Hey everyone. I’m in a really deep hole and need some harsh truths and actionable advice on what to do with my life right now.
I’m 23 (turning 24 in a few months) from India. My #1 priority is getting a job to take the financial burden off my parents. My dad works a tough job overseas in the Gulf, and my mom is a teacher. They've sacrificed a lot, and I feel immense pressure to step up and help them.
The problem is my academic background is a complete mess:
- The History: After high school, my parents pushed me into CA (Chartered Accountancy). I had no interest, and it failed miserably. Because of the delay, the only engineering seat left was Electronics and Communication (ECE).
- The Present: I was supposed to graduate in 2025, but I currently have over 15 backlogs. I have absolutely zero interest in ECE. I've completely lost touch with the subjects, and honestly, I am mentally exhausted and burnt out just thinking about writing those exams. Deep down, I don't think I am going to pass them or get this degree.
- Experience: I have zero prior work experience or internships.
What I actually want to do: I have always been much more interested in CS and AI. I am ready to drop the ECE illusion and dedicate myself 100% to becoming an AI/ML engineer. I've started grinding Python and I am working on some projects, like an AI room object-tracking bot using YOLO detection and a smartphone CCTV. I've also done some software dev on the side (built a bus tracking app and working on a sub-metering app for tenants).
I've been searching for good AI/ML courses or bootcamps that actually teach you practical skills and help you land a job at a decent company, but the market is flooded with options and I want to make sure I spend my time and energy in the right place.
My questions for the community:
- The Degree Dilemma: Do I keep torturing myself trying to clear 15+ ECE backlogs, or do I accept the sunk cost, drop it, and focus entirely on building my AI/ML portfolio?
- Job Prospects without a Degree: How realistic is it for a fresher to get an AI/ML role in India right now with a massive backlog history (or no degree at all)? Will my personal projects be enough to get past HR filters?
- Scaler Academy & Bootcamps: Is joining a platform like Scaler Academy worth the money for someone in my exact situation? Do they actually help with placements for people without a clear degree?
- Learning Roadmap: If not a bootcamp, what is the best, most realistic way to learn AI/ML right now? Can someone suggest a solid roadmap that actually leads to a job?
- Alternative Paths: If AI/ML is too gatekept by degrees right now, what is the fastest tech path I can pivot into to start earning a decent salary ASAP?
I know I messed up by floating through a degree I hated, but I am ready to put in the work now. Any brutal honesty or guidance is appreciated.