Over the past few years, the cost of living has increased manifold- rising fuel prices have spiralled a wave of rising prices of food items, transport and logistics. To add on to it, the yesterday’s luxury has become today’s necessity. We all are playing catch up with cash which almost always is never enough. This calls for the need for the new millennials to have a side hustle, a second job in order to keep their heads above the water. The normal jobs take care of the  rent, bills and big chunk items whereas the second job takes care of that weekly brunch.

The need:

While the side-hustle is a popular way to make extra money, for many it may be more of a necessity than a choice.

One in two millennials has a “side hustle” in a bid to boost their cash or chase a long-held passion, new research reveals. From selling things online to making clothes and accessories or simply putting in a cleaning shift to get those extra bucks, many of the millennials are currently grinding away outside of their main job in a bid to make things happen. Side hustle is no more the hush hush thing. It is normal. The young generation has no qualms sharing with their employers without fear of managers reacting negatively to their second gig. And for many, the second gig is more enjoyable than their main form of work.

Digitization and technological advancement has made side hustles easier. They can use social media  Mobile experiences give people the flexibility of when and where you can get work done, so people can be productive on their commutes, watching a TV show or even lounging by the pool.”

If you too have been tightening your belt every month, there are many side jobs that you can take up. Some of the earnest, and viable ways of making some money are:

Virtual Assistant:

If you’d like a flexible side hustle that can pay pretty well, you might consider being a virtual assistant. It refers to an online personal assistant who helps individuals and businesses manage and operate various different tasks. The range of work a VA can do is so wide that this side hustle has become a growing need as more and more people develop websites and grow their businesses. Entrepreneurs are busy all the time, they need someone to take things off their plate. You can take a number of tasks like create graphics and pictures for blog posts, editing, scheduling blog posts, managing email inboxes, organizing and scheduling newsletters, creating and sending out invoices and bookkeeping.

By specializing in a specific area, you aren’t trying to do all things, like the entrepreneur.  As a VA you have the choice to work. Because your clients can be from anywhere you can find clients that align with the hours you are available to work. 

Pet sitting:

Do you like pets? Do you care about getting your clothes covered in hair? If your answers were yes, then no, then you should start your own pet sitting side hustle. Build your clientele out of your friends with real jobs, then branch out from there. There are so many people today who want someone to take care of their pets while they have to go on a business tour or a vacation.

Tutoring:

What did you go to college for? It doesn’t matter if it was some Math, English, competitive exams, video editing, people will pay you money to teach them how to do the thing you know how to do. Spend your weekend tutoring a couple of people with your beautiful knowledge. There are many online platforms where you can teach Maths, IELTS, etc 

Rent your apartment:

Do you have friends that will let you crash on their couch for a weekend? If so, you might be able to rent out your apartment, or even a spare room to make some extra money in this non-stop nightmare called life. If you’re going to get into the then you need to realize that you have to make a large up-front investment to clean up your apartment, take cool pictures of your place so vacationers will want to sleep in your room, and stock up on all the smell-good candles you can find. 

Web development:

This is one job which you can take up both as a primary career and a secondary career. Web developers may work as independent contractors or as employees at corporations or other organizations. As a web developers often are able to work remotely – a benefit that appeals to many new millennials. Since you are native to the digital era, your tech expertise makes the job of web developer a natural fit and progression for you. The career demands technical skills, such as  coding and an understanding of web traffic analytics. It also requires an artistic sensibility and graphic design knowledge, since the internet is a highly visual medium. 

Since you would be billing your efforts by hour rate, you can actually pick work according to the number of extra hours you have. There are many sites like Upwork etc that would give you this flexibility,

Content Writing:

If you’re sick of the rat race, you can supplement your income by working as a content writer. You can be totally flexible and pic assignments as per the time availability. They don’t require more than a few hours of work, and the money is worth the extra time.

Sometimes, if you’ve done a good job for a past firm/individual, they may hire you for more work, and keep you as an ongoing freelancer. Once you’ve built up your resume and can provide good references, finding work will be easier. Be prepared to write about a variety of topics at first – travel, health and fitness, weight loss, etc. Once you’ve been at it for awhile, you can narrow your niche based on what you enjoy doing best.

