Dental Assistant

Dental Assistant career is one among healthcare careers that does not require a professional degree. These people are the valued members of the dental care team who works closely with Dentists in all stages of treatment of a patient and is also known by the names Dental Nurse and Dental Chair side Assistant. 

Dental Assistants are trained personnel who provide chair side assisting, four-handed dentistry, radiology and the use of dental materials in Dental clinic. Dental Assistants greatly increase the efficiency of the dentist in the delivery of quality oral health care. They are the second pair of hands for the dentists. They mix dental materials, provide oral evacuation during dental procedures. It is the duty of the dental assistant to make the patients as comfortable as possible and relaxed for their treatment. They work along with the dentist as they examine and treat patients. They hand instruments and materials to the dentist and keep patients' mouths dry and clear by using suction or other devices. Dental Assistants are also involved in the administration of the Dental practice by answering telephones and making appointments. 

Sometimes dental assistants may be confused with Dental Hygienist as both deal with dental procedures. But both groups perform two different roles. Dental hygienists usually have a higher level of training and expertise and are responsible for cleaning and examining the teeth and gums of a patient and reporting their findings to the dentist. Whereas dental assistants are mainly concerned with preparation of the patient, equipment and instruments. They help both dentists and dental hygienists. 

Dental assistants performs a variety of assignments and duties and have varied levels of responsibilities during their work. Their major duties and responsibilities involves :

• Maintaining and preparing treatment rooms and instruments
• Scheduling appointments for patients
• Seating and preparing patients for dental treatment
• Providing assurance and support for the patient
• Maintaining patient dental and medical records 
• Instructing patients on proper dental hygiene and oral care
• Assisting dentists with procedures during treatment
• Performing basic laboratory procedures
• Sterilizing and disinfecting dental instrument and equipment
• Preparing tray setups
• Preparing materials for making dental impressions and restorations
• Processing x rays 
• Ordering and delivering dental materials

Career as Dental Assistant is one among the healthcare careers that offers great employment opportunity. But at the same time, this career requires relatively minimal educational qualification and training. 

How to Become a Dental Assistant

High school / 10th/ 12th candidates with biology, chemistry, health subjects can join for a dental training course to start a career as a dental assistant. There are numerous dental colleges and schools in India, providing training courses on dental-assisting programs. 

Diploma in Dental Assistance and Dental Operation Room Assistant (DORA) are two main courses in this field. The duration of these courses may vary from 10 months to 2 years, depending on the institute. These courses teaches variety of skills needed for a dental assisting career. The course includes a study of basic body systems and functions, oral anatomy, dental science, dental materials, computer and office applications, and oral radiology in preparation for these job duties. It may also include classroom and laboratory work in which students learn about teeth, gums, jaws and other areas that dentists work on. An internship during the course offers students the opportunity to practice their learned skills in a dental office environment and prepare for their dental assisting career.

Skills required for Dental Assistants

The most required quality for a dental assistant is the ability to co-operate and work as part of a team. Dental assistants should be sensitive to the emotions of the patients, as they work closely with them. They must have the ability to pay close attention to detail, to put patients at ease and to remain calm under pressure and in emergencies. Strong listening and speaking skills are necessary for communicating with dentists and patients. Excellent organizational and time management skills are also desirable. One should also have good critical thinking skills, which will allow him or her to evaluate alternative solutions to problems.

Nature of Work and Job Prospects

Dental assistant diploma holders can join in dental clinics. Most dental assistants are employed by dentists in private practices and clinics. On the job training would be provided to them by the dentist. Employment opportunities in this field are excellent, since many dentists employ two or more dental assistants. Dental assistants can practice as both full-time and part-time employee.

Generally, most individuals enter the profession as a stepping stone for a more advanced career in dentistry or healthcare. With further education in this field, dental assistants can become dental product sales representatives, dental lab technicians, dental-assisting instructors and even Dental Hygienists. 

Institutes for Dental Assistants

For the complete list of courses and colleges offering dental technology courses CLICK HERE

Data Entry

Data Entry, as the name suggests, is the process of entering data into a computerized database or a spread sheet. Data Entry Specialists transfer / enter data held on manual records to computer files and ensure that important data is collated, processed and stored appropriately for business use. They are responsible for transferring both words and numerical data into spreadsheets or databases. Data entry operators are in charge of updating, maintaining and retrieving information which is held in a companies computerised information storage and retrieval systems. People involved in data entry may also handle letters, documents and mailing lists. Data entry professionals are known by various job titles such as Data Entry Operators, Typists, Data Entry Keyers and Information Processing Workers.

A career in data entry is bound to be stable, well-paying, and quite progressive in nature, as the BPO sector in every progressive country is growing and progressing fast. Even though Data entry is not considered a sought after profession, it is becoming popular among students and homemakers. This is because it is a job that can be done as part time and one doesn't require much intelligence. As internet is filled with ample online jobs, data entry has turned into one of the most common work-from-home option. Some data entry jobs require knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Office, while others require none at all.

Since its inception, data entry has created ample employment opportunities among people from different walks of life. Most data entry work is done in an online setting involving the input of data into single or multiple databases or spreadsheet applications. There are various types of data such as numbers, addresses and names that are keyed in. A data entry operator should exhibit proficiency in typing, skill in 10-key and awareness of dynamic and advanced technological developments. 

How to become a Data Entry Operator

Professionals belonging to any academic background can take up a career in Data Entry. Generally, data entry jobs does not require any specific educational requirements except for a high speed and accurate typing proficiency. But a high school qualification/ a pass in matriculation or plus two is recommended for better job positions, if seeking opportunities in reputed companies. Those with a bachelors degree have wider scope of obtaining employment in reputed organisations like commercial banks/ software development companies etc.

Only a few institutes offer courses purely in data entry, and that too certificate and diploma courses namely Diploma in Data Entry Operator Course and Certificate in Data Entry Operator. The main objective of attending a course in data entry operating is to enhance your skills in computer fundamentals, MS-Office, Operating System, Concepts of Networking and Hardware, PageMaker, Introduction to LAN, Internet, Environment, and Typing. For applying to the All India Information Technology Association (AIITA ) approved Data Entry Course, one must have 10th or its equilalent.

