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ALTERNATIVE CAREER
| FROM ISSUE # 174 (June 2010) | IN THIS ISSUE | |||
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Fitness Trainer
Considering the number of beauty pageants we have and the burgeoning trend of getting 'fit' amidst increasing health problems, the fitness industry is turning into a goldmine.
Prerequisites: First and foremost, the instructors themselves have to be committed to a healthy lifestyle in order to be able to teach others. Courses on the same could take from six months to four years (Bachelor's degree). And certification from renowned associations such as ISSA (International Sports Science Association), ACE (American Council on Exercise), ACSM (American College of Sports and Medicine) and NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) are certainly useful.
The Job: In simple terms, a trainer plans a client's exercise regimen in accordance with their medical conditions (if any) and their nutrition according to the body mass index, and constantly seeks to boost their motivation to achieve goals.
The Pay: The amount paid depends on the trainer's reputation, qualifications and client recommendations. Top trainers in Nepal charge from Rs 500-1000 per session.
Expert says: "Most trainers get clients on the basis of recommendations so in addition to being qualified you have to be an empathetic trainer."
Bring it to Life
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Prerequisites: You need to have a qualification in animation software. Although there are numerous institutes with two year major and minor courses in animation, you need to be careful to choose one that teaches you how to unleash your creativity on computers rather than one that makes you a software technician. Some of the well-known schools are Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics, Pentasoft and Arena Multimedia.
The Job: An animation professional designs, develops or produces animated cartoons in sectors like video gaming, television as well as advertising.
The Pay: In Nepal alone, starting rates for many animators begin at Rs 2000 per second, meaning a 30-second video alone can earn one Rs 60,000. Skilled and established animators go for rates as high as Rs 10000 per second. Mind, one second of animation is a lot of work.
Expert says: "A strong base in English is essential to understand the software used in the language."
Click-click-click!
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With the arrival of new media (both print and online) the scope for photography is abundant.
Prerequisites: There are mainly two different kinds of courses available at local institutes - Basic and Diploma in Photography. A basic course (studio photography) is about a month long and will cost Rs 2000-3000, whereas a diploma course (studio, general and advanced photography) is about three months long, for Rs 6000-7000.
The Job: A photographer takes pictures of anything under the sun and even manipulates the subject to present the message he wants to convey while a photojournalist captures up-to-date, factual happenings that are important enough to be in the news.
The Pay: You can earn anything between Rs 10,000-40,000.
Expert says: "Join forums like photo.circle to know more about the works of like-minded individuals and attend photo exhibitions. Also, be creative and open to ideas and try to take a snap that is uniquely yours."
Cabin Attendant
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Ever wanted to see the world for free? A career in the skies might be just the thing for you.
Prerequisites: The eligibility requirements are a 10+2 education, a minimum height of 5'2", good eyesight, and good command of English language.
The Job: The job description includes knowledge of Aviation Technology, Fire Fighting, Voice Modulation, Food and Beverage and more importantly, insuring a safe and comfortable flight for passengers.
The Pay: You can earn anything from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 a month with a domestic airline. With international airlines, the salary range is Rs 42,000 to Rs 400,000 a month.
Expert says: "They have to do a lot more than look pretty and must possess the ability to remain calm during tough situations and make quick decisions to assist the flight crew."
Nutritionist
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The terms 'dietician' and 'nutritionist' are often used interchangeably to mean an expert in the field of nutrition, whether a Chocolatier or a Hospital Dietician.
Prerequisites: After your high school graduation, preferably in Science, you need a Bachelor's degree in dietetics, nutrition or a related field such as food and nutritional science or biochemistry. Graduate students can opt for post-graduate degrees or diplomas in dietetics. After that, you need supervised work experience.
The Job: Basically, nutritionists are experts who balance our food intake so the output is optimum.
The Pay: Your pay scale will correspond to where you work; starting salaries today usually begin at five figures.
