Dear Mayank Sir
Our salaries have been cut steeply since the lockdown.
Though we were to get our full salaries from the beginning of the year, that has not happened.
Expenses are high and it is difficult to manage.
Is it a good idea to raise this question with the HR? If so, how does one do it? Will it affect my job?
Thank you.
Name withheld on request.

Ans: 1) Firstly 33 years is young and so is 43 :) you are as young as you feel (share this with mom :))
2) You cannot take a poor past experience as you enter into a new one - you faced trust issues - noted, they are not fun - but heal from it as you move ahead.
3) You will have to meet many, many - several via apps, friends, parents to find your person. If you do self reflection, healed from past , have must-have (not more than 3) and on it - you will find your person within 6 months - I have written on tips for doing so.

all the best.

Ans: If they have an option of opting out after 3 years of graduation then 5 year MBA from TAPMI Manipal would be a better option.

Ans: Yes you can

Ans: Check the placements of the MBA course. Possibly UPES could be better option as it is a better known MBA college and after 4 year course you can do a second MBA from a better college

Ans: With a JEE Main percentile of 95.2, your son is eligible for admission to several NITs and IIITs through CSAB counselling. His best options would be to prioritize NITs with strong computer science programs, followed by IIITs, and finally, GFTIs. A strong choice would be NITs like NIT Calicut, IIIT Allahabad, or VNIT Nagpur, followed by IIITs with CSE programs like IIITM Gwalior or IIIT Delhi.
Order of Preference for CSAB Counseling:
1. NITs with strong CSE programs:
Consider NIT Calicut, NIT Kurukshetra, SVNIT Surat, and VNIT Nagpur, as these are known for their good placements and infrastructure.
2. IIITs with CSE programs:
IIITs offer specialized computer science programs and are a good option if you're aiming for a career in software development or AI. Consider IIIT Allahabad, IIITM Gwalior, IIIT Delhi.
3. GFTIs (Government Funded Technical Institutes):
These are generally less prestigious than NITs and IIITs, but can still offer a good education. Consider COEP Pune or other GFTIs that have good placement records.
4. Thapar CS Business Systems:
While Thapar is a good institution, it's important to consider whether your son's interests align more with a traditional CS program or a more business-oriented one. He could also consider upgrading to a better CS program through CSAB if possible.
Important Considerations for CSAB Counseling:
Preferences:
Carefully consider your son's interests and career goals when filling out his preferences. Don't just focus on the top-ranked colleges; also consider the specific programs and their faculty.
Cut-offs:
Check the previous year's cut-offs for each college and program to understand the level of competition.
Placements:
Research the placement records of each college and program to see how well graduates are getting jobs.
Infrastructure and Facilities:
Consider the quality of labs, libraries, and other facilities that are available at each college.
Location:
Think about the location of the college and whether it's suitable for your son's needs.
By carefully considering these factors and prioritizing the right choices, your son can maximize his chances of securing a seat in a good engineering program through CSAB counselling.

Ans: For a B.Tech CSE, if you're choosing between VIT Bhopal, ITER Bhubaneswar, and Government Colleges of Chhattisgarh, ITER Bhubaneswar generally offers a better balance between academics and placement opportunities, especially if you prioritize a good placement record. However, VIT Bhopal is also a strong option, particularly if you seek a more diverse campus environment and a higher average placement package. Government Colleges in Chhattisgarh might offer a more budget-friendly option, but their placement record and overall infrastructure might not be as strong as ITER or VIT.

Ans: It's unlikely you'll get into the CSE AI DS program at SASTRA University, Thanjavur, with a 91 percentile in JEE Main, even with a strong 97.6% in the AP Intermediate board exam. SASTRA University uses a normalized aggregate score based on JEE Main and Class 12 marks for admissions. While your board score is good, your JEE Main percentile is below the typical threshold for competitive programs like CSE AI DS

Ans: Joining any other college is preferable to depending on or waiting for CSAB. However, in the event that you are offered a seat at NIT/IIITDM-K through CSAB, please review the college's REFUND policy after joining. If you like hardware, automation, and control systems, a career in instrumentation and control engineering at NIT Trichy is a promising, specialized profession with good scope and pay. IIITDM Kancheepuram's CSE program provides more extensive and in-demand IT employment opportunities. If you have no other options, it is best to wait for CSAB counseling. However, you should reserve your seat as soon as you receive a preferred offer from any other college, taking into account the college's REFUND policy and your financial commitments and losses. All the best for your admissions and a bright future!

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Ans: A student with a rank of 79,000 in VITEEE likely wouldn't be able to get into the popular Computer Science Engineering (CSE), Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE), or Integrated M.Tech. programs at VIT Chennai, which are highly competitive. While a student with this rank might be eligible for VIT Chennai, they would likely need to consider other branch options or potentially explore the VIT Bhopal or VIT AP campuses, which are more accessible for those with higher ranks.