One can also join for courses like PGDCA, MS Office or other short term computer courses. Linguistics coursewould also be an added advantage for those interested in this career. 

Personal traits required :

Since it is an online job, basic computer skills is a must for data entry operators. The foremost and common prerequisite needed for a data entry operator is error free typing, keyboard speed and capacity to interpret data fast. They should also possess sufficient knowledge about Microsoft office applications like word/ excel/ power point etc. Data entry specialists must be good in spelling, punctuation and grammar. They should have good reading comprehension; verbal, written and communication skills and active listening skills. Apart from English, data entry jobs are available in various regional languages. So those who intend to work in their regional language, should have proper knowledge in the respective language. 

Other attributes needed for data entry operator is the ability to work independently and as part of a team, ability to focus on the same task for long periods of time so there is only minimal errors, ability to work under pressure to meet tight deadlines, and positive approach in a busy working environment. Data entry operators must be familiar with basic office equipment like scanners, copiers and printers. 

Job Prospects and Career Options

Both government and private sectors offer excellent employment opportunities in data entry service. Every organisation, from a big corporate office to little grocery shop are in need of data entry operators who along with entering, maintaining and retrieving data may have to handle daily official work like sending communication, drafting letters etc. Data entry operators may work in many fields, including banking, insurance, marketing, accounting, human resources, healthcare sector etc. 

Following are some of the prominent and utilized categories of data entry services available in India. In each field, data entry operators are required to do data entry work related to that particular field :

• Data entry for directories and yellow pages
• Data entry of medical and insurance claims
• Data entry of Surveys and market research results
• Data entry of company reports 
• Data entry of medical records of patients
• Data entry of personal details of customers for bank transactions
• Data Capture -capturing data from unstructured documents such as letters, invoices, email, fax, forms etc
• Image Processing Services / Image Data Entry etc

Data Entry can be offline or online. Related services in the field include Data Management Services, Data Cleansing Services, Document Scanning Services etc

Job openings are available in plenty for Data Entry operators in the fast growing and developing cities such as Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Noida, Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai, Cochin, Chennai, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Pune etc. Cleave Global E-Services, SM Telesys, Transoffshore in Noida; Data Entry Outsourcing, Data Entry Services India, Unisoft, Prime Technologies in Ahmedabad; Intercom India, Aranis, Stylus Systems Pvt Ltd in Bangalore; Bhawani Infotech Private Limited, International Data Entry Services, Search Engine Optimization Services in New Delhi; Paven Technologies, Deccan Chronicle, Runaware Software Pvt Ltd, Polaris Software Labs, Saaki Search and Devine Software Technologies Pvt Ltd in Hyderabad are some among the companies that recruit data entry operators.

In government organizations, data entry jobs are available only for those below 30- 35 years with a minimum of several years of work experience. DOEACC Society, Indian Council for Medical Research, Ministry of Science and Technology of Government of India, EdCIL Limited, International Institute for Population Science are a few among the government organizations that recruit data entry operators. The job openings will be published in Employment News and other relevant publications/ or in the websites of Public Service Commissioner (PSC).

Work-from-home is another option for data entry professionals. For that, what you need is :

• A computer with required software packages, databases and internet connection
• Working knowledge of software packages like MS word, MS Excel, power point etc.
• Good and accurate key boarding speed

There are several online companies that hire data entry operators from home. Reliable jobs may be hard to find, especially if you are looking to work from home because there are so many scams. But there are also many legitimate companies who offer online data entry jobs. In order to find an online data entry job from home, search for various data entry job search board. To access the incredible number of job options from employers all around the world, you should have to become a member of these board. It helps you to bid on any job posted. Most job boards require a membership fee. With a bit of research and careful examination, you can find quite a few data entry job openings online. 

Dance Choreography

Are you a born dancer ? Do you have passion for innovation and a knack for teaching people? If so, career as a choreographer could be a perfect fit for you. Earlier dance used to be considered as an entertainment source, but now dance choreography is a popular career choice among youth.

Choreography is not just about dance, it's about understanding dance well enough to combine various steps and movements according to the chosen music. Dance choreography involves using traditional dance forms and blending them with original dance moves to create a whole new performance. Choreography promotes the expression of ideas through dance, movement languages and compositional forms on the body. In simple words, Choreography involves conceptualization of dance moves.

People who translate ideas into dance sequences are called Choreographers. Choreographers start out their career as dancers. With years of experience in the field they gradually move towards choreography. Choreographers work with all forms of dance, including traditional, classical ballet, modern, tap, jazz, folk, ethnic, and ballroom. They create and arrange original dance numbers, combining steps and movements to form an artistic whole. They may also make changes to older dances and make them innovative. A choreographer is responsible for the composition and direction of dance movement. They must be knowledgeable not only about dance techniques but also about music, costumes, lighting, and drama. Choreographers produce dance sequences and interpret traditional dances for theater, opera, television, movies and other performance venues.

Choreographers and dance instructors are not same. Even though both involve teaching dance, professional choreographers create original dance sequences and teach them to advanced dancers for the purposes of presentation or performance. They also assist in other fields of a production like choosing the music, lighting effect etc. Dance instructors, on the other hand, teach tried and tested dance steps to novice and trainee dancers.

There is no dearth of employment options for good Choreographers as they are required across stage show companies, wedding planning companies, modelling agencies, educational institutes, television and film studios. About 40 percent of dance choreographers work in performing arts companies, and about 78 percent in schools and institutions, which include dance and fine arts schools.

To be a choreographer one has to assist an established choreographer for several years and learn skills such as conceptualisation, visualisation, setting sequences to music, training dancers, instructing them, directing a production and so on. The work of a choreographer is demanding and time-consuming; a professional may spend weeks or even months inventing, arranging, directing practice, and arranging the choreography, and of course making the necessary changes to perfect the dance. Choreographers work long hours including weekends and holidays. Rehearsals may take place during the day or in the evening and even at night. Performances usually are in the evening. Choreographers may also require to travel a lot.

Eligibility

Educational

Though a degree is not a necessity, it may help you to understand the intricacies of dance better. Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's and master's degree in dance, and allow for specialisation in different genres. The main factor is to have an inborn or natural flair for dance to succeed in this highly competitive industry. Experience also counts. Usually, Choreographers are dancers with several years of experience in a dance company or theatre or films.

