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CA student aiming for CFA, MBA, and entrepreneurship - What career path to choose?

Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1063 Answers  |Ask -

CAT, XAT, CMAT, CET Expert - Answered on Feb 18, 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
kamalv8 Question by kamalv8 on Dec 02, 2024Hindi
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Hello sir. Im pursuing CA, currently at CA inter level. I want to study CFA level1, MBA finance after i became a CA while doing a job. Im thinking making a 10 year plan as an employee from the moment i became a CA, after that I'll be doing my own business. In that 10 year period i want to earn as much as possible with no breaks and working overtime. What kind of a path or roles or domains i should focus on one step after the other.

Ans: Highest paying jobs in the industry are in Private Equity, VC funds, Investment Banking, Consulting. Once you finish your CA can do MBA in Finance from one of the top colleges to target companies in these sectors.
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Mayank

Mayank Kumar  |193 Answers  |Ask -

Education Expert - Answered on Jun 10, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 25, 2024Hindi
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Hey mayank I will be giving ca foundation soon But I have heard a lot of negative things about the ca course which I indirectly found true Can you guide what manner I should pursue And what career switch are available in future with this stream I want to make career in finance . I am 17 would appreciate your guidance Thanks.
Ans: Hi, CA is a great career path to pursue, and I'm glad you're thinking ahead about your career. While it is good to be aware of the challenges associated with the CA course, it also helps you make a clear decision and prepare accordingly. Yes, CA is a tough exam to crack, requires a long-term commitment and consistent effort. However, you should reflect on your interests and long-term career goals. Ensure that a career in finance aligns with your passion and vision for the future.

Additionally you should also:
Research and learn more about the various roles and opportunities available to CAs. This will help you understand if these align with your career aspirations.
Talk to current CAs and industry professionals to get a realistic understanding of the career path. This will provide insights into the daily responsibilities and challenges faced by CAs. This should help you gain the clarity you require.

Furthermore, it is good to have a plan B as well. CA qualification provides a solid foundation to move into various other fields:
MBA in Finance: Many CAs pursue an MBA to pivot towards higher managerial roles or specialised finance roles.
CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): Specialising further in investment management.
Data Analytics: Leveraging your financial knowledge in data science and analytics roles through instant skill-up courses
Law: Some CAs also pursue law degrees to specialize in corporate law, taxation law, or financial regulations.
Teaching and Academia: Sharing your knowledge by becoming a lecturer or professor in finance and accounting.

By addressing these challenges with a strategic and well-informed approach, you can better prepare for your future.
All the best to you :)

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |5133 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Nov 11, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Oct 20, 2024Hindi
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Hello Sir/Ma’am, I needed some genuine advice for getting a grab on my career. I am currently working as an 'Accountant' in a CA firm. Since passing my school, I wanted to become a Chartered Accountant. I pursued this course jn tje year 2018 along side my graduation in B.com (Hons.) . I cleared the CA Foundation exam November 2018 attempt but I have been struggling to clear CA Intermediate exams since the year 2019. Meanwhile, I completed my MBA (Finance) from distance and got a job in a CA firm but the salary is not promising. As I started to prepare for my CA exams again, I took a leave for 3 months from my office for the upcoming CA Inter exams in January 2025. Now the problem is that while I was focusing on my exam preparation, I had to urgently attend a crucial personal matter. This was regarding my marriage. I had to introduce my family to my boyfriend's. Since my boyfriend os much older, his.parents want me to get married to him.as soon as possible. Me , my boyfriend and my family however handled this situation and asked his parents to wait until January 2025. Ever since then I am not able to focus on my studies as I used to. I know the situation is difficult but it is my dream to become a CA. Could you please help me to bring back my focus ?
Ans: Your scenario is complicated since you must balance CA preparation, career obligations, and marriage obligations. This planned strategy will help you recover focus and advance toward becoming a Chartered Accountant:

1) Change Your Mindset. Accept that life disruptions arise and your focus may wander during personal struggles. Remember that you can recover. Reclaim Your Purpose: Recall why getting a CA is important for your career. 2) Make a Flexible Study Plan. Adjust your study regimen to maximize time given your exam and personal obligations. 3) 12) Focus Methods
Pomodoro Method: Focused 25-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks.
Visualization: Imagine passing CA Inter and pursuing your dream.
4) Daily Study Goals: Break concepts into manageable parts. Set aside 3–4 hours for dedicated study daily. 5) Focus on Weaknesses: Study subjects you've difficulty with. Practice with prior papers and simulated examinations to simulate the real exam. 6) Utilize Support: Talk to your family and boyfriend about your problems. Their understanding and support can reduce emotional stress.
7) Mentors and Study Groups: Attend a CA study group or hire a mentor for help and accountability.
8) If possible try to avail the services of professional coaching or counseling to manage your stress and focus. 9) Address Distractions. Define limits: Inform both families of your study regimen and exam relevance. Digital detox: Limit social media and other digital distractions that lower productivity.
10) Mental Health and Self-Care. Physical Health: Exercise and a balanced diet improve attention.
Mental Health: Meditation and mindfulness reduce anxiety and improve focus.
11) Post-Exam Plans: After January 2025 tests, assess Career Growth: Passing the examinations will boost your career opportunities. Alternatively, you might retake the exam or pursue other finance qualifications. Have Plan B & Plan C also.
12) Planning Marriage: Make sure both families support your marriage timeline and job goals.

With careful planning and support, CA preparation, work, and personal life can be balanced. Focus on each day and remember that long-term ambitions are worth the short-term sacrifices.

