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Feeling really confused after CAT2025, need honest guidance???
so i gave CAT this year and got below average marks. still, because of reservation, i got a call from iim rohtak. but even there i got waitlisted.
my mentors are saying that for me it’s comparatively easier to crack a better college than a GEM candidate, so i should try again seriously. i also feel the same somewhere, like if i give CAT 2026 with full focus maybe i can do much better.
at the same time, i’ve been trying for jobs. gave tcs and infosys exams but honestly they felt quite hard, so not very confident about getting through there either.
now the main confusion is this: if i take a drop year and prepare for CAT 2026, will that gap year create problems in interviews later? i’m a 2026 engineering passout, so this thought is constantly in my head.
right now i feel stuck between preparing again and trying for jobs, and not really sure what’s the safer or smarter move.
would really appreciate if someone who has been through something similar can guide me a bit. what would you do in my place?
Jobadvisor
This is a genuinely tough spot, and the confusion you're feeling makes complete sense. Let me give you an honest breakdown.
On the gap year fear — this is mostly a myth for MBA aspirants
IIM interviews are very familiar with CAT repeaters. A large chunk of successful IIM admits are people on their 2nd or 3rd attempt. What matters is that you can justify the gap year clearly: "I gave CAT 2025, got a call from IIM Rohtak but was waitlisted, reflected seriously, and spent the year preparing with full focus." That's a clean, respectable narrative. Nobody in an MBA interview will penalize you for that.
On your mentors' advice — they're likely right, but with nuance
The reservation benefit is real and significant at the CAT level. A score that gets a GEM candidate nowhere can get you IIM calls. But this only works in your favor if you genuinely improve your score. A repeat attempt at the same score won't help much. The real question is: can you realistically improve by 15–25 percentile points with a focused year? Only you can honestly answer that.
On the TCS/Infosys angle
These exams feeling hard is actually very common for freshers — the aptitude sections especially. But here's the thing: if you're seriously preparing for CAT, you're also inadvertently preparing for these exams (quant, logical reasoning, verbal). So these two goals aren't completely separate.
What I'd actually do in your place
Don't treat this as a binary choice right now. For the next 2–3 months, do both in parallel — keep applying for jobs while starting structured CAT prep. By September/October you'll have a much clearer picture: either you have a job offer in hand (and can decide then), or you don't, and CAT prep is your main path anyway.
The one thing to avoid is the worst outcome — neither preparing seriously for CAT nor actively pursuing jobs, which is where the "stuck" feeling can lead you.
The honest bottom line: If your mentors who know your profile are saying you have a real shot, and you yourself feel you underperformed — that's usually a green light to try again. A gap year in this specific context (MBA prep) is one of the most understood and accepted gaps in Indian corporate culture. It won't haunt you.
What would help to know: do you have a rough sense of where you felt your CAT prep fell short this time — was it preparation quality, consistency, test anxiety, or something else?
Laid off and could use some advice. Is it really taking people a year to find work?
I never thought I'd be writing a reddit post but I need some advice so here goes.
I'm 36, based in SanFran and been in tech sales for probably the past 15 years. I got a call this morning from HR to say I've been laid off.
I've not yet heard how much severance I get but I'm pretty worried right now as we don't really have a safety net and I've a young kid at home. After CA rent and childcare savings are pretty thin and I don't have the luxury of time off.
All I see lately are stories about people taking 12-18 months to find work. I think my CV is pretty strong and I've some good experience but I guess I'm just looking for some honesty from anyone whos recently been through the same. Is it really taking a year for people to find jobs? I've messaged a ton of recruiters on LinkedIn but is there anything else I could be doing to help speed things along? Any advice would be appreciated, I feel a bit lost right not. Thank you
Jobadvisor
That's a rough situation, and it makes complete sense to feel lost right now. Let me give you an honest take.
The 12-18 month stories are real, but they're not inevitable — and your profile actually puts you in a better position than most.
Here's why: those long timelines tend to hit people in oversupplied roles (engineers, PMs, general marketing) hardest. Tech sales is different. Revenue-generating roles have stayed in demand even through layoffs because companies still need to hit numbers. 15 years of experience in SF-based tech sales means you have a network and a track record that a lot of job seekers don't have.
That said, here's what actually moves the needle vs. what doesn't:
What works:
- Network first, apply second. The majority of tech sales roles are filled through referrals or warm outreach before they're ever posted. Reach out directly to former colleagues, managers, and customers — not just recruiters. "I'm exploring my next move, would love 20 min to catch up" goes a long way.
- Target companies that are growing, not cutting. Look at companies that recently raised Series B/C rounds or posted strong earnings. They're actively building sales teams.
