MBA Business Analytics Career, Salary, Job, Eligibility, Fees – 2023

What is MBA Business Analytics:

MBA in Business Analytics combines business management with data analysis. It assists businesses in assessing their performance, locating areas for improvement, and making data-driven decisions to achieve their objectives. 

It serves as a map and compass to steer the corporate ship towards goals, avoid dangers, and make the most use of resources. 

With every passing day, the markets are becoming more and more competitive. The company has to stay updated with all the happenings in the industry as well as within the company, so that’s where a Business analyst comes in. An MBA in business analytics can help companies gain valuable insights into their operations, customers, and markets. With these insights, businesses can identify areas for improvement, optimize processes, and make informed decisions that can drive growth and success.

IILM has been preparing students to become great business analysts for the past 10 years.

How Business Analytics Help Companies:

Do you know, all the digital services like Netflix, Zomato, Amazon Shopping, Make My Trip, etc. that we are using today, are running on cloud services that are provided by Amazon. But have you ever wondered how come Amazon became a monopoly in providing cloud services despite IT giants like Google, Microsoft, etc. in the market? The company gives all its thanks to business analytics.

Amazon did market research, studied the pattern of technological advancement, and identified the growth potential in the market for cloud services. They launched AWS, and it became an instant hit in the market, and today AWS contributes a significant amount of revenue to the company. 

This is just one example of how “Business Analytics” skyrocketed the growth of a company and gave them a competitive edge in the market.

What will you learn in MBA Business Analytics:

Here are a few key skills that you’ll learn in this course and how these skills will help you grow an organization.

  1. Data Analytics: It helps you make more logical and data-driven decisions, for example, a tea stall chain owner can use data analytics to identify places with more customer footfalls, do customer segmentation & design its services accordingly, etc.
  2. Predictive analytics: This course teaches you how you can logically predict/estimate/calculate the future of the market or how your product or service will perform in the market in the upcoming years.
  3. Data Management and Security: Business analytics is all about the data, so it is very important to not let your customers’ data get into the wrong hands and keep it updated and safe.
  4. Big Data Analytics: Here you’ll learn how to work with huge data sets with the help of software like Hadoop, Spark, NoSQL databases, etc.
  5. Statistics: Understanding statistical concepts, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis to extract insights from data.

Industry Experience: Being one of the best MBA universities in India, IILM is dedicated to equipping its graduates with relevant industry skills and preparing them for upcoming challenges.

MBA Business Analytics Salary:

Year

Highest

Average

2021 16 LPA 8 LPA
2022 18 LPA 8 LPA

Scope in Business Analytics:

The company’s thirst for skilled “business analysts” will never end. Because in today’s digital landscape, everyone is continuously generating their data footprints, which companies use to precisely recommend the most relevant products/services to them. None of these recommendations can be made without the involvement of a business analyst, who can collect the data and extract useful insights from it.

Other than just making recommendations, a business analyst has huge scope in predictive analysis, risk analysis, operation analysis, financial analysis, and much more.

Further in the article, we’re going to talk more about the job roles that business analysts get offered.

Eligibility for MBA Business Analytics:

To be eligible for admission, applicants should have a bachelor’s degree from a UGC-recognized university or equivalent institution, with a minimum aggregate score of 50% or an equivalent grade (CGPA/CPI, etc.). Candidates in their final year of the bachelor’s degree program can also apply, but they must provide the final year degree certificate/mark sheet later. Admission for these candidates will be provisional until they submit valid proof of passing the bachelor’s degree examination with the required percentage of marks before the prescribed last date. Failure to do so will result in the automatic withdrawal of admission without further notice.

Applicants should have valid test scores in one of the following national-level tests conducted in the current year: CAT (conducted by IIMs), XAT, MAT, NMAT, CMAT, or GMAT. It’s important to note that IIMs and XLRI have no involvement in the selection process or the program’s conduct. GMAT scores are valid for 5 years, so please ensure that your scores remain valid until the enrollment date specified in the schedule.

Business Analytics Top Recruiters:

Job Roles Offered after doing MBA in Business Analytics:

IILM has been conducting student placements for MBA students for a very long time, and being an integral part of this organization, I feel myself to be the most eligible person to answer this question. So here’s the complete breakdown of all the various job profiles offered in different profiles:

Finance Profile

  • Financial Analyst
  • Risk Analyst
  • Financial Consultant

Marketing Profile

  • Marketing Analytics Manager
  • Customer Analytics Manager
  • Product Manager

Sales Profile

  • Sales Analyst
  • Business Development Manager

Digital Marketing

  • Digital Marketing Analyst
  • SEO Analyst
  • Social Media Analyst

Human Resources (HR)

  • HR Analytics Specialist
  • Talent Acquisition Analyst

General Management

  • Operations Manager
  • Strategy Manager
  • Business Intelligence Manager

MBA Business Analytics Fee & Scholarship:

MBA Business Analytics Fee: IILM is known to have a competitive and justified fee structure, along with various scholarship programs to support the students who deserve it. Here’s the complete breakdown of the fee structure for the MBA in Business Analytics.

