Your future, your choice

I scored 98.2% in Class 12 (Humanities, CBSE) but took a gap year. I opted for the Humanities in Class 12 and am pursuing UG in Political Science. But I am exhausted by too much theory. I am preparing for CAT. Should I switch to Economics? What other alternatives do I have? Yukti Dear Yukti, How comfortable are you with Maths? If you did not study Maths in Class 12, or dislike Calculus and Statistics, Economics may feel more difficult than Political Science. However, if you enjoy Maths, Economics aligns well with the Quantitative Aptitude (QA) and Data Interpretation (DI) sections of CAT. Explore a Double Major/Minor shift with a less text-heavy discipline or minors/electives such as Economics, Psychology, or Statistics. But this will depend on your university’s rules. Under NEP 2020 rules, you can exit after one year with a certificate and with a diploma after two years. Your accumulated credits may help you pursue a more practical degree elsewhere. A BBA aligns strongly with your CAT goal. But, if you can maintain a graduation score above 75–80%, I recommend finishing your B.A. while focusing on CAT preparation. Choose the route that protects your grades and leaves time for serious CAT preparation. I am doing M.Sc. Data Science and Analytics from distance learning and also programmes on Coursera. I am also working in a research hospital and cannot do a regular degree. How can I get placed in a big tech company? Deepak Dear Deepak, Is the university you are doing your M.Sc. from approved by the UGC-DEB? Don’t fall for the myth that hires happen only through campus placements. Major technology companies hire people through off-campus opportunities every year. Just ensure that your distance-learning M.Sc. is from a university approved by the UGC-DEB. Government regulations recognise approved distance/online degrees as equivalent to regular degrees for employment and higher education. You are already working in a research hospital so combining your practical healthcare experience with an M.Sc. and Coursera specialisations can make you a competitive candidate. Your resume should clearly highlight relevant hospital experience and present your degree and Coursera certifications as evidence of continuous upskilling. Focus on off-campus hiring channels such as TCS iON NQT, Infosys and HCL to secure a strong baseline technology role. Also monitor entry-level opportunities at Google, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta. Use platforms such as Instahyre, Wellfound and LinkedIn Jobs. For big-tech interviews, build a strong foundation in SQL and Python/R, Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA), and statistical thinking. My son is in Class 8 and I am confused about the subjects he needs to take in Class 11. I want him to consider a domain, which is different and in demand so that his career can flourish. I am an IT professional and my sector is facing job losses. I don’t want this to happen to him. Bhawya Dear Bhawya, Your child still has plenty of time before deciding on subjects for Class 11. By the time he graduates, the most resilient careers are likely to combine domain expertise with human-centric skills that automation cannot easily replace. Promising areas for PCM/PCB in Class 11 include Climate Economy and Sustainability Engineering or Computational Biology and Bioinformatics. Economics would be an added advantage. For Humanities or Commerce background, Behavioural Economics, UX Research, Techno-Legal Compliance, and Cyber Law (B.A. LLB. or BBA.LLB.). For now, encourage him to read widely, develop critical thinking and strengthen his mathematical and communication skills. His interests and aptitudes will become clearer over time. I am a first-year MBBS student. What skills should I build for healthcare entrepreneurship or management? Is an MBA the best route, or are there better alternatives? Dear Abhinav, Your interest in healthcare entrepreneurship and management from the first year gives you a significant head start. Healthcare increasingly needs clinicians who understand business, technology and data. Focus on becoming a good doctor, while also developing non-clinical skills. Explore Digital Health and HealthTech Infrastructure, including AI-driven diagnostics, tele-health, digital therapeutics, wearable medical devices, health informatics and clinical data architecture. Study patient triage, identify bottlenecks and examine the cost-efficiency of government versus private procurement. Medical Innovation and Bio-Design can teach you to identify clinical needs, develop solutions and navigate regulations. Build networks beyond medicine by connecting with peers in engineering, design and data science. An MBA from a top-tier business school is a strong route into corporate management. If you aim to lead healthcare verticals, drive venture-capital investments in HealthTech or work in healthcare consulting, a general MBA can be particularly valuable. Other options include immersive Bio-Design Fellowship programmes in healthcare entrepreneurship at CfHE, IIT Hyderabad or IIT Delhi, and Master’s programmes in Healthcare Administration (MHA) or Public Health (MPH) at institutions such as TISS-Mumbai, IIHMR or universities abroad. Explore institute-specific need/merit scholarships, corporate scholarships and government scheme. Disclaimer: This column is merely a guiding voice and provides advice and suggestions on education and careers.The writer is a practising counsellor and a trainer. Send your questions to eduplus.thehindu@gmail.com with the subject line Off the Edge Published - September 12, 2026 06:00 pm IST