u/Embarrassed_Cell_725

Planning to study abroad in 2027 with the eventual goal of working and settling there.

Profile:

22M | India

10th: 80%

12th: 85% Commerce

BBA: 7.3 CGPA (~69%) — online mode

1-year gap

1 year professional experience in digital marketing during BBA

Degree took 4 years instead of 3 due to backlogs — all cleared

I'm currently deciding between Canada and Australia.

I'm not chasing a prestigious university. I'm comfortable with private or lower-ranked colleges if they're legitimate and the course gives me a reasonable pathway to work afterward.

Canada is slightly preferred because I have a friend in Vancouver. He says a referral can help significantly with getting student/entry-level work during the course.

I'm considering Master's/MBA vs skilled trades and will take IELTS.

Questions:

- What are my realistic visa chances in Canada vs Australia?

- Will the online BBA, gap and previous backlogs seriously hurt me?

- Which country/pathway would be more sensible for my profile?

- Is my willingness to attend a lower-ranked college a reasonable strategy?

Please give me the harsh version. I would rather hear now that my plan is bad than find out after spending ₹20–30 lakh.

Note: please be brutally honest and truthful. I need your valuable feedback and suggestions regarding my situation. 🤗🤗😭

Planning to study abroad in 2027 with the eventual goal of working and settling there.

Profile: 22M | India

10th: 80%

12th: 85% Commerce

BBA: 7.3 CGPA (~69%) — online mode

1-year gap

1 year professional experience in digital marketing during BBA

Degree took 4 years instead of 3 due to backlogs — all cleared

I'm currently deciding between Canada and Australia.

I'm not chasing a prestigious university. I'm comfortable with private or lower-ranked colleges if they're legitimate and the course gives me a reasonable pathway to work afterward.

Canada is slightly preferred because I have a friend in Vancouver. He says a referral can help significantly with getting student/entry-level work during the course.

I'm considering Master's/MBA vs skilled trades and will take IELTS.

Questions:

What are my realistic visa chances in Canada vs Australia?

Will the online BBA, gap and previous backlogs seriously hurt me?

Which country/pathway would be more sensible for my profile?

Is my willingness to attend a lower-ranked college a reasonable strategy?

Please give me the harsh version. I would rather hear now that my plan is bad than find out after spending ₹20–30 lakh.

Note: please be brutally honest and truthful. I need yur valuable feedback and suggestions regarding my situation.

I'm 22M from India and planning to study abroad around 2027. My main goals are to study, work during/after my studies and eventually settle abroad.

my_qualifications :

10th: 80%

12th: 85% Commerce

BBA: 7.3 CGPA (~69%), completed through online mode

BBA took 4 years instead of 3 due to backlogs — all backlogs are cleared

1-year gap before graduation

1 year professional experience in digital marketing during my BBA

No major extracurriculars

I'm currently comparing Canada vs Australia. Canada is slightly preferred because I have a friend in Vancouver. I also asked him about the job situation and he said having a local referral can make finding student/entry-level work significantly easier.

I'm open to private colleges or lower-ranked/substandard institutions if necessary. My priority is getting abroad for study, work and eventually settlement rather than prestige.

I'm considering either a Master's/MBA or a skilled/trade-related course, depending on which is more realistic for my profile and future prospects.

I'd like honest opinions:

* How risky is my profile for a Canada/Australia study visa?

* Does the online BBA + 1-year gap + extended degree + previous backlogs create a major problem?

* Which country would you choose with this profile?

Master's/MBA vs trade course — which makes more sense?

* Am I being realistic about my chances, or am I overlooking major problems?

Please be blunt. I'm trying to understand the reality before investing money, efforts and time.

Note: All the suggestions, advices or criticism are invited. :)

22M, BBA graduate (online mode) with 1 year of experience in a digital marketing startup, primarily managing paid ads for e-commerce clients.

Lately, I've been feeling overwhelmed about my future and I'm struggling to decide which path makes the most sense. I'd really appreciate honest advice from people who have faced similar decisions.

**Option 1: Government Exams**

I seriously considered preparing for government exams, but I eventually dropped the idea because of the extreme competition, uncertainty, and the possibility of spending years preparing without clearing them.

