Ementor

Recruitment

I am interested pursuing a career in technical writing. I have worked in the field of computers, and write well. I also have good command over English language. I am not interested in joining any organisation, but would like to work as a freelancer. Will this be a wise career decision? How should I begin?

—Himansu C Kar

Satish Doshi: Technical writing does provide good career opportunities. As a technical writer, you would have many options of working—part-time, free-lance as well as home-based. You have mentioned that you are not interested in joining an organisation—is it because you have some other commitments or just a preference. If possible, it is advisable to work for some time in an organisation, preferably with a team of technical writers. This way you will get exposed to systems, techniques and standards used by large organisations, which will be useful as a freelancer. Later, even if you resign, the organisation may be willing to give you assignments as a freelancer. Further, other organisations will be willing to give you assignments if you already have some experience as a technical writer. You should also join relevant e-groups in the area.

Human Resources

I am working for a mid-sized Indian IT company. I was earlier posted in Kolkata and was transferred to Mumbai four months back. The problem is that the pay-scale in Kolkata is different from Mumbai, I should be getting more here, but the company has just been postponing, putting me on Mumbai pay-scale. A few of my juniors, in fact, get paid more than me. I have been pursuing this matter with my boss and the HR head here, but they keep giving excuses. What should I do? Please guide me.

—Tanmaya Sen

Varda Pendse: I can understand your frustration and angst as it really is impacting your bottomline. You need to be more firm and assertive with both your HR manager and your boss regarding the settlement of the difference in cost of living. You may write an e-mail to both of them regarding the issue. You need not be too perturbed about the amount of money that the juniors make...more upsetting is that the difference in cost of living has not been paid.

Hopefully, you have not accepted any transfer letter on as is basis. Normally, in most companies a transfer from low cost city to high cost city is accompanied with either additional benefit in terms of housing or an additional allowance or both. However, in case you have accepted an transfer letter, then you need to use your influencing skills...and hope for the best! Remember, you have moved with promotion and hence, you need to demonstrate emotional maturity by being persuasive, firm and assertive.

Training

I have been working with an audio company and am interested in doing MTech (Digital Systems and Computer Electronics) or VLSI design, preferably through correspondence. Kindly let me know the names of the institutions providing this training, admission procedures and eligibility criterion, through regular/correspondense classes.

—Navin

N J Rajaram: Some of the best institutes offering a course in VLSI design and allied fields are:

IISc Bangalore; IIT Bombay has a PG course in microelectronics the basic qualification are a valid gate score in required discipline; IIT Chennai—the Department of Electrical Engine-ering conducts a course in Microprocessors, Digital Systems and Analogue Systems, VLSI Design; IIT Kanpur; IIT Delhi (VLSI Design Tools and Technology) conducts an interdisciplinary MTech programme; IIT Kharagpur Department of Electronics & Electrical Comm-unication Engineering conducts a post-graduate course in VLSI; IIT Guwahati Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering lists work in VLSI, Digital Design, Mixed Signal processing, etc., as its major focus areas.

The Department of Electronics (DoE), Government of India, has launched a major nation-wide programme to raise the institutional capability for the development of special manpower in the area of VLSI design and related software. To this extent, seven resource centres (Mumbai, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur and Madras IITs, IISc and CEERI Pilani) were identified by the DoE which could be entrusted with the responsibility to develop special programmes, manpower, course work, etc., to be used by other participating institutes. Twelve participating institutes are identified for this purpose.

The institutes covered under this project are:

Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology (TIET), Patiala; Roorkee University, Roorkee; BHU-Institute of Technology (BHU-IT), Varanasi; Bengal Engineering College (BEC), Howrah; Jadhavpur University; REC, Rourkela; REC, Warangal; PSG College of Engineering, Coimbatore; KREC, Suratkal; VRCE, Nagpur; GSITS, Indore; and Malaviya REC, Jaipur.

Other than these, quite a few universities conduct courses in VLSI and related fields at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These include:

1. Department of Electronic Science, University of Pune;

2. BITS Pilani offers ME in Microelectronics (in collaboration with CEERI (Central Electronic Engineering Research Institute, Pilani), the faculty are mostly form CEERI;

3. The Electronics and Communication Engin-eering Department Regional Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli Conducts an MTech course in VLSI Design;

4. Manipal Centre for Information Science offers a MS VLSI CAD in tie up with Synopsys;

5. MTech course in microelectronics is conducted at Punjab University, Chandigarh in collaboration with Semiconductor Complex, Mohali and CSIO Chandigarh;

6. Aptech Limited.

Heart to Heart

I am a 22-year-old girl working in a call centre at Noida. I have always been good at academics but I am an ordinary looker. My colleague is a very pretty girl and my team leader is completely taken up with her. He is only a couple of years older than us, and I feel lacks the maturity that befits his position. He keeps encouraging and praising her all the time even though she is an ordinary worker. It is very apparent to everybody and people talk about it.

I know this must be a common problem in most offices, but the reason why I am writing to you is that this is harming me professionally. It might sound pompous but the truth is that everybody regards me as an excellent worker, I was also recommended for a promotion.

My team leader however saw to it that she got a promotion and also a bigger raise. My other colleagues were also very angry but we don’t know what to do. This is my first job and turning out to be a bad experience. I feel very depressed all the time. Are looks that important at the workplace?

—Sheetal Srivastava, Noida

Harish Shetty: Sheetal, I would be very hurt if I were in your place and also feel humiliated. And I would like to share that good work will always be appreciated and can never be overlooked for long. Temporary setbacks do happen and may be dictated by personal prejudices. Also, career growth can never happen only with looks and other non-performance based variables. Share your feelings loudly with your team leader without fear and shame.

Tell him how you feel early lest you may explode later causing emotional harm to yourself. Don’t accumulate your bad energy in the form of resentments as it is a poison which will destroy your mind, soul and body. As far as looks are concerned, remember that each one of us is beautiful and how you feel defines how you look. Keep being true to yourself, pat your back with your own hands...till others do it for you. And you may overtake him too.