Confidence Coaching:

If you are confident and have good communication skills and convincing power, you can be a confidence coach. In today’s pressure cooker environment, many corporate executives, housewives and students are looking for someone who can help them build the confidence to present their views before an audience and also to tackle challenging situations both at home and work. In a typical confidence coaching session, you would be using questioning techniques and other reflective and perspective-challenging practices so a client can create action plans for his or her next steps. It is meant to propel forward action, showing clients how to increase their self-awareness, clarify their goals, raise their confidence and commitment and identify paths forward.

Summing up:

Therefore, if you are willing to follow your passion and make some extra bucks on a slip road, you can slither into a side hustle that not only invigorates you but also makes way for your little dreams to come true.

The coming decade is that of Information Technology and Digital Transformation. It is about integration between software and hardware. With the way technological advancements are ruling the roost, we need to have stronger networking systems that build a corridor between the software we build and the hardware that supports them. Such corridors are built by Network Engineers. Although these engineers mainly plan networks, they might also perform job tasks like deciding which types of hardware are needed to support a network, designing the layout for data communication networks, and determining what types of security the network needs. To be a successful network engineer you need to be a confident communicator and possess excellent attention to detail, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Network Engineers have gone full circle:

Network Engineers have graduated from traditional job responsibilities like working on Routers, Switches, Firewalls, Wireless Access Points and Controllers, Load Balancers, Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems to more complex tasks like  server maintenance involving virtualization and network management software. So, the task starts from linking all computers with the central computer and ensure that all programs and files are available to each computer as necessary to also linking  the computers to machines such as, printers, and telephones. 

Eligibility and skillset:

To enter this field you should have the strong knowledge about the components of computer. You must at least have a bachelor’s degree in a computer related field, such as programming, computer science, engineering or similar, and many employers prefer applicants to have an MBA in Information Systems. Employers also look for experience in the field, either working with IT systems or in network administration.

As a Network engineer, you would  need analytical, customer-service, organization, leadership and problem-solving skills, as well as attention to detail and an ability to work in teams. 

What would you be required to do?

• You would have to conceptualize and devise network designs on the basis of the specific requirements of the client or the company. In order to be able to do this, you must have a good understanding of local area networks (LAN), proxy servers and the hardware that makes the system functional.

• Maintenance is another critical aspect of being a network engineer, requiring good networking knowledge. This could enable a professional to optimize hardware configuration and network operability, troubleshoot any fault, errors or inconsistencies, and be able to tune network performance according to the requirements of the given system.
• You would need to compile reports on the performance of systems and therefore you need to be able to track budget expenses, manage individual projects and be able to coordinate with colleagues to provide an accurate account of network performances.
• Licensing is key. You need to get a license (such as Cisco Certified Network Associate, CCNA) from the concerned professional body if you wish to operate privately or on a contractual basis.

Institute Scape

• Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Technical University, Bathinda offering M.Tech Computer Network Engineering
• Government College of Engineering, Kerala offering M.Tech Computer Network Engineering
• Advanced college of Technology and Management, Haryana offering M.Tech Computer Network Engineering
• Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh offering M.Tech Computer Network Engineering
• Sharda University, Noida offering M.Tech Computer Network Engineering

Top Certifications that would add value to your resume:

CCNP: Cisco Certified Network Professional.

The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) exam is used to gauge a network professional’s ability to architect, implement, operate and troubleshoot LANs and WANs in enterprise environments. It also justifies their ability to work collaboratively with specialists on advanced security, voice, wireless and video solutions. It is designed for candidates with at least one year of networking experience. Examinees that pass the CCNP exam will have proven that they possess the demonstrated skills required in enterprise roles such as network technician, support engineer, systems engineer, network engineer and network administrator. Prerequisites for candidates that wish to take the CCNP exam include the Cisco Certified Network Associate – Routing & Switching Certification (CCNA).

CCIE SECURITY The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Security 

The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert Security (CCIE Security) program recognizes individuals who have the knowledge and skills to implement, maintain and support extensive Cisco Network Security Solutions using the latest industry best practices and technologies. There are no formal prerequisites for CCIE certification. Other professional certifications or training courses are not required. Instead, candidates must first pass a written qualification exam and then the corresponding hands-on lab exam. You are strongly encouraged to have three to five years of job experience before attempting certification.