Expert says: "Think of the skills you'll need to persuade a diabetic, overweight patient to stop binging on bonbons. "
Tour Guide
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With Nepal Tourism Year 2011 just around the corner, a profession as a tour guide can be rewarding.
Prerequisites: The most important thing needed is social skills.Knowing foreign languages other than English won't hurt. You might consider specialising as a trekking guide, cultural tour guide, expedition guide or nature hike guide.
The Job: A tour guide is a storyteller with the ability to spellbind visitors by bringing history alive with the right information regarding all that they see and experience.
The Pay: An honest day's work always pays well if you are a good guide and there are always extra bonuses. Because it is a seasonal job, one should consider saving for those rainy days.
Expert says: "It's a good idea to take a course on tour guide.Detailed knowledge about any location is an added advantage."
Information Technology
IT covers almost every professional sector, be it designing or programming or entertainment or engineering or even national security.
Prerequisites: One should take any of the two types of courses available: a Long-Term (Diploma) or a Short-Term (particular software) course. Creativity, persistence to learn new techniques and a keen interest in computer programming are a must.
The Job: Network Administrating, System Administration, Programming, Web Page Designing, Web Developing, working as a Hardware Vendor, Computer Assembling, working as a Special Effects Coordinator in movies or advertising (multi-media) and much more.
The Pay: Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 per month in a small company and Rs 50,000 to Rs 250,000 in a big multinational company.
Expert says: "The person should be proficient in the latest technology and software and must have the ability to think out of the box."
Farming and Agriculture
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Farming doesn't necessarily mean ploughing acres or planting paddy in rain-soaked mud. You can contribute by learning newer techniques and teaching traditional farmers new ways to help them grow better quality products.
Prerequisites: Having a science background helps when it comes to understanding plants and animals. There are also institutes that offer courses in agriculture and farming.
The Job: It ranges from producing high-value commodities to organic produces.
The Pay: The fruits you reap will give you more than just monetary benefits. Tough as it may be it guarantees peace of mind, provided you have a good harvest, of course.
Expert says: "It takes a certain level of understanding plants and animals because farming is all about living life in symbiosis with other organisms."
Architecture
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Architecture is the art and science of combining structures and functions to design.
Prerequisites: A striving architect with a mathematics background will need a 1-2 year internship after 4-5 years of undergraduate studies from a credited engineering and architecture institute.
The Job: An architect has the overall responsibility for a particular construction, from its inception to its completion. S/he acts as a mediator between clients, contractors and other professionals on the project. Since one must learn to interpret the clients' vision and then provide choices so he feels comfortable with the finished design, an architect is an artist first then a mathematician.
The Pay: The starting salary, in mainstream Architecture after a Bachelor's degree in Kathmandu, varies from Rs 4,500 to Rs 8,000. A well-established professional with a strong client base in a particular specialty field will earn Rs 40,000-Rs 100,000 per project.
Expert says: "Design and architecture are more than just about making things look good. "
Documenting Lives
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Prerequisites: Although a degree or a course from a film school can help, it isn't completely necessary. A film school can acquaint you with the technicalities of filmmaking but it is also something that can be learned outside of it. Other than that, an eye for recognising issues and an ability to dig into them is required. Passion is key, along with a knack for filmmaking and its technical aspects. What isn't appreciated is being didactic and politically correct and also bending the truth as one pleases.
The Job: Unlike feature filmmaking, which is pre-scripted and pre-conceived, a documentary filmmaker has to work on a mere idea, the rest of the story unfolds as you shoot. The subject can be anything, from the mundane lives of people to intense war zone dramas.
The Pay: The monetary aspect of documentary filmmaking primarily deals with the collection of funds to shoot your documentary, earning from it is an afterthought. But that doesn't mean earning by making documentaries is impossible. Documentaries like Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 grossed over US$220 million worldwide and prove that they can be money-spinners.
Expert advice: "Love for the process is key in documentary filmmaking."