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Software Developer with 13+ Years of Experience Seeking Leadership Transition: What Courses/Certifications Are Recommended?

Aasif Ahmed Khan

Aasif Ahmed Khan   | Answer  |Ask -

Tech Career Expert - Answered on Sep 09, 2024

Aasif is a mechanical engineer with 16 years of experience, specialising in maintenance, troubleshooting, planning, training and creating documents. He currently works as a manager at Rashtriya Chemical and Fertilizers Ltd in Mumbai.
Aasif is passionate about guiding students and aspiring engineers as they aim to choose the right educational paths, including courses and colleges.
He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Indore Institute of Science & Technology in Indore and is currently pursuing a master's degree in thermal and fluid engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Sep 09, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir, Currently I am carrying 13+ years of experience in software industry and leading a team of 10 software developers. I would like to transition into leadership/project management roles in software industry. Could you please share your recommendations on the list of courses/certifications to upskill myself that would help me transition to the leadership roles? Thanks in advance!

Ans: These certifications and courses can help you build the necessary skills and knowledge to transition into leadership roles.

1-Agile and Scrum Certifications
Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): Offered by Scrum Alliance, this certification is ideal if you’re working in an Agile environment.
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP): This certification covers various Agile methodologies and is offered by PMI.
SAFe Agilist Certification: For those working in large-scale Agile environments.

2-IT Management and Leadership Certifications
Certified Information Technology Manager (CITM): This certification focuses on IT management and leadership skills.
Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP): Offered by IEEE, this certification is for experienced software development practitioners.
ITIL Foundation Certification: This certification covers IT service management and is widely recognized.

3-General Management and Leadership Courses
AMA Certified Professional in Management: This certification covers professional effectiveness, relationship management, business acumen, and analytical intelligence.
Leadership and Management Courses on Udemy: Courses like “Software Engineering: From Developer to Tech Lead” can be very useful.
edX: Provides courses from institutions like MIT and Harvard on management and leadership.
LinkedIn Learning: Offers a wide range of courses on leadership, project management, and technical skills.
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Dear Sir, I am in job from July 2003 and have over 20 years of experience, In this 20 years of job, first 16 years i have been in sales and distribution, and last 4 years i have been in operations (Supply chain, addressing and solving customer issue), I feel some how i am lacking in leadership skills related to IT field, as this are in demand now. Can u please help me in providing and suggesting any good course to update myself in this domain. I am MBA pass out in 2003 and did Executive Management program last year with one of the reputed B school in India...
Ans: Since you have already completed an Executive Management program, consider building on that foundation with these specialized courses.

Also, look for programs offered by reputable institutions or professional organizations that provide certifications recognized in the IT industry. Online learning platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning offer a variety of courses in these areas.

You may consider pursuing certifications like Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). These certifications are valuable for individuals leading projects in IT.

Toy can focusing on enhancing your general leadership and communication skills through courses that focus on effective communication, team building, and leadership in a technology-driven environment.

In the meanwhile, gain a foundational understanding of AI and ML to stay informed about emerging technologies. Many online platforms offer introductory courses on these topics.

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Shekhar

Shekhar Kumar  | Answer  |Ask -

Leadership, HR Expert - Answered on May 09, 2024

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Hi Sir, I have 12 years of experience, I have started as a team lead and now advancing to be a manager soon with a new organization, but I do not have enough expertise and looking for a starting point. Kindly suggest on leadership and managerial courses (including even the required softskills). I would appreciate 1 to 1 coaching as well.
Ans: Congratulations on your career advancement! Transitioning into a managerial role can be both exciting and challenging, but there are numerous courses and resources available to help you develop the leadership and managerial skills necessary for success. Here are some suggestions for leadership and managerial courses, as well as options for 1-to-1 coaching. MDPs provide comprehensive training in various aspects of management, including leadership development, team building, communication skills, and conflict resolution. Look for programs offered by reputable business schools or professional training organizations. Many business schools offer executive education programs specifically designed for mid-career professionals transitioning into leadership roles. These programs cover topics such as strategic leadership, organizational behavior, change management, and decision-making. Obtaining a PMP certification can enhance your project management skills and prepare you for effectively managing teams and projects in your managerial role. The certification covers areas such as project planning, execution, monitoring, and closing. Consider hiring an executive coach who specializes in leadership development and managerial effectiveness. An executive coach can provide personalized guidance, feedback, and support to help you navigate the challenges of your new role and accelerate your professional growth. Seek out experienced leaders within your organization or industry who can serve as mentors and provide valuable insights and advice as you transition into your managerial role. A mentorship relationship can be a valuable source of support and learning throughout your career journey. Many organizations offer professional development programs that include 1-to-1 coaching or mentoring as part of their leadership development initiatives. Take advantage of these opportunities to receive personalized guidance and support from experienced leaders within your organization. By investing in your leadership and managerial development through courses, workshops, and coaching, you'll be better equipped to excel in your new role and drive positive outcomes for your team and organization. Remember to approach your learning journey with an open mind, a willingness to learn and adapt, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