The Juniper Networks Certification Program (JNCP):

This certification consists of job role and platform specific, multi-tiered tracks that allow you  to demonstrate competence with Juniper Networks technology. You would demonstrate a thorough understanding of networking technology and Juniper Networks platform configuration and troubleshooting skills. 

CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ validates the knowledge and skills of networking professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that recognizes a technician’s ability to describe the features and functions of networking components and to manage, maintain, troubleshoot, install, operate and configure basic network infrastructure. Although not a prerequisite, it is recommended that CompTIA Network+ candidates have at least nine months of experience in network support or administration or adequate academic training, along with a CompTIA A+ certification. The demand for skilled networking support professionals continues to grow, and CompTIA Network+ is a valuable credential to help launch or enhance a networking career. In fact, many IT certifications integrate CompTIA Network+ into their curriculums. 

WCNA: Wireshark Certified Network Analyst.

In your day-to-day role as a network engineer you will spend much of your time resolving network issues from DNS, DHCP and TCP to slow performance issues and possible hacking attempts.An essential part of your role will be the ability to capture and analyze packets travelling across the network, interpret the results and make suggestions based upon what you find. This course covers all you need to know about using Wireshark packet capture tool and equips you take take the highly prized exam, the Wireshark Certified Network Analyst or WCNA.

Career Scape

Network administrators might determine what type of network an organization needs, install network components and manage a network’s operation. They might also train workers on how to properly use the network and collect data about the network’s operation. Some of the career options for Network Engineer are as followed:

Network Systems and Data Communication Analyst

Network systems and data communication analysts plan, design, test and oversee the operation of local area networks (LAN) and Internet systems for businesses and other organizations. You will also investigate computer programs and recommend specific hardware or software solutions.

Computer Systems Analyst Career

Computer systems analysts conceptualize and develop computing systems for organizations and businesses. You might identify programs that can improve efficiency or design entirely new IT systems. When identifying the causes of system problems, systems analysts may research computer user information, business procedures and existing automated processes. 

Network Administrator

Network administrators oversee the operation of company network and Internet systems to ensure they’re functioning properly. You may also plan, design and coordinate computer software network systems. While working as network administrator professionals sometimes you will oversee computer and network security programs.

Telecommunications Specialist

Telecommunications specialists install networking and telecommunications systems designed by network systems and data communications analysts. You may also provide training on how to use programs and oversee their maintenance.

The Road Ahead:

There has been a school of thought that believes that Automation might eat up networking jobs. In fact, all you need is a  shift in focus. At one time, network engineers slaved over network construction and configuration, but automation will relieve some of those menial frustrations. Professionals in this field can focus instead on simplifying the results for the end user. Businesses want to deliver the fastest, most efficient service possible to their customers, and their networks must support their goals. You just need to focus on how your roles  will change and what skills and knowledge you  need to develop. As this next wave of change occurs, your jobs  will become less complex and more results-based. For young network engineers in particular, this might serve as a welcome evolution.

Keeping track of your career’s future can help you plan for it. If you stay ahead of the curve, you’ll gain additional job security and become more in demand.

After XII, your career can hit multiple pathways. You can go in for the degree route or you can take a detour and go in for a vocational course which is synonymous with teaching procedural knowledge. It may be contrasted with declarative knowledge, as used in education in a usually broader scientific field, which might concentrate on theory and abstract conceptual knowledge, characteristic of tertiary education. Vocational education can be at the secondary or post-secondary level and can interact with the apprenticeship system. Increasingly, vocational education can be recognized in terms of recognition of prior learning and partial academic credit towards tertiary education as credit; however, it is rarely considered in its own form to fall under the traditional definition of higher education.

