Can I switch to IT at 34? Unmarried mechanical engineer interested in Power BI, SQL, Python, and Java

Ans: Parveen Sir, Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Amritsar offers a solid Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) program with an average placement package around ?6.4 LPA and highest packages reaching approximately ?18.4 LPA. The university has around 70-75% placement rates with notable recruiters such as Infosys, TCS, Capgemini, and Deloitte. Chitkara University presents a strong placement record with about 93.8% overall placements and an average CSE package between ?7-9 LPA, attracting major recruiters including Adobe, Amazon, Deloitte, and Microsoft, with top packages crossing ?40 LPA. Chandigarh University leads with a higher scale of placements, reporting close to 90-95% placement rates for CSE, an average package of ?9.5 LPA, and top recruiters like Google, Microsoft, IBM, and Amazon. CU’s extensive recruiter network and higher placement volume stand out. Academically, all three maintain competent faculty, updated curriculum, and industry tie-ups, but CU’s scale and industry exposure are broader. GNDU offers a strong regional presence and government university benefits, Chitkara emphasizes quality industry linkage, and Chandigarh University boasts highest placement and diverse opportunities.

Recommendation: Prioritize Chandigarh University CSE for its superior placement percentage, average package, and recruiter diversity, providing broader career options and industry exposure. Consider Chitkara University next for balanced placements and reputed industry connections. Choose GNDU Amritsar for a well-established government university experience with decent placements and lower fees. The decision should align with your son’s career aspirations, budget, and preference for university type. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: Dear Priyanka,
You have anyway registered the marriage; now what is there to hide? If you had wanted them to be on your side, then the effort could have been before you went ahead with the marriage registration.
Now, be honest with your parents; respect their reactions as it may not be the way you want them to be. Address their concerns and now you may also have to deal with their anger/disappointment with your hiding the fact of the registered marriage.
At the end of the day, they are your parents; handle them with a lot of care and they are bound to turn around...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: Dear Anonymous,
Around him, act like it's all okay. He expects everyone to advice him; then just stay off and pretend that all is well.
That will allow him some breathing space to reflect and do what's best for him.
But, if it's really affecting him in a manner that is changing his moods often, it's time to tell him that this not just affects him but the entire family too. Being honest can help him also get around quickly and work at staying positive.
But the general rule is: when someone is going through a difficult time, the rest of us stay off advising and simply try and stay positive. Sometime or the other, things will improve...

All the best!
Anu Krishna
Mind Coach|NLP Trainer|Author
Drop in: www.unfear.io
Reach me: Facebook: anukrish07/ AND LinkedIn: anukrishna-joyofserving/

Ans: Playbacks! Computer Science and Engineering remains foundational and increasingly relevant even as Artificial Intelligence advances, because AI systems are ultimately software artifacts built, maintained, and scaled on core CSE principles. The ACM Digital Library and IEEE Computer Society emphasize that algorithms, data structures, computer architecture, and software engineering form the scaffolding upon which AI frameworks operate. NASSCOM reports that while AI roles grew by 45% worldwide in 2024, demand for software engineers—who implement, optimize, and secure AI pipelines—rose by 35%, underlining complementary growth. Gartner’s “Top Strategic Technology Trends” highlights that AI adoption creates new software complexity requiring robust engineering practices and cybersecurity measures, areas championed by CSE graduates. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report identifies emerging roles such as AI ethics engineer, MLOps specialist, and AI infrastructure architect, which blend CSE and AI expertise, illustrating the cross?disciplinary opportunities. India’s NITI Aayog AI strategy stresses the need for scalable, resilient software platforms to deploy AI in domains from healthcare to agriculture, reinforcing core CSE skills’ indispensability. Coursera and edX course enrollments show sustained high interest—over 40% annually—in foundational CS courses like operating systems, networks, and database systems, reflecting enduring relevance. McKinsey’s research forecasts that automation will reallocate 50% of current tasks but create new roles in software design, integration, and maintenance, skills taught in CSE curricula. In contrast, standalone AI programs deepen domain?specific knowledge in machine learning theory and model training, sometimes at the expense of broader engineering competencies. CSE students learn to architect end?to?end systems, perform rigorous testing, and ensure performance under scale—capabilities critical for deploying AI responsibly. Both India’s Ministry of Education and leading universities like Stanford, MIT, and IITs advocate integrated programs combining CSE foundations with AI specializations to meet evolving industry needs. All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future!

