Feeling Stuck at 24: Can I Build a Career Without a Degree Amid Academic Struggles?

After completing my 12th, I pursued a B.Tech degree. I achieved a score of 70% in both my 10th and 12th grades. However, during my 2nd year, I faced challenges and ended up failing in all 5 subjects, leading to a Year Back. I retook the subjects as a Re-Student and successfully cleared them. Unfortunately, in my 3rd year, I encountered the same situation with backlogs in all 5 subjects. Once again, I re-enrolled as an Ex-Student. Currently, my results remain undisclosed, and I am uncertain if they will be released. A similar experience occurred to a friend of mine; her results were pending for the same semester, and she also had to address backlogs in 4 subjects, ultimately resulting in her departure from UPTU.

At this juncture, I find myself at a loss. Financial constraints prevent me from furthering my studies, and with my 24th birthday approaching, I am still not a graduate. While my current role as an HR trainee at a recruitment firm does not necessitate a degree, I fear that in the future, a lack of graduation certification will hinder my career progression if I seek new opportunities.

I feel overwhelmed by a sense of despair, besieged by negative thoughts. The uncertainty of my academic situation weighs heavily on me, and I am in urgent need of guidance and support. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

You have identified the setbacks and what you need to work upon. That's your first win! Congratulations! 

Your situation is gloomy, hence you are bound to feel down and out. Here's my advice:

- Before you judge yourself further, think about those who are equally lost and don't even know what's bothering them!
- Give yourself time. Graduation is a step that will happen to you. You are blessed to have a job and a boss who is supportive. Build your professional competencies.
- Working as an HR is a dream for many; look, you already got it! Now plan one step at a time.
- Groom your management skills from your current job.
- Aim for the technical skills in the long term.
- Train and teach yourself, and then try teaching someone. It doesn't matter what level you teach. It will boost your confidence beyond your imagination. You need to build on that, so plan for it.
- Once you are considerably more confident, plan for your degree. Take accurate guidance for each paper at a time and clear it.
- The industry doesn't just need young people with a degree. It needs trained professionals with strong work ethics. Do you realize this is exactly what your situations are building you for?

There is no end date to strike gold. So go for it! We are confident you will surpass what you are estimating for yourself now!

Regards,
Cite Contribution

I agree with the inputs from (Cite Contribution) and S. Bhaskar. A life without any adversity or challenges is meaningless and dull. A person faces testing times to the extent of their abilities, and overcoming such drawbacks brings out the best in a person and helps them grow. Despair and sorrow will only chain you harder to this miserable state of life. Now that you have been able to identify the impediments, start working on them. Take it as a commitment towards yourself and others for whom you can be of service or help. As you keep working at it, you'll discover yourself and your abilities growing to the extent that sooner (and not later) you'll overcome the setbacks in your life and find yourself emerging as a much stronger person.

I am confident that soon you'll be a source of inspiration, strength, and guidance to others who find themselves in a similar situation.

Warm regards.

Tell a person who was born without problems, we have to bravely encounter all the humps/hurdles which are on our way. If you start worrying about the past, you will suffer from insomnia (as you said). Graduation is a certificate of your academic qualification. Not obtaining a certificate does not mean your career is doomed. Failure is the pathway to success. If you study history, you will find that all stories of success are also stories of great failures. But people don't see the failures. Don't lose heart. All the best.

Regards,
pon

Reflections on Challenges and Opportunities

At the outset, let me apologize for the long message. I usually ask questions and do not give advice. However, I am making an exception in this case.

People have given good advice. For example, how true is what (Cite Contribution) says. It's all due to our skewed perceptions. I have seen posts in the past about the difference between a pessimist and an optimist: Is the cup half full or half empty? Kindly see "Is Your Cup Half Full or Half Empty?" - Robert J. Parsons (link updated to site home) (Search On Cite | Search On Google) from where I have taken the following extract. It has more examples too. Please do not be put off by the fact that it is a religious site.

"So how are we looking at our cup? How do we react to our life's challenges? I once heard a parable about a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule braying and, after a careful assessment of the situation, decided that neither the well nor the mule were worth saving. He enlisted his neighbors to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery. Initially, the old mule was hysterical. But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, he would shake it off and step up. This he did, blow after blow: shake off the dirt and step up, shake it off and step up, shake it off and step up. It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped over the wall and out of the well. If we face our challenges and problems in the same way and respond to them in a positive way, we, too, can realize the benefit of our choice to see the cup as half full."

No doubt a degree gives one an edge for entering employment. Then it is what we do once in that determines if we progress or not.

