Should I switch careers to data science with a mechanical engineering degree?

Ans: HI,
Which specialization are you looking for?

Ans: KR Mangalam University's CSE with AI & ML specialization offers industry partnerships with IBM and Microsoft certifications, a 92% placement rate over three years, and modern infrastructure with 100+ research labs and smart classrooms. The curriculum emphasizes practical learning through the MERN stack, internships contributing 15% credits, and six months of work experience upon graduation. Faculty qualifications are strong with over 70% PhD holders, though some reviews mention inconsistent campus life and network connectivity issues. Manipal University Jaipur's traditional CSE program provides comprehensive computer science education with 93% placement rates, experienced faculty of around 120 members, and established industry connections with top recruiters like Microsoft, Amazon, and Deloitte. The 122-acre campus offers robust infrastructure, sports facilities, and residential amenities, though fees are considerably higher at approximately 16 LPA compared to KR Mangalam's 10 LPA.

Recommendation: Choose Manipal University Jaipur CSE for its established reputation, comprehensive infrastructure, stronger industry connections, and proven placement track record with top-tier companies. Opt for KR Mangalam's CSE AI & ML only if specialized AI focus and lower fees are priorities. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Aditi, IISER Bhopal’s BS Economics program combines rigorous quantitative training with interdisciplinary science education, fostering strong analytical skills and research aptitude. Faculty hold doctorates from premier institutions and guide students in economics, data analysis, and policy research. The modern campus offers world-class laboratories, extensive library resources, and vibrant peer-learning environments. Graduates excel in competitive fellowships and high-demand roles in analytics, consulting, and academia, with around 70% securing research internships or campus placements over the past three years. UIET Chandigarh’s BTech CSE program emphasizes hands-on software development, emerging technologies, and industry-driven projects. Experienced faculty, many with industry backgrounds, deliver a curriculum aligned with current IT trends. The campus provides advanced computing facilities, incubation centers, and strong placement support achieving approximately 80% placement rates in recent years, with top recruiters spanning global tech firms. Student clubs, hackathons, and collaboration with Chandigarh’s IT sector enhance practical exposure and employability. Both institutions excel in academia, infrastructure, faculty quality, research opportunities, and placement support, but they cater to different career trajectories—one toward research and policy roles, the other toward core software engineering careers.

Recommendation: Choose UIET Chandigarh’s BTech CSE for direct entry into software and technology roles, robust placement support, and strong industry alignment. Opt for IISER Bhopal’s BS Economics ONLY IF you seek a research-oriented path in economics, analytics, and policy, leveraging its interdisciplinary science training for versatile career options. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: VIT Bhopal’s BTech in CSE with an AI & ML specialization offers a cutting-edge curriculum, modern AI labs, and collaborative research projects. The private university’s robust industry partnerships and dedicated placement cell have delivered approximately 70–75% placement rates over the past three years. Its campus boasts state-of-the-art facilities, strong student support services, and qualified faculty with industry experience. Government Engineering College Dahod’s ECE program provides a government-subsidized education, foundational electronics and communications courses, and emerging lab upgrades. Its placement support is modest, averaging 55–60% in recent years, with local and regional recruiters. Faculty are dedicated but may lack advanced AI specialization, and campus infrastructure is developing.

Recommendation: Prioritize VIT Bhopal CSE (AI & ML) for superior infrastructure, AI-focused curriculum, stronger placements, and industry collaborations. Choose GEC Dahod ECE only if fee affordability and core electronics interests are paramount. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Abhijit Sir, IIIT Pune’s CSE program delivers a balanced curriculum in core computer science with strong industry partnerships, modern labs, and research initiatives. The institute’s imminent move to a permanent campus promises enhanced infrastructure, expanded facilities, and improved student amenities. Placement support through a dedicated training cell has achieved roughly 75–80% placement rates recently. Faculty qualifications and collaborative projects bolster academic rigor and practical exposure. The CSE program at IIIT Nagpur, which specializes in AI & ML, offers focused elective courses and strong recruiter engagement. Both institutes emphasize academic quality, student support, industry linkages, research opportunities, and placement guidance.

Recommendation: Choose IIIT Pune for its evolving permanent campus, comprehensive CSE curriculum, strong placement track record, and robust industry collaborations. Opt for IIIT Nagpur only if AI & ML specialization is your son's singular priority. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Choosing between SVNIT’s five-year integrated BTech in AI and Nirma University’s four-year BTech in Computer Science hinges on curriculum depth, campus environment, and long-term goals. SVNIT, a well-ranked NIT, offers a rigorous AI-focused degree with strong core engineering foundations, extensive research opportunities, and robust industry collaborations that have translated into placement rates around 85% over the past three years. Its integrated program accelerates specialization, providing continuous exposure to advanced AI and data science subjects from the first year. Nirma’s CSE program boasts modern private-university facilities, industry-aligned electives, and a dedicated placement cell that achieved approximately 75% placements recently. Its highly developed campus life and student support systems foster a balanced academic experience. If you float for SVNIT and fail to secure your AI seat in later rounds, retaining Nirma ensures uninterrupted progression in CSE, albeit with less early AI emphasis. Your choice should align with whether you prioritize the brand and specialized integrated AI curriculum of SVNIT or the flexibility and campus ecosystem of Nirma.

