Ishaan Arora

I've been mentoring students for 5 years now. The biggest mistake I see?

They think getting good grades equals being job-ready. It doesn't. Here's what actually matters -

The gap between what students learn and what companies need is massive. We're teaching theory while employers want people who can actually do the work.

After mentoring hundreds of students, I've realised college isn't making you job-ready - it's just giving you a degree.

Here's What You Should Actually Be Doing in College:

📌Get Your Hands Dirty With Real Work.

Stop waiting for the "perfect opportunity". Start freelancing on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Even small projects teach you more than any textbook. I've seen students who did basic data entry jobs become better at Excel than those who scored an A+ in computer applications.

Take up sales internships – even if you want to work in finance. Sales teaches you communication, rejection handling, and client management. These skills matter everywhere.


📌Work on Live Projects

Join student clubs that work with real companies. Volunteer for NGOs that need financial analysis. Offer to help local businesses with their bookkeeping. Real problems have real constraints and messy data - exactly what you'll face at work.


📌Build Things People Actually Use

Create financial models for actual companies, not textbook examples. Build simple websites. Start a blog. Make YouTube videos explaining concepts. When you create something others use, you learn what works and what doesn't.


📌Learn Skills Your Professors Won't Teach

Master Excel shortcuts until they become muscle memory. Learn basic coding - Python or SQL. Understand how to present data visually. Practice explaining complex things in simple words.
Most importantly, learn how to learn quickly. In the real world, you'll constantly encounter new tools and situations.

📌Network Before You Need It


Don't wait until placement season to start networking. Connect with alumni working in your target companies. Attend industry events. Join professional groups on LinkedIn.

I've seen average students get great jobs through connections, while brilliant students struggled because they only focused on grades.


📌Focus on Problem-Solving, Not Grade-Chasing

Companies don't care if you can recite formulas. They want to know: can you solve real problems? Can you work under pressure? Can you communicate your ideas clearly?

Take on challenges that scare you a little. Lead team projects. Handle difficult clients during internships. These experiences build confidence that grades never can.


Here’s the harsh truth most don’t realise: Your degree gets you the interview. Your practical skills get you the job.

Start work on yourself today. Make mistakes, but start.

College gives you knowledge. But knowledge without application is just expensive information.


What's the biggest gap you've noticed between college learning and real-world work requirements?

10 hours ago | [YT] | 23

Ishaan Arora

Sharing a real-life conversation I had with one of my students who took every advice on the Internet. 👇

"Make a perfect resume, apply to every job you see, and you’ll land your dream role.”

I've been hearing this advice since my college days, and it misguides so many students.

But it’s all just myths! I’ve seen people with average resumes get great jobs, and highly qualified candidates struggle for months.

Let me give you a reality check👇

❌ Myth 1: "A fancy degree guarantees a dream job."

✅ Reality: Skills and experience matter more than just a degree. Many successful people never even worked in their degree field.


❌ Myth 2: "Applying to 100 jobs will get you hired faster."


✅ Reality: Quality beats quantity. Personalizing your resume and reaching out to hiring managers works way better than mass-applying.


❌ Myth 3: "Networking means asking for jobs."

✅ Reality: Good networking is about building relationships. Help others, share insights, and be visible. When an opportunity comes up, people will think of you.


❌ Myth 4: "Your resume is the most important thing."

✅ Reality: Resumes get you interviews, but how you present yourself in conversations and interviews gets you the job.


❌ Myth 5: "If you meet all the job requirements, you’ll get hired."

✅ Reality: Confidence, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit often matter more than ticking every requirement on the list.


❌ Myth 6: "You should accept the first job offer you get."

✅ Reality: Not all offers are good for your growth. Negotiate, compare, and pick the one that aligns with your long-term goals.


❌ Myth 7: "Big companies are always better than startups."

✅ Reality: Startups can offer faster growth, more learning, and greater responsibility, while big companies may provide stability. Pick based on your goals.

Next time you apply for a job, focus on quality over quantity. Build relationships, not just resumes.

What’s the worst job search advice you’ve ever received? 💭👇

1 day ago | [YT] | 35

Ishaan Arora

Everyone says, “Do internships to get experience.”
But most roles didn’t even teach anything useful.

So here’s what you can do to use your finance skills to gain hands-on experience and make money while doing it.

📌Stock Analysis for Newsletters

If you know how to study stocks and market trends, you can work with finance newsletters or websites.
Many platforms need people to write about stock recommendations or market insights.
You can either join an existing newsletter as a freelance analyst or start your own using platforms like Substack. If your advice is useful, people might even pay for your premium insights.

📌Finance Content Creation

If you enjoy making videos or posts, you can share finance tips onlinelike how to save money, invest, or manage personal finance.

