Home > Career > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help

45-Year-Old Engineer Seeks Career Advice in Tier-3 City: Do's and Don'ts?

Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1236 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Apr 09, 2025

Patrick Dsouza is the founder of Patrick100.
Along with his wife, Rochelle, he trains students for competitive management entrance exams such as the Common Admission Test, the Xavier Aptitude Test, Common Management Admission Test and the Common Entrance Test.
They also train students for group discussions and interviews.
Patrick has scored in the 100 percentile six times in CAT. He achieved the first rank in XAT twice, in CET thrice and once in the Narsee Monjee Management Aptitude Test.
Apart from coaching students for MBA exams, Patrick and Rochelle have trained aspirants from the IIMs, the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies and the S P Jain Institute of Management Studies and Research for campus placements.
Patrick has been a panellist on the group discussion and panel interview rounds for some of the top management colleges in Mumbai.
He has graduated in mechanical engineering from the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad. He has completed his masters in management from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jan 31, 2025Hindi
Listen
Career

Hi Career Experts , I am into my 45th year & am a qualified Mechanical Engineer + Full-time MBA in Marketing . Am based-out in a Tier-3 City & am supposed to stay back in my base location only due to family obligations . Worked for 16 Years but had to quit my job in 2021 due to incompatibility issues & not able to absorb / cope-up with the surmounting pressures that are rampant in the corporate world . Since then , have not been able to settle down with a Job although reaching-out & following openings on platforms like LinkedIn actively but all in vain . Had even tried exploring starting-out on my own but risks and insecurity have held me back . Have been somehow managing with my savings & investments done , but that may not go a long way . Success it seems is elusive on all fronts probably due to my age , work-gap , location constraint , maybe some other follies as well etc ? Looking forward to some specific advises pls. (do's & dont's) which may restart and reignite my career , which is in a complete state of mess . Thanks & Regards !

Ans: When you are looking for a job, check multiple sources. Linkedin is one of them. Check placement agencies, connect with your former colleagues, your friends, your batchmates from MBA college who themselves could be in decision making position. You may have to reskill yourself with some short courses. Simultaneously you could look at starting something on your own based on your interest. Could be investment advisory or some small business.
Career

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Abhishek

Abhishek Shah  | Answer  |Ask -

HR Expert - Answered on Apr 20, 2023

Listen
Career
Hello, I am 48 and working since 1996. Have worked with Airtel for 11 plus years and also earlier with Hutch and TTSL....majorly into telecom in my total work exp, rose to a DGM level in 2010 at Airtel with a v good CTC but had to leave them in 2017 as Jio the market disruptor had entered and no suitable role was left for me. Am an MBA in marketing and having solid work exp but somehow have not managed to land up a proper job till now ....the pandemic and the lockdown did not help at all !!! Kindly guide me and advice on how can I reboot my career. Thanks a ton, Ani
Ans: Hello Ani,

Based on your experience and education, you have a strong background in the telecom industry. However, I understand that you are facing challenges in rebooting your career.

To start, I suggest updating your resume and LinkedIn profile to showcase your skills and accomplishments in the telecom industry. Highlight your experience in leadership, marketing, and any notable achievements during your tenure with Airtel, Hutch, and TTSL.

Next, consider reaching out to your professional network and former colleagues to explore potential job opportunities in the telecom industry. This could involve attending industry events, participating in online forums and discussion groups, and reaching out to recruiters who specialize in your field.

In addition, you may want to consider expanding your skills and knowledge by taking online courses, attending workshops, or pursuing additional certifications. This can help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the telecom industry and make you a more competitive candidate for job opportunities.

Lastly, it's important to remain optimistic and persistent in your job search. The pandemic has impacted many industries, but the telecom industry remains a vital part of our modern economy. With your experience and education, you have valuable skills to offer potential employers. Keep networking, building your skills, and staying up-to-date with industry trends, and I'm confident you will find a suitable role that meets your expectations.

All the best!

Regards,
Abhishek

..Read more

Aashish

Aashish Sood  | Answer  |Ask -

CAT, Management Expert - Answered on May 30, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 27, 2024Hindi
Listen
Aashish

Aashish Sood  | Answer  |Ask -

CAT, Management Expert - Answered on May 30, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - May 27, 2024Hindi
Listen
Career
I am 35 year old and holding 5+ years of experience in various domains after completing Deploma in Mech Engg QA-1year(automobile industry 2011-12). 2012-2018-- Degree in Mechanical Engg. Meanwhile due to financial issues I had work with 2/3 companies for short time of period and left because of Exams, whatever work like service engineer and Quality related work I attended. After completing my Graduation in Mechanical Engg I rejoin small firm which was dealer and distribution industry for metal cutting tools. due to convid these company was shutdown and then 2021 I switched to BPO industry and now from April 2023 to till date I am working in Supply chain Management in Infosys as a Sr Executive now could you please advise what should I do because it's really challenging to adapt new skills with less salary I am unable to take risk of new learning. And also facing money problems as now I have to run entire family shall I have to start any business or what should I do to save and retrack my career?
Ans: Why don't you want to continue in SCM?

In my opinion, you should continue to develop your expertise in supply chain management. Given your current role at Infosys, aim to gain more responsibilities and prove your value within the organization. You may also consider obtaining supply chain management certifications like APICS (now ASCM), Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or Six Sigma. These can increase your marketability and potential for promotions or salary increases.

