Home > Career > Question
Need Expert Advice?Our Gurus Can Help
Sushil

Sushil Sukhwani  |594 Answers  |Ask -

Study Abroad Expert - Answered on May 08, 2024

Sushil Sukhwani is the founding director of the overseas education consultant firm, Edwise International. He has 31 years of experience in counselling students who have opted to study abroad in various countries, including the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. He is part of the board of directors at the American International Recruitment Council and an honorary committee member of the Australian Alumni Association. Sukhwani is an MBA graduate from Bond University, Australia. ... more
why Question by why on May 07, 2024Hindi
Listen
Career

Is it possible to go to universities like STANFORD, HARVARD, etc or MIT after doing btech from NIT/IIT? Considering the fact that till now, I have no such extracirculars required..if yes, please let me know the complete procedure. [a JEE dropper]

Ans: Hello Why. Thank you for connecting with us. It is good to know that you are considering the USA for your further studies. However, let me tell you that people from non-tier 1 undergraduate colleges regularly get admitted to these colleges for graduate school. Going further, the reason why you see more IIT graduates being admitted to MIT or Stanford is not because they get preference, but because they’re on average much stronger academically than people from lesser institutions, both in terms of their innate capability as well as the effort they put in over the course. The factors that matter for admission are your GPA, GRE score, recommendations, research, and Statement of Purpose (SOP). GPA and GRE are basically used as cutoffs, while the other criteria are used to decide who gets admitted after the cutoff. As long as you have the same scores and quality of work as an “IIT student," you need not worry. Note that since your college curriculum and fellow students are likely to be much weaker than those at IITs, you will need to work on your own to do much more than your college academics. Upon doing so, you will be able to get summer internships with IIT professors, which will put you in the same standing as IIT students in terms of your application.
In fact, only a small portion of IIT students get admitted to MIT or Stanford since, obviously, there aren’t enough seats for all of them. So even if you’re strong in all the criteria, there is an element of luck, so you can expect to get admitted to some of the top 10 colleges and not to others. However, you will get admitted to some for sure if you’re good enough.

For any further queries, please get in touch with us. We have a team of expert counsellors who can guide you through any concerns or questions you may have.
Career

You may like to see similar questions and answers below

Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |4496 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Jun 04, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Jun 03, 2024Hindi
Listen
Career
Sir, I am a partial dropper I have secured (97.56%ile) 38293 rank in mains this year. I am already pursuing btech in ECE fron jiit, Noida. From what I can see, I might be getting tier-2 NITs but lower branches and getting a college in JAC also seems impossible as I do not have delhi quota. What should be the way forward for me. Are there any colleges that might be a better option for me than jiit.
Ans: Read your question thoroughly and noted the contents.

Congrats to you for Scoring 97.56 Percentile in your JEE (Main).

My suggestions:

As you are already pursuing ECE from JIIT (one of the good Private Universities), it is advisable to continue with it.

However, here are some practical Tips / Steps / Strategies you should follow to be COMPETENT in the Job Market and land a good job once you finish your Graduation:

While Pursuing your BTech (ECE):

1) Make sure that he continues to maintain a decent Score / CGPA / Percentage till you complete his BTech.
2) Join 2-3 Co-curricular Activities Club (related to his Domain) & also be involved in extra-curricular activities.
3) Create your Professional LinkedIn Profile, if you do not have one.
4) Get connected to professionals of the same domain, but NOT ask for jobs (after you complete your BTech). If your profile matches their requirements, they will be in touch with you.
5) Every 3-months, keep updating his LinkedIn Profile to add your recent achievements/certifications etc.
6) Start researching about the companies that visited the College during the last 3-years & know their nature business/manpower requirements in the ‘Career’ Section through their websites.
7) Most important: Start doing Certification Courses either online / offline, related to his domain (from 1st year itself), to be competent in job market.
8) NPTEL & Internshala are some reputed Certification platforms you can join. And/or you can join any other Certifications, recommended by your Faculties in your College.
9) Put Job-Alert Notifications in LinkedIn, related to your domain, from 1st year itself, to know about the current job market scenarios/employers’ expectations.
10) Keep upskilling your knowledge & skills till he completes his BTech (ECE).
Just Before / After Completing your BTech (ECE):
1) Just before completing your BTech, he should prepare well for the Campus Recruitment Written Test / Interview / Group Discussion, whichever will be applicable.
2) Start applying for jobs also through LinkedIn Job Alerts, if the Job Description posted by the employers/recruiters / companies, matches your profile.
3) Keep your ‘RESUME’ professionally prepared. His ‘Resume’ should be simple & brief with keywords, related to your domain, with your LinkedIn Account’s clickable link.
4) And, keep upgrading your skills, to be competitive in the job market, even after you land the jobs.

