The statistics of job placements of the premier institution, like IIT Bombay, have been surprising, with the alarming situation this year. Only ~ 74.5% of bright candidates were able to get the job roles through the campus placements. IIT Bombay, which is considered the crown of engineering colleges, faced the harsh reality, unfurling the fact that only academic excellence no longer guarantees the best placements. With a highly dynamic job market and rapidly changing industry trends, the nearly stagnant and traditional education system is creating a huge trench of career misalignment, which needs to be taken care of. At Swayamrise, we strongly believe that degrees alone are not the key to opening the door to a successful career.
Let’s consider some more number games-
In 2024, over 2.4 million students appeared for NEET, for 1,00,000 MBBS seats, with a success ratio of mere 4.1%. For 16000 seats in IITs, approximately 1.2 million students registered for the JEE Main examination, with a success rate of 1.3%.
These numbers are the eye opener for those millions of students who are blindly chasing the path where only a fraction will achieve success, and the outcomes are surprisingly uncertain. Engineering, Medicine, and Law are immensely traveled roads by the students of India without ever considering their significant relevance in 2025. And the extreme pressure created by these highly selective exams is another story to be discovered.
Global shift of Job markets- High time to rethink traditional careers
Unlike earlier decades, talent now competes globally. Local job markets are no longer isolated islands — they’re part of a global network. For instance, many Indian engineering grads now work for U.S. tech firms remotely or through subsidiaries. Globalization has dismantled trade barriers, digital transformation has redefined industries, and automation has reshaped job roles. Most in-demand careers nowadays are interdisciplinary, dynamic, and global.
They demand creativity, adaptability, and continuous learning—traits often overlooked in traditional education systems. The market rewards those who are critical thinkers and solve real problems, not just those who score high marks. Companies are no longer looking for just subject matter experts. They seek individuals with a diverse skill set, a combination of deep technical knowledge and broad, complementary skills. The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) “Future of Jobs Report 2023” highlights this shift, predicting that by 2025, roles will emerge that are more adapted to a new division of labor between humans, machines, and algorithms.
Let’s shed some light on the promising and fastest-growing areas for career evolution in 2025-
AI / ML Specialist
With automation transforming industries, AI specialists are in high demand. From healthcare diagnostics to financial modeling, AI is everywhere. Roles like Big Data Specialists, AI and Machine Learning Specialists, and FinTech Engineers are projected to see immense growth.
Skills Needed: Python, ML algorithms, data modelling
Green Jobs
With a global focus on sustainability and climate change mitigation, careers in renewable energy, environmental engineering, and sustainable urban planning are set to skyrocket. Governments and corporations are investing in green technologies and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance.
Skills Needed: Environmental science, policy analysis, renewable energy tech
Big Data / Analytics Architect
They manage huge amounts of data and turn it into useful insights. Businesses rely on data to make smart decisions, so experts who can organize and analyze it are in high demand.
Skills Needed: Smart contracts, distributed systems
Fintech Engineer / Crypto / Blockchain Architect
Fintech engineers build smart banking apps, payment systems, and digital wallets. As money goes digital, companies need tech-savvy minds to make finance faster and safer. This career blends coding with financial knowledge.
Skills Needed: API integration, financial modeling
Cybersecurity Analyst
With rising digital threats, cybersecurity is no longer optional. Every organization needs experts to protect data and infrastructure.
Skills Needed: Ethical hacking, network security, risk management
Metaverse / AR / VR Experience Designer
They create virtual worlds and immersive experiences using Augmented and Virtual Reality. From gaming to online shopping, brands now want 3D environments that feel real—making this a hot creative-tech career. A bridge between design, 3D engineering, and storytelling.
Skills Needed: 3D modeling, immersive UX
Digital Commerce
The e-commerce boom has created a demand for roles like UI/UX Designers, Digital Marketing Specialists, and E-commerce Managers. These careers blend creativity with technical know-how.
Skills Needed: SEO, analytics, storytelling, branding
UX/UI Design
As tech products become more user-centric, designers who understand human behaviour and interface design are crucial.
Skills Needed: Design thinking, Figma, Adobe XD
Healthcare
Beyond the traditional doctor’s role, the healthcare sector is seeing a rise in demand for Nursing Professionals and Personal Care Workers, driven by an aging global population. Roles like Digital Health Specialist, Health Informatics, Telemedicine Engineer, combining medicine, data, and remote systems, are the new healthcare trends.