Let me ask Cite.hr.here a couple of questions. The mere fact that you got 70% in 10th and 12th shows that you are academically sound. Did you want to study engineering, or were you forced/influenced by what your parents wanted or your peers did? I had a friend who wanted to study arts but due to parental pressure, he went to study BSc and could not complete it even after 12 attempts years ago. However, he joined Kirlosker Electric as a quality inspector and had a happy married life with 2 kids.

Those who think a degree is a must for success please see "EduVARTA: Using SMS to educate rural youth!" - Rediff.com Business. There are many examples such as this if we search the web, where people without qualification or money have, by their sheer determination, succeeded.

Unlike 50 years ago when I graduated, now we have part-time evening and weekend courses and even distance learning facilities, which you can make use of and get a qualification.

If the above message is not motivating, kindly see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OULo1cWEdvA and see if that gives you the motivation to succeed. Also, see and listen to Swami Anubhavananda's discourses on being Happy at http://www.google.co.uk/#q=swami+anu...b2363fffcc0d23.

His talks were quite inspiring for me.

Wish you all the best.

Regards, Simhan A retired academic in the UK

Do Not Keep Brooding! It is always good to have a graduation degree, and you can plan to do graduation through correspondence from IGNOU.

We all fail at some point or the other, but what matters is your will to strike back! Get up, wipe the dust off, and start running. However, make sure you have absolute clarity of the directions!

Remember, it is not the life that matters but the courage you bring to it!

Good Luck,
Anil

As well said by other members, you should not give up in a situation. Life is not a bed of roses; one has to pass the hurdles in life. Never get disheartened!

Talking about your situation, your exam results are yet to be out, so be optimistic about it. You would do well. All the best!

Regards,
Neelam

Bro, first thing... No one here is totally dependent on graduation certificates (believe me, you can get them by throwing some money at brokers). Secondly, nowadays, many companies are looking for people who are undergraduates. Thirdly, companies mainly look for talent in candidates, not just certificates, etc. So, don't overreact to your situation and avoid falling into depression.

All the best for your future.

I can understand your situation! Working with a recruitment firm is not your final goal. Moreover, after a few years, you will feel like going deeper into HR. I would suggest some points below:

1. Don't lose hope; have self-belief.

2. Don't worry too much as you have already entered into recruitment, which is the first step to HR. So, sleep tight.

3. Do you have your last semester mark sheet? If yes, that will also suffice to at least get into a company. If your work is remarkable, no company will fire you just for the sake of your credentials.

4. Go to the bookstore and buy a very good HR-related book. Study deeply and become a master so that at the time of the interview, you can have ample theoretical HR knowledge to convince the interviewer.

5. Read CITE HR every day. Here, you will find live case studies, formats, and everything related to HR.

6. Have very deep knowledge of MS Excel, especially VLOOKUP and PIVOT TABLE.

I'm sure that if you follow all these points, you will reach a level of satisfaction and receive a good response from HR.

First and foremost, on behalf of the CiteHR team, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU IN ADVANCE!" Secondly, God has blessed you with a job already, even before you could complete your graduation.

As (Cite Contribution) has already mentioned, becoming an HR professional and entering that particular field is a dream for many. Human Resource Management is an ongoing process with a wide scope as it involves managing people who, in turn, manage the machines.

You have a great opportunity in this field. Therefore, I urge you to stop worrying solely about your graduation and focus on other things that lie ahead. My suggestion to you is to consider taking up an advanced course in HRM to pave your way towards the future.

Be Positive, Think Positive 

You are a wonderful lady, and I am confident that you can excel. Please understand that not all successful individuals need to be at the top of their class. Each person has a unique talent bestowed upon them by God, so make use of yours and overcome any negative mindset.

Everyone is unique, and I can assure you that no one is like YOU, and there will never be another YOU in this world. Therefore, do not dwell on your friend who may have faced a similar situation to yours. At least you have taken the initiative to seek help, showing a POSITIVE ATTITUDE.

Never Give Up, Girl!

I am certain you are going to shine!

Best and Happy Regards,

Maria J 

Solutions According to Me

1. You can take small courses that are not very costly and can help you get a job even if you are not a graduate, such as fashion design, beauty parlor, event management, photography, etc.

2. You can start your own business that requires less capital, such as a homemade tiffin service, child daycare center, etc. After earning some money, you can complete your education if you want to pursue a career as an engineer.

3. Continuously motivate yourself; even if you are not a graduate, you are not uneducated.

Warm regards,
Shraddha HR-Mumbai

Congratulations on Your New Role

Congratulations on securing a job as an HR Trainee in a Recruitment Firm. Focus on developing your HR skills and leave behind your Engineering background to work happily. You will need a BA and MBA in HR, which you can pursue while keeping your current job. This process may take 5 to 6 years. By the age of 30, with 6 years of job experience, you can explore good opportunities in the HR field beyond recruitment.