Hope I have cleared your doubts with value additions.

If you need any other clarifications for you or have questions for anyone, post your questions (in detail) to me and/or follow me here in RediffGURU to know more on ‘Careers / Education / Jobs’.

All The BEST for your Bright Future from RediffGURU.

Nayagam PP
EduJob360
CERTIFIED Career Coach | Career Guru
https://www.linkedin.com/in/edujob360/

..Read more

Latest Questions
Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |8327 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on May 09, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - May 09, 2025
Money
Dear Sir, I am 55 and I am a stage 4 cancer patient for the past 5 years. Presently working with a salary of Rs.30 LPA. I have Rs.75 L in SB account. Rs.25 L in shares out of which Rs.12 L is loss. Rs.12 L in mutual funds. Rs.3 L in EPF. No commitments or liabilities. I need to know how I can get Rs. 70 K per month in case I lose my job. Kindly advise.
Ans: I truly appreciate your courage and clarity even in the face of health challenges. With your current financial resources and the need to secure a monthly income of Rs. 70,000, a detailed and careful plan is very much possible.

Let me give you a full 360-degree solution below, step-by-step.

Understanding Your Present Financial Picture
You are 55 years old and have been living with stage 4 cancer for 5 years.

You are still employed and drawing a salary of Rs. 30 lakhs per year.

You have Rs. 75 lakhs in your savings bank account.

You hold Rs. 25 lakhs in shares, with Rs. 12 lakhs in losses.

You have Rs. 12 lakhs in mutual funds.

Rs. 3 lakhs is in your EPF account.

You have no loans or financial commitments.

Your main concern is to receive Rs. 70,000 every month if the job stops.

You are not looking to take risks.

You want regular, reliable income without physical involvement.

Step 1: Emergency Medical and Health Fund
Health comes first. Keep money aside just for medical needs.

This fund should cover two years of your full household and medical costs.

Keep Rs. 15 to 20 lakhs aside for this purpose.

This money should be in ultra-safe places.

Prefer a savings bank account and liquid mutual funds.

This should remain untouched unless truly needed.

This emergency buffer gives peace and avoids panic in tough times.

Step 2: Generate Rs. 70,000 Monthly Income
Rs. 70,000 monthly means Rs. 8.4 lakhs needed per year.

Aim for post-tax cash flow from your investments.

Break your funds into income generation buckets.

Use your Rs. 75 lakhs from savings bank as the core capital.

Avoid keeping the full amount idle in SB account.

Allocate funds into low-risk, stable return instruments.

Prefer investment avenues offering quarterly or monthly payouts.

Choose options where you can withdraw in parts if needed.

Step 3: Structured Investment Allocation
Short-Term Bucket: 1 to 2 Years

Set aside Rs. 18 to 20 lakhs for short-term needs.

Put this money into highly liquid options.

Use only those that protect capital and give fixed income.

These funds will generate stable income for the next two years.

Prefer options offering monthly or quarterly payouts.

This will help replace your salary if job stops.

You don’t need to sell any shares or mutual funds right away.

You get time to think clearly, plan calmly.

Medium-Term Bucket: 3 to 5 Years

Keep around Rs. 25 to 30 lakhs here.

Invest in actively managed hybrid mutual funds.

Choose regular plans through a mutual fund distributor with CFP credentials.

Do not go for direct funds.

Direct plans do not come with personalised guidance.

There is no one to help you rebalance, switch or review.

Regular plans through a Certified Financial Planner offer ongoing support.

With hybrid funds, risk is moderate and returns are better than FDs.

Use SWP (Systematic Withdrawal Plan) to get monthly income.

