Expert: Saurabh Kudesia - 7/4/2006

Question
Sir, I am doing my M.Phil- Computer science in india at present. For desertition work i have choosen  a title "Intelligent systems for Career guidance" But truly speaking  i do not have previous knowledge of working in AI or Intelligent systems but I have considerable knowledge in Programming and maths. So I need your help on this title that, What I suppose to do for my Desertition work and Am I suppose to take any course /study other subjects which are suppoe to be prerequest for my desertition work. Kindly advise me on this issue. Actaully I am very much interested to know about AI and would like to find some solutions for career guidance too. So I badly need of your guidance in this reagard.
At present I am working as IT Trainer at one private institution.

Expecting your reply

Yours

Ashok Kumar

Answer
Hello Ashok,

First, focus on clearly defining the scope and goals of your work.

For example, what is that you are trying to achieve with AI? Do you want to implement an expert system, which can formulate and suggest the 'career options' available based on the candidate profile or do you want your system to help people in getting the right job based on their skill set?

Both options may sound similiar but there is a big fundamental difference between the two. The first option will find out the right 'track' for the candidate, while the second option will locate the best job 'within that track' based on candidate's preferences and other considerations. In fact, the second option is just an extension of the first one.

The scope of your project should be very clear, crisp, focussed, and above all goal-oriented. After all, your performance will be determined by how much you have achieved in your research and not by what pains you have taken to complete it. So, focus, focus and focus.

Also, the scope of your research will determine whether you will really need to design such systems. You can, for example, complete the theoretical dissertation instead of practical deliverables. In fact, I would strongly suggest you to speak with your supervisor/guide and tell him about your limitations and problems. If possible, ask him to suggest you some good topic for the research based on your skill set. A research is best enjoyed when it complements the potential and interest of the researcher. Your guide will be the right person to give you proper directions since he may be the one who is more familiar with the process of your research work.

To design such system, no doubt, you will need some assistance from an expert. If you don't have experience in AI and intelligent systems and cannot be an expert in such a short time, atleast familarize yourself with the basic concepts of expert systems and the characteristics which distinguish expert systems from conventional software. Have a look at this good site to begin with http://www.bcsnsg.org.uk/itin08/darling.htm

If you need further help, feel free to get in touch with me.

Best Wishes,
Saurabh