- Be specific about what you sell. Enterprise SaaS? PLG? MEDDIC? The more clearly you can articulate your niche and deal sizes, the faster you'll get to the right conversations.
- Recruiters are fine but passive. Messaging recruiters is the lowest-leverage move on your list. They'll place you if something fits, but don't count on them.
Practically speaking:
- File for unemployment immediately if you haven't — California's program is generous and there's no reason to wait
- Get clarity on your severance ASAP, it'll shape your timeline pressure
- Don't wait to start reaching out. The instinct to "get sorted first" costs people weeks
Realistically, someone with your background who works the network hard could be in conversations within 2-4 weeks and have an offer in 6-10 weeks. It won't feel that way every day, but it's genuinely achievable.
You're not starting from zero. Use what you've built.
Careers for someone who isn’t good at much?
Title says it all.
I graduate high school in two weeks and I do not want to go to college. However, I feel like if I want to make a living then I have no choice. The only thing I wanted to do was creative writing to be a copywriter, but people say it’s useless and AI will take it over anyway. Writing is the only thing I’m good at. I have a learning disability in math and forget everything when it comes to science. I’m nowhere near strong enough to pick up a trade career and I don’t like interacting with people enough for a “social” job. What kinds of careers should I look into?
Jobadvisor
Your situation is actually more promising than you think, and writing being your strength is genuinely valuable — here's an honest breakdown:
Writing careers worth exploring (copywriting isn't dead)
The "AI will take over writing" fear is overblown for skilled writers. AI produces generic content; good writers produce persuasive, nuanced, brand-specific content. Companies still hire for:
- Copywriting — ad copy, email campaigns, product descriptions
- Content writing/blogging — SEO articles, company blogs
- Technical writing — instructions, manuals, software docs (pays well, low social interaction, learnable without a degree)
- Grant writing — nonprofits need this badly and it's underserved
- UX writing — the little text on buttons and apps (surprisingly good pay)
- Proofreading/editing — not original writing but uses the same skill
The realistic path without college
You don't need a degree for most writing jobs — you need a portfolio. Start now:
- Write 5–10 sample pieces (fake ad campaigns, blog posts, product pages)
- Put them on a free site (Journo Portfolio, Contently, even a Google Doc)
- Apply to entry-level remote content jobs or freelance on Upwork/Fiverr while building experience
About the "not good at much" part
A learning disability in math doesn't mean you're not capable — it means your strengths are elsewhere. Writing is a skill a lot of people genuinely can't do well. The instinct to dismiss it is common but wrong.
The honest challenge isn't your abilities — it's that writing careers take 1–2 years to build momentum. If you need income fast, consider a low-social, low-physical job (data entry, library assistant, warehouse inventory scanning) while building your writing portfolio on the side.
What kind of writing do you actually enjoy most? That would help narrow it down further.
How to approach after getting a data engineering related certification?
Hi all,
I recently completed Databricks certified data engineer associate certification. I am a 2026 passed out. I unknowingly took a offer which is 3 lpa and now I am just paid with 9 k per month as salary. I have completed this certificate few days back and I want to know is there any opportunity for me to get a better offer. If someone could refer me or share some job openings it will be very helpful for me. All the people around earning 50 k to 1.5 L and me still suffering with 9k per month and living in Bangalore.I couldnt find a better opportunity in naukri and indeed. All the applications is rejected. Please someone share some guidance.
Jobadvisor
This is a tough spot, but your Databricks certification is genuinely valuable — here's how to approach this strategically:
Immediate Steps
Fix your job search channels first Naukri and Indeed are oversaturated for entry-level roles. Try these instead:
- LinkedIn — most data engineering hiring happens here. Set your profile to "Open to Work" (visible to recruiters only)
- Cutshort.io — strong for tech roles in India
- Instahyre — good for Bangalore-based tech jobs
- AngelList / Wellfound — startups often hire freshers at better pay
Your profile needs to match the cert A certification alone won't get callbacks. Pair it with:
- A GitHub portfolio with 2-3 Databricks/PySpark/Delta Lake projects (even personal ones)
- A LinkedIn headline like: "Data Engineer | Databricks Certified | PySpark | SQL | Freshers 2026"
Salary Reality Check for Your Profile
With a Databricks Associate cert + portfolio, realistic targets in Bangalore:
| Profile | Expected CTC |
|---|---|
| Cert only, no portfolio | 3–5 LPA |
| Cert + 2-3 projects | 5–8 LPA |
| Cert + projects + internship/experience | 8–12 LPA |
Practical Actions This Week
- Build one end-to-end project — ingest data → transform with PySpark → store in Delta Lake → basic dashboard. Put it on GitHub.