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Ans: For a general EWS category student with 60% in CBSE Class 12 seeking B.Tech admission in Northern India within a budget of around ?2 lakh per annum inclusive of tuition, hostel, and mess fees, several private engineering colleges offer feasible options. Institutions like Chandigarh University, Lovely Professional University (LPU), and Shobhit University Mohan Nagar provide B.Tech programs with manageable fee structures near or slightly below ?2 lakh annually when including residential costs. These colleges maintain accreditation from bodies such as AICTE and UGC, ensuring regulated academic quality. They offer modern infrastructure, experienced faculty, and structured placement cells with tie-ups to industries for internships and job placements. Admission often occurs through merit-based evaluations for EWS category students without requiring competitive entrance exams like JEE in some management or merit quota seats, or via state-level entrance tests. These colleges emphasize a balanced academic curriculum with practical exposure and offer scholarships or financial aid to EWS students, easing fee burdens. While not among the highest-ranked institutes, they provide a credible platform for technical education with opportunities for campus placements in core and IT sectors, alongside supportive campus life and safety measures.

Recommendation: Choose private engineering colleges like Chandigarh University, Lovely Professional University, or Shobhit University for affordable, holistic B.Tech education within your financial framework. Evaluate their specific branch offerings aligned with your interests and consider direct admission sessions or management quota opportunities for EWS category seats, ensuring solid academic support and placement prospects. Engage early with college admission offices to confirm fee inclusions and scholarship eligibility for your category. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: The MSc in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence jointly offered by IIT Madras and the University of Birmingham is an 18-month full-time, internationally recognized program that delivers a world-class curriculum with studies split between India and the UK. The program provides flexibility with two tracks—students can either complete their research and electives mostly in Birmingham or return to IIT Madras for the final phase. It integrates rigorous academic coursework with a short industrial placement and a substantial research project co-supervised by experts from both institutions. IIT Madras, renowned for its award-winning pedagogy, strong industry linkages, and top NIRF ranking, combines with the University of Birmingham’s global research excellence and Russell Group status, ranked within the top 100 globally. The dual exposure fosters cross-cultural communication skills, broadens technological perspectives, and deepens understanding of data science and AI, enhancing employability across roles like data scientist, AI developer, machine learning expert, and research scientist. Graduates benefit from robust industry partnerships, international academic collaborations, and career support, positioning them strongly for both the job market and potential further studies globally.

This program offers an exceptional blend of academic rigor, global exposure, practical industrial experience, and cutting-edge research opportunities.

Recommendation: Pursuing the MSc in Data Science jointly offered by IIT Madras and the University of Birmingham is a highly valuable choice that equips students with advanced skills, international perspectives, and strong career pathways in data science and AI through top-tier institutional strengths and global networks. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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Ans: HI VIKASH,
BIT DIFFICULT.
THE FOLLOWING FACTORS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED:
-The order in which you listed your preferred IISERs in the application plays a crucial role.
-Your category rank is important as it determines your eligibility for reserved seats.
DO PARTICIPATE IN THE COUNSELING PROCESS.

Ans: While your rank is slightly above the typical closing rank, it's possible to secure a seat in later rounds of counseling (4th or 5th) if some candidates choose other IISERs or opt for different courses.
So it is better to participate in the counselling process.
BEST REGARDS.

Ans: HI SAI SIR,
Seat allotment is determined by his preferences, in addition to the regular procedure.
BEST WISHES.