Professional Development Opportunities

Consider participating in professional bodies such as NIPM, NHRDN, and ISTD, which offer reputable courses beneficial for a career in HR. Any average student with a positive attitude can achieve the milestones I have mentioned. Wishing you the best of luck.

Regards,
Er Prafulla K Acharya, Ph.D. in HRD & Mgt (IIT-Kgp), Retired Director & Chief Consultant of the National Productivity Council of India.
Email: [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons], [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons].

As you know your limitations and capabilities, it is time to implement actions to overcome those limitations. You need to analyze yourself to find out the reasons for unsuccessful attempts. I will not say failures, as trying matters more. Simply do what you want to do; don't think about attempts. Keep trying, and you will get what you want.

Regards,
Vishveswar

As Mr. Sethupathy said, if you are fed up with engineering studies, just wash it off and start with some other fascinating studies.

I have 5 years of experience in HR recruitment, specifically in a consultancy. Recently, I got an opportunity as an HR Generalist in an MNC. I am also 24 years old now. When I started my career, I was in my 2nd year of B.Com. I completed my 1st year in college, but due to financial constraints, I discontinued and completed my 2nd and 3rd years through correspondence. I managed all expenses by doing part-time jobs. My day would start at 5 AM with tutoring for 10th and 12th standard students, followed by a data entry job, college, coaching classes for myself, and then more tutoring in the evenings. I would reach home by 10:30 PM. I also worked as a part-time Front Office Executive, earning a salary of 1025 per month. I then seized an opportunity in a consultancy to work as an HR recruiter, the same consultancy that placed me as a front office executive. Now, even without an MBA, I hold a good position in a reputable company with a salary of 18KPM. Experience and confidence truly matter. If you lack confidence in completing your engineering degree, consider switching to an MBA or any postgraduate course related to HR, especially since you are an HR Trainee now. Pursue an undergraduate degree through correspondence while keeping your current job.

Based on my experience, education is crucial. Regardless of your skills, having basic qualifications is essential. I have encountered many candidates like you. I recommend pursuing an undergraduate degree in any specialization like BA, B.Com, or BBA. However, in B.Com and BBA, you will encounter accounts, which can be challenging if you lack the basics. If you excel in theory, opt for BA. Subsequently, pursue a postgraduate degree or PG Diploma in HR Specialization from a reputable university. This journey will take at least 5 years to complete your undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Alternatively, if you have an interest in computers, consider pursuing CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Administrator) or MCSE (Microsoft Certified System Engineer). These certifications can be completed in a few months but are relatively expensive. However, they significantly enhance your employability in good companies with decent pay. I am not well-versed in computers, but if you are interested, I can gather more information and provide details.

Maintain your confidence. Each person possesses the talent to achieve something significant; identify yours and harness it. Wishing you all the success.

Regards,
Supraja

Thank you, Supraja, and other fellow members for giving tremendous suggestions and advice to Mr. Stephen. I hope he has received enough advice, suggestions, and confidence. Stay positive, think positively, and never lose your confidence. Let me share my experience with you. I failed in 12th grade, and that too in two major subjects. However, I never lost my confidence. I retook the exams the following month, in June, and cleared two papers. I then pursued BBA and later an MBA, where I graduated with distinction. Now, I am working as a Senior HR Executive in a reputed firm. Stephen, I understand your situation, so there is no need to worry. Confidence is a vital aspect of life for everyone. Never lose your confidence. Work on developing your communication skills and let us know your areas of interest so that we can provide more suggestions.

Everyone has interests in specific areas. What are yours?

Feel free to send an email at any time. My email address is [Email Removed For Privacy Reasons].

Regards,

I am sorry for the problem you are facing. If you have scored 70% or more in your 10th and 12th grades, it indicates that you are a good student. Tell me one thing: are only people who study B.Tech qualified, and no other qualification is good enough to get a job? Why don't you explore some good opportunities in other streams and consider private courses while working in another field like B.Sc, B.Com, BBA, etc.? If you feel you have wasted a lot of time in B.Tech, then just get over it and pursue something else. I have many friends who did that and are working well now. You already have experience; all you need is a degree. Go for IGNOU and complete your education through part-time or correspondence courses. But don't ever give up your hopes. Just get a degree and then switch over your job. There is no problem that has no solution.

All the best...!!!

Guidance for Career Path Without Graduation

Dear 23,

Be always positive and analyze yourself. Consider conducting a SWOT analysis:

- **S** - Strengths
- **W** - Weaknesses
- **O** - Opportunities
- **T** - Threats

Think carefully; your intuition will guide you toward the right path. Make a thoughtful decision: pursue a job or start your own business based on your financial situation. Remember, self-confidence is your greatest asset.

