Ementor

Recruitment

I am a resident of Dehradun. I have done the VC++ course last year from Kanetkar’s Institute in Nagpur. I have completed my DOEACC ‘A’ level and am now appearing for ‘B’ level. I am also doing a diploma from IETE and plan to do my engineering from the institution. I have left my graduation (BCom) as I wanted to devote my full time on the software field. Meanwhile, I want to open a software development firm or institute (in small scale) so that I would have an edge by the time I finish my studies. Kindly guide me how to start such an initiative. Or, do you have any other advice? What career path should I take?

—Amit Kashyap

Satish Doshi: The path you should take is dependent on what you would like to do after you complete your studies. It would also depend on how much you have already progressed and the balance time you would need to complete ‘B’ level as well as engineering. The path would also depend on how much free time is available on a regular basis after attending to your regular study needs.

The idea of gaining real-life experience, while you are still studying is undoubtedly an excellent idea. It would definitely provide you with a very definite advantage to your classmates, when you finish your studies. Quite often, it also results in your academic performance in your regular studies also showing improvement.

If possible, at this stage taking up a part-time job or taking software projects on a free-lance basis will provide you the experience you are looking for. Quite often, when you start a business, the pressure to keep the business viable or generate profits could interfere with the demands of your studies. Also by Murphy’s law your business would have a pressing need for your time at the same time as your exams.

However, if you are clear that you intend to start your own business after completing studies, than you could start the business while you are still studying. In such a case, the decision to open a software development firm or institute (in small scale) would depend on what business you would like to do after you complete your studies.

Human Resources

I am a software engineer working with an IT company for the past three years. I had signed a bond for three years on May 2001, and it got completed this May 2004. As per the management of the company, an option is given saying that the bond period will be extended for 18 months after completing three years. This was told in the month of January 2004. Those who have completed will have to sign for 18 months and those who have not completed three years bond should do so after the period. My three years bond period was to be completed by May 2004, so I decided to lookout for another job. I informed the management about my decision in the month of February 2004.

The module transfer started from February onwards. By the time I completed my three years, I had finished all module transfer and the task assigned to me. I had started looking out for another job, found one, and informed the company on April 24 that I wanted to be relieved within a month. I requested the management to check whether the task assigned to me is complete. But I got a response only on May 20 and that the job, which was pending from a-year-and-half, should be completed.

I did the same and handed it over to the concerned person. Despite all this, the management refused to relieve me and I stopped working exactly after a month of informing them. Now the problem is, it is mentioned in the bond that after completing three years, I have to serve the notice period of two months for knowledge transfer. But I did not do it. I have joined elsewhere so that I have received a legal notice from the old company saying that I need to complete my notice period, but I cannot do. It is a question of my career now. I am thankful to the company, which gave me a break, but even my career is important. So can you please suggest what to do? It is urgent, should I reply to the notice?

—Name withheld on request

Varda Pendse: It is difficult for me to give you an advice on an issue, which has legal implications. Since you have received a legal notice from your previous employer, you have two options:

1. You can send a formal legal reply to the company. You will need to consult a lawyer for the same. You must carry the following documents to the legal expert when you visit him/her for consultation.

• Bond signed by you with the company;
• Documents relating to extension of bond;
• Your appointment letter;
• Your resignation letter;
• Notice sent to you by the company.

These documents are very crucial and need to be studied in detail.

2. However, if you feel your relationship is cordial with the organisation, you may choose to personally visit the HR department and discuss to seek a mutual resolution.

I must state that the legal recourse should be the last option because it is both time consuming and costly, apart from it being extremely stressful. It may also impact your current employment.

Training

I have done BSc (Maths). Since six years I am working as a software professional (currently with Syntel India). Now, to add more value to my profile I would like to do Masters degree through correspondence. But, I am a bit confused what is best for me. Which of the following should I apply for—MCA or MBA (IT/Finance) or MSc (Maths/Stats/IT).

I would like to grow either as an analyst, system analyst, project manager or system architect. What should I do?

—Manoj Thakkar

Prabal Mall: After going through your profile I feel you should either do MCA or MSc IT. Since you are planning to do a correspondence course, you can also do a specialisation in one of your areas of interest from any professional IT training institution as an add-on.

Here are some universities providing MCA in Distance Learning Programme:

• IGNOU
• Bhoj University, Bhopal
• Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar

Qualification: BCA/CIC/DCO/ BSc /BCom/BBA/BBM/BE/BTech.

Before enrolling for any Degree/ Diploma/Certificate offered through distance mode please check if it is recognised by the Distance Education Council (DEC) of the Government of India.