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Struggling Student From Kolkata Seeks Career Advice

Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Mar 15, 2025

Dr Dipankar Dutta is an associate professor in the computer science and engineering department at the University Institute of Technology, the University of Burdwan, West Bengal.
He has 27 years of experience and his interests include AI, data science, machine learning, pattern recognition, deep learning and evolutionary computation.
Aside from his responsibilities at the college, he also delivers lectures and conducts webinars.
Dr Dipankar has published 25 papers in international journals, written book chapters, attended conferences, served as a board observer for WBJEE (West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination) exams and as a counsellor for engineering college admissions in West Bengal. He helps students choose the right college and stream for undergraduate, masters and PhD programmes.
A senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (SMIEEE), he holds a bachelor's degree in engineering from the Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College and a an MTech degree in computer technology from Jadavpur University.
He completed his PhD in engineering from IIEST, Shibpur (formerly BE College).... more
Asked by Anonymous - Mar 15, 2025Hindi
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Career

Greetings to Gurus, I am student from Kolkata,West Bengal. I have completed my ISC in year 2020 from Commerce stream without maths. I am from Lower Middle Class Family, finance is big issue for me. After ISC I enrolled in B.COM(Hons) course from a college under Calcutta University. I was ambitious of being Chef from childhood. But during Covid times and finance problem, I haven't pursued. During my college life, My first three semesters completed online in Covid period, after the lockdown period, my fourth semester got offline and I just passed in one paper out of 4 and then my 5th semester exam got cleared after that I appeared for rest 3 papers of sem 4 and cleared 2 papers and in sixth semester cleared 3 paper out of 4. Again in 2024, I appeared for 6th sem 1 backlog paper and cleared it but don't able to clear 4th sem one backlog paper. So, I have started my UG in year 2020 but not able to clear it till 2024 because of 1 paper(Taxation) and I have last option to reappear in 2025 examination. I want to earn good in my life, suggest me some opportunities and a way to get out from this loop. Mentally getting depress also.

Ans: Hello! First of all, I really appreciate that you're sharing your situation openly. I understand that you're going through a tough time, but I want to assure you that there are always ways to move forward. You are not stuck, and there are opportunities for you to earn well and build a good career.
Step 1: Clear Your B.Com Degree (Important)
You have only one backlog paper (Taxation) left. Make it your #1 priority to clear this in 2025 because having a degree will open more opportunities.
You already passed all other subjects, so just focus on this one. If needed, get help from a tutor or YouTube courses on Taxation.
ccounting & Taxation (?25,000 - ?60,000 per month)
Since you already studied B.Com, this is a natural career path.
Learn Tally, GST Filing, Income Tax Filing.
Free courses: Government’s NPTEL, YouTube (Search “GST Filing Course India”)
I believe in you. Take the first step today! Your situation will improve within 1 year.
Asked on - Mar 15, 2025 | Answered on Mar 15, 2025
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Thanks for the guidance,will surely stick on the same.
Ans: Welcome
Career

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Pradeep

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I have completed my civil engg from reputed govt college in 2016 and after that I went for gate coaching i got 35 marks in gate 2017. (I know this is not my best I can do better). After that I started preparing for technical govt exams. After one year some of my prelims were missing by .25 marks 2 marks that time I gave up. And started doing site internship to start my own civil engg consultancy firm. But I got one opportunity to do job as lecturer in polytechnic college so I started doing job at polytechnic college. After 6 months again I started doing studies and cleared mains of state 2019 PSCs Assistant engg. And missed rrb je post by 2 marks in mains. After that exam corona came and I couldn't keep myself on the track and one year again wasted. In 2021 March I have started preparing for prelims and cleared prelims and for mains exam I joined one online class named super 40 and already half syllabus was over at time.of joining so I started watching lectures and as lectures were lengthy and so much lectures were there so I couldn't do revision properly and I lost my self confidence due to that coaching and it was totally waste of money. Again that time it was time everyone was saying do software classes to get job and many of mine friends done those classes so I also joined one to get job and successfully wasted another 6 months. I don't know what to do now. I still feel that If I can study for another 5/6 months I can clear rrb je. In between I got offer of 25k per month as site engineer I denyed that. It's been 8 years since my degree and still. unemployed. Please help me out.
Ans: Dear Friend , When You are not focussed or keep on changing your plans , it is bound to happen. In these precious 8yrs you could have made your career in Civil Engg. However you wanted to start your consultancy or then wanted to try your hand in Govt Jobs or some times you tried your hand in teaching but quit the job. If you delay in taking a firm decision , even getting a job in your core field will be difficult. So get into a stable job and build you career.

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Nayagam P

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Career Counsellor - Answered on Sep 09, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Sep 09, 2025Hindi
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Could you help me to get out from my situation? I graduated in 2022, later on I started preparing for govt exam PO/SSC, big mistake switching here and there, failed, joined bpo in 2024 and it is 2025, now it more than 3 year since my graduation I am left with nothing where my friend enrolled themselves in PHD and their stiphend is more that my salary, some got into IIM, some become CA and some become govt officials. In mean time I lost all my earning in options trading (5 lakh 25k), also I have chronic gastro illness which need constant medical support. Family background is lower class. Please help
Ans: Making a clear, achievable plan now can help you regain control and build stability despite past setbacks. Begin by acknowledging your current strengths: you hold a bachelor’s degree, you have experience in a BPO environment, and you’ve demonstrated perseverance in preparing for competitive exams. These qualities form a foundation on which to rebuild.