Personal skills

Just like any other Fine arts career, success in dance choreography is highly determined by personal interest and talent. Choreography comes more naturally to some people. An understanding of the symbiotic relationship between dance and music is essential for becoming a choreographer.

Other characteristics vital to a successful choreographer include self-discipline, patience, self confidence, commitment, and perseverance. Above all they must have good health and physical stamina, along with flexibility, agility, coordination, and grace, sense of rhythm, a feeling for music, and a creative ability to express themselves through movement. They should possess good problem-solving skills, ability to work with others. Choreographers must be able to direct a group of dancers to perform the routines that they have created for which leadership skill is required. Choreographers should be quick thinking, as they often work under great time pressures, but at the same time they must remain calm throughout.

Job prospects

With the onslaught of several reality dance shows, the field of dance choreography has become a glamorous profession. Even though the nature of this field is competitive, there are a range of areas to seek employment. Today career options for talented dance choreographers are not limited to movies, choreographers are in demand for various stage shows and even wedding performances.

You could start off by assisting an established choreographer and after gaining hands on experience stand your own as an independent choreographer. Choreographers are found in an array of positions around the world. The avenues in this field range from choreographing for dance schools and studios, concert halls, dance companies, theatres, television production stages, films, event management agencies, educational institutions and private studios. Most choreographers, however, choose to work on a freelance basis with different directors/ choreographers. They also have the option of starting own schools/troupes or dance companies. Choreographers usually work with professional dance companies. Many of the major full-time professional dance companies have resident choreographers under contract. These companies also invite guest choreographers on a seasonal basis.

Yet another group become directors, as well as choreographers, for the musical theater and film industries. Choreographers with business degrees or at least strong business management skills may be assigned to administrative positions, such as theater manager. Some create dance routines for music videos and films. Still others become instructors at schools or universities after obtaining a degree.

Choreographers mainly work with directors, producers, designers and other members of the production team to plan, create and realise the dance or movement design concept. Choreographers work with trained dancers, and with Actors, to teach them the required steps and routine, and ensure that continuity is maintained throughout production. Choreographers are always employed on any film production involving dance routines, and on larger-scale musical and/or dance television productions. Opera and theatre companies may hire choreographers to train actors in dance movements or to design dance sequences. Choreographers also may be hired by organizers of special events such as community festivals, fashion shows, entertainment at large sporting events or spectacles such as the Olympic games, television shows or music videos.

Institutes

Some of best Choreography institutions in India include Sangeet Natak Akademi in New Delhi; Natya Institute of Kathak and Choreography, Bangalore; Faculty of Arts in University of Mysore and many more

To get the list of institutes and course details click the link below

» Private dance institutes

» Dance colleges

Dance 

In India, dance is an age-old tradition. This vast sub-continent has given birth to varied forms of dancing, each shaped by the influences of a particular period and environment. Indian dance is an extremely intricate art requiring skill, hard work and discipline. All Indian dances portray some expression of life and almost every dance posture has a specific meaning. Dance themes are derived from mythology, folklore, legends and classical literature. 

Indian dance is said to have originated from ‘Natya Shastra’, which is a detailed script written on all aspects of Indian dance. The author of ‘Natya Shastra’ was ‘Bharata Muni’ who wrote it some time in the 2nd century B.C.

The two main divisions of dance are classical and folk forms. There are dance forms typical to certain parts of the country and these dance forms are based on ancient dance discipline. The various classical forms are Bharatnatyam of Tamil Nadu, Kuchupudi of Andhra Pradesh, Odissi of Orissa, Kathak, Kathakali and Manipuri. The uniqueness of Indian classical dances is that they are all devotional in content. Of all these dance forms, Bharat Natyam is believed to be the oldest and the purest Indian classical dance.

Video on Dance

Training in Dance should start as early as age six or less, much before the official professional training. Besides an in born talent, the basic requirement for a full time Professional training is matriculation or 10 + 2. Some institutes at the time of admission even give preference to students having a talent. Careers in this field can be that of a performer, teacher and choreographer.

Eligibility & Course Areas

To be in this field one needs to have an inborn talent, training and guidance can only sharpen these talents.

Educational: To take up a course in this subject the basic requirement is 10+2. However, for post graduate level courses graduation in the subject is compulsory. Courses offered in this area are certificate courses, bachelor courses, diploma courses and post graduate level courses. Duration of various courses: Certificate course is of one year, Bachelor courses is of three years, Diploma and Post Graduate level courses is of two years.

Training in this field is available at a number of schools and institutes all over India. The Kathak Kendra in Delhi, the Kalakshetra in Chennai, Bharatiya Kala Kendra in Delhi are some of the prominent institutes conducting courses in Dance. 

Course areas include history and evolution of dance and dance forms, the characteristic features of the dance form one specialises in, covering all aspects of dance as a performing art. 

Personal attributes: Main attributes are talent, versatility, sense of rhythm, dedication, grace, an expressive facial and body language, an ability to interpret roles, attractive appearance, stage presence, creativity, physical stamina etc.

Job Prospects & Career Options

Dancers can find employment in 

• Kala Kendras

• Academies

• TV channels

• Dance troupes 

• There are also many opportunities for self-employment in the form of holding private classes or starting an institution.

Career options

Career options available in this areas are that of a performer, teacher and choreographer. 

Teaching: To be in this field one needs an aptitude to teach, initiative and patience. They must also have thorough knowledge of practical and theoretical aspects of dance. They should have a perfect sense of rhythm, and some proficiency in music. 

Dancers who take up teaching as a profession can find opportunities in schools, colleges, universities, dance institutes and even open schools of their own. 

Choreography: The choreographer designs and composes dance sequences and co-ordinates the stage settings, music, costumes and supervises rehearsals. Choreographer must have creative or imaginative powers and an ability to interpret music and compose dance routines for solo as well as group performances. They must be able to work along with a team. Prospects in this field are expanding with more and more stage and TV shows.

Choreographers can find employment in troupes performing stage shows, TV shows and in films. 

Performing: To be a performing artist one must have attractive appearance, facial expression, an ability to interpret roles and stage presence. Performers have to spare time everyday for practicing. They must also have to keep in touch with the interest of the general public. They must travel a lot and give performances to be popular. Besides professional training; dedication, talent and the right contacts can only help a performer to become well established.

