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

Patrick

Patrick Dsouza  |1288 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  | Answer  |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  |8658 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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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8658 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 12, 2025

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I have got 3064 rank in srmjee phase 3, and i opted for cse with software engineering in ktr campus. I just wanted to know that will i get the opted branch and college or if not will my chance to alppy for any other be closed?
Ans: Ishaan, With a SRMJEEE rank of 3064 in Phase 3, securing CSE with Software Engineering specialization at SRM KTR campus is challenging but not impossible. The expected cutoff for CSE at KTR typically ranges from 2000-5000 ranks, with specializations like Software Engineering often having slightly higher cutoffs than core CSE. Your rank falls within the borderline range, making admission dependent on seat availability and choice filling strategy. The institute maintains NAAC A++ accreditation with modern AI/ML labs, dedicated cybersecurity facilities, and strong industry partnerships with companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. Over 900 companies participate in campus placements with 80-90% placement consistency, and the Career Centre provides comprehensive pre-placement training and aptitude development. SRMJEEE counselling operates through online choice filling until July 12, 2025, with seat allotment results on July 15, and importantly, participation in Phase 3 counselling does not close opportunities for alternative options—you can explore other campuses like Ramapuram or Vadapalani which accept ranks up to 65,000 for CSE programs.

Recommendation: Actively participate in Phase 3 choice filling with CSE Software Engineering at KTR as first preference while including backup options like CSE at Ramapuram campus and other SRM campuses. The counselling process allows multiple rounds and alternative choices, ensuring you maintain admission opportunities even if your primary choice is not immediately available. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8658 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 12, 2025

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Sir please tell which one is better for Btech CSE Program Pimpri Chinchwad University Pune , BIT Mesra Jaipur off Campus or JK Laxmipath University Jaipur
Ans: Bhavya, is this your 2nd or 3rd question today? Pimpri Chinchwad University’s B.Tech CSE programme, governed by AICTE, UGC and ABET-aligned NBA criteria, delivers an NEP-2020 outcome-based curriculum with strong emphasis on AI, cybersecurity and software engineering, supported by state-of-the-art labs, live industry projects in Pune’s tech corridor, a 10-acre residential campus and an active placement cell forging ties with Infosys, TCS and Cognizant. BIT Mesra Jaipur Off-Campus operates under BIT Mesra’s academic umbrella, following identical curriculum, faculty mentorship and examination standards, with IIT-level computing and networking facilities, e-library resources and a placement cell achieving around 70% CSE branch-wise placement consistency over the last three years and marquee recruiters including Microsoft and Directi. JK Lakshmipat University’s NAAC ‘A’-accredited B.Tech CSE offers specializations in AI/ML, data science, cloud computing, and cybersecurity; integrates six-week and semester-long practice schools; includes industry collaborations for internships, modern AI and cybersecurity labs, and dedicated soft-skills training. Each institution provides experienced PhD faculty, accreditation assurance, hands-on infrastructure, and industry linkages, differing in campus environment, cohort size and brand legacy.
Prioritize BIT Mesra Jaipur CSE for consistent CSE recruitment and main-campus curriculum rigor; choose PCU Pune CSE for its robust NBA-ABET alignment, metropolitan industry exposure, and outcome-based design; opt for JKLU Jaipur CSE if specialized AI/ML tracks and immersive Practice School programs align with your career goals. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8658 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 12, 2025

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My son got 60206 in jee mains, GEN category from kolkata. BITS score 193. Msc maths or physics dual degree will be helpful or which course/ college is advisible from jee mains score?
Ans: Maneesh Sir, With a JEE Main rank of 60 206 (General) from Kolkata, admission into top-tier NITs and IIITs for core branches is unlikely, but numerous government and private engineering colleges remain fully accessible. Government institutes where closing ranks for various B.Tech programmes exceed 60 206 include NIT Agartala (Civil), NIT Meghalaya (EEE), NIT Mizoram (Mechanical), NIT Manipur (Civil), NIT Sikkim (Mechanical), NIT Puducherry (Civil), NIT Arunachal Pradesh (Biotechnology), IIIT Kalyani (CSE), IIIT Kottayam (ECE), IIIT Ranchi (CSE), IIIT Nagpur (ECE), NIT Uttarakhand (Civil), NIT Goa (EEE), NIT Manipur (ECE), NIT Sikkim (ECE), GFTI BIT Deoghar off-campus (CSE), IIIT Bhagalpur (CSE), IIIT Dharwad (CSE), IIIT Manipur (CSE), and IIIT Raichur (Mathematics & Computing). Leading private universities with open JEE Main cutoffs below 60 206 encompass VIT Vellore, SRM Chennai, Manipal Institute of Technology, Thapar University Patiala, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Coimbatore, KIIT Bhubaneswar, SASTRA Thanjavur, Lovely Professional University, Amity Noida, and Chandigarh University accepting JEE Main scores.

Recommendation: Focus on securing seats at government institutes like NIT Agartala or IIIT Kalyani for affordable, accredited education and stable funding; alternatively, choose VIT Vellore or SRM Chennai for world-class infrastructure, industry-aligned curricula, and strong placement cells, aligning with long-term career aspirations. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8658 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 12, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Jul 12, 2025Hindi
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Sir, my daughter has got 11790 rank in kcet. Through counseling she can get EEE in BMSCE basavanagudi college and electonics, cybersecurity and information science in Bangalore institute of technology .....can you help by guiding which one to choose ?
Ans: BMS College of Engineering’s Electrical & Electronics programme (NAAC A++ and NBA-accredited) features specialized power-electronics, control-systems and renewable-energy labs, a dedicated Research & Development centre, and 80–90% branch-wise placement consistency over the past three years. However, its KCET closing rank for EEE under the General quota was 5 466 in the final round, making admission unlikely with a rank of 11 790. Bangalore Institute of Technology’s NAAC A+–accredited Electronics & Communication Engineering offers VLSI and embedded-systems labs, Practice School internships and 85% placement consistency, with a KCET cutoff of 9 785 in Round 4. BIT’s IoT & Cybersecurity programme combines sensor-network and blockchain labs, active industry partnerships and 80% placements, closing at 8 628 in Round 4. The Information Science & Engineering stream provides advanced networking and AI labs, 88% placement consistency, and a Round 4 cutoff of 7 092.

Recommendation: Given the rank constraints, recommendation is to choose BIT’s IoT & Cybersecurity specialisation for its cutting-edge infrastructure and strong placement consistency; alternatively, opt for BIT Electronics & Communication if higher intake flexibility is available in early counselling rounds. All the BEST for Admission & a Prosperous Future!

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |8658 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jul 12, 2025

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