Novak Djokovic kicked off his 2026 Australian Open campaign in style, securing a convincing straight-sets win over Spain's Pedro Martinez in the first round at Rod Laver Arena. The 38-year-old Serbian legend triumphed 6-3, 6-2, 6-2, marking his 100th career victory at Melbourne Park and
According to data analysed by the Tax Foundation, cumulative monthly customs duties collected by the United States have risen far faster in 2025 than in the previous year, underlining the growing fiscal impact of tariffs on imports. New Delhi: US tariff collections have witnessed a dramatic surge
Prague, Jan 19 (AP) A shooting at a town hall in northern Czech Republic on Monday left one dead and six others wounded, including three police officers, police said. Police said the suspect fatally shot himself and there was no further danger. The shooting took place at the Chribska town hall
The report from reinsurance company Swiss Re said the Indian insurance sector is entering a new era of robust mid-term growth, driven by strong macroeconomic fundamentals and rising consumer demand. New Delhi: The mid‑term annual premium growth in India is expected to touch 6
Donald Trump is expected to meet global business leaders in Davos on Wednesday, sources familiar with the matter said, as the US President's presence looms large over the annual gathering of the global elite in Switzerland.Business leaders, including CEOs in financial services
Build a portfolio
Build a portfolio Premium
I am a B.Sc. Electronics graduate more interested in practical work. I am thinking about working as an auto electrician. What courses should I do? Are there other options with better salary? My communications skills are poor so I need a job that doesn't involve too much communication. Fazil
Dear Fazil,
For a career as an auto electrician, you will need a ITI certificate or a Diploma in Automotive Electronics from a polytechnic or a private institute, which will cover modern vehicle systems. Another option is to sign up for a Manufacturer-Specific Certification, which involves being certified by specific car manufacturers such as Maruti Suzuki or Toyota or Hyundai. You can work in authorised car service centres, independent garages, trucking companies or start your own workshop eventually.
Your B.Sc. Electronics opens doors to fields with significantly higher earning potential than an auto electrician role. Some excellent alternatives are Electronics Hardware and Service Roles as a PCB Design and Testing Technician, a Field Service Engineer (for specific machinery) or an ATM Technician or Service Engineer. The Industrial Automation and Control Sector is booming and a great fit for your profile. You could be an Industrial Automation Technician (may need a short-term diploma or certification in PLC and SCADA programming). The IT and Networking Hardware Side offers Network Support Engineer or Technician roles for which you will require a foundational certification such as Cisco's CCNA.
I have an M.Tech. Structural Engineering from IIT-Kharagpur and am working in a construction company. I want to develop my skills in Behaviour Marketing. Should I do an MBA? Venky
Dear Venky,
An MBA will give you a comprehensive business foundation, a structured curriculum and networking opportunities. Choose it if you want a complete career transformation. The other alternative is a specialised programme such as an M.Sc. in Behavioural Science or a PG programme in Digital Marketing, which are highly focussed, research-oriented and dive deep into the psychology and neuroscience behind decision-making.
Online Certifications and Executive Education is the most flexible and immediate way to build this specific skill without leaving your job. Consider programmes on Behavioural Economics and Neuroscience or DIgital Marketing with a behavioural focus on online platforms. You can also be self-directed and learn by application. This requires high discipline, but it is the most cost-effective. Start with books like Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely, and Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini.
I would recommend a hybrid approach. Start with a high-quality online certification, apply these principles to your current job, document the results and build a portfolio. If this seems transformative, then consider an Executive MBA or specialised Master's programme.
I am a B.Com. graduate preparing for the CAT. I am interested in finance. If I don't clear this exam, what are the alternatives? Vidhya
Dear Vidhya,
Consider other entrance exams such as XAT, SNAP, NMAT, MAT, or CMAT depending on the institution you want to study at. An MBA from any of these colleges will open doors to finance roles. Other highly specialised and globally recognised Finance Certifications include Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Company Secretary (CS), Chartered Accountancy (CA), and Certified Management Accountant (CMA, the U.S.). You can also consider specialised degrees such as Master's in Financial Management, PG Diploma in Financial Marketing. All these will open doors to jobs in the banking sector. Consider taking the Bank Probationary Officer exams or the RBI Grade B Officer Exam or the SEBI Grade A Officer exam or the NABARD Grade A/B exams. All of them offer job security, good pay and a clear career path in the financial sector.
