CAREER ADVICE: To become a clinical psychologist, you need to either do an MPhil or enrol for PhD in Clinical Psychology

Eligibility for Clinical Psychology   

Can you please tell me if I will be able to pursue a master’s in Clinical Psychology after doing BA (Hon) in Applied Psychology?
Anuradha, Calicut 

Yes, you can certainly pursue an MSc Applied Psychology course for which the eligibility criterion is a pass in a bachelor's degree in/with Psychology or any other social science subject. Admission to most of the good universities would be on the basis of NTA's CUET PG while some of the private ones may also have their own entrance test/interview. However, in order to become a clinical psychologist, you will need to either do an MPhil in Clinical Psychology after completing your Master’s in Psychology (MA/MSc) or enrol for PhD or PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) in Clinical Psychology which is offered at some institutions in India. It does not matter whether you have done MA Psychology/MA Applied Psychology/MSc Psychology/MSc Applied Psychology or MA Psychology with any other specialisations like Clinical & Child Psychology in order to specialise in Clinical Psychology. Students can even do a BA programme with Psychology via distance mode from Delhi University’s School of Open Learning (sol.du.ac.in).  

Planning ahead
I have moved to class XII this year. I am open to studying in India/overseas. Can you please suggest a few pointers I should keep in mind during this year?
Rahul, Bengaluru   

Here are some tips that will help senior school students like you to prepare for the oncoming school session:
Fix your goals for the year: What do you want to achieve in your final year? Are you aiming for top-ranked colleges? Do you wish to learn a new skill? Once you know what you want to achieve, you can start developing a plan to reach your goal.
Review your previous year's work: What topics did you struggle with? Which ones did you enjoy the most? Reviewing your previous year's work will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses so that you can focus on your studies in the new year.
Get organised: This is especially vital for senior school students who will be taking on a heavier workload. Create a study schedule and stick to it. Find a system that works for you to stay organised, such as using a planner or a to-do list app.
Take care of yourself: This could mean getting enough sleep, eating healthy and exercising regularly. Taking care of your physical and mental health will help you stay focused and productive throughout the year. 
Don’t skip extracurricular activities: These can help you relax and de-stress besides helping you build your resume and forge connections that could help you in the future.  
Ask for help if you need it: Don't be afraid to ask your teachers, parents, or friends for help if you are struggling with something. There are plenty of resources available online as well that you could access for free. 

 Additional tips particularly for senior school students:
Start thinking about college applications: Research colleges, take standardised tests, and write essays. 
Start networking in your field of interest: Attend conferences, shadow professionals, or do a spot of volunteering. 
Start planning for your future career: Try figuring out what you want to do after college and start developing relevant skills and experience.

Courses in jewellery design  

I will be completing my graduation soon. I am fascinated by jewellery and would like to pursue some formal courses that would equip me to enter this field. What should I do? 
Kritika, Udaipur   

Before we talk about any formal courses for jewellery, it is important that you understand the gem and jewellery supply chain comprising of mines, mining companies, and distribution networks upstream. This is followed by gemstone cutting and polishing units and their distribution network in the midstream, and jewellery designers, jewellery manufacturing companies, gemmological laboratories, and tens of thousands of retailers in the downstream. A formal gemological education will equip you to access career opportunities across this vast supply chain. 

Depending on your interests, you can choose to pursue a comprehensive gemology programme or a jewellery designing course or study both, for a strong foundation. A well-structured gemology course will teach you about precious gemstones like diamonds, coloured stones, pearls and many more – not only in theory, but also with practical exposure. A jewellery design course will teach you how to sketch and render different metals and gemstones on pencil and paper. Most professionals consider both gemology and jewellery design courses to be of vital importance for their success in the industry. As an aspiring jewellery designer, you can enrol in a diploma or certificate course from a globally reputed institute like GIA. In addition to their state-of-the-art facilities and research-backed curriculum, you will gain valuable insights into the industry via guest sessions as well as their strong alumni network. There are other institutes across the country that offer courses in jewellery design and gem identification. Make sure you choose a good one based on their credentials and track record.