What is your calling? – The Hindu

I completed Law in 2021, worked as a legal clerk/research assistant at the Supreme Court and am now a litigation associate. My experiences have demotivated me from continuing. I did a course in Public Policy, which was exciting, but also made me fear that I may not perform well due to technical aspects such as Maths and Statistics. How can I find a path that justifies what I have been doing and what I want from my life? Mrityunjay

Dear Mrityunjay,

It is a common misconception that all Public Policy roles are heavily quantitative. While some roles may require Maths and Statistics, many leverage qualitative analysis, legal expertise, communication, and advocacy skills. Many programmes offer specialisations that lean more towards law, governance, social policy, human rights, or communication.

How to find your path? Reflect and arrive at what exactly demotivated you and why you are excited about public policy? What aspects of Maths or Statistics do you fear? Knowing this can guide your learning and help you upskill and fill the gaps. Focus on understanding concepts and interpretation. Online courses on Statistics for Policy, Data Analysis for Social Scientists, or Basic Econometrics will help. Network with alumni from your college who are in public policy, think tanks, or in-house roles, and connect with people on LinkedIn who work in the organisations or roles that interest you to learn about their work, challenges, and skills. Look for short-term pro-bono projects with a policy think tank, a legislative research body, an NGO working on policy, or a government department that can help you test the waters.

Consider a Master’s in Public Policy or Public Administration in institutions such as NLSIU Bengaluru; IIT Delhi; Indian School of Business, Hyderabad; Azim Premji University, Bengaluru; Kautilya School of Public Policy, Hyderabad; OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat; IIM Bangalore or IIM Calcutta. Post this, career opportunities are available in think tanks and research organisations. You can also consider an advisory or consulting role with government bodies, international organisations, NGOs, advocacy groups, CSR departments and so on.

I am a B.Com Finance graduate preparing for the CAT. I am interested in entrepreneurship and in designing clothes. But Design courses are mostly for four years. What else can I do? Arya

Dear Arya,

Why are you preparing for the CAT? If your heart is not in it, reconsider the investment of time and effort. Try to combine Business and Design. A two-year Master’s in Fashion Management or Business of Fashion is specifically designed for individuals who want to work on the business side of the fashion and lifestyle industry. While the National Institute of Fashion Technology offers a Master of Fashion Management, Symbiosis Institute of Design (SID), JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Amity School of Fashion Technology, Pearl Academy, MIT Institute of Design, Pune, offer varied courses in Fashion Business. You could also consider an MBA in Entrepreneurship or Marketing or Operations or a PGD in Entrepreneurship or Start-up Management.

Work on developing practical design skills. Look for short-term courses in specific design areas that interest you from credible institutions. Apprentice or intern at a design house for hands-on learning, industry exposure and networking opportunities. Create a portfolio of design ideas, sketches, mood boards, or even small prototypes.

I am in my first year of MBA. If I opt for Finance as a specialisation, what kind of certificate courses should I be looking at? Nikesh

Dear Nikesh,

Certifications often depend on the specific area of finance that you wish to enter such as investment banking, corporate finance, wealth management, risk management, fintech, and so on. Work on enhancing your foundational skills first. Next, identify and align with your career goals. This will help shortlist courses that will benefit you long term. Also, identify the time you can commit as some courses are rigorous. Identify what they cost. Shortlist courses that involve hands-on projects, case studies, and practical application, and speak to your mentors at college for their assessment of your skills before you sign up.

Longer-term global certifications such as CFA, FRM, CFP and CMA require significant dedication. Other short-term certifications include Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst (FMVA), Investment Banking Certificate (CIB), and Data Analytics for Finance or Financial Analytics. Also, research emerging future-oriented certifications such as Fintech and Blockchain, Environmental, Social, and Governance or Sustainable Finance.

My daughter is in class 12 (Commerce stream) with Accountancy, Economics, Basic Maths and Business Studies. She is interested in careers such as investment banking and financial analysis, but does not want to pursue B.Com, Economics or study for CA exams. What can she opt for in UG? Nanda

Dear Nanda,

While B.Com and Economics are traditional routes, she can consider a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with specialisation in Finance or Financial Services or Banking, Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) or Bachelor of Business Economics (BBE) or Bachelor of Financial Investment Analysis (BFIA), BBA in FinTech (Financial Technology).

Most of these, especially at top universities, require specific entrance exams. So, ask her to identify what she would like to explore and then research the colleges and the universities of her choice and start applying.