Dear Aspirant,

I can understand that being an IIT graduate and not having a job for a year is painful.

It is late that you have realised that technology is not your preferred career choice inspite of being an IITian. If you could have realised this before joining IIT, you would not have wasted your seat and also some other person would have got your seat in the IIT.

In just 20 months you decided that there are no growth opportunities in the job? Surprising! I think you are expecting fast results and fast career growth.

I suggest you to do BI or Business Analytics course to get into Analytics. Doing MBA from Top 10 BSchools should not be difficult for you and you can then get into finance career.

Best wishes

Hi rahul,

I think its too early for you to decide there is a lack of opportunity in the IT world.

And secondly, being a computerized world, an IIT professional saying there is lack of opportunity does not sound good.

Here I would recommend you to firstly, get yourself updated with the latest in the tech world and not just shift professions.

Since you are not from the financial background, you would have to start from the base. Taking up an Analyst position, would not be that easy for you.

As far as getting into Finance is concerned, the only option you currently have is pursuing an MBA in Finance from top B-Schools.

Wish you good luck.........

Thanks Anand for your time. Firstly, my bad that I wasn't clear with my question. I was talking about growth in my job in that particular company and more specifically particular vertical of my ex-company, and not in IT in general. I know there are lots of other IITians working in IT and doing great.

As far as career choice is concerned, IT is not a big NO for me but just not my first choice. I don't think IITs are meant to work in IT exclusively so jumping to the conclusion that one precious IIT seat has got wasted would be a bit over the board. Plus, not every IITian has CS as major which means IITian with non-CS major but working in IT has wasted one seat and killed the dreams of other aspirants for that particular major ?!

Secondly, after working in IT I feel I will be more content if I work in Finance or BA. Thats why I was trying to break into those fields.

And lastly, thanks a lot for your suggestion, but since I am not from BA field, can you please suggest me some of the courses while I research further on my own.

Thanks again !!

Hi Meghna, thanks for your suggestion. I guess I should have been bit more articulative with my thoughts and question. I never meant there are lack of opportunities in IT. IT is one of the most lucrative career choice per se.

As far as my background in finance is concerned, I do have few very basic certs in finance and banking. They are not a huge addition but yeah i do know bit of base but still I wont deny you are right in a way.

As per your suggestion, I would def try my level best for MBA. Thanks again !

Dear Rahul,

Thanks for sharing your concerns. Its requires courage and determination to think of changing field.

Well, I appreciate that you are taking professional help to take informed career choice. Pursuing your passion and interest is one important catalyst to be successful in preferred area. Its never late to pursue your dream. I am sure you are aware of the scope of Business Analytic and Finance profession.

Since you have worked in IT industry, you are aware of business analysts' work. Well, I won't talk about scope of the BA and Finance profession here.

As asked, I am suggesting you few courses that may help you.

Courses in Business Analytics:
Advanced Analytics for Management, IIM Ahmedabad
Certificate Programme in Business Analytics - IIM Lucknow
Business Analytics and Intelligence (BAI) - IIM Bangalore
Certificate Programme in Business Analytics - ISB, Hyderabad
PGP in Business Analytics and Big Data - Aegis School of Business
Post Graduate Programme in Business Analytics - Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon
MBA in Business Analytics - BML Munjal University
Analytics Essentials - IIIT, Bangalore

Courses in Finance: Finance courses are divided into three types of courses:
1) Masters course like M.Com/MBA
MCom is preferred when anyone want to make career in academics or after M.Com one can join various nationalized banks, public sector undertakings where they work as Chief Accounts Officer, Accountant, Finance Officer, etc.

MBA is popular course. Any one who would like to make career in Finance service industry, MBA can be a good choice.

2) Statutory courses such as Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant, Company Secretary and Actuary Science.

3) Standard courses like graduation Economics, Statistics, Chartered Alternate Investment Analyst (CAIA), Chartered Financial Analyst, Financial Modeling Investment Banking Programs etc.

Institutes offering Bussiness Analytics and Finance courses:
Indian Institute of Management Kolkata
Institute of Bussiness Analyst Training, Pune
Haryana Engineering College, Jagadhri, Haryana.
Christ University, Bangalore, Karnataka.
Bishop Herber College, Trichy, Tamil Nadu.
Ernakulam Insurance Institute, Ernakulam, Kerala.
The National Insurance Academy, Pune, Maharashtra.
College Of Insurance, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Insurance Training Centre, Kolkata, West Bengal.
College Of Vocational Studies, New Delhi.
Tolami Institute Of Management Studies, Adupur, Gujarat.
Kalyani University, Nadia District, West Bengal.
Institute of Actuaries of India, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
D.S Actuarial Education Services, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Amity School of Insurance and Actuarial Sciences, Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Considering your study and work in the IT industry, transition of the career in Business Analytics would be better than career in finance. Business Analysts has scope in IT industry and you can pursue your interest without changing IT field.

Before you take decision, I would recommend you to take up Ideal Career Test to identify your aptitude, interest and personality traits for ideal career.

Hope this is helping you. If your concerns are not yet addressed, feel free to write back. I would love to have detailed still discussion on this so that you can take informed career choice.

Best Wishes for your career,
Apurva Kumar Pandya, PhD