All the Best.

Thank you all for motivating me. I did not expect such an overwhelming response here. These stories have really motivated me, and I have tears in my eyes now.

As I said, I'm a 23-year-old female, so I can't give another 5 years to my studies. As all of you must know, how important it is for a girl in India to complete her studies on time. So please, if any of you could suggest a university or college from where I can just get a degree while continuing my job.

Also, I heard that IGNOU is difficult to pass. So please suggest any other open university apart from that.

Can I do a 1 or 2-year diploma from an open university? Will that be enough to get me a job in the future? Or is graduation necessary?

The Value of a Degree vs. a Diploma

I don't think a 1- or 2-year diploma is equal to graduation. In some companies, graduation is considered as 10+2+3 (UG/Diploma). However, pursuing a degree is more valuable than completing a 3-year diploma course. No matter what position you hold, all companies typically prefer degree holders. The reason behind this preference is that, envision after 5 or 10 years, if you are in a managerial role in your current company, consider your subordinates. Most of them are likely to be postgraduates as the younger generation today tends to prioritize postgraduate qualifications before employment.

I acknowledge that there are a few individuals who have achieved success in life without being graduates, but it is important to note that these instances are rare. If you happen to be among them, that's great. However, if you are not, it's crucial to recognize that successful individuals without a degree are the exception rather than the rule. Taking risks in life, especially during this valuable time that will not come back, is not advisable. Pursuing a degree is the safer choice. You may consider universities like Bharathithasan University, Annamalai University, or Bharathiyar University.

Please do not interpret my words as demotivation. For instance, my uncle is an accounting expert with 20 years of experience. He can solve any problem swiftly and is adept at auditing. Despite his skills, due to the lack of a degree, he remains in a senior executive position with a CTC of 20K.

Do not take chances. My advice to you is to pursue graduation. The decision ultimately rests with you.

I failed in graduation 3rd year. My parents, my friends, everyone sees me with angry eyes. I am very upset. I read articles by famous personalities for motivation. But I cannot overcome the negative environment that is against me. My hopes are declining. Now, my parents want me to enroll in the same college where I failed. How can I face up to my teachers? Please help me. Please...

Choice and Growth

It's good that you are upset—you should be. Learn something from this and work hard at getting better at whatever you are good at. If the environment is what's holding you back, consider getting out of it.

I could tell you how many times I've failed, but that doesn't really matter. We are all different, and things work out differently for each of us. The problem always comes down to one thing—choice. You now have to choose what you are going to do about this and work to make things better.

CHR has given you some sound advice based on limited information about your course. Please provide more information about how you performed in your studies before joining the degree course, what subjects interest you, your aspirations in life, and your financial circumstances. Also, kindly inform us if you have analyzed the reasons for your previous academic setbacks.

Let me provide a couple of examples. One of my friends did not complete his degree at all. He, like most of us of that generation, was compelled to pursue a BSc degree with the hope of transitioning to engineering or medicine, fields that offered the most opportunities. However, my friend's strengths lay in the arts subjects. Consequently, he faced failures in the final exams, failing in subjects like Maths in one attempt, Physics in another, and so forth. Fortunately, he managed to secure a job as an inspector in a company.

I am familiar with more cases like these. In another instance, a student failed his exams due to excessive anxiety during the examination period. He sought help from a psychologist who assisted him in managing his nerves before the exams, ultimately enabling him to pass with flying colors.

Please feel free to share more details so that we can offer you more tailored advice.

Your post has unearthed a gold mine from the archives of Cite HR. I came across this long, lovely compendium thanks to your reviving the post. Times may change, but not our positive attitude. If you read all the previous posts in this thread, I am sure you will feel positive and energetic. After all, more often than not, one does not get it right in the first instance or, for that matter, in many trials. DO NOT GIVE UP. Attempt differently. The same environment which you feel is mocking you will start praising you. Everything is in your hands. Start believing in yourself.

Failure is the chance given to you to begin all over again. This time, the task will be done wisely because of the lessons learned in failure. A couple of popular messages for a pep-up:

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is real: Work on it." There is no substitute for work, and nothing beats hard work. Make sure that 'Attitude' always remains positive to be the driving force.

Now the second motivator:

"Past brings tears. Thought of the future brings jitters. Present is pleasant." How to make the present pleasant lies in your attitude and work. Cheer up and good luck.

Regards, V. Raghunathan

Dear Anand,

It is not inappropriate to mention here that the good things, the motivating factors, guiding threads, and other informative sharings are always recognized and remembered by everyone. As said by Simhan Sir, if one starts analyzing the reasons for failure and works towards success, then no one can stop their development. Hence, find out your strengths and try to improve yourself.

Wishing you all the success.