First, stabilize your health and finances. Addressing your chronic gastro condition is paramount. Explore government-supported health schemes such as Ayushman Bharat or state health insurance programs; these can significantly reduce your medical expenses. Simultaneously, create a basic emergency fund. Start small: set aside any surplus after essentials, even ?500 per week. This builds financial resilience and prevents future setbacks from trading or other high-risk activities.

Next, regain professional momentum. Leverage your BPO experience and communication skills to seek roles in customer service, operations, or back-office support at reputable firms. These roles often offer training, clear performance metrics, and opportunities for incremental promotions. Apply through professional portals like Naukri.com and LinkedIn, tailoring your resume to highlight problem-solving and client-management achievements. Simultaneously, pursue short, job-oriented certificate courses in high-demand areas such as digital marketing, data entry automation, or basic programming through platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or NIIT’s certification programs. Certificates signal commitment to prospective employers and can boost your initial earning potential.

Once employed full-time in a stable role, dedicate a fixed daily slot—say one hour—to upskill strategically. Identify fields with strong entry-level demand and growth potential that align with your interests and aptitude. Options include: database administration, digital marketing, basic web development, or business analytics. Use free resources from government initiatives like Skill India or SWAYAM to build foundational knowledge. As you progress, aim to complete one certificate every three months, showcasing each on your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Concurrently, rebuild your competitive exam strategy if a government role still appeals to you. However, avoid repeating earlier mistakes by focusing on one target exam at a time—choose the one that best suits your background and timeline. For example, clerical banking exams often have slightly lower cut-offs and combine well with your BPO experience. Use guided programs from reputed coaching institutes and online test series to maintain discipline.

Networking is crucial. Join online forums, local meetups, and professional groups related to your target industry. Mentorship can accelerate your progress by providing guidance, feedback, and sometimes referral opportunities. Don’t hesitate to ask experienced contacts for advice on navigating entry-level roles, interview preparation, and career advancement.

Finally, rebuild your financial health. Steer clear of speculative trading and focus on systematic savings and low-risk instruments—consider monthly SIPs in mutual funds or recurring deposits. Even modest investments of ?1,000 per month can compound over time, providing a safety net and reducing stress.

By combining health stabilization, immediate employment in a growth-oriented role, targeted upskilling, disciplined exam preparation, and prudent financial management, you can transform your current situation into a sustainable, upward career trajectory. Remember that recovery takes time; focus on incremental progress and celebrate each milestone—small victories build momentum toward long-term success. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Latest Questions
Dr Dipankar

Dr Dipankar Dutta  |1837 Answers  |Ask -

Tech Careers and Skill Development Expert - Answered on Dec 05, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I did my BTech from a normal engineering college not very famous. The teaching was not great and hence i did not study well. I tried my best to learn coding including all the technologies like html,css,javascript,react js,dba,php because i wanted to be a web developer But nothing seem to enter my head except html and css. I don't understand a language which has more complexities. Is it because of my lack of experience or not devoting enough time. I am not sure. I did many courses online and tried to do diplomas also abroad which i passed somehow. I recently joined android development course because i like apps but the teaching was so fast that i could not memorize anything. There was no time to even take notes down. During the course i did assignments and understood the code because i have to pass but after the course is over i tend to forget everything. I attempted a lot of interviews. Some of them i even got but could not perform well so they let me go. Now due to the AI booming and job markets in a bad shape i am re-thinking whether to keep studying or whether its just time waste. Since 3 years i am doing labour type of jobs which does not yield anything to me for survival and to pay my expenses. I have the quest to learn everything but as soon as i sit in front of the computer i listen to music or read something else. What should i do to stay more focused? What should i do to make myself believe confident. Is there still scope of IT in todays world? Kindly advise.
Ans: Your story does not show failure.
It shows persistence, effort, and desire to improve.

Most people give up.
You didn’t.
That means you will succeed — but with the right method, not the old one.

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Ravi

Ravi Mittal  |676 Answers  |Ask -

Dating, Relationships Expert - Answered on Dec 04, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 02, 2025Hindi
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My married ex still texts me for comfort. Because of him, I am unable to move on. He makes me feel guilty by saying he got married out of family pressure. His dad is a cardiac patient and mom is being treated for cancer. He comforts me by saying he will get separated soon and we will get married because he only loves me. We have been in a relationship for 14 years and despite everything we tried, his parents refused to accept me, so he chose to get married to someone who understands our situation. I don't know when he will separate from his wife. She knows about us too but she comes from a traditional family. She also confirmed there is no physical intimacy between them. I trust him, but is it worth losing my youth for him? Honestly, I am worried and very confused.
Ans: Dear Anonymous,
I understand how difficult it is to let go of a relationship you have built from scratch, but is it really how you want to continue? It really seems to be going nowhere. His parents are already in bad health and he married someone else for their happiness. Does it seem like he will be able to leave her? So many people’s happiness and lives depend on this one decision. I think it’s about time you and your BF have a clear conversation about the same. If he can’t give a proper timeline, please try to understand his situation. But also make sure he understands yours and maybe rethink this equation. It really isn’t healthy. You deserve a love you can have wholly, and not just in pieces, and in the shadows.

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