Grappling with uncertainty
As the U.K. enters recession, Indian students in the country face challenges in finding jobs and deal with financial strain
xams are not confined to educational institutions but are also used in other areas to evaluate talent for employment or elevation. In this context, the cancellation of two exams held in Uttar Pradesh in February is disturbing. The police recruitment exam taken by over 43 lakh candidates was held across 2,385 centres across 75 districts and had a mere 0.014 probability of success. The State Public Service Exam for the post of Review Officers had over 10 lakh candidates and was held across 2,000 centres in 58 districts.
There are two aspects of concern. One is the mental stress and anxiety of the candidates who would have not only worked to prepare but would have had to deal with the logistics and expenses to take the exam. Second is the reason for cancellation: leaking of the question papers. There is talk of coaching centres, individuals and candidates being involved in this.
EIn the past
The issue of question paper leakages has been a vexing problem in education. Just take a look at the following examples: January 2024, Rajasthan Teacher Recruitment Exam; April 2023, a teacher leaked a Class 10 exam paper in Telangana; 2020, four government employees were arrested with regard to a recruitment exam for junior engineers in Rajasthan; 2003, the CAT exam paper was leaked; he U.K.’s economy has officially entered recession, as its GDP contracted by 0.3 % in the fourth quarter 2023. According to reports from Reuters, the recession is the longest run without growth on record as GDP per person shrinks. This has left international students from India worried about their future in the face of economic turmoil. Many have expressed their fear of exhausting their poststudy work visa without getting a job.
TJob crisis
Vaishnavi Jawalkar, a student of Media Management from the University of Stirling, says she is worried about her future and is struggling to find a parttime job, let alone a fulltime one. “The U.K. government and the universities made every effort to invite international students to pursue worldclass education but have failed to abide by their initial promise of helping students get a job. Taking a loan of nearly ₹25 lakhs has compelled me to compromise on my career and rely on parttime jobs for daily expenses,” she says. “When I arrived in the U.K., nearly 34 renowned universities across
CM1997, the IITJEE question paper was leaked in some centres, including Tirupati.
Today with exams being conducted both offline and online, the question paper may be a printed one or an electronic one.
In the first case, the issue of security begins at the press. The printer should be selected on the basis of reputation rather than the “lowest quote”. A representative of the examining organisation should be physically present during printing, packaging and despatch of the papers.
The packets should be received by the superintending officer of each centre who should store them securely until the exam. Anna University, Chennai, had adopted this procedure for the country launched a strike due to issues related to pay and working conditions. Our academics, which we considered our priority, suffered.”
Usually students complete their dissertation in August– September and work parttime until they receive their graduation certificates, when they start looking for fulltime work. Nikita Shibhate, a student in a Londonbased university, points out, “It isn’t practically possible for us to visit India from September to January and then return to apply for poststudy work visas. There is no clarity on what needs to be done after submitting our dissertation. After carefully reviewing the situation, I have decided to return to India and drop my plan to work in the U.K, as the cost of living is rising.” She also mentions that many scamsters are using the students’ desperation to find a job to cheat them of money.
Other aspects
its entrance exams, including the Tamil Nadu Professional Courses Entrance Exams, without a problem.
On the other hand, when the question paper is sent to the exam centre to be printed, the email should be encrypted and the password made available only to the designated authority.
Online mode
When it comes to online exams, in many cases, the paper may differ from candidate to candidate. However, technical glitches can affect the conduct of the exam and also have an impact on the question paper security.
This is what happened in the first edition of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) in 2022 and the
Ashutosh Ghorpade, a student from Cardiff University, raises another aspect of the problems students are facing Students are charged for healthcare facilities “but many international students go back to India to seek medical treatexams had to be postponed in many centres
In 2018, technical snags of a large magnitude occurred in the online exam conducted by the Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates. The authorities immediately switched over to offline mode in the affected institutions and got over the difficulty with only 30 minutes delay. Such measures can be adopted by allowing for adequate manpower and basic materials such as a master copy of the question paper kept ready to create the required number of hard copies in convenient nodal centres. ment because in order to get a medical appointment in the NHSrun hospitals, we have to wait for six months, suggesting a collapse of the U.K.’s health industry.”