📌Freelance Financial Modelling

If you're good with Excel and financial projections, startups and businesses may need your help.
They use financial models to plan growth or raise funding. You can charge per project and work with multiple companies as a freelancergreat for making good money on the side.

📌Bookkeeping for Startups

Yes, bookkeeping sounds boringbut it's a solid side income. Many small companies don’t have in-house accountants and are happy to hire freelancers.

If you know basic accounting or tools like Tally, you can manage their books, help file GST/TDS returns, and even assist during audits.

📌Personal Finance Coaching

If you’re good at explaining saving, investing, or budgeting, you can offer 1-on-1 coaching sessions.

Many people want help but don’t know whom to ask. You don’t need to be a certified advisorjust offer practical, honest guidance. Start with friends or social media, and build from there.

📌Tax Filing Services

Every year during tax season, people need help filing taxes. If you understand the process, you can help individuals or small business ownerseven if you're not a CA.

You can charge per filing or offer quarterly/yearly plans. This hustle picks up during the financial year-end, but can give you a steady income with regular clients.

Which one are you planning to get started with? 💬

2 days ago | [YT] | 40

Ishaan Arora

₹25 lakhs for an MBA vs. ₹3 lakhs for a CFA

Which is better? Or do they give the same outcome?

They don't. And here's why this choice will define your career:

💡FOCUS

CFA is laser-focused on finance. Investment analysis, portfolio management, and financial markets. It's deep, technical, and specialised.
An MBA covers everything: leadership, strategy, operations, marketing, and finance. It's broad but less specialised in any one area.


💡COST REALITY

MBA: Minimum ₹20-25 lakhs (plus 2 years without salary)

CFA: ₹3-4 lakhs total (and you can keep working while studying)
The math here is brutal if you're not careful.


💡RECOGNITION

CFA has one global standard. Whether you're in Mumbai or New York, a CFA is a CFA.
MBA value depends heavily on the college brand. IIM vs unknown college? Completely different outcomes.


💡WHAT YOU'LL ACTUALLY LEARN

The CFA curriculum is constantly updated with real industry trends. You'll learn valuation, financial modelling, and risk management at a deep level.
MBA finance courses touch these topics but stay surface-level. You get breadth, not depth.


💡FLEXIBILITY

CFA: Study while working. No career break needed.
MBA: Full-time programmes require 1-2 years away from income. That's another ₹10-15 lakhs in lost earnings.


💡THE SUPPLY-DEMAND REALITY

This shocked me: There are millions of MBA holders in India. But only 200,000 CFA charter holders worldwide across 164 countries.
Simple economics: scarcity creates value.


💡WHO SHOULD CHOOSE WHAT?

Choose CFA if you want to work in:
→ Investment banking
→ Asset management
→ Financial research
→ Portfolio management

Choose an MBA if you want to:
→ Switch industries completely
→ Move into general management
→ Explore different business functions
→ Build a broad business network


💡MY HONEST RECOMMENDATION?

I always advise people to go for both an MBA and a CFA because they complement each other perfectly.

An MBA builds leadership, strategic thinking, and networking skills, helping you transition into management roles, while a CFA gives you deep expertise in finance, making you a strong technical specialist.

Together, they not only enhance your credibility in the finance industry but also open leadership roles for you globally, giving you the flexibility to work across industries and geographies at the highest levels!

Still got any questions? Connect with me on a 1:1 call!

6 days ago | [YT] | 66

Ishaan Arora

'Should I do CFA?' 'Is MBA worth it?' 'Will this work for me?'

Here's what I tell every confused student. 👇

Career trials are better than career traps.

A year ago, a DU BCom student reached out to me. He was stuck on whether to pursue CFA; the investment seemed huge, and everyone kept telling him how difficult it was.

Yesterday, he texted me: "Sir, I just cleared CFA Level 1! Thank you for your advice; it made all the difference."

Here's what changed everything.

Back then, when he was almost convinced he couldn’t do CFA, instead of pushing him toward or away from CFA, I suggested something simple:
"Try some NCFM/NISM courses first. They'll give you the clarity you're looking for."

He did exactly that. Those short-term courses helped him understand if finance was actually his thing. Turns out, it was.

Look, if you're confused about any career path, whether it's CFA, MBA, CA, or any other field, and you have even 0.1% doubt, here's my advice:
Test the waters first.

Do a short-term course in that field. Take a weekend workshop. Shadow someone for a week. Whatever it takes to get a real taste of what you're signing up for.

Because you'll quickly figure out:

💡Does this actually interest you?
💡Can you see yourself doing this for years?
💡Are you just attracted to the idea of it, or the reality too?

This approach will save you time, money, and the frustration of being stuck in something that never felt right.

The biggest career mistake isn't choosing wrong. It's choosing blind.

What's your take on this? Have you been in a similar situation? 💬

1 week ago | [YT] | 55

Ishaan Arora

“I graduate in 4 months and I still don't know what I want to do.”

