I did PCMB in school and have completed a Diploma in Elementary Education. I have explored online courses, but nothing excites me. I am thinking of applying for government exams. Is this a good option? Yashika
Dear Yashika,
Reflect on the kind of jobs you intend to apply for through government exams and why you are looking at a government job. The most direct path into government service is through the teaching exams such as Central Teacher Eligibility Test conducted by the CBSE or the state Teacher Eligibility Tests (depending on your state). The first exam makes you eligible to apply in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas and private schools across India. The second will allow you to apply for primary teacher positions in government schools within that state. You will also need to take the recruitment exams conducted by various bodies such as Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, and State-specific Teacher Recruitment Boards. Beyond this, you can also consider Banking Exams, Railway Recruitment Board Exams, State Public Service Commission exams but many of these need a Bachelor’s degree as a mandatory requirement.
I completed my B.Sc. from a less-known university and am doing M.A. Political Science from IGNOU. I developed an interest in Political Science and International Relations while preparing for the UPSC. What are my career options? Will my educational background be a disadvantage? Name withheld on request
Employers generally focus on your latest and most relevant degree and your skills and knowledge in the tasks that you are assigned rather than your Bachelor’s degree. Your M.A. Political Science from IGNOU will be accepted, as IGNOU is a recognised central university. However, some employers (particularly in highly competitive corporate roles or certain academic positions) prefer candidates from traditional universities due to the perception of campus experience, networking, and direct faculty interaction. You can overcome this by showcasing your strong subject knowledge in interviews and demonstrating skills in research, analytical, writing, and your communication skills. Gaining practical hands-on experience is key to building real-time knowledge.
Career options beyond the UPSC include think tanks and research institutions, NGOs in the development sector, media and journalism, academia and teaching and content creation. Roles will range from being research assistant, programme officer to advocacy officer and assistant professor. For the last, you will have to take the UGC-NET.
There will also be specific recruitment drives in the government sector for research and administrative roles in, say, the Ministry of External Affairs or Parliamentary Research Services. Keep an eye on the official websites. You can also consider the State Public Service Commission exams.
I am doing a B.A. Economics, because I was not sure what to do after Class 12. I chose a college in another town to help me build independence. However, I keep thinking that I could have done better, studied at a top university and compare myself to people I know who have gone abroad to study in world-class universities. I am going into a spiral of negative thoughts. Please help me. Name withheld on request.
What you are feeling is common to many bright, ambitious students. However, well done on your move to a new town, as it has placed you in a new environment and got you to experience life out of your comfort zone. Instead of focusing on what might have been, look at what is and what can be. There is no perfect path. So focus on your individual journey. Remember, you don’t know what challenges and struggles students in world-class universities abroad are facing. So don’t fantasise about others. Focus on developing your skills regardless of your college rank. Look for internships and hands-on experience. Build a strong profile so that you can go abroad for your Master’s if you wish. Ensure your physical, mental and emotion well-being. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to a trusted friend, family member, professor or mentor. Sharing your feelings can provide new perspectives. If this doesn’t help, find a therapist to validate your concerns and get professional help.
B.A. Economics is a valuable undergraduate degree that teaches you to think critically, analyse data, solve problems, and understand complex systems. It will open doors to finance, banking, consulting, data analysis, policy research, and public sector. You can also explore M.A. or M.Sc. in Economics, Master’s in Finance or Financial Economics, Master’s in Public Policy or Public Administration or Master’s in Data Science or Business Analytics or do an MBA.
My grandson wants to study B.E. Environmental and Sustainability Engineering in a reputed institution. Does this offer good employment opportunities? Venkata Venu
B.E. Environmental and Sustainability Engineering is a highly relevant and forward-looking field. There is increasing global and national emphasis on environmental protection, climate change mitigation, sustainable development, and resource conservation. Stricter environmental regulations and policies (related to pollution control, waste management, water treatment, carbon emissions) create a constant demand for engineers who can ensure compliance and implement sustainable solutions.
Employment opportunities extend across public and private sectors in India and abroad in environmental consulting firms, the manufacturing sector, waste management and recycling companies, water treatment and supply companies, renewable energy companies, infrastructure sector and so on. In the government sector, roles include the Pollution Control Boards, and public sector undertakings such as NTPC, ONGC, GAIL, SAIL and so on.
Reputed institutions offering this programme include IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Madras, IIT-Kanpur, IIT-Kharagpur, IIT-Roorkee, IIT-Guwahati, IIT-BHU, IIT-Hyderabad, NIT-Tiruchi, NIT-Warangal, NIT-Surathkal, NIT-Rourkela, Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur; BITS-Pilani, BITS-Goa, BITS-Hyderabad, Delhi Technological University (DTU), Anna University, Chennai; Jadavpur University, Kolkata; and Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore.
Disclaimer: This column is merely a guiding voice and provides advice and suggestions on education and careers.
The writer is a practising counsellor and a trainer. Send your questions to eduplus.thehindu@gmail.com with the subject line Off the Edge
