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Struggling CA aspirant juggling career and marriage

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |5133 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Nov 11, 2024

Nayagam is a certified career counsellor and the founder of EduJob360.
He started his career as an HR professional and has over 10 years of experience in tutoring and mentoring students from Classes 8 to 12, helping them choose the right stream, course and college/university.
He also counsels students on how to prepare for entrance exams for getting admission into reputed universities /colleges for their graduate/postgraduate courses.
He has guided both fresh graduates and experienced professionals on how to write a resume, how to prepare for job interviews and how to negotiate their salary when joining a new job.
Nayagam has published an eBook, Professional Resume Writing Without Googling.
He has a postgraduate degree in human resources from Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Delhi, a postgraduate diploma in labour law from Madras University, a postgraduate diploma in school counselling from Symbiosis, Pune, and a certification in child psychology from Counsel India.
He has also completed his master’s degree in career counselling from ICCC-Mindler and Counsel, India.
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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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Shekhar

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Leadership, HR Expert - Answered on Apr 17, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Apr 15, 2024Hindi
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Hello sir I am 28 years old female working as an HR from home along with preparing for my CS exective. I have cleared its group 1 in 5 yrs and now struggling to clear group 2 since last 2 years. Once i will clear then i have to study for CS professional examination totally unpredictable that how much time it will take to complete. At 30 family will start pressurize for getting married. And i am not joining any HR jobs onsite or not taking any onsite opportunities or growing in my career coz then i will deviate from my CS study. Totally in dilemma what should i do . Please guide sir Thanks
Ans: Thank you for sharing your dilemma to me. It sounds like you're facing a lot of pressure and uncertainty about your career, education, and personal life. Please assess your priorities and set realistic goals for your career and education. Consider the time and effort required to complete your CS executive and professional examinations, and develop a study plan that allows you to balance your studies with your other commitments. Develop effective time management strategies to prioritize your tasks and allocate sufficient time for studying, work, and personal activities. Break down your study goals into manageable tasks and set deadlines to stay on track with your progress.

It is better to have an open and honest conversation with your family about your career and education goals, as well as your timeline for completing your CS examinations. Discuss your concerns and the support you need to achieve your goals while addressing their expectations regarding marriage. Remember that it's okay to seek support and make adjustments to your plans as needed. Trust yourself, stay focused on your goals, and believe in your ability to overcome challenges and achieve success in your career and education endeavors. Best of luck! Feel free to contact me on Rediff Gurus if you require additional guidance or assistance.

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |5133 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Apr 03, 2025

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Hi I started my CA at the age of 23.5 along with job , and I eventually managed to cleared group 1 of ca inter May 2024 and for second group I gave jan 25 attempt but failed due do poor marks in cost , this wan an first attempt , but now I skipped may 25 attempt because I was not clear shoup I gave one more attempt or not but I didn't, I quit my job due to study but result doesn't came well and i am considering to prepare for govt job while doing job , I lf I prepare for ca it will take 28 If from there I managed to clear infirst attempt , I may be feeling that while working and preparing govt is better decision. Shoul I continued my CA journey or should I quit it , any suggestions please
Ans: At a career crossroads, it's crucial to consider your priorities and interests, such as passion for CA and interest in government jobs. The time and effort required for CA exams or SSC, UPSC, and Banking Exams, should be considered. Financial considerations should also be taken into account, as if FINANCIAL STABILITY is a priority, returning to a job while preparing for a government exam might be a safer option. Alternative approaches include a hybrid approach, switching fully to government jobs for stability, structured work, and benefits, or trying one more CA attempt if you still have the motivation and confidence. If you're passionate about CA and believe you can clear it with focused effort, give it another chance. If you're unsure and more inclined towards job security, it's practical to shift towards government job preparation while working. Commit to your decision fully and avoid constantly second-guessing. 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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