Performing artists can form their own troupes or even work with other troupes. They also have the option of starting schools and devote time for teaching.

Institutes

Click on the following links for the list of institutes offering courses in Dance.

» B.A. (Hons) Dance

» B.A. Dance

» B.F.A. Dance

» Bachelor of Dance (B. Dance)

» Certificate Course in Dance

» Diploma in Dance

» M.A. Dance

» M.F.A. Dance

» Master of Dance (M. Dance)

» Ph.D. Dance

Overs seas Institutes :

» Institutes in USA

» Institutes in Canada

Dairy Technology

Dairy industry is one of the industries which plays a dynamic role in India's agro-based economy. Dairy farming includes breeding and care of milk yielding cattle, procuring milk and processing of milk into a variety of dairy products. Dairy products is a major exporting industry and earns considerable foreign exchange for the country. In 1946, the foundation of Anand Milk Union Ltd (AMUL), led to the development of a better organised dairy industry and gave momentum to education in dairying in India. 

Dairy industry, now a highly specialised field today involves production, procurement, storage, processing and distribution of dairy products. The main jobs are in production and processing. Production process includes the collection of milk, breeding of high yielding cattle and taking care of the animals. Dairy Scientists are employed to cover the production aspect of the industry. They conduct experiments to determine the effects of different kinds of feeds and environmental conditions on the quantity, quality and nutritive value of milk produced. They also research breeding to improve dairy breeds, feeding and management of dairy cattle. 

Processing involves handling of milk for distribution or its conversion into dairy products. After the milk has reached the plant, processing work begins and it is converted into a variety of dairy products. Dairy Technologists mainly deal with the technical and quality control aspect of the processing industry and also work to develop improved methods in processing, production preservation and utilisation of milk and milk products. 

Other professionals required in this area include Dairy engineers, who are responsible for dairy maintenance and related activities; and Marketing personnel who handle the marketing and sales of milk and milk products. 

Eligibility & Course Areas

Traditionally dairy technology was a part of veterinary and animal husbandry courses. These courses were and still is offered by Agricultural Universities as a part of the B.VSc, (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry). Now there are several institutes offering exclusive diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Dairy technology. Many general universities also offer dairy science as vocational subject at the BSc level. Dairying is also available as a vocational subject for the 10+2 level education.

A dairy technology course comprises of three basic areas like Dairy Engineering which deals with only the technological aspects of the product; Dairy Chemistry which comprises the products, such as the percentage ratio of milk and cream contained in a specific dairy products and Dairy Bacteriology which maintain products standards and the role of a biotechnologist is very important. 

Specialisation in the specific or related area like Veterinary Science, Dairy Technology or Engineering is a prerequisite for entry into this field. 

Course Areas :

Courses in dairy technology are available at the diploma, graduation, postgraduate and doctoral levels. The diploma and degree courses in dairy technology require candidates who have passed the 10 + 2 examination, with Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and English or Physics, chemistry, Biology or Agriculture with a minimum aggregate of 50 % marks.

The diploma courses of two years duration include Indian Dairy Diploma (IDD) and National Dairy Diploma (NDD). This is a base course for BSc / B.Tech dairy degree and gives basic knowledge on breeding, feeding of animals, their health care, farm management, planning a farm, milk products, dairy chemistry, bacteriology, book keeping etc. At the graduation level, the course is usually called B.Tech./B.Sc. in Dairy technology or Dairy Science. After graduating in dairying, candidates can opt for further studies and specialisation through a Master's programme in Dairying (M.Tech in Dairy Technology/ MSc Dairy Science), or related areas such as animal genetics and breeding, livestock production, Animal biochemistry, Animal bio-technology or in fields of food technology and preservation. 

Duration : Dairy Diploma course is of two years duration for lower level technical positions. The B.Tech / B.Sc in Dairy Technology is a four years course after 10+2. The B.VSc, (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry) is also a four years programme. The Master's programme in Dairying (M.Tech in Dairy Technology/ MSc Dairy Science) is of two years duration. 

Selection : 

In most of the States, selection to the graduate course in Dairy colleges is on the basis of an All India Entrance Examination in Physics, Chemistry and Maths of plus 2 level, common to other agricultural and animal science courses OR on the basis of the entrance examination conducted by the concerned universities. Veterinary Council of India conducts an 'All India Common Entrance examination' (AICEE) for admission to first year Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) & Animal Husbandry (AH) degree course for filling up 15% of the total number of seats of each veterinary college of all states; about 36 colleges where Indian Veterinary council Act, 1984 extends. This Entrance exam is usually held in the month of May each year. For admission to masters degree programme, an All India Entrance Examination is conducted by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Personal Skills : 

Persons aspiring to make a career in dairy technology should have scientific temper, willingness to work hard, commitment, an enquiring mind and cleanliness. They must be prepared to live in remote areas, or far away from the comforts and conveniences of the city.

Job Prospects & Career Options

Dairy Technology is a challenging career which offers enormous prospects for trained professionals. There are now more than 400 dairy plants in the country and many Dairy equipment manufacturers.

Openings for a dairy technologist are available in both the public and the private sector. They can find job in dairy farms, cooperatives, rural banks, milk product processing and manufacturing industries. Quality control departments also recruit dairy technologists. A large number of dairy technologists also start their own business such as small-scale milk plants, creamery, ice-cream units etc or work as consultants. A consultant, however, needs several years of working experience in dairy farms to be successful. Besides there are opportunities for teaching as well as Research and development which is another growing area, crucial for the dairy industry.

Institutes

There are several institutes offering exclusive diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Dairy technology. Among them, the National Dairy Research Institute (Karnal and Bangalore) and the Sheth MC College of Dairy Science (Anand) have been identified as centres of excellence. National Dairy Research Institute in Karnal (Haryana) was the first exclusive Dairy college to be established. 