Got this DM and let me tell you what I replied 👇

"Don't panic. And definitely don't do what 90% of confused students do – jump into expensive long-term courses hoping they'll figure it out."

I see this pattern every month!!!

Students think they're interested in finance, so they directly register for CFA or FRM. Two years and 2+ lakhs later, many realise finance wasn't their calling after all.

💡Here's my advice to every confused student:
Test the waters before diving deep.

Instead of committing 2-3 years to CFA, start with short-term courses:

→ NCFM/NISM Certifications - These take 2-3 months, cost under 10k, and give you a real taste of financial markets. You'll understand equity markets, derivatives, and mutual funds. If you find yourself genuinely interested (not just forcing yourself), then consider bigger commitments.

→ Financial Modelling Courses - Learn Excel, build DCF models, and understand how businesses work through numbers. It's 1-2 months of learning that tells you if you enjoy the analytical side of finance.

Why this approach works:

Low cost, low commitment - You're not stuck if you realise it's not for you.

Real exposure - You get hands-on experience, not just theory.

Quick results - In 3-4 months, you'll know if finance excites you or bores you.

Employer recognition - These certifications still add value to your resume.

The key is being honest with yourself. Don't force interest because "finance pays well" or "everyone's doing it".

One student took my advice, did NCFM first, loved it, and then went for CFA. Another student realised after NISM that she preferred operations over markets.

Both made informed decisions.

Your career is a 40-year journey. Spending 3-4 months to get clarity is the smartest investment you can make.

Stop rushing into long-term commitments when you're confused. Start small, test your interest, then go big.

What's your biggest fear about choosing the wrong career path?

1 week ago | [YT] | 63

Ishaan Arora

Two IIM-A graduates, same CGPA. One joined Goldman Sachs, and one joined a 10-person D2C startup.

Who do you think will regret their decision?

You'll know by the end of this post.

This is probably the most common confusion among students and freshers today.

Should I join a big company or a startup?

This post will give you crystal-clear clarity on making this decision.

The choice depends on your career goals, mindset, and multiple other factors.

If you join a BIG COMPANY:

Perks:

→ Structured learning and mentorship
→ Strong brand value on your resume
→ Comprehensive benefits and job security
→ Exposure to large-scale operations
→ Clear growth path and hierarchy

But there are cons:

→ Poor work-life balance and toxic culture
→ Rigid hierarchy with no access to top management
→ Limited and slow growth opportunities
→ Less exposure to different functions and skills

If you join a STARTUP:

Perks:

→ Direct impact on business growth
→ Faster learning curve across multiple skills
→ Equity potential and faster salary growth
→ Flexibility and autonomy in work
→ Close interaction with founders and leadership

But there are cons:

→ Higher risk of failure and job instability
→ Better work culture comparatively
→ Uncertain career progression
→ Fewer resources and benefits

Which one should you join?

Join a big company if you have less risk appetite, need a strong brand on your resume, want stability and structured learning, and prefer clear processes over uncertainty.

Join a startup if you have some risk appetite but are hungry to build something, want to learn from direct impact, want to learn multiple skills quickly, and are hungry for faster growth.

The Goldman Sachs guy needed structure, mentorship, and a strong foundation. He wanted to learn from the best and build his network.

Three years later, he's got world-class training and doors opening everywhere.
The startup guy loved wearing multiple hats and was hungry to see direct impact. He wanted equity and faster growth. Today, he's a co-founder of his own company.

So, both made the right choice because they understood what they wanted, so it’s crucial to make your choices accordingly.

Which would you choose to join?

1 week ago | [YT] | 35

Ishaan Arora

"My parents sacrificed everything for my education. So I felt obligated to choose the career they wanted."

If you believe this, trust me, this guilt will destroy your life!

I see this guilt destroy talented people every single day. Students who want to pursue creative fields but choose engineering because it's "safer".

People who hate their corporate jobs but stay because leaving would disappoint their parents.
Professionals stuck in careers they never wanted because they felt they owed it to their family.


And I get it. Middle-class families sacrifice a lot. Your parents worked hard, saved every rupee, and put you through college, hoping you'd have a better life than they did. That sacrifice is real. The guilt is real.

But here's what nobody tells you.

Choosing a career you hate to repay that sacrifice doesn't honour it. It wastes it.
Your parents didn't sacrifice so you could spend 40 years miserable in a job you despise. They sacrificed so you could have better opportunities than they did. And choosing the wrong career because of guilt isn't using those opportunities; it's throwing them away.

Let me be very clear about what happens when you let guilt drive your career decisions.

You pick "safe" over "right". You choose engineering or an MBA because it sounds stable, not because it fits your strengths. You suppress what you're actually good at because it doesn't fit the script your family wrote.

