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October - 1999 - issue > Career Advice
Your Career Concerns Addressed
Friday, October 1, 1999



I am in the US on an H4 visa. I have an MCom degree in accounting and a BCom degree in finance from Bombay University. I would like to take a course that would make me eligible for a job in the US. What are the possible professional skills, besides software skills, that can render a person eligible for an H1 work permit? --Kamini

Right now, and in the foreseeable future, I do not see many other skills other than software where there is a critical shortage in the US. Accounting is not a critical shortage skill area; layoffs are still occurring in the US, and there are still American workers who are displaced. Also, taking a course -- even in an area with a shortage of skills -- doesn't automatically get you an H1 (or a job). You must find a company willing to hire you and sponsor you for a H1. Your best bet is to network aggressively until you find an employer with a critical need in accounting right now that would be willing to hire you and sponsor your H1. Smaller companies or startups are more likely to be willing to take this chance. Although I cannot give a simple answer to your question, I can say, keep trying!

Transition to HR

I am an administration officer in a reputed software firm based in Hyderabad, India. I need to know what I should do to become a professional in an area related to human resources development. --Raghava

Your best bet is to get a Master's degree in human resource management (HRM) or industrial relations (IR). In India, try to get into XLRI (my alma mater). It is unclear from your question whether you want to get into HRM or HRD (human resource development); there is a great difference between the two. HRM basically focuses on day-to-day management issues, such as hiring, rewarding, establishing benefits, training and supplying employee services. HRD focuses on organizational development and helping people resolve people-related organizational issues. For an organizational development career, your focus in advanced education should be industrial psychology and maybe a specific advanced degree in organizational behavior. If you do not want to invest in a higher education, then try and get into software recruiting and sourcing. This way, you can also get into HRM and quite possibly follow a quicker path.

Hospitality to IT?

I am a recent graduate with a BS in hospitality from a US university. I am currently working in the US and want to switch to an IT career. From an employer's point of view, what difference does the type of degree make? Also, what are the jobs and pay that one gets with a Master's in IT along with a Bachelor's in business (hospitality) and about one year of management experience in the hospitality industry? --Anshoo

Your best bet is to get into an IT career in the hospitality industry. From the employer's point of view, the type of degree you have is quite important. I have been recruiting people in the US over the past thirty years for about ten companies. Most of my experience is in the high tech industry, beginning in the late sixties with Control Data Corporation. During all these years, my preferred candidates have been those that are academically focused. In your case, I would be very impressed if your educational focus is hospitality in the IT industry. So get an advanced degree in IT, but do class projects in the hospitality industry. This way you will truly become an expert in a specialty and as such you will be in demand. Once you have completed your Master's in IT, you can expect starting salaries in the range of $60 to $80K -- and the potential will remain quite large. Specialize, specialize … that's my message!

India Salaries

I am a computer consultant with six years of experience in the IT industry, out of which I have four years of experience in the US. What is the current salary I can expect in India in this field? Can you give me the information about headhunters who can place me in India? --Priya

I am told the current going wages for a person with your background and experience is in rupees, 400,000 to 600,000. As far as headhunters who can place you, I do not know of any specific agency, but doing a Web search is likely to find you many. Also, acquire a Times of India and look at the classifieds section. Look at siliconindia carefully -- several agencies are advertising in this magazine also. On the Web, check out the Wall Street Journal Career section, where you'll find sections on international jobs. Today the Internet is the best source of finding job opportunities anywhere in the world, so I'd start with that medium.

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