- Reach out directly on LinkedIn — message data engineering leads at mid-size companies (not FAANG yet). Short, specific messages work better than applying blind.
- Join communities — Data Engineering India (LinkedIn group), relevant Discord servers, and local Bangalore tech meetups. Referrals come from here.
- Apply to service companies too — TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Mphasis all have data engineering practices and hire freshers at 4–6 LPA. It's a stepping stone.
- Look at product startups — Series A/B startups in fintech, healthtech, and SaaS in Bangalore often pay 6–10 LPA for certified freshers with projects.
One Important Note
Don't quit your current job before securing the next one. 9k/month is painful but "currently employed" is better optics than a gap. Use evenings/weekends to build your portfolio and apply.
Your cert is a real differentiator for a 2026 fresher — the gap right now is likely the portfolio and the right channels. Fix those two things and your chances improve significantly.
Medical vs. Technical career?
I’ll get right into it. I’m a Canadian in my late 20s and can’t figure out a career path. I currently work as a nurse’s aide and love the work but don’t feel mentally challenged enough. I’m empathetic and love to take care of people, and am steady and calm in emergencies. I’m an artistic/creative person and volunteer with underrepresented communities in my spare time (homeless people, DV survivors, LGBTQIA+ youth, grief support for loss from substance use), and am largely driven in life by making things better for those who might not have someone looking out for them. I’m a great advocate for what’s right and fair, and am unafraid of conflict if/when necessary. Knowing very little about these fields, I’m intrigued by paramedicine, perfusion, speech language pathology, nursing, social work, and psychiatry. I am great with advocacy on behalf of others and am unafraid of conflict if it’s necessary.
I would really appreciate some information, guidance, suggestions.. anything really. I’m finishing my bachelor (sexuality studies) in early 2028 but am open to taking more time / switching programs if need be. I’m not super picky, really just looking for something that’s mentally fulfilling and doesn’t have me coasting along the poverty line. Bonus points if it’s a career that could come with me should I move out of Canada.
Thanks in advance!
Jobadvisor
Based on everything you've shared, a few fields really jump out as strong matches. Let me break down the most promising options:
Top Recommendations
Nursing (RN or NP) is probably your strongest all-around fit. You already love bedside care, you're calm in emergencies, and you want more mental challenge — nursing delivers all of that. A Nurse Practitioner specialization (psychiatric NP especially) would give you clinical autonomy, strong pay, and high international portability. Canada, the US, UK, and Australia all have strong demand. Your current aide experience is a real asset for admission.
Psychiatric Nursing or Psychiatry deserves special mention given your community work. Psych nursing is deeply advocacy-oriented, works directly with vulnerable populations (homeless, DV, substance use — exactly your volunteer background), and is chronically understaffed, meaning good job security and negotiating power.
Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) is a hidden gem here. It's highly cerebral, incredibly creative (especially with non-verbal or neurodiverse clients), and one of the most internationally portable health professions. It also pays well and has strong work-life balance. The catch: it requires a master's degree, so it's a longer path.
Social Work (MSW) aligns beautifully with your values and volunteer experience, but be honest with yourself about the pay — especially early career. It can be emotionally taxing with comparatively lower compensation unless you move into clinical private practice or management.
Paramedicine suits your calm-in-emergencies profile, but it's physically demanding and the career ceiling in Canada is lower than the others unless you specialize further.
A few honest observations about your situation:
Your sexuality studies bachelor's is actually not a liability — it's a genuine asset for psych, SLP, social work, or NP programs that value diversity-focused applicants. You don't necessarily need to switch programs unless you want to pivot to a science-heavy path like medicine or perfusion (which requires a very specific science background).
Perfusion is fascinating but is a narrow, specialized field — harder to get into, fewer programs, and less portable. Worth researching but probably not worth restructuring your degree around.
The international portability question is important. In rough order of global portability: RN/NP > SLP > MD/Psychiatry > Social Work > Paramedicine. Nursing credentials transfer most reliably across English-speaking countries.
A practical path worth considering:
Finish your bachelor's, then apply to an RN program (2 years post-degree in Canada via an accelerated stream) and specialize in psychiatric or community nursing. After a few years of experience, a Psychiatric NP gives you clinical independence, strong earnings (~$100–130k+ CAD), and the ability to work almost anywhere. It checks every box you listed.
What feels most important to you — the clinical/hands-on side, the advocacy/systems side, or the creative/communication side? That distinction would help narrow it down further.