Skills Needed: Bioinformatics, digital diagnostics
These aren’t just “cool job roles” – many have significant hiring demand, higher pay, and global scope.
Success Stories Beyond the Conventional
Uncertainty creeps naturally into the mind while considering such unconventional roles as your career destination, where you want to reach with utter success. Let’s look up to some of the trailblazers who defied convention with their passion and perseverance, and the everlasting courage to follow the path mostly untravelled.
Prajakta Koli (MostlySane)
A mass media graduate, Prajakta built a YouTube channel that now boasts millions of subscribers. Her influence earned her a spot as a UN ambassador and a Netflix acting debut.
Vinisha Umashankar
At just 14, Vinisha invented a solar-powered ironing cart to reduce carbon emissions. Her innovation was showcased at COP26, and she’s now a global voice for climate action.
Nikhil Kamath
cofounder of Zerodha: a fintech entrepreneur who broke away from conventional financial career tracks.
Garvita Gulhati
engineer + social entrepreneur applying tech to water conservation, now also in investment and social sectors.
These individuals didn’t follow the crowd — they forged their own paths. At Swayamrise, we share these stories to motivate students to go beyond textbooks and pursue careers that match their strengths and passions.
What’s lacking?
It’s high time to ponder the facts that keep students lacking and discourage them from looking beyond the flock mentality. The problem isn’t just competition, it’s misalignment. Things are falling short for various reasons. Usually, the curriculum taught in educational institutions is so outdated that it creates a massive mismatch with the current market demands. Rote learning is focused more on critical thinking and problem-solving. Unawareness about new trending job roles, skills requirements, and their success ratio among students and parents is a major factor contributing to this misalignment. Parents still push kids for IITs and AIIMS, often ignoring the child’s interests, weighing prestige over passion. Students don’t get enough exposure to the current industry trends as they rarely interact with professionals from emerging fields. Some industries still emphasize brand-name degrees over demonstrated skill, which biases students toward traditional paths.
At Swayamrise, we believe students must be exposed early to industry trends and alternative career paths.
Staying Ahead in a Rapidly Changing Career Landscape
Here’s the roadmap we advocate at Swayamrise, to grab a future-proof career.
- Cultivate a “Growth Mindset”: The most important skill in today’s world is the ability to continuously learn. The WEF report found that almost 50% of all workers will need reskilling by 2025. Embrace the idea that learning is a lifelong journey, not a destination.
- Embrace inter-disciplinary Learning: Don’t limit yourself to one field. A student of computer science should explore design thinking, a commerce student should learn about data analytics, and an arts student should understand digital media. The most innovative solutions come from the intersection of different disciplines.
- Leverage Digital Platforms: The internet is a goldmine of information. Follow industry leaders, join professional groups on LinkedIn, subscribe to newsletters, and take online courses on platforms like Coursera and edX to keep your skills sharp.
- Network, Network, Network: Build relationships with professionals in your field and in emerging areas of interest. Attending virtual or in-person conferences and webinars can give you invaluable insights and open doors to new opportunities.
Project-based learning/internships / freelancing early
Even in school, students can attempt small industry-relevant projects. Freelancing or internships help test reality, give exposure, and refine direction.
Monitor job portals & real job descriptions
Explore current job roles and read not just titles but required skills for that role as well, which can give you a sneak peek at the required upgradation.
Follow authoritative sources and reports
Keep track of the trends by visiting relevant sources and research reports, for instance- WEF’s Future of Jobs series, McKinsey, BCG, Gartner, Deloitte reports on tech & industry trends, Research journals in AI, energy, and sustainability.
In a world where change is the only constant, the traditional “follow the flock” mentality is an outdated and risky strategy. The careers of tomorrow are not pre-defined; they are waiting to be created. It’s time to move from a mindset of competition to one of creation, and to build a future that is not just secure but also truly fulfilling.
So if you’re planning for your career, ask yourself
- Is this your dream or someone else’s expectation?
- Are you passionate about this field, or just following the crowd?
- Do you know what other careers exist beyond engineering, medicine, and law?
At Swayamrise, we encourage students to explore interest-based careers over impression-based careers. The future belongs to those who are curious, adaptive, and ready to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Whether it’s building a startup, designing virtual worlds, or solving climate challenges—there’s room for everyone.