Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Archaeology

Each and every ancient civilization had their own history which were not recorded in those days. With the passage of time, evidences has been uncovered now and again through archeological studies. Archeology is the main method available for learning about the history of such civilizations. It can unveil a rich store of information about the beliefs, social structure, economic organization and environmental effects of past societies. The word archeology is derived from two Greek words 'archaios' which means ancient things and 'logos' which means theory of science. Archaeology was first put to use by the Romans in the eighteenth century but it was given more accuracy by Heinrich Schliemann who brought to light the origins of Greek civilization.
Archaeology is a rewarding and challenging career opportunity for those who have an analytical bend of mind and a keen desire to know about the past. It can give awareness about the heritage and tradition of a country or a culture. It is the scientific and systematic study of past and human cultures through the recovery, analysis and documentation of material remains and environmental data, like architecture, artifacts, features, landscapes and biofacts. It is the field of conservation and protection of architectural relics, old monuments, inscriptions etc. In fact, Archaeology is the science that helps to build up a picture of the past.
In India, the importance of preserving the rich and cultural heritage was initiated by General Alexander Cunningham. It was he who established the Archaeological Survey of India in 1862 for the maintenance, conservation and preservation of centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites in the country. Due to his contribution in Indian history and Archaeology, Cunningham is considered as the father of Indian history and Archaeology.
Archaeology is a multidisciplinary science which draws help from geography, history, anthropology, chemistry, geology, art and literature. It is also regarded as one of the four branches of Anthropology, which is the study of the physical and social characteristics of humanity. The cultural and social events of the past have been relived through archeological studies. Archaeological studies or inputs are considered important in issues such as environmental conservation, urban societies, town planning etc. These discoveries involve a variety of field techniques and laboratory procedures.
Those who are involved with the studies of archaeological discoveries is termed as Archaeologists. The main activities of an Archaeologist include preliminary fieldwork, excavation of sites and periodical classification of them as well as dating and interpretation of materials so excavated. They probe into the past and define earlier civilizations. Their researches and findings are preserved and maintained for present and future learning. Modern archaeologists have enhanced the accuracy of their work with scientific techniques of carbon dating of artifacts and the use of DNA analysis.

Video jockey

With the advent of various music channels on TV, Video jockeying is becoming an exciting career option for the music crazy generation. The main job of the VJ is to introduce music videos and host music related shows on Television. But as competition increases, music channels are on the trend of incorporating many diverse shows to attract the public, especially the youth. So the VJ's area of work involves apart from introducing videos; hosting game to travel shows to youth forums, chatting with the public, doing interviews with artists and music celebrities etc. In short, they act as intermediary figures between the audience and the musicians or music videos. It may also involve off- camera work like deciding on the theme and choosing the songs to suit the theme of the show, participating in promotionals like road shows, attending theme parties and with experience, even writing script for the show at times.
VJs must constantly keep up-to-date on the latest trends in music, all the latest videos and information about music stars and other celebrities. In that sense, they take upon a more journalistic role. They also should have a well-rounded knowledge of all types of music and also should be informed about a bit of everything from films to politics to travel whatever the theme the show demands. Some of them specialize in a particular area or genre of music. They must be able to answer any queries about music and must fulfill their roles as experts. Vj's interact with the viewers through telephone, e-mail or fax.
Jockeying generally involves three areas and as such Jockeys are called a Video Jockey (VJ), Radio Jockey (RJ) and Disc Jockey (DJ). They all deal with music but while VJ's present shows on TV, RJ's do it on Radio and DJ's in live shows in clubs, restaurants, Music stores etc. No specific educational background or formal training is required to be a VJ, except some personal attributes. However a background in mass communication, visual communication or the performing arts comes in handy.

Video Editing

Video Editing, is an interesting career for creative people in the media and entertainment industry. The entire process of making art, aesthetic in the visual media, lies in the technique of editing. Video editing is the process of re-arranging or modifying segments of video from one or more video tapes to form a refined and final piece of video. Video editing plays a key role in the post production process. The main task of the video editor is to edit soundtracks, film and video for the motion picture, cable and broadcast visual media industries. It is the video editors skill that determines the quality and delivery of the final product.
Video Editing is classified as Linear Editing (Tape to tape), and Non-linear editing or Digital Video Editing. Digital video editing uses computer technology to enable the editing process onscreen. Linear editing involves copying just the required portions of a film from one tape to another. Any changes or additions needed could be made only by copying the edited content onto another tape, causing undesirable degradation of images. In Non- linear editing, video and audio data are first captured to hard disks or any other digital storage device and then edited on the computer using any of the wide range of software's available for editing.
Here data can be edited and subsequent changes made without duplicating the actual film data. It is quicker, less expensive, more flexible and saves time and money when compared to the traditional way of editing. Due to all these features and the introduction of new technologies in digital video editing, it is fast replacing the traditional or linear editing. Video editors are in great demand with the advent of streaming videos and movie clips in websites. As this field is becoming highly competitive, video editors can expect keen competition for job openings.
The increased popularity of online video clips has also produced a large increase in video editing activity by internet users. A career in Video Editing doesn't require any specific educational qualification.A college degree is not necessary for getting a job in the field of video editing..