Traditionally dairy technology was a part of veterinary and animal husbandry courses. These courses were and still is offered by Agricultural Universities as a part of the B.VSc, (Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry). Some of the prominent institutions offering courses in dairy technology can be had from the following links

» B.Sc. Dairy Technology

» B.Tech. Dairy Technology

» M.Sc. Dairy Technology

» M.Sc. Dairy Technology and Agricultural Extension

» M.Tech. Dairy Technology

» Post Graduate Diploma in Dairy and Food Quality Assurance

» Post Graduate Diploma in Dairy Technology

Overseas Institutes :

» Institutes in USA

» Institutes in Canada

Customer Relationship Management Establishing and maintaining good relationship with the customers is the most fundamental element for the successful running of any business or organization. Over the years, several marketing techniques or concepts have been introduced to help organizations create a distinct position in the customers mind. The term Customer Relationship Management most commonly known as CRM has been created with the concept of merging marketing techniques with information technology to manage interactions with customers, clients or sales prospects in an organized and effective manner. It involves using technology to organize, computerize and coordinate business processes for sales activities, marketing, customer service and technical support. Customer Relationship Management is a business strategy or concept designed to attract and win customers, as well as reduce costs and increase profitability by solidifying customer loyalty. There are multiple definitions of CRM and the actual definition may vary according to the particular department or industry defining the concept. Generally Customer Relationship Management can be defined as a management policy that enables an organisation to become customer focused and develop stronger relationships with its clients. CRM will help to built a team relationship among sales, marketing and customer support activities within an organization. Many organizations now turn to CRM software's, a technology that makes the customer - company interaction quick and effortless. Customer relationship management software's helps the company to keep track of contacts and conversations with customers through telephone calls, e-mail, fax, instant messaging, video conferencing or any other interaction through the web. CRM software's are designed to follow the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) strategies such as Customer Service, Sales Management, Marketing, Document Management etc. The key elements to a successful Customer Relationship Management plan are people, process and technology. If one of these foundations is not sound, the entire CRM structure will crumble. The three major tools for implementing a CRM solution are Customer information system (CIS) - which is a database consisting of all the information relating to customers, i.e their preferences, their expenditure, stocks etc ; Middleware - an interface between CIS and data warehousing which helps in proper data collection and analysis and Data warehousing - a central database that stores information relating to customers. This information can be accessed from any part of the organisation. The major CRM solution providers in India are IBM, Wipro, HP, Siemens, Nucleus, Nortel, DSQ, SAS, Cambridge Technology Partners and eCapital Solutions. Some of the most popular CRM software used in India are SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Open CRX, vTiger, GoldMine, Sugar, Maximizer Software etc. Formerly Customer Relationship Management was considered as an avenue for experts, but now more and more freshers are opting it as their career choice. In the present scenario, Customer Relationship Management has become an interesting and rewarding option and there will be no dearth of job opportunities for CRM professionals. Customer Relationship Managers are very much essential in an organization to manage relationships with customers systematically, efficiently and profitably. Large organizations are looking for talented Customer Relationship Managers who can successfully manage a customer - company relation within an organization. Customer Relationship Managers are responsible to search out and gain new clients, work to expand and retain existing client relationships, strengthen client commitment, reduce costs and increase productivity and profits for the company by solidifying customer satisfaction, loyalty and support. They manage marketing campaigns and generate quality leads for the sales team. Customer relationship managers should provide necessary information and processes to the employees to understand their customers, identify their needs and to build relationships between the company, its customer base and distribution partners. They help an organization to enable its marketing departments, to identify the most profitable customers and to improve telesales, account and sales management. Eligibility & Course Areas Graduates in any discipline (BSc/ BE/ BTech (Computer science)/ MCA degree) can make a career in customer relationship management. There is no specified under graduate or post graduate courses in CRM, except MBA in CRM and marketing. Several Indian Institutes are offering Certificate, Advance Certificate, Diploma and PG Diploma programs in Customer Relationship Management through their regular and distance learning programs. The duration of these courses vary from a few days to few months to 1 year, depending on the type of the course.  AMITY Center for CRM, Noida; XLRI; Indian Management School and Research Centre (IMSR); National Institute of Retail Management (NIRM) Mumbai; Indian School of Business Management and Administration (ISBM), New Delhi etc. are some of the institutes in India offering courses in Customer Relationship Management. The basic eligibility for enrolling in a CRM course, wheatear it is certificate or diploma course, is graduation in any field. Admission is carried out through an aptitude test followed by personal interview.  Candidates are advised to go for these courses to enhance the job prospects in CRM. However to become a Customer Relationship Manager in a reputed firm or company, one must have an MBA degree in Customer Relationship Management. Course Details : Customer Relationship Management courses has been designed keeping in view the increasing demand from the industry for marketing professionals equipped with understanding of CRM. The CRM courses includes everything from CRM inception right through to CRM operation which aims to equip students with not only an in-depth knowledge of the marketing discipline but also orientation towards both CRM processes and technology. CRM courses provides individuals with knowledge about the skills, techniques, drawbacks etc. of CRM. It helps them to keep their skills current by participating in updates that are generally open only to certified professionals.  Personal skill: The basic and the most essential attribute required to become a Customer Relationship Manager is good communication skills. A good customer relationship manager should be well organized, possess excellent interpersonal and leadership skills. Regular communications through email, telephone and sales is an important aspect in this field. So they should have good listening, understanding, writing and computer skills. As CRM have to deal with different types of clients, they should be very tactful and patient.  