[rjainv]

Originally Posted by Eddy

Thoughts?

As an IIT alumni, my recommendation would be the following

1. Give foremost importance to what passion the student has. That determines whether he will use college as the right launch pad or will just waste away those four years. After a few years once you have good experience under your belt, no one cares in industry which college one graduated from. It’s just a launch pad that brings in credibility for initial launch/first job, and right environment and company/circle to make best use of those 4 years.

2. If he has interest in CS/AI that should be the first preference irrespective of distance of college. In larger scheme of things, eventually he can land up anywhere in India or world when working. So it is unwise to restrict oneself to hometown or any nearby stations only when studying.

3. I see two kind of entry points in industry out of college.
-Coming from relevant background for the company ( eg software company hiring CS person, automotive hiring mechanical degree person, textile company hiring someone with textile degree), or
-generic hiring with initial training for the job ( degree doesn’t matter, college matters as that tells about potential)

Some fields don’t have second kind of entry points (eg arch, aerospace). So depending on interest, it’s important to understand the path to your desired field. Within software too, there are fields like OS/networking/database design which get specialised and start getting into first kind.

4. For interest in CS, the next best option is electrical. In IITs electrical is actually electronics and communications, and traditional electrical is called electrical power. So electrical goes into hardware side of computers ( and lot of circuits and device physics too).

[AltoLXI]

Originally Posted by rjainv

-generic hiring with initial training for the job ( degree doesn’t matter, college matters as that tells about potential)

Some fields don’t have second kind of entry points (eg arch, aerospace). .

I can understand arch is not relevant in some industries but why aerospace? In fact I have this query in my previous post. Saw some resumes on Linkedin with kids completing Material Science and moving to software industry.

[rjainv]

Originally Posted by AltoLXI

I can understand arch is not relevant in some industries but why aerospace? In fact I have this query in my previous post. Saw some resumes on Linkedin with kids completing Material Science and moving to software industry.

What I meant was there aerospace industry would rather hire a aerospace graduate instead of training a person with some other degree

[condor]

Though this thread looks more towards folks who are already working, wanted to share this for the benefit of parents of students/students who are trying to figure out in which field the person's aptitude is in.

There is a website www.Lodestar.guru where the student can take up a guidance session. There is a fee for this, and the student will have to initially fill a form after which their team will have a discussion to help the student filter in towards a suitable field.

A good friend's son took this up, and my friend says it's quite useful. (Friend's wife is in the overseas education placement field, and hence that was a fairly qualified feedback about the Lodestar program).

Hope this helps.

[KL01toKA03]

My wife who was working in software testing for 14+years was laid off from her job recently. She is attending interviews and is reasonably confident of getting a job some time soon. This experience of job loss has made us think about what would be the best strategy to remain employed for the long term.

We are currently debt free without much savings as cash, and I am earning close to 40 lakhs per annum as a technical writer. That is currently enough to sustain the needs of a family of four. However, I do not think that my job is very stable (due to financial troubles of my employer) and people rarely hire technical writers with 15+ years of experience.

The following are the options that we are exploring and the questions in our mind:

1. My wife does MBA abroad in some country that allows a path for PR after studies. Does any country allow me and children to work/study while my wife studies? Any pointers on the countries that have this option would be appreciated.

2. My wife does MBA in India. What are the best options available for people who have worked for 14+ years

3. Try to find another job and continue hoping for the best. We do not know if it is the best idea. Even now, there are not many openings for someone with her level of experience. If she finds another job, would it be wise to take it, and keep MBA studies as a backup option in case she loses her job again?


What are the priorities?

1. Get the best shot at having a steady employment for at least 10 years.
2. Avoiding taking too much debt if moving abroad.

[hdus001]

Is the assumption here that it is easier to find a job if she has an MBA? Any way you can confirm this assumption, say by reviewing job ads etc?

[Samurai]

After 14 years of software testing + MBA, what is the expectation?

1) Managerial role in IT?
2) Managerial role in non-IT?
3) Something else?

