Ementors

Our panel of experts answer your queries on training, recruitment and other work-related issues Page 5

Recruitment

I am a 41-year-old Science graduate with a Diploma in Computer Applications. I have 18 years work experience in various fields, e.g. manufacturing, materials, finance. For the past 18 months I am working with a computer hardware company and have become very well trained in computer hardware and networking. Now I want to become a security expert as I am interested in this field. What according to you are the prospects considering my age?

—Sridhar, Bangalore

Satish Doshi: Age is not a bar, if you want to specialise as a security expert. What would be more important is how passionate you are about becoming a security expert. Ankit Fadia has published popular books and made a name as a security expert, while he was still at school. So, let age not be your barrier. More than the physical age, are you mentally young and hungry to learn new things and challenge yourself? Do you have the basic aptitude and attitude to succeed in this area? To be successful, some of the qualities you must posses are honesty and trustworthiness, quick and continuous self-learning, perseverance, patience, creative and lateral thinking and the ability to work long hours under pressure. Security consultancy is an area where opportunities for self-employment will continue to grow and can be professionally challenging and financially rewarding. Join and participate in relevant special interest groups of professional associations like CSI, IEEE, ISACA, etc.

Human Resources

I am an IIT Mumbai graduate engineer working in a small company that has been started by some former IIT guys. I love my job which is technically challenging and involves a lot of R&D. Recently I got a great offer (with promises of posting abroad) from an IT major. The pay package is very attractive. I am not sure whether I should join or not because I do not want to become another nameless face in a big company. But the temptation is too hard to resist. What should I do?

—Tanmaya Mishra, Mumbai

Varda Pendse: There are pros and cons of working in a large or a small company. The choice you make is dependent on what motivates you personally. In a small company you have the choice to experiment and thereby learn, do various types of assignments and even take up a leadership role at a very young age. Typically, work culture tends to be very relationship-oriented and personal since the team size is very small. There is high focus on personal commitment for delivery rather than compliances to systems and processes viz attendance, timings, etc. There is a culture of everyone knowing everything that is happening in the company.

As compared to that a large company is driven by more systems, processes, organisation hierarchy, etc. Hence, there is tremendous learning in terms of compliance to systems and have experiential learning from other seniors. You also see/experience things from a “bigger” perspective. Yes, you do tend to become one amongst the many and you really need to compete with others to demonstrate that you’re an exception. Apart from the above differential, there may be the obvious differential in compensation. It is a trade off that an individual makes depending on his needs and choice. The learning is there in both the types of company but the learning is very individual initiative and attitude driven. However, I must caution you that it is an emotionally a very difficult move from a small to a large company.

Training

Currently I am working as senior data processing assistant in Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited in Vadodara, Gujarat. I have worked with the organisation for 13 years. I’m involved in SCO Unix Administration, FoxBase, FoxPro, Visual FoxPro, Visual Basic, Oracle, etc, and recently developed an intranet site with ASP.Net on WinXP Prof., IIS 5.1 and Dot.Net Framework 1.1. I have also developed a number of small programs in Foxpro, Clipper and one full-fledged application of financial accounting system in Visual FoxPro 5.0 for our company, along with the costing module. I am a commerce graduate, having done Console Operator cum Programmer Assistant course from ITI as my computer literacy and in-house training on VB, Oracle, Power Builder, Linux, etc. My basic problem for switching over to a good position in a good company is—my lack of qualifications. I don’t have very good qualifications in the field of computers. Kindly suggest which certifications will give me a position in manag-ement/officer cadre.

—Vipul Solanki, Vadodara

N J Rajaram: You have good hands-on experience as far as programming/coding is concerned. You should hone your skills in the subject of managing software projects. You may undertake to prepare for a certification in project management like the PMP. The PMP Certification conducted by the Project Management Institute (PMI) is an international recognition for project managers. I would also advise you to enroll for a part time (continuing education) or distant education programme in Management or Computer Applications. Since you possess 13 years of solid work experience, an additional MBA or MCA or any PG.Diploma in Systems will certainly help you in the longer run.

Heart to Heart

A job like coding does not require the brightest young brains in the country. I am a graduate from BITS Pilani and feel that the work that I am doing can be done by someone who has much lesser qualifications. Lack of challenges makes me feel constantly frustrated. Any solutions?

—Ritesh Sharma, New Delhi

Harish Shetty: Hey, all work is respectable and has dignity. The best of the brains today have begun with the basics and moved fast. Yet if you feel that you are under utilised and need exciting challenges, share your aspirations, dreams and your vision with your boss. Hold your peace and wait a while for different assignments. If you feel you are stagnating, spread the word that you are available. Be very clear with head hunters about your needs and choices. Shortlist and jump at a task which comes close to your choice. Do not be too choosy and demanding while looking around. At the same time beginning from the so called “bottom” will help you to understand the flesh and blood of the various dimensions in your field. Coming close to different responsibilities, however small, helps you to build a powerful empathy bank for managing human beings in the future.

Due to the high volume, we regret our inability to respond to all queries. While advice is given in good faith, neither IT People nor the eMentors can assume responsibility for individual decisions taken by readers based on this advice.