Job Prospects & Career  With the increase in the international operations of larger companies and the spread of e-commerce, there is no job dearth for Customer relationship management professionals. The job prospects of CRM professionals may vary tremendously according to the nature of work in an organization. They are involved in all aspects of interaction that a company has with its customer, whether it is sales or service-related. Usually the major chores of Customer relationship managers include managing their customer service operations, enable its marketing departments, identify the most profitable customers and to improve telesales, account and sales management. CRM is based on the premise that, by having a better understanding of the customers needs and desires we can keep them longer and sell more to them. As a whole, the CRM cycle can be briefly described as learning from customers and prospects; creating value for customers and prospects; creating loyalty; acquiring new customers and creating profits. Candidates with MBA graduation are most in demand for the position of Customer relationship manager in reputed firms. But opportunities are also available for graduates who have successfully completed a CRM course with excellent interpersonal skills and work experience. Customer relationship management professionals can find openings in the different departments of a company such as marketing, sales, strategy and IT. The specializations of the customer relations manager are needed in the fields of banking, E-commerce sectors, Finance, Accounting, Insurance, Research, Legal, IT, Management, Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing and consulting organizations, etc. CRM Project Engineer, CRM consultants, CRM technical consultant, CRM functional consultant, CRM architects, CRM manager, CRM Project leaders, CRM sales professional, CRM Solutions developers etc. are some of the designations in the field of Customer relationship management. The responsibilities of these professionals varies according to their position CRM Project Engineer/ Manager/ Leader: For the posts of CRM engineer, CRM project manager and CRM project leader, one should possess a Post Graduate Diploma or Degree. Their responsibility is to determine requirements for software and deliver projects in a highly interactive and flexible manner. CRM project engineer should promote a project management process that encourages objective metrics, stakeholder involvement, feedback and effective controls. CRM consultants: This includes CRM functional consultant and Technical consultant. A CRM consultant supports a company's CRM processes, including full life cycle implementations, business functionalities and CRM service modules. They should possess bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field and have good leadership and consulting skills. A CRM consultant must have good interpersonal skills and the ability to solve teamwork problems and resolve technical issues in assigned modules and/or functionalities. CRM consultants have to design the implementation plan for the CRM suites. Consultants also need to have experience as a project manager or team leader. CRM Technical consultant: Technical consultants are experts who interface with the clients on the applicability of the CRM solution. They require good leadership abilities, consulting skills, good written and communication skills, qualification and 1-3 years experience in CRM implementation. In addition to all the technical skills, knowledge of e-business applications and architecture is necessary. CRM Architects: CRM architects work is to meet the client's technical and business requirements in architecture. They are designers who help in designing integration approaches, resolving configuration, design and development issues. Those with BSc/ BE/ BTech (Computer science)/ MCA degree and a good knowledge of e-commerce and technical skills and with a minimum 3 year experience in CRM project implementation may be appointed as CRM Architects. In addition to all the technical skills, CRM architects need to have experience in the telecommunication industry and a good knowledge of e-commerce. CRM Sales Professional: Sales professionals need to address the customers or leads with prompt attention. They must have the ability to identify customer needs and effectively move on to the sales process over the phone or in person. They should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. CRM Solutions Developers: Candidates who possess all the technical skills and having BSc/ BE/ BTech (Computer science)/ MCA degree are appointed as CRM solution developers. Their major task is to develop or implement CRM applications. Those with 2-4 years experience as CRM solution developers can find the post of a team leader, program Manager or consultant. IBM, Wipro, HP, Siemens, Nucleus, Nortel, DSQ, SAS, Cambridge Technology Partners and eCapital Solutions are the major solution providers in India. CRM Project Engineer, CRM consultants, CRM technical consultant, CRM functional consultant, CRM architects, CRM manager, CRM Project leaders, CRM sales professional, CRM Solutions developers etc. are some of the designations in the field of Customer relationship management. The responsibilities of these professionals varies according to their position CRM Project Engineer/ Manager/ Leader: For the posts of CRM engineer, CRM project manager and CRM project leader, one should possess a Post Graduate Diploma or Degree. Their responsibility is to determine requirements for software and deliver projects in a highly interactive and flexible manner. CRM project engineer should promote a project management process that encourages objective metrics, stakeholder involvement, feedback and effective controls. CRM consultants: This includes CRM functional consultant and Technical consultant. A CRM consultant supports a company's CRM processes, including full life cycle implementations, business functionalities and CRM service modules. They should possess bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field and have good leadership and consulting skills. A CRM consultant must have good interpersonal skills and the ability to solve teamwork problems and resolve technical issues in assigned modules and/or functionalities. CRM consultants have to design the implementation plan for the CRM suites. Consultants also need to have experience as a project manager or team leader. CRM Technical consultant: Technical consultants are experts who interface with the clients on the applicability of the CRM solution. They require good leadership abilities, consulting skills, good written and communication skills, qualification and 1-3 years experience in CRM implementation. In addition to all the technical skills, knowledge of e-business applications and architecture is necessary. CRM Architects: CRM architects work is to meet the client's technical and business requirements in architecture. They are designers who help in designing integration approaches, resolving configuration, design and development issues. Those with BSc/ BE/ BTech (Computer science)/ MCA degree and a good knowledge of e-commerce and technical skills and with a minimum 3 year experience in CRM project implementation may be appointed as CRM Architects. In addition to all the technical skills, CRM architects need to have experience in the telecommunication industry and a good knowledge of e-commerce. CRM Sales Professional: Sales professionals need to address the customers or leads with prompt attention. They must have the ability to identify customer needs and effectively move on to the sales process over the phone or in person. They should possess excellent verbal and written communication skills. CRM Solutions Developers: Candidates who possess all the technical skills and having BSc/ BE/ BTech (Computer science)/ MCA degree are appointed as CRM solution developers. Their major task is to develop or implement CRM applications. Those with 2-4 years experience as CRM solution developers can find the post of a team leader, program Manager or consultant. IBM, Wipro, HP, Siemens, Nucleus, Nortel, DSQ, SAS, Cambridge Technology Partners and eCapital Solutions are the major solution providers in India. Institutes Click on the following links for the list of institutes offering courses in Customer Relationship Management. » Post Graduate Diploma in Customer Relationship Management (PGDCRM) » MBA Customer Relationship Management » Diploma in Customer Relationship Management » Advance Diploma in Customer Relationship Management » Certificate in Customer Relationship Management