Paradigm shift:

Almost two decades ago, vocational education was only limited to specific trades such as an automobile mechanic or welder and was therefore associated with the activities of lower social classes. But today, with a renewed focus on employability and economies demanding higher levels of skill, governments and businesses are increasingly investing in the future of vocational education. Vocational courses provide training and qualifications related to a specific job. In simple terms, a vocational training program is a skill-enhancing training course. Following are some of the vocational courses that you can take up after Std XII in Science stream:

Live Sound Engineering:

This is a 2-year long course that you can take up after XII with Physics, Chemistry, and Maths. Some institutes conduct their own entrance exams. The certificate course helps you learn the technical side of music & broadcast communications. Sound engineering technicians operate the equipment that record music and other audio tracks. Live Sound Engineers control the sound at Live Events to produce the perfect blend of instruments and vocals. All instruments and vocals are different and have a distinct sound. A Live Sound Engineer makes sure the sound can be heard with the same clarity in architecturally complex venues as it is heard in venues that have excellent acoustics. Live Sound Engineering is more than just plugging in some mics and amplifiers, and turning a few knobs. It involves an understanding of acoustical engineering as well as the creative talent to work with musicians to give them the desired sound. Every venue comes with its own challenges but a Live Sound Engineer’s job is to play with acoustics and does justice to the musical performance. The job prospects in this field are very good and there are many big and small media houses that require such technicians for work.

Electrical Technology

After successfully completing two years (+2 stage vocational course), the student would have acquired relevant, appropriate and adequate technical knowledge together with professional skills and competencies in the field of Electrical Technology. The basic concepts in engineering drawing, the functioning of electrical motors and appliances, measuring and testing instruments and electrical circuits will be taught to increase competency level of the students so that they are equipped to take gainful employment in the said vocation.

Radiological Technology:

If you are interested in medicine and technology as a career, you can go in for a  one year course after STD XII in Radiological Technology where you will study Radiation physics, Anatomy, Physiology and pathology, Radiotherapy and Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

As a Radiological technologist, you will use X-rays to assess the internal parts of the body and assist doctors to diagnose illness and injury and run tests, such as CT scan, sonography, and MRI, etc.

Radiological technologists explain procedures to patients, relax them for the tests, carry out tests, maintain equipment and document records. Radiological technology is significant in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and ulcers. Radiological technologists can find jobs in labs, hospitals, and diagnostic centers. Job profiles are X-ray technician, radiologist assistant, an ultrasound technician.

Automobile Technology 

This course intends in making student efficient in handling all major systems of an automobile; handling of tools, servicing of vehicles, customer sales care and innovation, and development aspects. The safety aspects are introduced to make students more aware and alert when they are working in the workshops.  The skills imparted are to increase both technical knowledge as well as the professional skills of the students.

CEDP Skill Institute of Mumbai offers well-crafted diploma course in automobile engineering for students passing 12th. After completing this course, you will be able to get into plum jobs in the industry 

Civil Engineering 

This course is envisaged keeping in mind the employment opportunities and activity profile of vocational students in civil engineering technology. The students will be exposed to competencies such as preparing, reading and interpreting drawing pertaining to civil engineering and allied works. Knowledge of various types of construction materials and their characteristics, construction techniques, supervisory skills, principles and methods of surveying, estimating and costing, skills in communication along with the use of computers in the field of civil engineering will be instilled.

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology 

The certificate course ranges from 1 year to 3 years depending upon the institution. It intends to develop appropriate technical knowledge as well as the professional skills of the students. This course will enable them to understand the concepts and principals involved in working of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment. The processes involved in testing, fault identification and repair procedures are taught.  The concepts involved in installing, commissioning, preventive maintenance and preparing estimates and costing are imparted. 

After the diploma, you will get employed in retail establishments, HVAC manufacturers, residential facilities and factories.

Electronics Technology

This course aims to help students acquire knowledge of testing procedures of components and circuits by making use of different test instruments. The understanding of concepts and principles used in radio, audio, television and video system. Locating faults at the component level and at the stage level. This course will develop appropriate technical knowledge as well as the professional skills of the students so that they are equipped to take gainful employment in the said vocation.

GeoSpatial Technology 

Geospatial technology is using digital spatial data acquired from remotely sensed images, Photogrammetry techniques, and analysis by geographical information systems (GIS) and visualized on the computer screen or on paper through Geoengineering. This course focuses on developing professional education dealing with mapping and Geospatial production ensure that students obtain insight into Geospatial database concepts creating and implementing databases, spatial analysis, developing GIS applications, through both theoretical concepts and supported by extensive practical exercises with hands-on training.

