In the seventies and the eighties, there were not many options for the students. Youngsters did not have much to say in the matters as it was their parents, who planned their careers. Children did what their parents told them to do.
If you were a “good” student, you did science and mathematics, and then got admitted into any of the Bachelor of Science courses, with usually the core science subjects, mathematics, physics, chemistry and statistics. If you were a “average” student, you took arts subjects as electives in school, and then a BA in subjects like economics, history, literature etc, There were not many options available. Of course, if you were brilliant, you were expected to take up engineering or medicine. There were few seats available as there were only government colleges and private colleges were not opened then. After studies, it is usually a safe job in the Government, or the nationalized banks. Another attractive option then was taking up the UPSC Exams.
It is completely a different picture now. Children invariably know what they want to do, at least in their final year of school. They can no longer be bullied by their parents into something for which they have no flair. They have information at their finger tips thanks to the internet. They aim to do something and systematically set out to achieve it. Most of today’s young adults know exactly where to study and what to study. Their choice is no longer restricted to the old staid courses, but new attractive, job-oriented courses like computer graphics, visual communications, animation, web design, visual effects, law, hotel management, catering, nursing, physiotherapy, acting courses, music, journalism, and many more. Many new courses are being introduced every year and eagerly welcomed by the enthusiastic students. To their credit, today’s parents let their children follow their dreams, and do not impose their wishes on them.
In this article, I will talk about a new course Visual Communications or Vis Com as it popularly called by all. This course has become very popular among the students in the recent times. It was first introduced in Chennai at the prestigious Loyola College. There were only about thirty seats. An entrance examination testing the student’s aptitude for the course is held. The short-listed candidates are then called for a GD and then the final list is released. The procedure is still followed by the college and other colleges like MOP Vaishnav, Chennai which is a college for women only. Other private engineering colleges like SRM in Chennai also have the course in the list of courses offered by them.
The course content is very interesting. The student starts by learning computer graphics, fine arts including water colors, pencil sketches, pastels. They learn to design logos and visiting cards. In the second and third year, they go on to photography, web design, film making, computer animation, visual effects, interior design, and related fields. Web designing includes learning of software like Dreamweaver and Photoshop. Projects include making of a short film.
When the course is over, the student is trained in just about anything. You can enter any field and make a mark there. These students get jobs in the various TV channels, Advertising companies, animation and visual effects companies and even software companies. Software firms like TCS and Wipro have their own in-house design team to design their various communications, banners, and other advertising material.
Though there is an option to go abroad for further studies, it is preferable to obtain at least two years work experience and then go abroad. One year of work experience is a must for two very important reasons. Universities in the United States require 16 years of studies, and therefore you will be a year short as you would have completed only 15 years of school education. Some US Universities do accept you if you have one-year work experience. This problem does not exist if you plan to go to UK because 15 years of schooling is sufficient in the UK.
Another reason is while you are working it is very likely that you will find where your real interests lie and what exactly you want to do.
Of course, one can even go abroad for further studies immediately after finishing the course. There are some very attractive courses for these students in the UK. Studying in the UK is cost effective as the course is usually only one year. The Bournemouth University in Dorset, UK is well known for its Media School. Similarly, there are other good universities offering design animation, visual effects and other design courses. As no scholarship is available in the UK, except a handful, you will have to meet the tuition fees yourself. Tuition fees ranges from £7000 to £10000. Living expenses can be met by doing part time work. A foreigner who is in the UK on a tourist visa can work about 20 hours a week. This is more than sufficient to meet the living expenses.
Australia and Canada are other very attractive destinations for further studies. In Australia, there is every possibility that you will get PR (Permanent Residence) after studies. You can do part time jobs to finance your living expenses. There are plenty of jobs available for students.
Canada has got some very good media and design schools and is also a good destination for further studies in the field. The Vancouver Film School is famous all over the world. But the course is very expensive, costing about Rs 35 lakhs in Indian currency.
Some students, who complete the course, go to Singapore for further studies. Singapore has got inherent advantage as compared to the other destinations. It is close to India and culturally it is not be much different from India. It combines the best of the East and the West. There are some very good universities like NUS there offering courses like event management, design, computer animation and many other courses. Of late, Singapore has become an animation hub. Many American companies catering to Hollywood films have step up their shops in Singapore recently. Possibility of getting PR is very bright there.