All the BEST for Your Prosperous Future.

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Latest Questions
Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |5133 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on May 26, 2025

Career
My son got 98.65 percentile in JEE mains. He is looking CSE or ECE. Category is general. Pl guide the possibilities
Ans: Manju Madam, Here is, How to Predict Your Son's Chances of Admission into NIT or IIIT or GFTI After JEE Main/Advanced Results – A Step-by-Step Guide

Providing precise admission chances for each student can be challenging. Some reputed educational websites offer ‘College Predictor’ tools where you can check possible college options based on your percentile, category, and preferences. However, for a more accurate understanding, here’s a simple yet effective 9-step method using JoSAA’s past-year opening and closing ranks. This approach gives you a fair estimate (though not 100% exact) of your admission chances based on the previous year’s data.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Your Admission Chances Using JoSAA Data
Step 1: Collect Your Key Details
Before starting, note down the following details:

Your JEE Main percentile
Your category (General-Open, SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS, PwD categories)
Preferred institute types (NIT, IIIT, GFTI)
Preferred locations (or if you're open to any location in India)
List of at least 3 preferred academic programs (branches) as backups (instead of relying on just one option)
Step 2: Access JoSAA’s Official Opening & Closing Ranks
Go to Google and type: JoSAA Opening & Closing Ranks 2024
Click on the first search result (official JoSAA website).
You will land directly on JoSAA’s portal, where you can enter your details to check past-year cutoffs.
Step 3: Select the Round Number
JoSAA conducts five rounds of counseling.
For a safer estimate, choose Round 4, as most admissions are settled by this round.
Step 4: Choose the Institute Type
Select NIT, IIIT, or GFTI, depending on your preference.
If you are open to all types of institutes, check them one by one instead of selecting all at once.
Step 5: Select the Institute Name (Based on Location)
It is recommended to check institutes one by one, based on your preferred locations.
Avoid selecting ‘ALL’ at once, as it may create confusion.
Step 6: Select Your Preferred Academic Program (Branch)
Enter the branches you are interested in, one at a time, in your preferred order.
Step 7: Submit and Analyze Results
After selecting the relevant details, click the ‘SUBMIT’ button.
The system will display Opening & Closing Ranks of the selected institute and branch for different categories.
Step 8: Note Down the Opening & Closing Ranks
Maintain a notebook or diary to record the Opening & Closing Ranks for each institute and branch you are interested in.
This will serve as a quick reference during JoSAA counseling.
Step 9: Adjust Your Expectations on a Safer Side
Since Opening & Closing Ranks fluctuate slightly each year, always adjust the numbers for safety.
Example Calculation:
If the Opening & Closing Ranks for NIT Delhi | Mechanical Engineering | OPEN Category show 8622 & 26186 (for Home State), consider adjusting them to 8300 & 23000 (on a safer side).
If the Female Category rank is 34334 & 36212, adjust it to 31000 & 33000.
Follow this approach for Other State candidates and different categories.
Pro Tip: Adjust your expected rank slightly lower than the previous year's cutoffs for realistic expectations during JoSAA counseling.

Can This Method Be Used for JEE April & JEE Advanced?
Yes! You can repeat the same steps after your April JEE Main results to refine your admission possibilities.
You can also follow a similar process for JEE Advanced cutoffs when applying for IITs.

Have some other options also as back-ups instead of relying only on JEE/JoSAA.

Want to Learn More About JoSAA Counseling?
If you want detailed insights on JoSAA counseling, engineering entrance exams, preparation strategies, and engineering career options, check out EduJob360’s 180+ YouTube videos on this topic!

Hope this guide helps! All the best for your son's admission and a bright future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |5133 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on May 26, 2025

Career
Dear Sir, I require assistance with the following query. My son achieved a JEE rank of 64,400, a Manipal score of 134, and a 12th-grade percentage of 85% (PCM 80%). His PES rank is 1,180, and his KCET rank is 16,300. He is also preparing for BITSAT. We have secured a seat at VIT Chennai (Category 2) ECE and received an invitation for PES Bangalore counseling. I require your recommendations on two aspects. 1. We favor Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) over Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). What is your assessment? 2. Should we proceed with PES University counseling, or might we secure a more advantageous option with our KCET rank? 3. Given our JEE rank, is it feasible to obtain a desirable NIT through the JOSSA counseling process? Thanks to please answers
Ans: Munish Sir, Your son’s profile offers multiple good options. Preferring ECE over CSE is valid if his interest lies in electronics, communication systems, and hardware, as ECE provides strong career prospects in these domains. While CSE typically has higher average packages, ECE graduates from reputed institutes also secure excellent roles in embedded systems, IoT, and telecom sectors.

Given his PES Bangalore rank of 1,180, PES University is a strong choice with good placements and infrastructure, especially for ECE. PES Bangalore’s (RR Campus) reputation and Bangalore location provide good industry exposure, making it preferable over relying on KCET rank 16,300, which may not secure admission in top government colleges or preferred branches like ECE in Bangalore.

With a JEE Main rank of 64,400, admission to top NITs for ECE or CSE is unlikely, but he may get admission in other branches or lower-tier NITs. Active participation in JoSAA counseling with branch flexibility is essential.

Recommendation: Accept the VIT Chennai ECE seat only if PES Bangalore counseling does not yield a better option. Prioritize PES Bangalore (prefer only RR Campus) for its strong brand and placement opportunities in ECE. Simultaneously, pursue JoSAA counseling for NITs with openness to other branches. He should focus on building skills and internships to enhance career prospects regardless of the branch or college. All the best for your son's admission and a bright future!

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