First day of my college!

As they say, it is after SSC & Intermediate that the really tough decisions need to be made regarding the choice of one's stream for further studies. In fact its parents, friends, relatives, that influence their decision which may refrain choosing the right step for themselves. Lot of students hear from their parents that your relative is like this, or like that, that one should therefore be like this or like that in the process of picking their career options.

Such awkward situation creates stress; make them disappointed and which finally leads to a compromised career step. Instead parents should take their children for career counseling so that they can find out interests/strengths and then make a well-informed career choice. In fact, attitude correction is not only for the students, but also required for parents to make them come out of that pre-conceived mindset.

Whatsoever, with that chosen area, few students may not focus on the studies and keep on complaining. Whereas the other set of students realise the importance of making the best out of what they've got.

Students

when you enter college on the first day, you may find most of them are strangers and surprisingly some of them might be your childhood friends. You'll enter into an environment where you get to meet people from different places, culture & mindsets. Be flexible, mingle with friends, share your thoughts and lunch box too.

Explore the possibilities that your college offers to reinvent yourself and get rid of old barrage/disappointments. You must focus on two things: Firstly, be open and show willingness to explore new friendships. Secondly, retain that mood of openness and strengthen the relationship. Not only with classmates, maintain good relations with Directors/Principals, teaching staff, non-teaching staff, librarian, etc.

Mere getting first class marks or distinction is not enough. Do not restrict yourself, leave your comfort zone and focus on continuous improvement. Understand education and employment should be directly connected. Narrow down the gap between these two. Do internships in real time environment to know the reality not just for the sake of certificate. Never forget the power of ASK. Keep on asking yourself and others to learn continuously.

As Late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam rightly said - all of us may not have equal talent, but all of us have an opportunity to develop our talents. He also considered the youth to be the country's asset, the gate keepers to India's tomorrow. Keep motivating yourself and make everyday a special day:-) At the end, what you do after your academics is what really matters.

What are the career opportunities for Law students in India?- Charulatha, Banjara Hills

Certainly, law as a profession is an ideal choice for youngsters. It is because of the changes in social, economic and regulatory. From the time of liberalisation, many foreign companies show interest to invest in India and which in turn leading to a boom and demand for business law professionals. Since then, many changes have been taken place in India mainly areas like banking and finance, capital markets, taxation, telecom, insurance, power, civil aviation, ports and shipping, media, intellectual property rights, foreign direct investment, real estate, special economic zones, information technology, data protection etc.

There are five years, three years and two year law courses available in India. As stated above, there's a huge demand for law professionals who are proficient in mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, infrastructure contracts, debt restructuring, FEMA regulations, IPRs, corporate governance, private equity deals, WTO law etc. Many Indian firms like TATA, Reliance, Infosys, Wipro, TCS, ICICI Bank, Dr. Reddy’s Labs etc recruit law professionals in large numbers.

If you are interested in joining business law, you can go for environment or human rights law in firms like CSE, ICRC, UNHCR, etc. For the LL.M students passing out of these premier law schools Business Laws and IP Laws are the branches which offer excellent career opportunities. On the other hand Clifford Chance, Allen & Overy, Herbert Smith, Simmons etc visit Indian campuses to recruit students for their various offices across the globe. Almost all the Indian law firms like Luthra and Luthra, Amarchand Mangaldas, AZB Partners, Nishith Desai Associates in recent years have begun recruiting from the law schools to cater to the ever-expanding needs of the profession.

I would like to get admitted into NALSAR University, Hyderabad. Please suggest. - Sridhar, Hyderabad

The candidate should read newspapers, magazines to know about the happenings in India and all over the world. Apart from this, they must concentrate on the subject themselves too. Each and every topic has to be covered completely. Besides the guides mentioned above, many more will be available for giving guidance to the students.

One other thing the students need to keep in mind is to keep in touch with the internet. News as well as other details concerning the exam itself will be updated and the students will find that a great help prior to their exams. The NALSAR entrance test is carried out by the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research.

The aim of this exam is the admission of candidates into the graduate and postgraduate level courses that are being offered in the institution. The admittance of the aspirants is done by way of the Common Law admission Test (CLAT).

Is it allowed for a person who cleared degree through supplementary/compartment or repeated attempts? -Rajesh, New Delhi

Yes, the candidates who have passed the qualifying degree examination through supplementary/ compartment and repeated attempts are also eligible for appearing in the law exam, provided that such candidates will have to produce the proof of having passed the qualifying examination with 55 per cent per cent marks, as the case may be, on the date of their admission or within the time allowed by the respective universities.

By:kamal pabba