The age of earth sciences

Pervin Malhotra 
email your queries to [email protected] 

Q. While pursuing my graduation, I discovered that I have a fascination for Earth sciences. I’m convinced that I would like to pursue my higher studies in this field. What are the courses in this field and the scope of a degree in it?  — Girish Sukhija

A. A truly fascinating field, Atmospheric Science is the study of the blanket of air surrounding the Earth. By the way of analysing previous and present data on international climatic trends, atmospheric scientists can calculate the threat of global warming and even predict catastrophic hurricanes and thunderstorms like the present one in many parts of North India.

Meteorology (weather, climatology) and Aeronomy which study the chemical and dynamic processes in the Earth's atmosphere also come under this category.

As an atmospheric scientist, you can join government research laboratories to study the interaction between the atmosphere and oceans, polar ice caps, and the earth's flora and fauna. These are a part of the upcoming field known as global change research or earth systems science.

Atmospheric chemists also team up with meteorologists and computer modellers to map the chemical changes in pollutants that adversely affect air quality. After the earth was ravaged by disasters like the tsunami and deadly hurricanes, atmospheric scientists have gone back to the drawing board to ascertain the accurate path prediction of hurricanes.

The best part as an atmospheric scientist is that you'll have access to cutting edge technology like GIS and radar systems to study microbursts and research tools like super-fast computers to simulate past climate changes as well as the basic atmospheric processes that occur in real time.

I presume that you’ve done your bachelor’s in science or engineering. So, here are some of the several courses you could check out:

• IIT Roorkee, Dept of Earth Sciences MSc Applied Geology Selection: JAM (www.iitr.ac.in)
• Calcutta University, Centre for Atmospheric Science, Kolkatta. MSc in Atmospheric Sc. Eligibility: BSc with Physics and Maths.  Also PhD (www.caluniv.ac.in)
• Indian Institute of Sciences, Centre for Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences, Bangalore MSc (Engg) and PhD by Research in Atmospheric Sc. Eligibility: MSc or BE/BTech in related branch (http://caos.iisc.ernet.in)
• Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra MSc in Atmospheric Sciences (www.kuk.ac.in)
• University of Pune, Dept of Atmospheric & Space Science, Pune MSc in Atmospheric Science Eligibility: B.Sc/ B.E/ B.Tech with Physics or Math Post MSc or MTech in Atmospheric Sc. Eligibility: M.Sc. (50%) (www.unipune.ac.in)
• Andhra University, School of Earth & Atmospheric Science, Visakhapatnam MTech. In Atmospheric Sc. Eligibility: MSc in Physics, Nuclear Phys, Meteorology, Oceanography, Space Phys, Math, or Stats (www.andhrauniversity.edu.in)
• Cochin University of Science & Technology, Deptt. of Atmospheric Sc, Cochin, MTech in Atmospheric Sc.  Eligibility: MSc in Meteorology, Oceanography or Physics with valid GATE score (www.cusat.ac.in)
• Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupathi MTech in Atmospheric Sc. Eligibility: MSC or BE/BTech in related branch (www.svuniversity.in)
• Assam University, Goa University, Jiwaji University, Mangalore University are amongst some other institutions that offer this specialisation.

Is online travel industry a good career option?

Q. I’m a fresh geography graduate. Being extremely fond (actually crazy) about travelling, I’m looking at making a career in the online travel industry. Does this seem like a good segment to look at in terms of a career? — Ravinder Jha

A. Why not! Led by flight and hotel aggregators, India’s online travel market is expected to touch $13.6 billion by 2021 — constituting nearly 43 per cent of the overall travel category.

Most of the growth would be driven by the growing penetration of international flights and hotel bookings offered by online portals such as Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Goibibo, Expedia, Thomas Cook, Cox & Kings, Travelguru, Oyo Rooms etc. Increasing user demand is another factor as Indian consumers devote close to 4 per cent of their money on travel.

Combo flights & hotel booking packages (some even include airport transfers), as well as exotic holiday packages are a big hit among Indian consumers. Millennials are travelling far more than before, and seeking unique travel experiences — that makes them turn to providers who can stitch these packages together. Overall, online travel bookings in India (combining flights and hotels) are expected to increase at a rate of 16 per cent over the next six years at least.

Flushed with features and boasting of exciting deals and offers, travel portals have eased the burden of booking tickets, managing itineraries, reserving places of stay, and travelling by air or land.

These portals hire people from various disciplines across categories: International, Marketing & Content, Support, Technology, UX & Online Products, Travel and Work from Home (wherein you'll guide guests on their Holiday enquiry, design itineraries, work out costing for the packages and track the payment collected, follow up on queries, attend to webex and con calls, sell holiday packages while attending classroom trainings from time to time. Usually, females are preferred for this one).

An online search of sites such as the following will give you an idea of the eclectic range of opportunities that exist:

http://careers.makemytrip.com/index.aspx

www.cleartrip.com/jobs/

www.yatra.com/online/about-yatra.html#career

Do US schools  accept students with 15-year education? 

Q.Do schools in US accept students with 15 years of education (12+3)? —Rohanpreet

A.Some schools, like Berkley Haas MBA specifically say that they do not accept students with 15 years of education. However, in most cases schools have started to accept students with 15 years of education. This is less relevant for programmes where applicants have sizeable work-experience before applying like MBA. For programmes like MiM, MPA, MS in Business Analytics, etc. where you need lesser work-experience, it is best to ask the school. Increasingly most schools accept an accredited three-year degree as well.