Stay updated with industry trends and continue learning to adapt to changing market demands.

..Read more

Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7800 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 04, 2025

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7800 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 04, 2025

Career
Which is better NMIT EEE or Chanakya university CSE
Ans: Veena, NMIT Bengaluru’s Electrical & Electronics Engineering is NBA Tier-1 and NAAC A+ accredited with a 60-seat intake, led by PhD-qualified faculty in power systems, power electronics, and smart grid, supported by a Centre of Excellence in Power Engineering featuring EPLAN, ETAP, Mi-Power, FPGA and DSP labs. The department organizes regular industrial visits and expert lectures. EEE placements over the last three years average around 67% (2024: 67.44%) with core recruiters in EV, automation, and power sectors. Chanakya University’s CSE, a private AICTE- and UGC-approved program on a developing 116-acre campus, blends an interdisciplinary curriculum with digital classrooms, basic computing and software labs, and mandatory internships. Recognized by the Government of Karnataka, its placement cell is nascent, with overall university placements reported at approximately 85% in 2022, involving core IT recruiters such as Infosys, Wipro, and TCS. Faculty are industry-seasoned but the CSE stream is in early growth, with industry partnerships and research initiatives gradually evolving.

Recommendation: For assured core-sector engineering roles and robust specialized labs, prefer NMIT Bengaluru EEE. For broader software and tech opportunities in a growing CSE program with flexible interdisciplinary training and higher initial placement rates, recommendation is Chanakya University CSE. Choose NMIT EEE for stability in power engineering; opt for Chanakya CSE for early software exposure in a private-university environment. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7800 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 03, 2025Hindi
Career
Sir my son got 93.59 percentile in mht cet and his jee score is 73.42 percentile. His choice in cse , data science, robotic science, cyber security, and last is E&TC branch. I m from Maharashtra and belong SBC category so suggest best college in Pune or mumbai city
Ans: With a 93.59 percentile in MHT-CET under the SBC quota, your son can aim for the following ten reputable colleges and branches in Mumbai and Pune, based on 2024 closing percentiles and institutional reputation: COEP Pune (CSE/E&TC)¹, VJTI Mumbai (CSE/IT)?, PICT Pune (CSE/Data Science)?, SPIT Mumbai (ECE/Cyber Security)?, VIT Pune (CSE-AI & ML)?, VIIT Pune (IT/Data Science)?, Pimpri?Chinchwad COE Pune (CSE/AI-ML)??, TCET Mumbai (CSE/Cyber Security)?, GHRCEM Pune (CSE/AI/DS/Cyber Security)?, and AISSMS Pune (CSE/IT/E&TC)?. All institutions hold NBA/NAAC accreditation, boast PhD-qualified faculty, modern labs, active industry tie-ups, and placement rates of 80–95% over the last three years.

recommendation:
Prioritise COEP Pune CSE for its premier NIRF ranking and 99%+ placements, then VJTI Mumbai CSE for strong industry links, and PICT Pune CSE/Data Science for balanced cutoffs and robust labs. Use SPIT Mumbai Cyber Security and VIT Pune CSE-AI & ML as competitive options, and consider VIIT Pune, PCCOE Pune, TCET Mumbai, GHRCEM Pune, and AISSMS Pune as reliable backups. All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7800 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 03, 2025Hindi
Career
Hi Sir, My daughter has got admission in below- VIT Vellore- CSE with AI ML Manipal Jaipur - CSE ( specialisation to be added later) Narsee Monjee, Mumbai.- ECE Can you please help advise the priority in which we should consider these colleges
Ans: VIT Vellore’s CSE-AI & ML program, an A++ NAAC-accredited private deemed university, integrates AI, ML, and data science labs with a strong placement ecosystem; it recorded 632 recruiters, 10 027 offers, and an 80–95% placement rate over the past three years, with marquee recruiters like Microsoft, Amazon, and Cisco. Manipal University Jaipur’s B.Tech CSE, A+ NAAC-accredited and ranked #64 in NIRF 2024 for engineering, offers smart classrooms, HPC clusters, and industry-aligned curriculum, achieving an 88% CSE placement rate with 75% securing internships, median packages of ?8 LPA, and top recruiters such as Amazon and Deloitte. Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics in Mumbai (autonomous, NAAC A, affiliated to University of Mumbai) offers ECE under modern DSP and VLSI labs, a supportive placement cell, and approximately 80% of its engineering graduates placed over the last three years with core recruiters in electronics and telecom; students benefit from strong peer networks and urban industry proximity. All three institutes feature PhD-qualified faculty, NBA accreditation for technical departments, active industry tie-ups, and modern research facilities, but vary in placement consistency, research depth, and brand recognition.

Recommendation: Prioritise VIT Vellore CSE (AI & ML) for its superior placement consistency (80–95%), extensive recruiter network, and cutting-edge AI labs. Next, choose Manipal Jaipur CSE for its strong NIRF ranking (#64), 88% placement rate, and robust internship pipeline. Finally, consider Narsee Monjee Mumbai ECE for its specialized ECE infrastructure and urban industry exposure if electronics and VLSI are the primary interest. (However, If you are based in Maharashtra, Better to Finalise Narsee Monjee-Mumbai-EC for your DAUGHTER). All the BEST for the Admission & a Prosperous Future!

Follow RediffGURUS to Know More on 'Careers | Money | Health | Relationships'.

...Read more

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |7800 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 04, 2025

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x