Saumitra Kokane, another student from the same university, says that international students are not give a comprehensive understanding of the U.K.’s job market. “Our job application is rejected even before it is considered for a screening round. Recession has just made things worse in a job market where international students are already struggling to find a place.”
Reports also suggest that a section of students who have got a job have scrapped the idea of accepting sponsorship, due to the rising cost of living and increasing work pressure. Mihica Bakre, who has been working for two years, isn’t keen to extend her visa through sponsorship. “There are multiple things I may miss in India but taking decisions by considering the future of the U.K. is crucial. The job insecurity is constantly hovering around international residents.”
Dear Natasha,
You are not too old to study further. But ensure that doing an MBA aligns with your longterm goals and objectives. Identify your specialisation, as it will contribute to your professional development. Your work experience will offer a practical advantage. The CAT is a tough exam, so, develop a study plan and consider joining a coaching centre or an online training programme that will give you the discipline and time management skills you need.
I am currently pursuing a degree in Economics. How can I get a related job in the U.K.? Aparna
Dear Aparna,
Do well in your current course and cover key and relevant areas such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics. Apply for a Master’s programme in the U.K. based on your career goals, as many positions require a Master’s or Ph.D. Stay updated and informed about the current trends, policies, and industry developments. Specific job requirements will vary and so you might need to tweak your application and resume to highlight relevant skills and experiences. Work on developing your quantitative and analytical skills and proficiency in statistical software like Stata, R, or Python; gain practical experience through internships and summer jobs; and join professional associations to network and meet professionals. Attend career fairs, conferences, seminars and company presentations to learn about job openings. Explore portals like Indeed, LinkedIn, and industryspecific websites to find jobs. Build an online presence to showcase your education, skills and experience.
I completed B.Sc. Industrial Microbiology and Biochemistry in 2023. I wish to pursue M.Sc.Psychology. Is this possible? Hisana
Dear Hisana,
In India, the eligibility criteria for M.Sc. Psychology is an undergraduate degree in Psychology. But many universities also accept students from diverse undergraduate Science backgrounds. So check the admission criteria and specific requirement of the institutions you are interested in. While it possible to pursue a Master’s in Psychology abroad even if your undergraduate degree is in a different field, you may need to fulfil certain prerequisites by taking additional classes or credits to meet the requirements. Some universities offer preMaster’s programmes or postBaccalaureate courses to help students bridge this gap and complete this mandatory requirements. Check the college website for admission requirements and start a discussion with the academic counsellor to understand their process. You might also need a GRE score, letters of recommendation (LORs) from professors or professionals about your abilities and academic potential in the field of psychology and a compelling statement of purpose (SOP) that outlines your motivation to do a Master’s in the field. Highlight all relevant experiences, such as internships, research projects, or work experiences that demonstrate your interest in and commitment to the field.
I am 21 years old and in the final year of B.A. English through IGNOU. While I want to do my PG, I am unable to do so due to my financial situation. What are the possible options for a job? Sabith
Dear Sabith,
Financial difficulties can be a challenge. However, there are various job options available. Your skills in communication, critical thinking, and writing are valuable in several fields. Here are some potential options that may not be directly related to your field of study but can serve as a stepping stone to gaining work experience and financial stability. Explore opportunities and study further when your financial situation improves. You can be: a content writer, creator or editor in websites, blogs, and marketing materials; a copywriter in advertising agencies and marketing firms for advertisements, promotional materials, and campaigns; a social media manager to manage the online presence of organisations and companies; a customer service representative at a call centre, addressing inquiries and concerns; or a freelance writer on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Other options include teaching, tutoring, working as administrative assistant, a data entry operator, digital marketing assistant or sales and marketing assistant
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