How I chose my career: Prathviraj P Shenoy

I was very careless when I was in 10^th grade. I thought I would select Science stream if I got good marks in class 10^th Science and Maths. But I got equal marks in both. I was also gaining some knowledge from friends and family about the future, and I understood that there was a recession in many other fields. So, I chose Commerce stream and thought of becoming a Chartered Accountant. Hence, I selected Commerce, and my main courses in class 11th and 12th were a combination of Maths, Accounts, Statistics, and Business Studies.

Exam Tips and My Admission Journey

Admission to the college, Poornaprajna PU College, Udupi, Karnataka was not that difficult for me as it required only a cutoff of 80%, and I had scored 87.4% in class 10th. The first step to becoming a CA was CPT entrance exam, for which I had taken a three-month coaching during the vacation between classes 11th and 12th, and that is the only entrance exam I gave because I had the determination to become a Chartered Accountant. The name of the coaching center where I went was Trisha Classes, Udupi, Karnataka.

I always prepared for the weak subjects first, and the subjects I’m proficient at in the last. This gave me the habit of working on the weak portions and turning them into strengths. I think this is the best way to study for the CPT entrance exam. Again, in the college, I was enjoying in classes that I was strong in and paid full attention to subjects that I was weak in. The combination subjects in my college were quite similar to that of the CPT entrance exam, so I didn't take any other special class for these subjects.

Learnings & Insights

My college, as I have already mentioned earlier, was quite strict and disciplined, and did not entertain skipping of classes. It also had co-curricular activities. I think I have made the right decision in choosing my career. I always did last moment preparation for my exams which could be the reason for my marks not being up to par. CPT marks were at 126/200 (first attempt). I am currently studying in Reena Mehta College, Bhayander in Mumbai, doing my second-year BCom. I had migrated to Mumbai for my first-year BCom. I am also doing my IPCC for which I have taken coaching from JK Shah Classes. It was a very good learning experience. I failed my first attempt of IPCC due to my last-minute preparations. As far as my second-year BCom is concerned, I am not focusing on it as it won’t be useful if I complete my CA. Reena Mehta College has a low cut-off percentage and I chose this because this college doesn't have attendance issues. This allows me to focus on IPCC and also continue with my BCom degree simultaneously.

For selecting a career, always find out your strength first. Also, don't follow the herd. My friends followed the herd and joined Science, and some of them couldn't get enough marks and dropped out. If you choose a hard career, be ready to work hard; nothing comes for free. Don't take exams lightly like I did for my IPCC.

About the Author:

Prathviraj P Shenoy

I am Prathviraj P Shenoy, pursuing my second-year BCom from Reena Mehta College, Bhayander (W), Mumbai. I cleared CPT entrance and first-year BCom from the same college. I love giving advice to people younger to me, and I am developing a keen interest in share investments and stock market.