You can set up SWP of Rs. 40,000 to 50,000 from this bucket.

These funds will last for years while also growing gradually.

Long-Term Bucket: 5+ Years

Keep Rs. 10 to 15 lakhs for the long-term.

This is not for current income, but for inflation beating growth.

Invest in actively managed large cap or balanced advantage funds.

Again, use regular plans with Certified Financial Planner.

These funds will build wealth for later stages.

You can shift gains to the medium bucket after 5 years.

Step 4: Shareholding Review and Action Plan
You have Rs. 25 lakhs in shares.

Out of this, Rs. 12 lakhs are in losses.

Do not sell them in a hurry.

Some may recover if you wait patiently.

First, make a list of all companies and their quality.

Exit poor-quality stocks even at a loss.

Retain good quality stocks with strong future.

If the whole portfolio is confusing, take help from a Certified Financial Planner.

You can harvest the loss now to set off gains later.

Book losses smartly to reduce future capital gains tax.

After cleaning up, move the proceeds to your medium bucket.

Step 5: Mutual Fund Review
You hold Rs. 12 lakhs in mutual funds.

Find out the type of each fund.

If these are equity funds, hold them long-term.

If returns are low or risk is high, shift to hybrid funds.

Avoid investing in index funds.

Index funds cannot protect capital in falling markets.

They simply copy the market blindly.

Actively managed funds are safer.

Professional fund managers take timely actions.

They reduce your risk and improve consistency.

Step 6: EPF Strategy
You have Rs. 3 lakhs in EPF.

EPF earns stable tax-free interest.

Do not withdraw unless it’s urgent.

Keep it as part of your long-term reserve.

Step 7: Monthly Income Setup
Use short-term and medium-term buckets to get income.

Start SWP from mutual funds for Rs. 40,000 monthly.

Use fixed income tools for Rs. 30,000 more.

Review this every year with a Certified Financial Planner.

Adjust amounts if needed based on inflation.

Step 8: Tax Planning and Awareness
Income from mutual funds is taxable.

Long-term capital gains above Rs. 1.25 lakhs taxed at 12.5%.

Short-term gains taxed at 20%.

Debt fund gains taxed as per your slab.

Plan redemptions to avoid tax shocks.

Harvest profits in a planned manner.

Step 9: Avoid These Common Mistakes
Do not invest in real estate.

It is illiquid and needs physical handling.

Do not buy annuities.

They give poor returns and lock your money.

Do not fall for insurance + investment combos.

If you already hold such policies, review them.

Consider surrender if return is poor.

Reinvest the proceeds into mutual funds.

Step 10: Use a Certified Financial Planner
A Certified Financial Planner gives structured and unbiased advice.

They help you with fund selection, SWP setup, rebalancing.

They guide you with tax-saving and risk control.

Their ongoing service is crucial at your life stage.

Choose someone with experience and clear credentials.

Finally
You are in a better financial position than many.

You have no loans, no dependents, and have built good savings.

With a calm and simple plan, you can replace your income safely.

You do not need to take risky steps now.

You have already shown strength by managing your life and job for 5 years.

Now your money should serve you with peace and stability.

Break your capital into buckets.

Get monthly income through safe withdrawals.

Review regularly with a Certified Financial Planner.

Avoid unnecessary complexity or noise.

You deserve a peaceful financial life.

Your health is precious. Let money be your quiet support.

Invest safe. Withdraw smart. Sleep well.

You are already doing well. Just add clarity and structure.

Best Regards,
K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,
Chief Financial Planner,
www.holisticinvestment.in
https://www.youtube.com/@HolisticInvestment

...Read more

DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Investment in securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related document carefully before investing. The securities quoted are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information and as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision. RediffGURUS is an intermediary as per India's Information Technology Act.

Close  

You haven't logged in yet. To ask a question, Please Log in below
Login

A verification OTP will be sent to this
Mobile Number / Email

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to

Resend OTP in120seconds

Dear User, You have not registered yet. Please register by filling the fields below to get expert answers from our Gurus
Sign up

By signing up, you agree to our
Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Already have an account?

Enter OTP
A 6 digit code has been sent to Mobile

Resend OTP in120seconds

x