Veterinary Science

Veterinary Science is the science of diagnosing, treating and curing the diverse types of diseases in birds and animals. The subject broadly covers the study of animal physiology, treatment and prevention of diseases among animals. The basic principles of this specialized branch of study are quite similar to that of human medical sciences. But the job profile of a veterinary
doctor or a vet is much more than that of a general physician or a surgeon. It involves not only taking care of animal health but also includes scientific breeding and handling of livestock.
Besides giving treatment, Vets perform surgery, prevent spreading of diseases in animals by administering timely vaccination and medicines and give advice on care of pets and farm animals. Their activities may also include Animal husbandry- animal breed improvement by 'selection breeding' and artificial insemination, animal research in order to control spread of diseases transmitted through animals; thus protecting the public from exposure to diseases carried by animals, wildlife conservation, poultry management and health care, livestock insurance and rural development. Broadly a veterinary doctor has a major role in the conservation of livestock and domestic animal wealth.
Veterinary doctors deal with the treatment, care and handling of domestic pets, livestock, animals in the zoo, laboratory, sporting animals or animals with the government's animal husbandry departments. They take up practice exclusively of either large animals such as cattle including horses, pigs, sheep; poultry etc or small animals mainly household pets including dogs, cats, birds etc. or both. The approach in treatment vary according to different animals. The vets must be familiar with the many breeds of pets or livestock and the characteristics of each so that they can recommend diets, exercise regiments and treatment, specific to the breed.
The scope for veterinarians in the future is bright. As keeping pets is becoming a fad now, the demand for private veterinary clinics is on the rise in metropolitan cities. And similarly, there has been an unprecedented growth in the poultry sector and animal products’ technology sector, resulting in an increased demand for veterinarians in different sectors of livestock and poultry.

Travel and Tourism

Travel and Tourism one of the world's largest foreign exchange earner among industries, provides employment directly to millions of people worldwide and indirectly through many associated service industries. A very wide industry, it includes Government tourism departments, Immigration and customs services, travel agencies, airlines, tour operators, hotels etc and many associated service industries such as airline catering or laundry services, Guides, Interpreters, Tourism promotion and sales etc. Travel and Tourism enterprises include major internationals with a workforce of thousands, to the small private travel agent with a handful of employees.
Work in the travel and tourism industry is essentially concerned with providing services for people who are away from home, on business or holiday. Travel can be leisure travel involving package tours, pilgrim travel, etc or purely business. Work at every functional level in the industry involves dealing directly with people. Travel agents assess the needs of tourists and businessmen and help them make the best possible travel arrangements from the many travel options available. Also, many major cruise lines, resorts, and specialty travel groups use travel agents to promote travel packages to the millions of people who travel every year.
Travel company personnel must be up-to-date on current rules and regulations and documentation required, in areas like cargo, ticketing and passports, visas etc. so as to correctly advise their clients, and to take care of the paperwork when necessary. Besides this, all tourism staff in marketing, counter sales, or guide services, should be knowledgeable about the places their clients visit, in terms of general background, how to get there connections by air, rail and road and the facilities available.
In India, Travel and tourism, as an industry, has been somewhat slower to take off than in many other places. However, with increasing worldwide interest in travel, and with the Government's encouragement of its activities, it is undergoing massive expansion and improvement. This forecasts a bright future for all those who choose to make a career of travel and tourism. Young people with drive and a capacity for hard work can rise to top positions very quickly in travel and tourism or even head their own agencies. A job in the industry gives good returns as well as perks including opportunity to see many locales at low prices.

Technical writing

Technical writing or Technical communication is all about communicating an idea to particular readers in an easily understandable way. The field is gaining more importance in this current period of fast technological advancement. Companies need the help of a Technical writer or Technical communication professional, in order to translate or explain the technical usage of their 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 their products or services. In short, Technical writers specialise in writing technology for non-technical persons.

A technical writer writes reports that any technically oriented professional / expert/specialist do as part of their regular job. They write ‘how to use’ manuals, project reports, online help files, instruction and installation guides, make graphical presentations and brochures for products of various industries like IT, consumer products, medical , journals etc. A technical writer, who works with an engineer writes engineering and designing information for common people. Usually he or she has to help an user to understand a product and how to use it. For that, one should know the product and understand its technology well although he or she is not an expert in that. A technical writer develops an expertise in a particular technical area for which one is working for, and whatever he writes or says about the field, is termed as technical communication.

A technical writer should have an interest in science and technology. And he should also have researching skill as he has to collect information through books, internet and some times he needs to interview people who are the technological experts in the field. The technical writer should also possess good command over English and should know how to present a matter in an easily understandable manner. A technical writer can find work in various firms such as advertising agencies, IT companies, Newspapers and magazines etc

If you have good command over English language and confidence that you can understand the technology and simplify the technical language to a user friendly one, then you can choose technical writing as your career. TWIN (Technical Writers of India) and Society for Technical Communication (STC), India are two online services that help Indian technical writers.

Teaching

Teaching is a highly noble profession, most suited one especially for women. Teachers are always a boon to society. Through their intelligence, patience and wisdom, they attempt to not only hone the learner's intellect and aptitude but also, create a well-rounded personality. Teaching has an influence in developing ones mind and character and also gives the satisfaction of having sparked the light of knowledge and dispelled the clouds of ignorance.
As this field is so vast having areas of specialisations, different skills and type of training are required for different levels. Areas of specialisation include teaching at nursery schools , middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities, institutes, special schools etc. Each level calls for a different expertise. If you love to be with children, teaching at schools would be a good option, but if you want to be with young adults, it is better to look at the college or university level. Good teachers can bring out the best in every student. They are the ones who make a difference in the lives of their students. Rousing students from their apathy and watching their curiosity grow is one of the biggest rewards of teaching.
Main reason for opting this career could be interest in the subject, secure professional career and regular annual vacations. It can also be a second career for those who have retired from professional services.
From primary school all the way up to college, to arts and sports, training the handicapped, languages and so on, there is no limit to the various subjects and fields that a teacher-to-be can specialise in.