I am 30 years old and from a struggling farmer’s family. I have finished my M.Sc integrated course in software engineering and didn’t opt for placements, due to my lack of aptitude for the IT field. After graduating, I started my UPSC preparation and joined a free, Chennai-based coaching institute. I became acutely anaemic, and due to financial constraints, I was unable to continue my preparation after two years. After a year’s break, I joined as a non-teaching staff in a college and attended free UPSC coaching. After two years of working there, I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, followed by depression, and am still under treatment. I completed my M.Phil in my hometown and considered doing a PhD in a prominent college. But, my professor told me that a PhD won’t assure me of a job, because of my course, and advised to write bank exams. What do I do? — A. Gayathri
Dear Gayathri,
You seem like someone who has so much inner strength, determination and doesn’t give up easily. You should be proud of your skill sets. I am afraid you have not shared your M.Phil. stream or your Ph.D. area of interest. What do you enjoy and what would you want to do, in life? Would you like to study further, or pick up a job to be financially stable? Does a banking job interest you or do you have an academic pursuit? Please meet a good career counsellor and get your aptitude and interests assessed, so that you make an informed choice and work towards your goal, rather than anyone’s suggestion and advise for you.
I am 23 years old. I have scored 85% in my class X exams, 95% in my class XII exams and passed my B.A with first division. I am currently in my last semester of M.A political science. I have also qualified for the UGC NET JRF exam, as well as SLET. What should I do after finishing my master’s degree? What are the best career options for me? — Fayaz A. Faiz
Dear Fayaz,
Many congratulations to you for your brilliant academic scores and credentials. You can can seek employment in both public and private sector, after your master’s. There are many lucrative openings such as a public administrator, archivist, political content writer, correspondent, consultant, PR executive, or you could take various competitive exams and seek jobs across banks and PSUs.
You could also be an academician, take on lecturership as an assistant professor at the college or university level, at a state and/or national level and/or pursue a Junior Research Fellowship with your additional qualification of UGC NET, JRF and SLET. Good luck.
I am 20 and will be completing my B.A English next year, from Delhi University. I am confused between an MA in English and UPSC preparations for higher studies. I am equally nervous about the UPSC, and multiple thoughts frustrate me at times. Please guide me. — Divya Kumari
Dear Divya,
Your confusion is valid, as you need to be only a graduate to attempt the UPSC. What are the multiple thoughts that frustrate and make you nervous? I don’t mean to discourage you, but you do know that UPSC is a tough, competitive national exam. Wouldn’t you rather do your master’s as well as simultaneously prepare for the UPSC exam (on your own and/or at a coaching centre)?
This way, at the end of two years, you would have not only completed your MA, but would also have a realistic idea of where you stand with your UPSC dream.
I am in my second year of B.Sc physics. I want to have an idea about what the civil services is all about, and what the job of an IAS officer is, as I am planning to attempt the UPSC exam. Can you please help me? — Raghav Prasad
Dear Raghav,
The Civil Services Examination (CSE), is a nationwide competitive exam conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, for recruitment to various civil services of the Government of India. The offices include — Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others.
The exam is conducted in three phases — a preliminary exam consisting of two objective-type papers (General Studies Paper I and General Studies Paper II also popularly known as Civil Service Aptitude Test or CSAT), and a main examconsisting of nine papers of conventional (essay) type, in which two papers are qualifying and only marks of seven paper are counted, followed by a personality test (interview). The appearing candidate must be 21 years old, and must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a central, state, deemed university, correspondence, distance education or from an open university, recognised by the Government of India. With respect to the number of attempts, in the general category candidates have six attempts while those in the OBC category have nine, and SC/ST candidates - unlimited attempts till 37 years of age.
Disclaimer: This column is not a substitute for long-term therapy. It is merely a guiding voice. Some issues may need medical intervention.
The author is a practising counsellor and a trainer. She will answer questions sent to eduplus.thehindu@gmail. com. The subject line should be: ‘Off the edge’