Recommendation: Opt for SVNIT’s integrated AI program for its specialized, research-driven curriculum and stronger placements. If you do not secure the AI seat in subsequent CSAB rounds, continue at Nirma CSE to maintain academic continuity and leverage its solid industry connections. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Hello dear
Yest. CSE @ BMSIT is a good option.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply..
Radheshyam

Ans: Hello dear
Prefer CSE @ UIET Chandigarh if possible.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply..
Radheshyam

Ans: You have done very well in building assets and income.
Your discipline and strong savings habit are impressive.
Your portfolio is large and well diversified across asset classes.
With 5 years left before planned retirement, you are in a strong position.

» current strengths

– You have no liabilities.
– Your monthly expenses are very low compared to your income.
– You have good exposure to equity through direct holdings and ESOP.
– You have property assets for stability.
– You have term insurance and health cover for protection.
– You have started NPS for retirement benefit.

» liquidity position

– You have Rs. 21 lakh in savings account.
– Liquidity is only 2% of portfolio, which is low.
– You may increase short-term liquid assets for emergencies.
– Keep 12 to 18 months of expenses in safe liquid instruments.
– This will prevent forced sale of volatile assets during market falls.

» investment allocation review

– Large allocation to direct equity and ESOP is good for growth.
– However, concentration risk is high due to ESOP size.
– Reduce dependence on single company stock over time.
– Gradually move part of ESOP gains to diversified actively managed funds.
– Actively managed funds with a Certified Financial Planner can give better risk management.
– Direct equity requires constant monitoring and carries company-specific risk.
– Keep direct equity allocation below 50% as you near retirement.

» insurance review

– Your term cover is Rs. 50 lakh, which is low for your profile.
– Consider increasing term cover to match your current asset value and goals.
– You have health cover of Rs. 7 lakh plus corporate cover.
– Corporate cover will stop after retirement, so personal cover must be higher.
– Take a higher individual family floater with at least Rs. 25–50 lakh.
– Continue accidental cover for disability risk.

» retirement corpus building

– Your current investment corpus is strong.
– In 5 years, equity growth plus ESOP value can create large corpus.
– Shift gradually from high-volatility assets to balanced growth assets before retirement.
– Maintain at least 40% in growth assets even post-retirement for inflation protection.
– The rest can be in stable debt instruments for income.

» property holdings

– You have a site worth Rs. 1.2 crore and flat worth Rs. 75 lakh.
– These give asset stability but low liquidity.
– Avoid adding more real estate as it ties up capital.
– Keep them as part of net worth but focus new investments in financial assets.

» LIC and traditional policies

– LIC Jeevan Anand and LIC Jeevan Utsav are low-yield policies.
– These give low returns compared to inflation.
– You can surrender Jeevan Anand and reinvest in actively managed mutual funds.
– This will improve long-term returns and liquidity.
– Continue LIC Jeevan Utsav if surrender charges are high now, but reassess later.

» portfolio diversification strategy

– Keep part of your corpus in high-quality actively managed equity funds.
– Avoid index funds, as they blindly follow market without risk control.
– Actively managed funds can outperform in volatile and falling markets.
– Index funds lack flexibility to avoid weak sectors or companies.
– Also avoid direct plans without guidance.
– Investing through an MFD with CFP qualification gives disciplined advice and ongoing review.
– This ensures you avoid emotional decisions and stick to the right plan.

» regular income planning for retirement

– At retirement, shift part of corpus to safe debt funds, bonds, and deposits.
– This will give stable income for monthly needs.
– Keep some allocation in growth assets to fight inflation.
– Withdraw income systematically, not by redeeming large chunks at once.
– This approach keeps the portfolio sustainable for 30+ years post-retirement.

» use of current surplus income

– You have very high monthly surplus.
– Deploy surplus into a mix of actively managed equity and debt funds.
– Avoid keeping large idle balance in savings account.
– Use surplus to build retirement corpus faster.
– Also invest part in international equity funds for currency diversification.

» ESOP handling

– Your ESOP is a big asset but concentrated in one company.
– Plan gradual sale over the next 5 years to reduce concentration risk.
– Redeploy proceeds into diversified mutual funds and debt instruments.
– Do not wait to sell all at retirement; spread the sale to reduce tax impact and volatility.

» tax efficiency planning

– Plan asset sales and redemptions considering capital gains tax rules.
– Equity long-term gains above Rs. 1.25 lakh are taxed at 12.5%.
– Short-term equity gains are taxed at 20%.
– Debt fund gains are taxed at your slab rate.
– Spread sales across years to reduce tax outgo.
– Use tax-saving opportunities like PPF, NPS, and 80C fully each year.

» risk management before retirement

– As retirement nears, portfolio shocks can hurt more.
– Start rebalancing from year 3 onwards.
– Move some equity gains to safer assets every year.
– Maintain equity allocation but with lower volatility options.
– Avoid large exposure to small-cap or single-stock bets near retirement.

» succession and estate planning

– Make a clear Will to avoid disputes later.
– Nominate in all investments, insurance, and bank accounts.
– Keep joint ownership for easy access to funds by spouse.
– Share asset and document details with spouse.

» liquidity for opportunities and emergencies

– Keep some cash or liquid fund for quick access.
– This can help you take advantage of market dips even after retirement.
– It also covers emergencies without disturbing long-term assets.

» finally

– Your financial position is very strong.
– You can reach your retirement target in 5 years with discipline.
– The focus now should be on reducing concentration risk, improving insurance, and increasing liquidity.
– Surrender low-yield policies and shift to better performing mutual funds.
– Move ESOP and direct equity gains gradually to diversified assets.
– Keep a good mix of growth and stability even after retirement.
– Review your plan every year with a Certified Financial Planner to stay on track.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment