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Stuck at Career Crossroads: Former Software Developer Seeking Guidance

Inderpaul

Inderpaul Singh  | Answer  |Ask -

Leadership Coach - Answered on Mar 03, 2025

Major Inderpaul Singh (retired) served in the Indian Army for eight years.
In the year 2008, he moved to the corporate sector and worked with Century Plyboards for 14 years, specialising in people management and organisation improvement interventions.
He is currently employed as a partner with Amishrit Terrene Pvt Ltd, an IT solutions start-up located in Mohali, Punjab.
A certified life coach, he also helps students and individuals handle challenges in their personal and professional lives.
He holds a commerce degree from DAV College, Amritsar, and a post-graduate diploma in business administration from Symbiosis, Pune. ... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jan 06, 2025Hindi
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Career

I was working as a software developer for 3 years for a reputed company with good salary and perks. I have some interest technologies and also not bad at programming but somehow i felt i won't be able to thrive in the industry for long time and i was afraid it will be difficult to manage workload and constant upskilling, growing up in the corporate ladder and job insecurity after 35 or 40 years of age as a woman. So i quit my job and decided to take break for few months to reflect and think about what i want to do next. Its been 3 months since i quit and i'm thinking about preparing for SSC exams but it is very competitive and syllabus is vast. I'm good at analytical and logical skills but not good at General studies but General studies plays a huge role in SSC. I would need more time to prepare for the exam and getting home posting require higher cut off. I'm about to turn 25 and My parents have given me one year before they get me married. So i'm confused whether to go back to IT job and prepare for SSC.

Ans: Hello
I am sure your parents will be considerate enough to not being too rigid regarding marriage etc.
The real question is how firm/clear are you about your goals.
Since you have a taken a decision to take a break & recalibrate your career, it is vital to have a clarity & action the next steps without any other distractions. There will always be demanding/confliction situations that will tempt us to take easier/least disruptive path but then so will be the rewards/outcomes.
Simple advice - Get yourself firm, talk to your parents regarding your career goals/timeframe etc., and most important action things with conviction. You can always course correct basis how things evolve with time but being indecisive will not help.
All the Best !!
Career

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Nitin

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HR, Recruitment Expert - Answered on Jul 19, 2023

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I have just recently completed my btech in Computer science engineering from a tier 3 engineering college in Kolkata. Being a tier 3 college, there weren't any decent on campus placements. Further, I always wanted to become an IFS( Indian Foreign Service) officer, so always wanted to sit for UPSC after finishing my graduation. But now that I have seriously started thinking about it, I am not sure what to do. I mean I want to pursue UPSC, there is no financial pressure from family, atleast not for the next 2 years but I feel like if I don't make it (since I have to consider the scenario that I may fail to crack the exam), I don't know whether I will be able to get a job after 2 years gap after graduation in IT sector or will I be able to pursue further studies such as MS from USA or MBA from tob b schools in India. I am feeling depressed and helpless as I am unable to decide what to do? Should I just start looking for a job right now or just prepare for UPSC and don't worry about those stuff right now. I would greatly appreciate your answers and views in this matter.
Ans: Soumik, You seem to be in a muddle. I suggest you go for career counselling from a professional who will charge you for it. Also remember that the fail rate in UPSC exams is high and if you want to pursue a career as an IFS officer you will have to work really hard to pass the various levels of exams. If you feel you have the tenacity and perseverance and are confident of your abilities, then go for it! If in doubt, stop and think, then take a concerted decision based on what you really feel and know about yourself.
I also suggest that you carry out your own SWOT analysis to get to know your capabilities and capacities to attain your goals.
Wish you the best!

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Krishna

Krishna Kumar  |398 Answers  |Ask -

Workplace Expert - Answered on Mar 24, 2024

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I have just recently completed my btech in Computer science engineering from a tier 3 engineering college in Kolkata. Being a tier 3 college, there weren't any decent on campus placements. Further, I always wanted to become an IFS( Indian Foreign Service) officer, so always wanted to sit for UPSC after finishing my graduation. But now that I have seriously started thinking about it, I am not sure what to do. I mean I want to pursue UPSC, there is no financial pressure from family, atleast not for the next 2 years but I feel like if I don't make it (since I have to consider the scenario that I may fail to crack the exam), I don't know whether I will be able to get a job after 2 years gap after graduation in IT sector or will I be able to pursue further studies such as MS from USA or MBA from tob b schools in India. I am feeling depressed and helpless as I am unable to decide what to do? Should I just start looking for a job right now or just prepare for UPSC and don't worry about those stuff right now. I would greatly appreciate your answers and views in this matter.
Ans: Dear Mr.Soumik

Cracking UPSC is not easy but it's worth the effort. Believe in yourself and put your heart and soul in it....suggest you watch the movie 12th fail.

Recently I hired a member in my team, he pursued UPSC for two years and was not successful...the preparation that he did for 2 years made him a different person and that's the reason I hired him

It is said that when we aim for the moon and if we don't get it we would still lmd on some star...

All the best.

