Textile designing as a career

Pervin Malhotra 

Q.I’m a humanities student currently studying in Class XII. While some of my friends are keen on becoming fashion and accessory designers, I think I would like to go in for textile design. What are the career prospects and learning opportunities in such a career? —yamini shirodkar

A.Today, most of the textile designing work around the globe is carried out in Asian countries, including India. And as the purchasing power continues to grow, the demand for textile designers continues to rise.

Textile designers work with a wide variety of materials, processes and techniques to create a diverse and innovative range of products from fabrics to carpets and wall-paper.

As a textile designer in India, you can work in crafts sector, handloom industry, manufacturing industry, social sector, textile export industry, etc. You’ll probably work along with other types of designers, like fashion designers or interior designers, to create the perfect patterns.

It would help to be acquainted with the textile traditions of various countries and keep up-to-date with the latest happenings in textile across the globe.

Work experience gained during your college years would help you develop first-hand practical knowledge and business acumen while demonstrating your commitment to the organization. Make it a point to nurture your relationships with design companies, established designers and fashion houses as they would always be useful in the long run.

A bachelor’s degree in textile design would be a good starting point. A master’s degree would give you deeper domain knowledge.

With a few years of experience, you can even set up your own design studio or freelance for several companies.

The expected starting salary can be Rs 5-6 lakh per annum depending on level of creativity and expertise.

---

Co-op programmes in Canada

Q.Could you please tell me something about the co-op programmes in Canada? Also, is it possible to opt for these programmes on a student visa? —Raghav bisht

A.Some colleges in Canada offer a Co-Operative programme which has a built-in work term as part of the curriculum.

The universities have their own arrangements with the co-op employers with whom students are placed for internship in the industry related to your study.

Co-op programmes are ideal if you wish to mix work and study. This allows you to pursue a diploma or degree that includes paid work experience. Moreover, it will help you find placements in your field after you complete your studies.

It may take a little longer to finish your diploma, but it will give you the opportunity to discover what type of work suits you best.

If your academic programme requires you to complete a co-op or internship as part of your study, you’ll have to apply for a Work Permit in addition to your Study Permit.

For specific criteria on obtaining the appropriate work permit, log onto:

www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/work-coop.asp 

---

Can I pursue academics after joining Army?

Q.I come from a farming background in a small village in Haryana. I have just finished Class XI. I am very keen to serve in the Indian Army. I want to know the criteria and eligibility and also if I can pursue my further studies along with serving the Army? — bharat kumar

A.The Indian Army, which is one of the largest in the world, continues to inspire the country’s young people like you in large numbers. And for good reason too.

The Armed forces offer excellent career opportunities for young people. Not to mention the wonderful facilities, privileged lifestyle, and of course honor of serving our country.

The two main lines of work in the armed forces are categorised under the fighting forces and the support services. The fighting forces comprise the armoured corps, artillery, signals, engineering and the infantry.

The support services include electronics and mechanical engineering, ordinance corps, medical corps, intelligence and education.

The Indian armed forces employ more than a million young men and women each year. You can join Army as an officer or as a JCO. The recruitment to the armed forces is voluntary and every citizen of India irrespective of caste, class, religion and community is eligible to apply, provided they meet the stipulated physical, medical and educational criteria.

# As far as further studies are concerned, Jawans can continue to upgrade themselves academically even while serving in the Army.

Under a joint project, the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and the Army Education Corps (ACE) Jawans can study without leaving their jobs and enhance their mobility prospects after retirement.

# NIOS will reach all the Jawans posted in far-flung areas of the country and provide them study material through Human Resource Development Centres (HRDCs) at the Army Head Quater commands, corps, divisions and other centres.

This will also enable Army personnel who discontinued their education for whatever reason, to resume their studies through distance learning.

For further details regarding eligibility, recruitment notices and training schedule log onto: www.joinindiarmy.nic.in

• Army Public School, Dhaula Kaun, New Delhi - www.apsdk.com/
• Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun - www.euttaranchal.com/institutes/indian-military-academy-dehradun
• Rashtriya Military School, Chail - www.rashtriyamilitaryschools.in/chail/
• Rashtriya Military School, Bangalore - http://rashtriyamilitaryschools.in

---

Relevance of a degree in home science.

Q.I have cleared the Boards this year. Two of my friends are opting for home science. I would like to know whether it has any relevance in the future? Is science necessary for admission?  — Neha pradhan

A.Both a science as well as an art, and combining theoretical knowledge with extensive fieldwork, Home Science is an interdisciplinary field that gears students for employment as well as entrepreneurship. Contrary to belief, it has numerous applications outside the home as well.

To prepare for the four basic areas of Home Science (Food & Nutrition, Clothing & Textile, Human Development and Family Resource Management), you’ll study varied subjects spanning across biological and physical sciences i.e. chemistry, biochemistry, physics, anatomy & physiology, bacteriology, microbiology, health & hygiene, economics, sociology, psychology and perhaps a few more. However, each of these subjects is taught only to the extent necessary to provide grounding in the four major areas.

The varied nature of study at the bachelor’s level will give you a very broad base of information and knowledge to tackle the further specializations in this field, or any other area of study at the PG level.

Some of the BSc (Hon) courses in Home Science and those offered at agricultural universities do require science in 10+2, but not all. There are BA courses in Home Science as well in many colleges. Do check.