I have completed B.Sc. Computer Science and will be doing MCA. What courses should I take to upskill myself for the IT Sector, given the mass layoffs due to AI's impact? Keerthana
Dear Keerthana,
Build specialised, high-value skills to complement AI rather than compete with it. Move from being a generalist coder to a specialist who can solve complex problems, design systems, and work effectively with AI tools. Courses like Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) on LeetCode and GeeksforGeeks are performant and cost-effective. System Design is highly valued for senior roles. Mastering a Tech Stack (Go Deep, Not Wide), but MERN/MEAN Stack, Java Spring Boot, Python/Django, Cloud-Native Stack are also helpful.
Instead of fearing AI, learn to leverage it. Prompt Engineering for Developers and learn to effectively communicate with AI models (like GitHub Copilot, Amazon CodeWhisperer) to generate, debug, and document code. This is a fundamental new skill for all developers. Understanding the fundamentals of AI/ML is crucial. Data Engineering and Data Literacy is a superpower. Learn SQL (advanced), Python (Pandas, PySpark), ETL/ELT processes, and data warehousing (Snowflake, BigQuery).
Specialisation protects you from mass layoffs. So invest in Cloud Computing and DevOps. Get a foundational certification like AWS Certified Cloud, Cybersecurity (specialise in application security or AppSec or network security). Certifications such as CompTIA Security+ are a good start. Mobile Development (Native) is also a specialised skill.
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 - December 20, 2025 04:00 pm IST
The Hindu Education Plus / careers / study abroad / universities and colleges / university / students / internships / entrance examination / test/examination / higher education / College admission
Source: TheHindu
Related Posts: Bangladesh board says ICC ‘willing to work with us’ to address concerns on playing T20 World Cup in India LG Electronics India Shares Hit Record Low After Lock-In Expiry Back To Work, Back to Snacks Gmail Users Get Free AI Tools And Features That Work For Their Inbox Restoration work of northern railway track in Sri Lanka begins with India's assistance Tea garden work records to be held as valid ID proof for SIR in north Bengal India pulls solder wire QCO to ease electronics manufacturing Human-AI collaboration to redefine work by 2027 I’ve Lost Work In Bollywood Music Does Not Work That Way
Novak Djokovic wasted no time reminding Melbourne why this stage still feels like home. Chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam, the Serb opened his Australian Open campaign with a clinical 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 dismissal of Spain's Pedro Martinez on Monday
1 days ago
Senior Advocate Kalyan Bandhopadhyay, for West Bengal, says even admit cards issued by the West Bengal Secondary School Education are not being accepted. Mr. Sibal says the admit card is a written document and has to be accepted. Mr. Bandhopadhyay says even the economist and Nobel laureate Amartya
1 days ago
UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed's brief India visit highlights strong bilateral ties amid West Asia tensions, Gaza peace plan developments, and recent high-level diplomatic and defence engagements between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed United Arab Emirates
1 days ago
The duo blamed the decision-making of skipper Shubman Gill and head coach Gautam Gambhir for India's first-ever home ODI series defeat at the hands of New Zealand. While much of the cricketing world has focused on the batting heroics of Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, and Virat Kohli
1 days ago
The Africa Cup of Nations final descended into chaos on Sunday night — and FIFA president Gianni Infantino was quick to step in. Infantino condemned what he called “unacceptable scenes" after several Senegal players walked off the pitch in protest during the closing stages of their
1 days ago
A massive explosion at hotel in Kabul's Shahr-e-Naw Flower Street area on Monday, resulted in death of several people and wounding others, with the attack targeting Chinese nationals. Several people were killed, and others were wounded in a powerful explosion at a hotel in Kabul's Shahr-e-Naw
1 days ago
Novak Djokovic delivered a serving masterclass as he registered his 100th victory at the Australian Open with a straight-set win over Spain's Pedro Martinez. The world number four, who is bidding for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title
1 days ago
New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) AI autonomy, 6G connectivity, and quantum mechanics are set to become the technology frontrunners and primary determinants of global enterprise competitiveness in 2026, marking a shift from digital experimentation to autonomous execution
1 days ago
A shooting at a town hall in northern Czech Republic on Monday (January 19, 2026) left one dead and four others wounded, including a police officer, police said. Police said the suspect was fatally shot and there was no further danger. The shooting took place at the Chribska town hall, police said
1 days ago
