Q. Dear Sir,
My name is Bisina Keshara and I have sat for my local O/L exam. I got 6 A's and 3 B's. I have a very great liking for the IT field. I have chosen to do an HND or NCC programme in Software Development which leads to Bsc in Business IT, Business Computing, Web Development in some UK universities.
n Is it appropriate to do such a thing abandoning the local A/Ls?
n Will it be a problem in the future job market for not doing A/Ls?
n If it's ok which path should I choose - HND or NCC ?
P.S. I do not want to stop my higher education at Bsc. I will continue it to Msc and further.
Bisina Keshara
Via Email

Dear Bisina,
A: It is great to know that you have the depth of perspective in your career options, my analysis of your question tells me that you may need to trade off on a few areas for example :

• Should you focus on your local A/L's or London A/L's
  
• Short term or Long term, for example the HND or NCC track has a time advantage
• Focused academic or Balanced skill set individual, for example my determination to stay the course during difficult times has mainly been acquired from my sports, where the intense competition training has definitely helped me
  
• Cost and recognition , in most cases the greater the recognition the higher the cost
  Accordingly, the limited information you have provided me restricts me from fine tuning your decision, for example I do not know your current extra curricular or sports activities you are following, or are you on course to be a prefect or take up a leadership role in your school.

All of the above can make you to either choose between or mix the two, you have three options:

• Skip your A/L's
• Finish you're A/L's and then start
  
• Or mix both, for example you can start on your HND or NCC part time

The decision should be yours.
Q: I am Shalini from Colombo. I have got IT certification equivalent to a UK degree level.
NIBM full time computer Diploma and BCS fully qualified (MBCS).
I have been in the IT field in a non IT company for almost 10 years and after that moved to services related area (non -IT) for about 4 years now.

What I need to find out is, with my educational and work background what would be the best study path I should take now that I have moved away from IT, on which I had done most of my studying?
Would an MBA be a best choice or is there any other qualification or study path that I should take in order to better market myself in the future Job market.
Please advise with your vast knowledge in the current market and education system.
BR/Shalini
Via Email

Dear Shalini,
A:If I read your question right ,you have not provided me with the necessary information to advise you on your options, for example your age, may be I am guessing that it is around 34+, you have also not provided me with the skill set as well as the core experience you have acquired and job positions in the last few years.
I also feel that you are facing the pressure of the economic downturn.
Please feel free to fill in my sample CV format and mail back to me, so that I could be more focused in my advice.
Yes of course the MBA will be a great revitalization exercise, but selecting the correct one will be an important decision.
Greater the
Q:Dear Saleem
I am 23 years & working for a private sector bank with an experience for over 03 years. My concern is that I find don't find Banking exams interesting though I have attempted several times to sit for the exams. I just go for classes & then I just don't sit for the exams.
I have a small interest in being a secretary. I have heard about Company secretaries as well.
To be a Company secretary, what should I do? From which way do i have to have work experience? I am in to Branch banking, will my present work experience can be considered?

Is it too late for me to take a decision in this regard? What are the job responsibilities of a Company secretary? Will it have a high regard in case I do think of migrating or being employed overseas?
Plz let me knew of some institutions that which are offering this qualification at a nominal fee?
Thanks & Regards
Arrogant Girl form Colombo

A: Dear Miss,
May be you could use this aggressiveness for something good, Please go to the link below take the personality test and ideal job test or if you want the ideal partner test and send back to me with your summary.
www.humanmetrics.com
Don't worry it is free , the reason why I say this because I need to identify your personality type and check your ideal job profiles, it is better to sort this out now.
Will help you out with the necessary direction after this.

4. Dear sir, I'm following commerce for A/L and i will be sitting for the exam this august.After A/L i thought of doing ACCA as im more in to the accounts field. Sir is this a good choice? and if its yes i would also like to know, to gain the necessary experience to become full qualified in ACCA, will working at a bank as a bank trainee will help me? If not working in an audit firm? what wil suite me best. And if banking will work to gain the necessary experience will it be useful for me if i do banking exams too? please help me sought out this issue. Thanking you.
A confused student
Via Email
Dear Confused student,
Please go through the answer provided for similar question last week.