You underperform because your heart's not in it. People who love what they do will always outwork and outperform you. You end up average in a field you never wanted, while you could've been exceptional in something you cared about.

You start resenting the people you're trying to please. Five years in, when you're stuck and miserable, that guilt turns into resentment. And that poisons everything.
You waste the very opportunities they worked to give you. 💔

So, have honest conversations with them instead. Show them your plan.
Prove you're serious. Most parents come around when they see you're committed and doing well.

That’s the best way to honour their sacrifice! ✨

1 week ago | [YT] | 48

Ishaan Arora

9.5 CGPA. Interned at Goldman Sachs & JP Morgan. Cleared CFA & FRM.

Such a strong profile, yet unable to study abroad!

All because of just 1 reason! - MONEY!

There are thousands of students in this situation; there are multiple scholarships available but a lack of awareness! Here are some scholarships to study in the top study-abroad destinations!👇

🇬🇧 UK Scholarships


📌 Chevening Scholarship

- Covers tuition fees, monthly living expenses, return flights, visa costs, and more.
- For students from 160+ countries pursuing a one-year master’s in the UK.


📌 Commonwealth Scholarship

- Pays for tuition, living costs, flights, and other expenses like warm clothing.
- For students from Commonwealth countries who need financial support.


📌 Great Scholarship

- Helps with tuition fees (amount varies by university).
- For students from select countries pursuing a master’s degree in the UK.


🇺🇸 US Scholarships


📌 Fulbright-Nehru Master’s Fellowship

- Covers tuition, living costs, flights, and health insurance.
- For Indian students with strong academics and leadership skills.


📌 Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship

- Provides up to $100,000 for tuition and living costs.
- For Indian students pursuing graduate studies in the US, UK, or Europe.


📌 Cornell Tata Scholarship

- Pays full tuition fees at Cornell University.
- For Indian students with outstanding academic records.


🇦🇺 Australia Scholarships


📌 Melbourne International Undergraduate Scholarship

- Covers full tuition fees for undergrad studies at the University of Melbourne.

📌 ANU Chancellor's International Scholarship

- Pays full tuition for undergrad or graduate studies at the Australian National University.

📌 Alex Chernov Scholarship

- Helps with tuition or living costs (varies by program).
- For students studying in Victoria, Australia, based on academic merit.


🇨🇦 Canada Scholarships


📌 Ontario Trillium Scholarship

- Gives $40,000 per year for four years to cover tuition and living costs.
- For international PhD students in Ontario with strong academic potential.


📌 Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships

- Provides $70,000 per year for two years for living and research costs.
- For postdoctoral researchers in Canada working on high-impact studies.


📌 Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

- Offers $50,000 per year for three years to cover tuition and living expenses.
- For PhD students in Canada with exceptional academic and research potential.

Tag someone who might need this!

1 week ago | [YT] | 81

Ishaan Arora

The biggest regret of my college life? I spent 2 years thinking I was 'bad at networking' because I'm an introvert.

I used to watch my extroverted friends effortlessly chat with recruiters at career fairs while I stood awkwardly by the snack table, convinced I had nothing valuable to contribute.

Then I realised I was playing the wrong game entirely.

Here's what changed everything for me:


💡Stop trying to be someone else.

Instead of forcing small talk, I started asking genuine questions about people's work and actually listening to their answers. Turns out, most people love talking about their passion projects when someone genuinely cares.


💡Use your preparation superpower.

As introverts, we naturally research and prepare. I started looking up attendees beforehand, identifying 2-3 people I actually wanted to meet, and having real questions ready about their work or company.


💡Quality over quantity.

While others collected 20 business cards, I focused on having 2-3 meaningful conversations. Those deeper connections led to actual opportunities, not just LinkedIn connections.


💡 Follow-up is your secret weapon.

Introverts excel at thoughtful, written communication. A personalised follow-up email referencing something specific from our conversation always stood out.


💡LinkedIn is your playground.

Networking isn't just about events. I started reaching out to professionals whose work genuinely interested me, not asking for jobs but sharing insights about their recent posts or asking thoughtful questions about industry trends. Most people appreciate genuine curiosity.


💡Leverage your listening skills.

In group conversations, I became the person who asked follow-up questions and remembered details others missed. People started seeking me out because I made them feel heard.
The breakthrough moment came when a senior manager told me after an event, "You ask the best questions. Most students just talk about themselves."


That's when I realised networking isn't about being the loudest person in the room. It's about being genuinely curious about others and adding value through thoughtful conversation.

Now I actually look forward to these events because I know I'm bringing my authentic self, not trying to be someone I'm not.

The results?
The genuine connections I built through this approach helped me land my first internship, find my co-founder, connect with early clients, and unlock countless other opportunities I never could have imagined.

All because I stopped trying to network like an extrovert and started leveraging my introvert strengths instead.

What's your biggest challenge as an introvert?

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 63