Foundry

This course aims to introduce students to the foundry industry and provide a clear understanding to the students of the technical processes, design flow and the techniques that can be employed to realize effective designs using our latest toolkits. The student will learn about foundry drawing, molding techniques, raw materials used, melting and pouring and cast metal techniques and so on. This course aims to develop appropriate technical knowledge as well as the professional skills of the students so that they are equipped to take gainful employment in the said vocation.

Summing up:

Vocational courses are in vogue these days primarily due to the fact that they hit the nail on the head. They make you strike a lucrative deal- with a career that is on the fast track.

Securing the workforce

Ever thought of getting into the Government sector and taking care of the social security of the workforce? If yes, you should get into the prestigious Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (abbreviated to EPFO). And you are not far from it. Recently, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released Recruitment Notification for the post of Enforcement Officers / Accounts Officers. The number of vacancies is 421. Online Application has begun from 10th January 2020. 

Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (abbreviated to EPFO) is an organization tasked to assist the Central Board of Trustees, a statutory body formed by the Employees’ Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 and is under the administrative control of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. EPFO assists the Central Board in administering a compulsory contributory Provident Fund Scheme, a Pension Scheme and an Insurance Scheme for the workforce engaged in the organized sector in India. It is also the nodal agency for implementing Bilateral Social Security Agreements with other countries on a reciprocal basis. The schemes cover Indian workers as well as International workers for countries with which bilateral agreements have been signed. It is the largest social security organisation in the world in terms of the number of covered beneficiaries and largest in India in terms of the volume of financial transactions undertaken. The EPFO’s apex decision making body is the Central Board of Directors.

Thinking of what to do after XII? Wish to fast forward and enter the job market at an accelerated pace? If yes, you may go in for a vocational course. 

Vocational courses After Class 12th provide general knowledge as well as vocational skills. In India, CBSE offers more than 40 courses for students some of these are Office Secretaryship, Marketing and Salesmanship, Banking, Financial Market Management, Business Administration, Electrical Technology, Civil Engineering, Electronics Technology, IT Application, Healthcare Sciences, Health and Beauty Studies, Medical Diagnostics, Fashion Design & Clothing Construction, Textile Design, Beauty Services, Library and Information Sciences, Food and Beverage Services, Mass Media Studies and Media Production, Bakery, and Confectionery, Travel, and Tourism, etc.

Types of vocational course formats

1. Bachelor of Vocation is a degree course which is 3 years’ duration and is semester-based, each being 6 months long. Eligibility is 12th pass or equivalent.
2. Diploma in Vocation a diploma course which is 3 years’ duration and is semester based, each being 6 months long. Eligibility is students who have passed 10th.
3. Skill Diploma programs are diploma courses for which the duration is between 1-3 years and eligibility criteria vary based on the courses chosen.
4. Certificate courses where a certificate is awarded to all those who successfully managed to complete the certification training programs for which the duration is between 1-2 years or less and eligibility varies based on the courses chosen.

Let us discuss a few spreading across all the above formats

Bachelor Of Vocational Studies [B.voc] in Automobiles Servicing

If you crave for  a career that gives you a feeling for your motherland besides being lucrative, prepare for getting into the most prestigious Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is an Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company headquartered in Bangalore, India.The company was started in collaboration with the Government of Mysore with the aim of manufacturing aircraft in India. The Government of India took over its operations in 1942. In 1964, Hindustan Aircraft Limited and Aeronautics India Limited merged to form ‘Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’ with its principal business being design, development, manufacture, repair and overhaul of aircraft, helicopter, engines and related systems like avionics, instruments and accessories. It has developed various Research & Development centres across India in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Nasik, Lucknow and Koraput. Today HAL is fully under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Department of Defence Production. HAL has contributed to the famous “Mars Mission” by helping develop parts for the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C25). 

HAL hires Graduate Engineers the posts of Management Trainee /Design Trainee for its various Production, Overhaul & Service Divisions / Research & Design Centers / Offices at Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kasaragod, Nasik, Koraput (Orissa), Lucknow, Kanpur, Korea (Uttar Pradesh) and Barrackpore (West Bengal).These posts are generally available for multiple research, production, and design centers in India, 

Humanities- forking pathways

Are you a Class XII student and have taken up Humanities? Well, your counterparts in Non Medical, Medical and Commerce no more consider you as someone who went the easy route. Or someone less intelligent. Humanities, once considered a victim of apartheid in education, has come out in the open and is today not only on a level playing field with STEM courses but also is getting a fair chance to win and turn the tables in its favor.

