Yang So

“Just take the IIT tag. The branch doesn’t matter after that.” “An old IIT in any branch beats a new IIT in CS.” “Take Mechanical. It’s evergreen.” “Don’t take Computer Science. You can’t sit for IES” “Maths and Computing is just an MSc degree. Only BTechs are real IITians.” “You can easily switch to CS after the first year.” “Biotech is the future.” “Get a PSU job through your branch. ONGC, IOCL, SAIL. That’s the dream.” These are the lies I was told during JEE counselling when I asked my coaching teachers - who were the only IITians I knew of. In 2012, I secured AIR 4898 in JEE. I genuinely loved mathematics. Based on my rank, I had solid options: → Integrated MSc in Mathematics at @iitroorkee → Computer Science at @IITISM_DHANBAD → Computer Science at @nit_nagpur → Electrical at @bitspilaniindia I passed on all of them and took Metallurgy at IIT BHU. Why? Because my coaching teachers misguided me. Most coaching teachers have never worked a day in the industry they’re advising you about. They cracked an exam once, then stayed inside the coaching machine and coasted. Most likely they chose JEE coaching because they got no better opportunity. Their advice is based on data points that are no longer relevant now. Be careful who you take advice from. It will change your life. For good or for worse