Prepare with confidence – The Hindu

I am in Class 12 (Humanities) and plan to pursue B.A. (Hons) Political Science at Delhi University. I am interested in geopolitics, national security, and strategic studies. Are there entry-level roles after graduation, or will I need a Master’s? Name withheld

While you can be hired as a programme/research assistant, research intern, or corporate risk analyst after a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s in International Relations, Strategic Studies, or Public Policy is generally required to become a policy analyst or strategic advisor. A Ph.D. is highly valued in security think tanks, but less critical if you pivot to corporate strategic risk.

New Delhi is the epicentre of think tanks and corporate firms. Strategic and defence think-tanks include MP-IDSA, ORF, Carnegie India, CSEP, and CSDR. They offer internships, although postgraduate qualifications are often preferred. CAPS, CLAWS, and NMF occasionally take civilian interns to assist military fellows.

Geopolitical risk consultancies such as Control Risks, Eurasia Group, Sibylline, and S-RM hire analysts to monitor threat landscapes, political stability, and security risks for international businesses. The big Management consultancies have government and public sector advisory wings. Large global tech firms hire trust and safety or global intelligence analysts to track geopolitical events affecting operations.

I am a first-year BHMS student but am wondering if this is the right choice. Should I attempt NEET again? I like treating patients but have no confidence that I will succeed in being a physician. Azja

Dear Azja,

What is your belief regarding homoeopathy vs allopathy? If you believe that you can only be a medical doctor by doing MBBS and that homoeopathy does not feel right for you, consider taking NEET again. But if your lack of confidence stems from a general fear of diagnosing patients, making high-stakes clinical diagnoses, or interacting with the sick, MBBS comes with even higher clinical pressure, heavier emergency duties, and intense competition for post-graduation (NEET PG). Talk to your current batchmates who are probably going through something similar.

Consider completing your BHMS and then pivot to clinical research. Also explore Hospital Operations and Administration through an MBA in Healthcare Management. You can also consider a Master’s in Public Health, Pharmacovigilance, Health Insurance, or Medical Analytics.

I have finished BCA and plan to pursue a career in cricket. But I am also highly motivated to prepare for the UPSC. I want to have a strong backup but am confused about whether to pursue a Master’s or an LLB. Which degree will give me time and flexibility to focus on cricket and UPSC? Is there any other option? Tejas

Dear Tejas,

Cricket and UPSC require extreme focus and huge blocks of uninterrupted time. Cricket demands hours of physical training, field presence, and extensive travel for matches, while UPSC requires massive discipline, consistency, and analytical reading.

Choosing a Master’s in a subject that doubles as your UPSC Optional Subject, such as Public Administration, Political Science, History, or Geography, can help. If you choose distance education through universities such as IGNOU, attendance pressure is almost negligible. A low-residency Master’s could also give you time for cricket nets and tournaments.

LL.B. will not offer the same flexibility. The Bar Council of India mandates minimum attendance requirements for regular LL.B. courses. A legal degree also requires regular moot courts, internships, and intensive semester exams. But this is a professional qualification that allows you to work independently in litigation or enter corporate law.

If your options do not work, you will be in your mid-to-late 20s when you enter the job market. An MCA builds directly upon your BCA foundation and can lead to software engineering, systems architecture and data management roles. Your decision rests on what you want to prioritise right now.

I graduated in Mechanical Engineering in 2022 and have been preparing for competitive exams, but I haven’t cracked any. I have no idea what to do next and don’t want to depend on my family. How can I get a job? Adithya

Dear Adithya,

You are conditioned to think that your worth is tied to clearing a massive exam. It isn’t. The industry doesn’t care about your exam scores; it cares if you can solve a problem today. Dust yourself off, change your direction, and start moving.

You already have a four-year gap. What are you waiting for now? Break the cycle, stop depending on your family, and build a meaningful career. A ‘meaningful’ job should simply pay you an independent salary. Do not look for ultimate purpose in your first job after a gap. You will find meaning from earning your own money and contributing at home. Once financially secure, you can map out a larger corporate trajectory.

Corporate recruiters may hesitate about gaps because they fear your skills have rusted. Reframe your last four years’ experience. Consider short-term certifications in HVAC/MEP Design or Piping Design and Engineering, with opportunities in manufacturing, infrastructure, data centres, oil, gas and power.