Criminology

Although Forensic science and criminology both approach issues of crime and criminal behavior from a scientific viewpoint, the two disciplines are quite different. Criminology and forensic science differ in scope and application. Forensic science applies the tools and methods of the natural sciences, especially biology and chemistry, to issues of a legal nature. They collect evidence at crime scenes and analyze the materials in laboratories. Forensic science is thus an applied natural science. Criminology, in contrast, is a specialized social science that evolved from sociology. Criminology uses sociological theories and methods to study criminal behavior and how societies respond to crime.

Criminology is the scientific study of social crimes, criminals and criminal behavior, crime regulations and crime prevention methodology. The field of study known as criminology involves the studying of crime as a phenomenon on an individual as well as at a social level. Approaching from a socio-scientific point of view, Criminology involves the study of various forms of crime, the reasons working behind an incidence of crime, and its consequences. In other words, it examines society's response to crime and prevention of crime. It is the scientific investigation of crime through analysis of evidence. Criminology includes the examination of evidence, hereditary and psychological causes of crime, various modes of investigation and conviction and the efficiencies of differing styles of punishment, rehabilitation and corrections. Criminology involves studying all these aspects associated with crime in general. Criminology is the study of factors of criminality. In other sense, it is evaluating the circumstances that provoked to do the crime and preventing/regulating future chances to do such crime. Criminology being an interdisciplinary subject, it derives its theory from the fields of sociology, psychology and law. Causes of crime and methods of preventing crime are the two most important aspects of the study of criminology. Other areas of interest in this field of study are - Crime Statistics, Criminal Behavior, Penology, Evaluation of criminal justice agencies, Sociology of Law, Criminal careers and desistance.

A person professionally qualified in the subject of criminology is called a criminologist. The primary task of criminologists is to determine the reasons why people get into committing illegal activities. With the increasing numbers of crime and rapid diversification in the nature of it, criminology is gaining importance in today's society. So if you are interested in the study of criminology or criminal justice, then you can become a criminologist. Criminologists often focus on specific types of crimes. Some work with murders, some with armed robbery, others with vandalism, some with rape, others with serial crimes of different sorts. They study as many cases as possible, and use the results to formulate theories which can in turn be useful in preventing crimes in the future. Professional may alternatively specialize in crime prevention, crime scene investigation, criminal litigation, corrections, rehabilitation, or the privatization of prisons.

The responsibilities and requirements differ drastically from one job to another. There are criminology administration jobs that require organization skills, as well as court reporter jobs that require excellent writing skills and knowledge of the justice system. Criminologists and investigators need certain specialized skills, such as keen observation and logical thinking skills. All jobs in the field of criminology require absolute trust in the legal system, as well as integrity in upholding truth and justice.

Eligibility

Educational: There are a number of institutes and universities offering courses at Graduate (B.A/B.Sc ) and Post Graduate level( M.A/M.Sc ) in India as well as abroad. If you are planning for a Bachelors degree in Criminology, then you must have completed your higher secondary schooling in Arts or Science. The eligibility norm for a Masters program is a graduate degree in Arts or Science with 50% marks aggregate.

Personal attributes: A criminologist, like a psychologist, must be interested in human nature and behavior. One who is interested in this career must have creativity, analytical thinking capacity, problem solving ability, public speaking skill and ability to convince people. A criminologist must be able to express ideas and concepts clearly, both in writing and verbally. A criminologist may need to address large groups of people and demonstrate good public speaking skills as well. Criminologist working in prisons, law firms etc. must be able to read the mind of the person and counsel them. Strong research and analysis skills are vital as so much of the job involves data collection and interpretation. Such a professional must be computer literate and proficient in computer and Internet use, especially research related to criminology. This professional must be dedicated to the profession of criminology and its goals of improving the criminal rehabilitation system and preventing crime.

Job Prospects & Career Options

Career options

• Corrections 

• Diversion programming

• Counseling 

• Criminal Investigation 

• Financial Fraud Investigation & Prevention

• Forensics

• Insurance Fraud Investigation & Prevention 

• Intervention Programming 

• Judicial / Courts 

• Law Enforcement 

• Medical Investigation

• Rehabilitation

• Research and Policy Studies

• Private Investigation 

• Psychologist - Psychopathology Specialist

• Retail Investigation 

• Special Agencies 

• Teaching

Job Prospects

After pursuing Criminology course, you can apply for a variety of jobs in India as well as abroad. Every job in the field of Criminology is challenging and unique, and a criminologist has to be fully-committed to his duties. You should expect to go through difficult moments as a criminologist, since you have to deal with all kinds of people, including criminals with a deviant mindset. A qualified criminologist can take up the jobs of teaching, counseling, rehabilitation of criminals. Teaching is one of the main profession that post graduates can pursue. Universities and government agencies employ professional criminologists for advanced teaching and research and policy assessment. Furthermore public and private sector companies along with social welfare organizations require the services of a qualified criminologist in India. Jobs of counseling, rehabilitation of criminals are also open to the qualified criminologists. Corporations or financial institutions, major department stores and law firms employ security officers, private investigators or social workers. They can also find employment in drug enforcement agencies. Federal Bureau of Investigation, NGOs, research organizations, private security and detective agencies also recruit criminology professionals.

The job prospectus for people well versed in the field of criminology is even brighter outside India. A criminologist can be hired in foreign police departments as well as state medical examiners. Other typical jobs include Law reform researcher, Regional crime prevention coordinator, Consumer advocate and Environment protection analyst.

Criminologists may work in variety of settings including classrooms, crime scenes, medical examiner offices, courthouses, prisons, police stations, or private offices. Criminologists may use their education and training to move onto other jobs either in psychological study or law enforcement.

Institutes

Click on the following link for the details of Indian Institutes conducting Criminology Courses:

» Diploma in Criminology

» M.A. Criminology

» M.A. Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration

» M.A Criminology

» M.Sc. Criminology

» P G Diploma in Criminology and Police Science

» P.G. Diploma in Criminology and Penalogy

» Ph.D Criminology and Criminal Justice Administration

» Post Graduate Diploma in Criminology and Forensic Science

Overseas Institutes :

» Institutes in USA

» Institutes in Canada

Creative Writing

Are you fond of writing? Do you have the flair to juggle words to explain your thoughts creatively? Creative writing is another potential career field that promises good monetary returns. But the field is not for everyone. A career in creative writing is considered as an artistic work gifted by God to special people. These people are the creative writers, known by various names such as novelists, poets, lyricists etc. who are engaged in writing books, articles, stories, especially as an occupation or profession. Most of writers have magical powers in writing and through their work, they can influence the readers and can make them upset, disgusted, spellbound or happy. 

Creating writing is a long process which requires a lot of research and hard work. Creative writing is the writing in which a writer aims to express his/ her emotions, feelings, imaginative ideas and thoughts, through prose and poetic verses. Any kind of writing like novels, poems, stories, drama, autobiography, script writing, copy writing etc. can be considered as creative writing. 

The foremost and the essential things required to become a creative writer is the passion for writing and love to communicate with words. Creative writing is a field which requires a lot of imagination, observation and an inborn ability to create pictures of the natural world. One can become a good writer by reading articles on variety of topics and styles; experiencing life in every way and learning and listening to a lot of idioms, accents, and local expressions. One can also improve their writing skills by taking a course in creative writing. 

