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Mrunal Thakur ended up cancelling her plans to watch Usha Uthup’s live performance. The actress went to the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, where the veteran singer took the stage for a performance. Although the actress had other plans, During an interview with Times of India

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Having excelled through the season because of their united efforts and incisive pace attacks, Bengal and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) promise an exciting Ranji Trophy semifinal clash starting at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground in Kalyani on Sunday (February 15, 2026)

<strong>Car fuel tank design:</strong> The main reason behind the fuel cap position is vehicle design. The tank is usually placed away from major

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Car fuel tank design: The main reason behind the fuel cap position is vehicle design. The tank is usually placed away from major impact zones and heat sources such as the exhaust system. Car fuel tank design: If you have ever driven different cars

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Bacteria can get into us, make us sick, and they can even kill us – but they give us our life too. Bonnie Bassler, renowned molecular biologist and professor of Princeton University, best known for her work in bacterial communication, described bacteria as “magical microbes” holding great

Feeling stuck?

Posted By: Hemant Kumar Posted On: Feb 14, 2026Share Article

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I am a B.Tech (Electronics and Instrumentation) graduate and a Red Hat Certified Engineer working as a Linux Technical Support Engineer. Rotating three shifts has made the role exhausting and unfulfilling. What career direction can I consider? Jayaram

Dear Jayaram,

To move into roles that offer better work-life balance and significantly higher pay, you may need to certify and upgrade your current skillset, which four to six months of focused learning should do.

When applying, look for “Product-based companies” or “Internal IT” rather than “Managed Service Providers” (MSPs) because they require shifts to support global clients. In contrast, product companies (such as a FinTech startup or a SaaS company) have their engineering teams on a fixed daytime schedule, with only occasional “on-call” rotations.

Based on your RHCE background, consider roles like a DevOps Engineer. You will need to learn Docker & Kubernetes (containerisation) and Jenkins or GitLab CI (CI/CD pipelines), and fill the skill gap quickly.

Alternatively, consider a Cloud Infrastructure Engineer role. You will need to get a Solutions Architect certification in AWS or Azure. Learn Terraform for Infrastructure as Code (IaC). A Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) uses software engineering to solve operational problems, which adds a stronger coding layer to operations. You need to move beyond Bash and become proficient in Python or Go.

I have completed B.Des. Footwear Designing. I am not able to get a job or into a PG course. I am not good at exams. How can I make a fresh start? Hiba

Dear Hiba,

The design industry is one of the few fields where your portfolio matters more than your mark sheet. Pivot to high-demand segments such as sneaker customisation. Customise sneakers by painting, embroidery, and deconstruction and create dedicated social media pages to showcase them. Your product and industrial design skills are transferable.

Your skills in Material Science, Ergonomics, and 3D modelling (CAD) can get you a role as a Junior Product Designer in consumer goods, luggage, or wearable tech companies.

Build a portfolio that clearly demonstrates your work. Employers in Design only care about what you can make. Create a few high-quality projects, exhibit your rough sketches, your material mood boards, and your technical ‘tech packs’ to show that you understand the process.

Network on LinkedIn. Find “Design Leads” at companies such as Bata, Liberty, and Metro, or at startups like Neeman’s, and request to showcase your portfolio.

If you want to study more, look out for skill-based diplomas (usually three-to-six months) that offer direct placement help. Check out the UI/UX Design and also the Merchandising and Retail space.

Also, see if you want to create a micro entrepreneurial brand of your own. Start a ‘Direct-to-Consumer’ (D2C) brand on a small scale with your choice of footwear. Find local artisans to work to your design and ensure your quality checks are perfect.

I graduated in 2023 (Civil Engineering). I have been preparing for the UPSC CSE for the last couple of years. Since there is a three-year gap, how can I get a job in a Civil Engineering company if I fail to clear the UPSC on my fourth attempt? Sandeep

Dear Sandeep,

You will need to quickly update your skills and your CV to become job-ready. Work on key software skills gaps that ensure specialised roles, such as a certification in Master tools STAAD.Pro, ETABS, and advanced Excel for Design/Structural Roles, MS Project or Primavera P6 for Planning roles, and learn Autodesk Revit.

Companies like L&T and Tata Projects now mandate Building Information Modelling (BIM) for large infrastructure projects. Look for training institutes that bridge the gap between college and site reality and offer short-term courses.

In the interviews, do not be apologetic about the gap in your CV and focus on showcasing the realignment of getting certified in BIM and AutoCAD. Apply to smaller design Firms that will look at whether you can deliver working drawings in AutoCAD immediately.

Companies in solar energy, EV charging station construction, warehouse development, third-party inspection (TPI) agencies hire civil engineers for quality audits.

I am pursuing my PG in Food Science and Nutrition (Community Science). What are my career options in India and abroad? Will a Ph.D enhance my prospects? Veda

Dear Veda,

In India, you can explore options such as a food analyst with FSSAI and other government bodies. Across the FMCG Industry, you can consider roles such as product development or quality assurance.

Another option is a public health nutritionist for community-level interventions across public health organisations and NGOs.

You can also explore clinical research across hospitals that hire PG graduates to assist in Nutraceutical R and D.

International options include organisations such as the WHO or FAO, and global food tech companies that have global R&D hubs focussing on clean-label and sustainable food.

High-demand markets include the U.S., Canada, and West Asia, which are seeing a strong demand for regulatory affairs and therapeutic nutritionists.

A Ph.D. is not necessary for a job in a factory or a clinic, but is transformative for your long-term goals and career path, especially if you decide to get into academia or teaching.

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 - February 14, 2026 04:30 pm IST

The Hindu Education Plus / careers / study abroad / higher education / education / students / admission/enrollment / entrance examination / test/examination / College admission / internships / university / universities and colleges

Source: TheHindu
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