[condor]

Originally Posted by KL01toKA03

1. Get the best shot at having a steady employment for at least 10 years.
2. Avoiding taking too much debt if moving abroad.

My take is these two points. Avoid taking debt even if not moving abroad.

You have said that you are earning quite well, but have doubts about your continuity of employment due to the situation your employer is in. I think you need to prepared for this. Your wife doing a MBA will put a demand on your finances, also considering the savings part you have mentioned. Plus the education of two kids & their upbringing. In the current scenario, I would say stability would be priority. A sage advice I had received was - one's level of living cant be brought down - and we need to keep that in mind when thinking of options and choices.

[KL01toKA03]

Originally Posted by hdus001

Is the assumption here that it is easier to find a job if she has an MBA?

That is the assumption based on the experience of a few friends (though they went for MBA with around 10 years experience). Also, she was handling some managerial responsibilities and did quite well. The assumption is that she could be good manager if the industry hires MBA graduates with her level of experience, even in a role that would be given to a person with no experience. That is why we are considering that option.

Originally Posted by Samurai

After 14 years of software testing + MBA, what is the expectation?

The first preference would be a managerial role in IT.

Originally Posted by condor

My take is these two points.

Thank you. My thought process was also on similar lines. We are at a stage where job loss has come as a shock, but our nose is still above water. We are at a stage where we have to prepare for losing all income sources. I guess the question we are asking ourselves is "How do we reinvent our career?"
While she is figuring that out now, I am also doing that before I lose my job.

[hothatchaway]

I have some experience in recruiting grads from the top colleges in India and I can tell you that a generic MBA after 10 years of full time working will only add theoretical knowledge at best. An MBA degree, that too from a leading university works only for those with no more than 5 years of pre qualification experience. I am talking about India. Some IIMs offer a one year full time executive MBA which are prohibitively expensive and a candidate with ten plus years of experience is likely to find the going tough during placements.

The best attribute of leading b schools is the network that you get to be a part of which pays dividends by opening doors. There is a merit vs connections argument hidden somewhere in that statement but that's a topic for another day.

An MBA for a software professional during a career break may not necessarily enhance job prospects. Go for it by all means if it was a lifelong dream. You also asked about a studies to PR pathway and Canada is a popular choice. That will burn an even bigger hole in your pocket without any certainty of getting anything out of it. If you and your wife are still in your thirties then you could explore the express entry option to Canada. Why waste big bucks on a useless degree if you could qualify for a PR sitting in India. But that is a different rabbit hole altogether and please do your homework before you start spending your hard earned money.

[NetfreakBombay]

Originally Posted by KL01toKA03

The first preference would be a managerial role in IT.

MBA will add very little value for this.

One option she can consider is becoming a BA. This could work if she has worked on the same domain for significant amount of time. E.g.: If she has worked in BFSI for few years; CFA / MBA-Finance should help with BA role.

[Eddy]

Originally Posted by Eddy

So we have a (welcome) headache added to this situation. He has scored a merit rank of 820 in JEE Advanced . So the IITs now come into the picture.


1- IIT Delhi:

- Engineering and Computational Mechanics

So this is the course he has finally taken admission into. We spent a whole day at IIT Delhi campus last week, talking to professors and current students of this course. He seemed to like it, and has gone ahead. The course has the flavor of mechanical engineering coupled with computers. Its a new course, and the first batch is now starting fourth year. Rankwise, 4th most popular course at IIT Delhi. Apparently curated on demand from the industry.

There is an option to take computer science courses and graduate as a CS minor, which he plans to do.

Thank you for all the advise.

Special thanks to phamilyman who helped me connect to some IITians.

[barath_rudraksh]

Hi all,

I am in a state of mind where I am very confused on choosing my career path. No, I am not a fresh graduate looking for a job. I work as a web developer in an IT firm and I am on the verge of hitting my 3 years of corporate experience. Back when I graduated as a Mechanical Engineer, I didn't have much of a choice than to take up the 1st job that I secured (which was a Developer role in a service based IT firm). Stayed there for 1.5 years and decided to switch due to very limited exposure to technical work. The place where I currently work demands quite a skill set and I manage to survive.