The major task of creative writer is to create a work in an interesting or appealing manner. Each work has to be organized cohesively with a clear beginning, middle and an end and must be targeted at an audience. Creative writers are expected to deliver original and high class content with no grammar and spelling mistakes. Copying of content from any other media is strictly prohibited in the field of creative writing, as it may create serious legal complications. So one has to write the content, whatever the topics may be in an original style and language. For this, a thorough research is needed that can be done by referring related informative book, encyclopedia, talking to people proficient in the topic or by searching the internet.

Many people enjoy creative writing as a hobby. They can turn it into a profession and start earning with great opportunities. The demand for creative writers has increased at the global level, with the recent boom in the print media. Scope in this field is endless and one can become a novelist, journalist, short story writer, copywriter and so on. Creative writing jobs promise a good career path with excellent growth prospects and attractive salaries, if it is taken seriously with complete devotion.

Eligibility

The field of creative writing does not require formal education. Those with a flair for writing with imagination, observation and creativity can excel as a creative writer. An educational background in English literature or Journalism & communication will be an added advantage for a fruitful career in creative writing. 

Few institutes in India offer short term courses in creative writing and these training courses enable a candidate to be successful in the field of creative writing. The minimum educational qualification for applying to creative writing course is Higher Secondary or 10+2 with humanities or arts as the main discipline. The minimum duration of these courses is one year. Most of the universities offers courses in creative writing as an optional subjects with its bachelors and masters. 

One can also avail a course in creative writing through distance education mode, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Karnataka State Open University, U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University are among the universities. IGNOU offers Diploma and Postgraduate diploma in Creative Writing (both in English and Hindi) through its distance learning program. 

Course Content : Creative writing course content includes lectures and workshops which helps students to bring out their hidden talents and polish their creative potential to shape their thoughts in the profession. Through these courses, one can get an idea about when and how to use words liberally and develop their thoughts and imaginative power to make their work a pleasing experience for readers. The students are taught to write book reviews, travel articles, interviews, writing for children as well as developing stories on their own. Several techniques and methods are taught in the creative writing course and the successful completion of the course enables an individual to create an excellent piece of work in a professional manner.

Personal Attributes - Creativity, which is considered as an in-born talent is the first and foremost quality needed to become a good creative writer. Another equivalent trait is their imagination. An aspiring creative writer must have tremendous passion for reading and writing, should be a good observer and communicator and should have the qualities like good vocabulary and comprehensive skills. They must possess good communication skills, have the ability and interest to research on different topics, have a sound knowledge of grammar and power to express in words. Determination, hard work and honesty are very much required in the creative writing field. Those who think differently and have innovative ideas of presentation can excel in this field.

Job Prospects & Career Options

To get into this prolific career, it is not mandatory to have a certificate in creative writing. Graduates or post-graduates with good command over languages, any language especially English, from any field can enter the interesting and challenging field of creative writing.

Ample job opportunities are available for creative writers. Professional creative writers are involved in the creation and development of all types of creative works, like different types of fiction, memoirs, poetry, nonfiction, novel, lyrics, science fiction, romance, script, play, travelogue and so on. He/she can write reports, interviews, features, criticism and reviews for journals, magazines and newspapers etc. Besides, creative writers can also create content for web sites or compose articles for print media.

Some of the existing designations for creative writers are :

• Copy Writers - Mainly involved with the advertising field, the task of the copy writer is to create content describing a particular product, its features, benefits, uses etc. for convincing the customer. These people are responsible for writing the brochures, advertising letters, product catalogs, newsletters etc. 
• Article Writers - Article writers can write variety of articles on topics such as fashion, food, travel, health, business, entertainment, sports, education etc. and can choose writing for dailies, magazines, websites etc.
• Book Writer (Author) - One can become an author of a book, by narrating a story or any other topic. They can try writing fiction and non-fictional books, for children and grown-ups. Good public relation is needed for this and your book has to be published through a good publishing house.
• Online Writers - Plenty of online opportunities are available for creative writers, right from content writing to blogging to technical writing to freelance writing. They can write articles on various topics. 
• Script Writers - Those who prefer writing dialogues, can excel as script writers. Script writers write the content and stories for movies, plays, television shows etc. They conduct thorough research to work out the story line of a given theme or topic. Writing authentic, sparkling and well-crafted dialogues that individualize characters is the ultimate challenge for the script writers. 
• Novelists - Those with a very good power of imagination, can explore the world of fiction writing as Novelists. 
• Lyricist - Those who can play with words and string them into songs, can become a lyricist, or write jingles for advertisements. 
• Technical Writers - A Technical writer translate or explain the technical usage of a companies products in simple language so that even a common man who could not understand the technical words and language could figure out the advantages or the operation of products or services. In short, Technical writers specialise in writing technology for non-technical persons.


Content developer, legacy writer, travel writer, news reporter, book translator, screenplay writer, columnist, food critic, etc. are some more forms of creative writing which are very popular.


Besides these opportunities, one can start their own freelance creative writing establishment or can choose a freelance writing job with a newspaper or a website and can write articles, stories, reviews, etc. for these mediums. They can also get into teaching profession, after acquiring a master's degree in creative writing. Another option is to seek employment in firms which are in the business of content development and publishing. Prominent publishing houses hire creative writers.


Tremendous job openings are available for creative writers abroad in countries like US, Europe etc. There, Creative Writers are selected for the post through a written test, group discussion which is followed by a personal interview with the HR of the company. Candidates will have to face language related and general knowledge questions in these rounds of selection.


Only those people with consistent improvement in their writing skills can survive in the highly competitive, tough and challenging field of creative writing. The exposure in this field mainly depend on the quality of work and the professionalism of the individual. Once you carve a niche for yourself as a professional and have recognition in the field, there won't be any looking back.
Related Courses & Institutes


Click on the following link for the details of Indian Institutes conducting courses in creative writing and its related field:


» Diploma in Creative Writing in English
» Diploma in Creative Writing in Hindi
» Post Graduate Diploma in Creative Communications
» Diploma in Screenwriting


Overs seas Institutes :


» Institutes in USA
» Institutes in Canada