Banking is the way to go

Pervin Malhotra

Q.I’m in my final year of BCA. While I’m Ok with computers, I am also interested in finance and banking. What kind of openings or courses should I be looking at?— Gopesh Ahuja

A.Banks, insurance companies, mutual funds, and investment advisory firms including companies in the corporate sector hire finance professionals as: finance managers, financial controllers, risk managers, stock market analysts, credit managers, cashiers, wealth managers/financial planners, financial product/service marketers etc. 

After a few years of experience, you can decide to become an independent financial consultant to business houses as well as to high networth individuals.

The Banking & Financial Services & Insurance (BFSI) sector has a huge requirement for talent in areas such as treasury, investment banking, wealth management etc. 

The key skill-set required for working in the financial services would be a function of the assignment you’re expected to handle. For example, if you’re in corporate credit underwriting, it’s important that you’re comfortable with number-crunching that’s required for risk assessment, dissecting balance sheets and P & L's etc.

And very fortunately for you, the State Bank of India (SBI) has announced recruitment of 2000 Probationary Officers. While you could be posted anywhere in the country, you can expect a hefty compensation: a total CTC package of  of minimum Rs 8.20 lacs and maximum r 13.08 lacs depending on the location etc. Before applying please read the complete details on the SBI website:  https://bank.sbi/careers or  www.sbi.co.in/career

Graduates (any stream) from a recognized university are eligible for taking SBI PO Exam. Incidentally, the SBI PO Exam is considered to be one of the toughest among bank PO Exams. 

It requires a high level of Reasoning. So, try to prepare thoroughly by the time the next notification is issued. 

In case you’d like to study further, and since you have a background in IT, you may also like to check out the Postgraduate Diploma in Banking Technology offered by the Institute for Development & Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) established by the Reserve Bank of India. The first three batches have found 100% pacement. Another option would be to check out LIC (India’s biggest life insurer and one of the strngest financial institutions in the country). They are recruiting Assistant Administrative officers (total 590 vacancies). LIC provides opportunities to work in different streams such as arketing, finance, Underwriting, Actuarial, Customer relations, nvestments etc

The salary and perks are at par with the best Public Sector financial Institutions.

While the deadline for this batch was end-March, you can check out their next recruitment cycle.

Ground jobs at airports 

Q.Straight after completing my Class XII, I went to California to pursue a flight training course and got my Pilot’s licence. However, unfortunately I had a spinal injury which took a long while healing. I enrolled for a bachelor’s degree in the meanwhile through distance mode, which I have now completed. While I am mobile, I am not fit for a flying job. There are some short-term courses that train students for ground jobs at the airport, but I would prefer something more solid and professional. Any suggestions?— Ravinder Saini

A.Yes, indeed. The Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (a Central University under the M/o Civil Aviation, GoI) offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Airport Operations. The 18-month programme offered in collaboration with GMR Aviation Academy includes a year of classroom teaching followed by a 6-month internship at GMR Airports. Selection is based on an all-India Entrance exam on 9 June. Short-listed candidates will be called for a GD and interview.There are 60 seats in the course, so make sure you ace it. Apply online on the RGNAU website: www.rgnau.ac.in The application deadline is:  15 May 2019. So all the best and remember that when one door closes, several others open up!