Now after I've reached this far, I've noticed a few things about myself.

1. I don't seem to like doing a work in which I possess very little knowledge. Of course we learn as we work, but I feel suffocated and overwhelmed on seeing the things that I don't have knowledge in. It feels like being in the middle of a war not knowing to fight back but knowing only to put up a shield. I am defending my stance but I don't feel confident or potent.

2. I badly wanted to do something that I am capable to learn fast. So I took up a 6 month course in Ux design and it suited my interests well. But after working as a developer for 3 years I am not able to switch to a relatively equally paying job in the Design field (plus hiring for these roles seem very conserved)

3. The state of my mind has become very disturbed as I started noticing how I like/want to do many things other than my current job role. Fr eg. I love cars but I am totally unsure of how to convert this love of mine into a career while also earning decently.


How do you find out what you are good at?
How do you decide what you want to do for a living?

[am1m]

Originally Posted by barath_rudraksh

...but I feel suffocated and overwhelmed on seeing the things that I don't have knowledge in.

A lot of new jobs/roles can seem that way. Take it one day/month at a time. Set short-term goals. Discuss with people more experienced than you in the field/company and ask for help. Even after 20 years into my career, I began to feel that way a couple of years ago when I switched to a new, more challenging job (and for lesser pay!) I began to wonder if I had made the right choice. Six months later, things started to get under control. A year later, I was positively enjoying the job. Now I realize I should have made a switch like this at least 5 years ago! Time changes perspective.

Originally Posted by barath_rudraksh

The state of my mind has become very disturbed as I started noticing how I like/want to do many things other than my current job role.

There are a 100 things I'd rather be doing than go to work everyday. But bills have to be paid. In an ideal world, we'd all know what we would be good at and get to work on something that we're always "passionate" about. But like most people, you'll find that balance between 'work' and 'life'. They don't have to be the same thing.

Having said that, if you really want to switch, look around for opportunities to showcase your additional skills on projects within the same company. You will have to work over and beyond your current role responsibilities. Once you build up a credible portfolio of work showcasing the skills for the role you want, you can either explore a lateral shift in the same org, or look for opportunities for that role at another company.

[jigar1791@gmail]

Looking for relevant advice from the knowledgeable community in this forum :

I’m close to gathering a decade of professional experience, and I have been into Tech-Functional roles throughout - as an Account Manager, a Customer Success Manager and briefly tried my hands at SAAS Sales before turning into a Customer Success Manager again.
My domain has largely remained Logistics and Supply Chain, focusing on Road Freight Operations. I’ve been a startup guy, with 4 different companies, all into SAAS ans well ans Enterprise TMS (Transport Management System) Implementations.

I have been doing reasonably good for myself , both in terms of career progression and compensation.

However, I’m observing a trend of startup’s in my industry going through a lot of churn and layoffs. Though I’m well placed in my current organisation, I’m haven’t had any increment in the last year, neither do I foresee that happening atleast in Q3 this FY. My company did see itself navigating some strong headwinds with a couple of flat quarters without any revenue addition and etc affecting cash flows, but we came out of it.
More than my individual/team performance, it’s the company performance (investor approvals) that govern hikes/advancements.

I have started to feel it’s time to move away from startups and get into -
1. IT Services - MS, Oracle etc
2. Technology Consulting - Big4

Few queries that I have -
1. With the current reduced hiring across global IT Service Organisations like MS, Oracle etc, will it get tough for a Post-Sales AM/CSM to get through?
2. I do not have any certifications which the service based organisations usually prefer while hiring. My CV is already referred to HRs within these organisations through my own personal references, yet no luck until now!
3. The big-4 have a lot of technology consulting opportunities (in Suoply-Chain Practice). I have no HR references in here, applying on career portals have had no interview calls.

What do you guys think about my approach to get into the above 2 wish-list?
Any references will help here. Thanks.