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Asked by Anonymous - Sep 02, 2025Hindi
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Hi, I am 32M. I never had any relationships in the past...One sided was there but I overcame it and focused on my work. One day in gym i came across a girl 23F, we connected on insta and started chatting. Eventually we fell in love, I know this doesn’t sound good due to the age gap. We dated, had good times and emotionally connected with each other a lot. Now while discussing something, she revealed that she is not a virgin. There was a guy in her society she met around 3 years back (when she was 19) and she was in one sided love with him. They never confessed their love to each other. And she is not in touch with him anymore it was long back. Also she said she had made out with another guy whom she met 1 month back during her classes, prior to meeting me. I was really hurt to listen all these. Like how all these things she is doing at this age. I accepted her and then we had good 2 months again. After 2 months, I got to know she was following the first guy on insta. When confronted she said she used to like to see him and his girlfriend together. She was really not in touch with the guy but she was just following him. It was hurtful to me. We had a big fight on this. They used to share intimate pics with each other too. After forcing her to tell everything about her past, she told that she used to flirt with lot of boys. First in junior college with best friend she shared intimate pics, then met with the guy she lost virginity with, then she met another friend she shared pics with. Then in last year, in classes she shared pics with friend, then again with someone and then she had a crush on some guy with whom she made out. She was connected with them on insta. Like no talks but she was following them and they followed her too. There were almost 6-7 guys she used to talk as friend and has shared intimate pics and she called it flirting. I was shocked to hear all these. I am still shocked. This is out of my mind. It is very difficult to accept that few boys have intimate pics of my girlfriend. She has been very very loyal to me since we are together. She never got this kind of love in her life. She is really super happy in this relationship. We are emotionally connected a lot. I have treated her like a child and I love her a lot. She comes from a good family. She says she has been in wrong circle and all her friends are like this only. She cried a lot and she regrets it deeply like what she has done and she wants to get out of all these. But if feel, a persons character never changes. There will be so cold moments in relationships In future, will she be able to manage herself and stay honest. I really doubt a lot. She is really good at heart like a family girl but her past is really really terrible I feel. I feel, even though I love her will I be able to accept her past. Do I deserve this ? Do my family deserve this ? But again I think of risking it all because she is really invested in this relationship and I feel very bad to break her heart. I come from a very traditional background and believe in sacred and pure form of love. But I feel I got trapped in something which I can’t leave and can’t have whole heartedly. I am not able to focus on my work and everything. It’s hurting me a lot. Should I accept her ac she is or moving on will be better for both of us, even though it might break her heart.
Ans: Why are you thinking about the past, doing so you are messing up your now.
If you trust the person then do so 100% - let it not be half-baked.
Wishing you the best.

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10720 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Sep 02, 2025

Career
Hello sir.... I wanted to pursue ba/bsc psychology from a rci approved college but I don't have any clearity that what should be right. Since I have passed 12th in this year only I have given my cuet but my marks where not that good to get into any college I have filled the form of Calcutta University where I can get addmission through my 12th marks that is 72% overall but I didn't get into any as I'm from general category and cut offs are high.. mop up rounds are still yet to happen. But I talked there.. there are barely some colleges which are serious about teaching psychology and I don't think I can get into some good college that's why I'm thinking to take a drop I don't want to still and abhi bhi looking for some colleges which maybe have seat vacant so that I can try to get into that.. i don't have any clarity regarding which is good govt college because I can't afford private colleges whose fees is that high for pursuing psycology if I'm taking a gap year
Ans: Ayushi, With 72% in Class XII, you meet eligibility for most RCI-approved undergraduate psychology programs, which typically require 50–55% in PCM/Science or Humanities and English proficiency. The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) mandates that psychology graduates from approved institutions can register as professionals, so ensure the college holds RCI recognition or operates under a parent university with RCI-approved syllabi.

