of you out there working in software, or considering a career in that area, please do write in to me with your questions! You'll then be asked to call in at a specific time. Or, I'll use your email query.

Aise kyoon? Well, I want questions that are interesting to people @ large. Which bring up issues that many of you might be facing. Also, we'll avoid having the same 2-3 questions repeated over and over again.

A few broad areas which I think are of wider interest:
* Software jobs vs Core jobs: which would you choose today, as an engineer graduating from college

* If I join software, should I go for a big company, a mid cap or even consider a start up?

* Programming vs testing vs product development

* Will the cap on H1 B affect my chances of going abroad?

* What is the growth path for a software engineer?

* If I want to start my own company, what kind of experience would be most relevant for me?

* What is the future of SAP? Is it worth shifting to today?

* What are the hot new areas/ programming languages I can get into today?

* And of course the old favourite: to do or not to do the MBA.

Well, that was just my two bits but I would love to hear from you. Do send in your queries to rashmi_b at yahoo.com. And remember to mention your name and contact no as well.

And the rest of you, do tune in to my show on Friday, 8th of May @ 7 pm on UTVi (channel # 541 on Tata Sky). It is a big day for me, and I need your moral support :)

Interview subjects wanted

Am looking for folks with the following profiles to do a short interview on UTVi 'Cracking Careers':

* Any MBA/ engineer from a reputed school who has worked with a PSU (or is still working for one). This is in the context of so many current graduates joining PSUs.

* Anyone who's done SAP certification and can talk about who should go in for it, does it make sense in the current environment and so on

* Anyone who'd completed the international CFA. Again, is it something you would recommend to others? Has it boosted your career?

As always drop me a line at rashmi_b at yahoo.com. Would prefer people based in Mumbai as it is easier logistically but if you are based in any major metro it should be ok.

EOA (End of Appeal)

Have you taken CAT as well as GMAT?

Looking to interview someone of this profile to feature in 'Cracking careers' on UTVi.

If you've graduated from a well known Indian or foreign bschool which accepts GMAT - all the better. Preferably want someone based in Mumbai.

Drop me a line at rashmi_b at yahoo.com

Wanted: i bankers

With 0-5 years experience, working in India (preferably Mumbai). Would like to interview you for a segment on why i-banking is hot, for UTVi's 'Cracking Careers'.

We're looking for both MBAs and those who's joined i-banks right after graduation, as analysts.

Also looking for anyone who's done a part-time MBA within the last 3 years (or is still doing one). Again, I'd like your opinion and feedback on the value add from the course.

As always, you can drop me a line with your contact no at rashmi_b at yahoo.com

Sorry for the interruption, travelogue continues, with the next post.

Watch 'Cracking Careers' on UTVi

There are two things that young people worry about a great deal: love and money. In India, where love is supposed to happen to you only after you 'settle down in life' we spend more of our youthful energies on building a career.

However, people are just as confused about careers as they are about relationships. And hence the need for information, advice, someone to assure you this-is-way-forward. I guess that is why I wake up each day to half a dozen emails from distressed souls!

There really is a need for a mass medium like television to take up the subject. That was the genesis of Cracking Careers, a half hour weekly show on careers on UTVi (the recently launched business news channel from UTV).

I am the Consulting Editor for this show. So please do tune in and let me know what you think! You can also email me if you'd like your query featured on air. Or, have any subjects you think we should cover.

Every episode of 'Crackin Careers' covers:
a) An issue related to bschools
b) A hot career option (other than MBA)
c) The inspiring story of a young entrepreneur

This week's episode features:
* How to choose a bschool if you haven't cracked the CAT: where do you go with an 80 percentile? We feature the story of Alifia, a student faced with just such a dilemma. And offer advice for others in the same situation.
* Merchandising: an interesting option in the fashion industry
* Little Company: a creche with a difference set up by two young mothers

I also answer some queries from viewers each week.

You can catch 'Cracking Careers' at these days and times:
Saturday 3.30 pm, 6.00 pm
Sunday 12 noon, 5.00 pm
Tuesday 5.30 pm

Dekhiye aur hamein feedback dijiye. As always you can drop me a line at rashmi_b at yahoo.com