Virat Kohli's fielding error in the third and final ODI between India and New Zealand in Indore was nothing but a rare lapse of concentration. In a high-pressure game on Sunday, the incident took place during the first innings of the match when New Zealand were batting
1 days ago
The EU seeks engagement with the US following President Trump's threat of tariffs on several European nations over Greenland. While prioritizing calm and responsible leadership, the bloc is prepared to respond with available tools if the levies are imposed
1 days ago
Karnataka State Election Commission will use paper ballots for upcoming elections in five Bengaluru city corporations, following a state cabinet decision. This move comes after a nationwide campaign by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleging EVM rigging. The elections, mandated by the Supreme Court
1 days ago
US President Donald Trump has declared he will no longer prioritize peace after not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. He also renewed his demand for control over Greenland. This statement followed a message from Norway's Prime Minister and Finland's President opposing his tariffs on European allies
1 days ago
Literature enthusiasts' love affair with book fairs is no secret. Be it libraries, exhibitions, or bookstores, books have been celebrated for centuries. Each year, book fairs and literary events are organised to exhibit hundreds of varieties of books and draw massive crowds of avid readers
1 days ago
Kolkata, Jan 19 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summonses to at least seven people in connection with its probe into a coal smuggling case, a senior officer said on Monday. They have been summoned to understand the money trail and ascertain where the proceeds of coal smuggling
1 days ago
The Supreme Court told the Election Commission to publish the names of 1.2 crore persons against whom the poll panel had raised “logical discrepancy” objections during the special intensive revision in West Bengal. The names should be displayed in gram panchayats
1 days ago
A beautifully carved wooden swing (jhula) from Gujarat and a Pashmina shawl in an ornate silver box were among the gifts Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his two-hour “working visit” to India
1 days ago
Punjab National Bank Ltd (PNB) for the third quarter ended December 31, 2025 reported 13.1% jump in net profit at ₹5,100 crore as compared with ₹4,508 a year ago. Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) declined by ₹6,100 crore to ₹39,314 crore as on December 2025 from ₹45
1 days ago
Nitin Nabin is poised to be the next BJP national president. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a key proposer for his candidature. All nomination papers for Nabin have been found valid. The formal handover ceremony is scheduled for January 20 in New Delhi. Senior party leaders will attend the event
1 days ago
Imphal, Jan 19 (PTI) Nasscom director Nirupam Chaudhuri on Monday said artificial intelligence (AI) has become a democratic force, and its future will be written in both big cities, as well as small towns. Addressing a pre-summit event in the run-up to the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026
1 days ago
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a series of urgent weather warnings across the United States, as dangerous cold, snow, strong winds and dense fog affect large parts of the country from Florida to the Great Lakes and Alaska. Florida faces rare freeze conditionsAccording to the NWS
1 days ago
Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is set to attend the prestigious World Economic Forum in Davos, departing on Tuesday after initially pulling out due to commitments in Delhi and Bengaluru. Bengaluru: Days after cancelling his official tour to the Swiss Alpine town of Davos to take
1 days ago
Secret Conversation Feature On Messenger: Messages in secret chats are protected with end-to-end encryption, which means only you and the other person can see them, not even Facebook. Secret Conversation Feature On Messenger: It often begins with a late-night message or a photo shared in trust on
1 days ago
Some telecom companies in large European markets like Spain and Germany have earlier resisted implementing strict curbs on Chinese vendors, mainly due to cost concerns and reliance on existing infrastructure. New Delhi: The European Union is preparing to tighten its stance on Chinese-made equipment
1 days ago
Karan Aujla has extended his India tour to 12 cities while remaining in the spotlight over viral infidelity allegations that have sparked widespread public debate. Mumbai: Singer-songwriter Karan Aujla has announced the extension of his India tour amid the allegations surrounding infidelity
1 days ago
Captain Shubman Gill was candid in his assessment during the post match press conference, identifying a lack of clinical execution as the primary differentiator. The aura of invincibility that once surrounded Team India in home conditions has suffered a significant blow
1 days ago
The death toll from a horrific fire at a shopping mall in Pakistan's Karachi has risen to 14 after rescue teams found eight more bodies from the building rubble. The fire, which broke out on Saturday (January 17, 2026) night at the Gul Plaza
1 days ago