In West Bengal, government options are limited. The closely watched University of Calcutta offers a three-year BA Psychology through its morning shift at Ashutosh College and evening shift at Surendranath College with cutoffs often around 80% in general category. Vacancy rounds sometimes dip to 70–72%, so mop-up rounds could open seats. Rabindra Bharati University provides BA Psychology via merit; its cutoff hovers near 75%. Vidyasagar University in Midnapore and North Bengal University at Jalpaiguri offer BSc Psychology with lower cutoffs (65–70%), making them accessible.

Government colleges in Northern India include University of Delhi’s Cluster Innovation Centre and Gargi College, both offering BA Psychology admissions purely on Class XII marks. Their cutoffs range from 85–90%, so direct admission is unlikely at 72%, though invitation to waitlists in niche sections (e.g., evening courses) can occur. Banaras Hindu University’s BSc Psychology has a 70–75% cutoff in mop-up rounds. Panjab University (Chandigarh) and Punjab University (Patiala) allow 65–70% entries in BSc Psychology programs. University of Lucknow and Aligarh Muslim University also admit on board marks, often requiring 70–75%.

Affordable private institutions in West Bengal with RCI-approved curricula include St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, which conducts its own merit list and lowers cutoffs to 72% in later rounds. Presidency University also admits psychology undergraduates through its merit list. In North India, Christ University (Bengaluru campus) and Amity University offer scholarships to board-mark entrants drops seats for those without CUET scores, but fees remain higher. DAV College, Chandigarh, and Maitreyi College, Delhi, provide BA Psychology at moderate fees (?30,000–40,000 per year) based on 12th marks.

Practical Roadmap and Solutions
Track Mop-Up Rounds and Merit Lists: Immediately monitor UC, Rabindra Bharati, Presidency, and St. Xavier’s websites daily for vacancies. Prepare scanned documents for swift online submission.

Apply to Multiple Institutes: Simultaneously apply to Vidyasagar University, North Bengal University, BHU, Panjab University, and Lucknow University in their ongoing merit-based admission windows. Their lower cutoffs increase chances.

Secure Waiting-List Positions: For high-demand colleges like Calcutta University and Delhi University, join all available waitlists, including evening programmes, which often have softer cutoffs.

Explore Evening/Shift Courses: Many reputed institutions offer evening or self-financed sections with relaxed cutoffs. Investigate Ashutosh College evening shift, DU evening courses, and PU self-financed sections.

Financial Planning for Private Colleges: Shortlist affordable options Inquire about scholarships or fee-installment plans at DAV College Chandigarh and Maitreyi College to help mitigate costs.

Bridge Courses and Summer Programs: As you finalize admissions, consider enrolling in online certificate courses in introductory psychology, research methods, and statistics from platforms like NPTEL or Coursera to enhance your portfolio.

Consider Gap-Year Strategy: If no suitable seat materializes by mid-October, plan a structured gap year focused on significantly improving CUET scores. Engage in disciplined self-study with coaching for CUET’s aptitude, English, and psychology modules.

CUET Preparation: Develop a timetable allocating two hours daily for CUET Psychology syllabus (foundations, developmental, abnormal, social, and research methods) and one hour for General English and Logical Reasoning. Use previous years’ CUET papers and take weekly mocks to track progress.

Alternate Entrance Exams: Some private universities conduct their own entrance tests (Christ University’s CUCET, Amity’s AUEET). Register for these supplementary exams to widen your admission avenues.

Mentorship and Counseling: Seek guidance from academic mentors or a career counselor to evaluate admission offers, financial implications, and long-term career trajectories in clinical, counseling, or research psychology.

By following this multipronged approach—pursuing merit-based vacancies, evening/self-financed programs, affordable private colleges, and preparing for CUET retake if required—you can maximize your chances of enrolling in an RCI-approved psychology UG programme without forfeiting a year.

Exhaust mop-up and merit-based admission options in government and reputed private colleges by mid-October, while preparing a robust CUET retake plan during a potential gap year to secure admission into top-tier psychology programs. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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