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Rohit

Rohit Gupta  | Answer  |Ask -

Edtech/Online Education Expert - Answered on Jan 16, 2024

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 04, 2023Hindi
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I'm 24.5 years old female, unemployed B.Tech graduate. Prepared TN state services Exam for 3.5 years. Failed in final stage. Gave few central govt exams also but in that also failed in final stage. Financial condition : single mother with 15k salary. Brother preparing for jee 2024. He has to join engineering in june 2024. Uncertain. My state of mind : 1. I must give SSC exam which are on second half of 2024. But i am afraid, if i dont clear this time, another 1 year waste of time. 2. I can't imagine myself in IT industry/BPO because i fear coding and tele calling job because of their uncertain nature. 3. At present, i can't ask my mother for my marriage also because this year my brother's college addmission is the priority? What should i do?
Ans: I understand your concerns and challenges. Given your B.Tech background and financial situation, consider exploring non-technical government exams beyond SSC that align with your strengths and interests. Focus on enhancing your skills through short-term courses or online certifications related to your chosen field. Additionally, consider part-time or remote work options to contribute to the family income while pursuing your goals. Prioritizing your mental health and well-being is crucial during this challenging time. Communicate openly with your family about your aspirations and challenges to seek their support. Remember that everyone's journey is unique, and it's okay to take the time you need to find the right path for yourself. All the best for your future!!

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Radheshyam

Radheshyam Zanwar  |6844 Answers  |Ask -

MHT-CET, IIT-JEE, NEET-UG Expert - Answered on Mar 10, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 10, 2026Hindi
Career
Hi, I need honest career guidance based on my situation. I completed my HSC in 2024 with PCB stream (no Mathematics) and scored only 45%. I was preparing for medical entrance but it didn't work out, and due to personal reasons I couldn't appear for improvement exams either. It's now 2026 and I have a 2 year gap. I now want to pursue a career in IT or Computer Science. I'm confused between BSc IT, BSc CS, BCA, and Data Science — and keep getting mixed opinions from everyone. My specific questions are — 1. Since I don't have Maths in HSC, can I appear for the HSC Maths exam as an Isolated Candidate in July–August 2026? And if I clear it, will that result be valid for 2026–27 admissions? 2. With 45% and a 2 year gap, what are my realistic college options in Mumbai? Which good colleges have lower cutoffs for BSc IT / BSc CS / BCA? 3. Given that I'm coming from Biology with no Maths background — which degree would actually be the best fit for me for real career growth, not just for getting admission? 4. Does college name or tier matter a lot in the IT field with lower percentage, or do skills and portfolio matter more? 5. Honestly, what is the smartest move for someone in my exact situation right now? I don't want to waste more time and want to make the right decision. Please guide me."
Ans: Hey, here is the point-wise reply to your question:

(1) You can appear for the HSC Mathematics exam as an independent candidate through the Maharashtra State Board in July–August 2026, and if you pass, that Maths result will generally be accepted for admissions in 2026–27 for courses requiring Maths.

(2) With 45% and a two-year gap, gaining admission to top colleges may be difficult, but you can still try mid-/lower-cutoff colleges such as SIES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Vivekanand Education Society's College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Tolani College of Commerce, and Guru Nanak Khalsa College, depending on seat availability, especially for BSc IT or BCA.

(3) Since you come from a Biology background without Maths, BCA is usually the easiest entry into IT (as the Maths requirements are lighter), whereas BSc CS/Data Science can be more challenging because they rely more heavily on mathematics and statistics.

(4) In the IT industry, skills, projects, internships, coding ability, and your portfolio matter far more than college ranking, although attending a better college can initially help with networking and placements.

(5) The practical pathway might be: complete HSC Maths in 2026 → apply for BCA or BSc IT at reputable Mumbai colleges → focus intensively on coding skills (Python, web development, projects) during your degree, as building real technical skills will be much more important for your career than your past percentage.

However, it is strongly advised to arrange a one-to-one session with a counsellor so they can suggest more options after discussing your profile. Do not rely solely on our advice. Take our advice as a guideline only.

Good luck.
Follow me if you receive this reply.
Radheshyam

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Komal

Komal Jethmalani  |469 Answers  |Ask -

Dietician, Diabetes Expert - Answered on Mar 10, 2026

Asked by Anonymous - Mar 02, 2026Hindi
Health
I’ve grown up hearing from elders that mixing fruits with milk is bad for digestion and can cause stomach problems or skin issues. They always say fruits should be eaten separately and never combined with milk. But at the same time, I see so many people having fruit milkshakes, banana shakes, mango shakes, and smoothies every single day without any problem. Even gyms and diet plans recommend fruit smoothies as healthy breakfast options. This makes me really confused. For example, if I drink a banana milkshake in the morning, am I harming my digestion? Or if I blend mixed fruits with milk and nuts for a quick breakfast, is that actually unhealthy? Some people also say it can cause acidity or slow digestion, while others claim it’s a good source of protein and vitamins together. So what is the actual truth? Is mixing fruits with milk genuinely harmful for everyone, or does it depend on the type of fruit, body type, or digestion strength?
Ans: For most people, mixing fruits with milk is perfectly safe, healthy, and easy to digest. The idea that it causes acidity, toxins, or skin issues is a traditional belief, not a medically proven fact. There are a few specific situations where someone might feel bloated or gassy like those with lactose intolerance or may feel heavy for some people who have a sensitive stomach. Banana, mango, chickoo (sapota), dry fruits, berries (for most people) are traditionally and scientifically easy to digest with milk. Fruits that don’t pair well with milk for some people can include citrus fruits (orange, lemon, grapefruit), pineapple, sour berries, etc.

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