**Option 2: Master's Abroad**

This is the option I'm leaning towards, but I still don't have a clear roadmap.

My rough plan is to either:

Work for another year in digital marketing (or a related field like data analyst, etc) to gain more experience, or

Learn a skilled trade (electrician, plumber, carpenter, mechanic, etc.) if it improves my job & long-term prospects.

After that, I would apply to a decent university (around QS 2000+), preferably with a scholarship or education loan, complete a master's (possibly an MBA), work part-time during my studies, and then look for long-term career opportunities. I am ready for doing odd & blue collar jobs.

And prepared for all the hardships that could come in way.

Why does this appeal to me:

> Better earning potential

> Improved quality of life

> Greater personal independence

> Possibility of settling abroad

> A best friend of mine is settled in Canada (went 4 yrs

ago)

My concerns:

> No clear roadmap

> Unsure which country, course, or career path is the right choice

> No one in my family has taken this route

> My family is quite risk-averse

> Uncertain job prospects after graduation

**What is going on in my mind**

The uncertainty has started affecting my mental health. Sometimes I feel hopeless and wonder whether I'll ever become financially independent or build a meaningful career. I'm not looking for advice about self-harm or mental health here. I'm looking for practical career advice because I believe the uncertainty is what's driving these thoughts.

Right now, I feel stuck, financially dependent, lacking confidence, and unsure of what my next step should be.

**What I Actually Want**

More than anything, I want financial and personal independence.

I want to build a stable career, earn well, move out, make my own decisions, and create a better life for myself.

*Note : Please don't suggest software development or coding unless you genuinely believe it's the best option and can explain why. I'm open to changing fields, but I'm looking for realistic advice based on my background rather than generic recommendations.*

Given my background (BBA + 1 year of digital marketing experience), what would you do if you were in my position?

Would you continue building a career in digital marketing, pursue higher education abroad, choose a different path entirely, or is there another option I'm overlooking ?

22M, BBA graduate (online mode) with 1 year of experience in a digital marketing startup, primarily managing paid ads for e-commerce clients.

Lately, I've been feeling overwhelmed about my future and I'm struggling to decide which path makes the most sense. I'd really appreciate honest advice from people who have faced similar decisions.

**Option 1: Government Exams**

I seriously considered preparing for government exams, but I eventually dropped the idea because of the extreme competition, uncertainty, and the possibility of spending years preparing without clearing them.

**Option 2: Master's Abroad**

This is the option I'm leaning towards, but I still don't have a clear roadmap.

My rough plan is to either:

Work for another year in digital marketing (or a related field like data analyst, etc) to gain more experience, or

Learn a skilled trade (electrician, plumber, carpenter, mechanic, etc.) if it improves my job & long-term prospects.

After that, I would apply to a decent university (around QS 2000+), preferably with a scholarship or education loan, complete a master's (possibly an MBA), work part-time during my studies, and then look for long-term career opportunities. I am ready for doing odd & blue collar jobs. And prepared for all the hardships that could come in way.

Why does this appeal to me:

Better earning potential

Improved quality of life

Greater personal independence

Possibility of settling abroad

A best friend of mine is settled in Canada (went 4 yrs ago)

My concerns:

No clear roadmap

Unsure which country, course, or career path is the right choice

No one in my family has taken this route

My family is quite risk-averse

Uncertain job prospects after graduation

**What is going on in my mind**

The uncertainty has started affecting my mental health. Sometimes I feel hopeless and wonder whether I'll ever become financially independent or build a meaningful career. I'm not looking for advice about self-harm or mental health here. I'm looking for practical career advice because I believe the uncertainty is what's driving these thoughts.

Right now, I feel stuck, financially dependent, lacking confidence, and unsure of what my next step should be.

**What I Actually Want**

More than anything, I want financial and personal independence.

I want to build a stable career, earn well, move out, make my own decisions, and create a better life for myself.

Given my background (BBA + 1 year of digital marketing experience), what would you do if you were in my position?

Would you continue building a career in digital marketing, pursue higher education abroad, choose a different path entirely, or is there another option I'm overlooking?

*Note : Please don't suggest software development or coding unless you genuinely believe it's the best option and can explain why. I'm open to changing fields, but I'm looking for realistic advice based on my background rather than generic recommendations.*