Research suggests that 60% of our  leaders have humanities, or social science degrees. It compares to just 15% who have STEM degrees. For many employers, a good humanities degree is testament to your hard work, enthusiasm, creativity and ability to process lots of information. And many of the skills you pick up will be transferable into the workplace. 

Now, the question arises, which subject combinations would work out for you. The options available are so diverse and the information overload makes the choice all the more confusing. If you are vying for admissions in any of the DU colleges, the BA programme is perhaps the most dependable course.. Unlike any other course, the BA programme gives you an opportunity to study various combinations of subjects.It is quite popular among those interested in civil services. It can also be a good option for those who cannot get through an honours course of their choice because of high cut-offs. In such a case, they can take up a BA programme to study that course as a part of the combination of subjects. Different colleges offer application papers in the third year, giving students a competitive edge.

Eligibility: Students from all streams can apply to this course. The cut-off for BA programme is usually as high as any honours programme from the arts stream, such as history and political science, and is even higher than philosophy and sanskrit.

The University of Delhi offers a number of courses for candidates who wish to seek admission to the colleges affiliated to the university. There are as many as 75 different DU 2018 Courses under the three-year Undergraduate Programme offered by the university. DU Courses 2018 will give the candidates an overview of the different subjects divided under the three streams namely Arts, Science and Commerce. Candidates who are interested in seeking admissions in the different colleges under the University of Delhi should go through the eligibility criteria for the course of their choice before applying. The application process for DU Admission 2018 will begin in the fourth week of May. 

Colleges will provide three subject combinations during the admission process.Some combinations ( like economics, statistics,and maths ;political science, philosophy ,economics) require a higher percentage. Every college has a different subject combination for BA ( programme ).One can visit college site for detailed information. As admission starts good combination slots are generally filled in 1st and 2nd cutoff. Further colleges release vacant seats of respective combination in subsequent cutoff released

Here are a few courses/combinations that will hold you in good stead:

Riding the Forensic Wave

One of the career options that occupies a broad surface area is that of Forensic Sciences. From firearms to blood pattern analysis, from psychological testing to DNA sampling, the world of forensic science offers numerous career paths for those who are interested in pursuing a fascinating career.

Let us understand what Forensic Sciences is and the career options it entails.

Forensic Science is all about the application of scientific knowledge and methodology to legal problems and criminal investigations. It is actually a vast and diverse subject which comprises various fields of science such as chemistry, biology, physics, engineering, social science, geology, psychology, etc. Forensic Scientists use their forensic acumen in the collection, preservation, and examination of physical evidence during an investigation. Commonly, forensic science can pick up fingerprints from a crime scene and investigate who actually committed the crime from the information gathered. Other samples such as blood can be tested in the lab to detect a crime.

Forensic science experts thus have a crucial role to play in the modern-day judiciary. They analyze evidence using scientific procedures and principles to deduce facts that are legally valid in the Court of Law. They play a key role in ensuring that the original form of evidence is retained during gathering and transfer. This is because even slight tampering of evidence can alter the results of the forensic analyses significantly.

Some forensic scientists focus on biological and life sciences to help those in the legal world understand what happened in a particular situation. These scientists can often be found in laboratory or other investigative settings, where they closely examine a variety of evidence. Other forensic scientists focus on the behavioral sciences; specifically, they look at the psychology behind certain criminal behaviors. There are others who focus on cyber crimes, they are Cyber Forensic Experts.

Wonders with Water

Today, the world is at  a cusp –  of growing needs and limited resources to produce food , water and shelter. This calls for tapping other resources hitherto untapped- like the oceans. Advances in technology, combined with demand, will improve our ability to derive food, drinking water, energy sources, waste disposal and transportation from the ocean. It will be up to this and future generations to build upon our existing knowledge of the ocean and Oceanography is the field to help meet the needs of the world and its inhabitants. Also, if you have a fascination for the ocean, and you are interested in science, Oceanography will be your perfect match. It is of great significance to developing countries like India. A career in this area provides opportunity to those with intrinsic curiosity and a desire to venture into the vast realm of the unknown, which exists within our oceans.