Fee

Total

Year 1 5.4 Lakh 10.8 Lakh
Year 2 5.4 Lakh

Scholarship:

MBA students can get 10-40% of fee concession at IILM University here’s the detail about the scholarships:

Percentage

Eligibility

40% 80% in 12th + 70% in bachelor + 700 in MAT or 300 in CMAT or 240 in NMAT
20% CAT/XAT percentile between 71 to 79
10% 60% above in B.Tech. or B.E.

Top Career Hunts for MBAs with the highest paying positions

In today’s cutthroat work environment, having an MBA can be quite beneficial to raise your salary package and gain an in-depth knowledge on business skills. With so many high-paying employment alternatives available, MBA graduates must know the top job options that can result in high wages and long-term success given the growing need for skilled professionals. This post will take you through 5 lucrative job positions that an MBA holder can pitch to showcase their business management skills, and the role of IILM University in helping MBA students to sharpen their business analytical skills which can help pitch their dream jobs.

Top 5 High-Paying Careers after MBA:

1. Investment Banking (Specialization Finance):

Fresher Salary: ₹6-12 Lakhs

One of the most sought-after professions for MBA graduates is investment banking. In this job role, you’ll be instrumental in securing funding for businesses, advising on mergers and acquisitions, and offering customers strategic financial guidance. You can succeed in this industry and get a substantial wage if you have a solid grasp of finance and great analytical abilities.

2. Marketing Management:

Fresher Salary: ₹7-12 Lakhs

For MBA graduates with excellent communication and analytical skills, marketing management is a well-liked job path. You’ll be in charge of creating and implementing marketing strategies as a marketing manager to boost sales, increase brand recognition, and increase your company’s market share. Marketing management is a desirable job path for recent MBA graduates due to the possibility of high earnings and career advancement.

3. Management Consulting:

Fresher Salary: ₹8-12 Lakh

Another frequent employment choice for MBA grads is management consulting. As a management consultant, you will work with companies to analyze their operations and suggest suggestions for change in order to help them perform better. You can have a major impact on your clients’ company while earning outstanding pay thanks to your knowledge of several management disciplines.

4. Private Equity:

Fresher Salary: ₹10-15 Lakh

Private equity specialists collaborate with investment firms to buy, run, and ultimately sell businesses across a range of industries. Having an MBA enables you to take advantage of your financial and analytical abilities to spot possible investment opportunities, assess their potential returns, and negotiate deals that are advantageous to your business and the firms you invest in. For MBA grads looking for a professional path, private equity is recognized for its high pay and bonuses.

5. Data Analytics Manager:

Fresher Salary: ₹7-14 Lakh 

For companies trying to use data to drive decision-making and boost performance, data analytics has become a crucial area of focus. You may assist organizations in making data-driven decisions, creating data-driven strategies, and improving their operations as an MBA graduate with a background in data analytics. Excellent career prospects and earning potential are available in this profession.

Requisite Skills sets for each career path:

You’ll need to build a strong set of abilities and attributes if you want to excel in any of the high-paying aforementioned professions. Here are a few abilities that can help you secure a successful career in MBA:

  • Outstanding analytical and problem-solving skills (transdisciplinary; management skills- majors finance/marketing).
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities (communication, writing skills & organizational behavior).
  • Possessing both leadership and team management skills (trans: op, management, strategic, OB).
  • Thorough knowledge of corporate operations and strategy.
  • Open to learning and adapting to the changes. 

What we offer at IILM:

The MBA program at IILM University is designed accurately to make its students succeed in every aspect of their careers by teaching them real-time, industry-oriented concepts and equipping them with the skills high in demand in today’s job market.

Salary potential and growth opportunities

Depending on the industry, region, and years of experience, the typical compensation for these high-paying occupations after an MBA might vary significantly. However, these professions are renowned for providing competitive pay and lots of room for development as your career advances.

Summarizing:

Thus, completing an MBA can help you maximize your earning potential and professional development by opening up a wide range of high-paying work options. Investment banking, management consulting, private equity, data analytics, product management, marketing management, and entrepreneurship are among the most profitable and satisfying employment options for MBA graduates.

Building a strong skill set and remaining adaptable in the always-changing corporate environment are crucial for success in these sectors, and that’s where IILM University is stepping in to give MBA aspirants a brighter future and enhance their overall personality.

"This article is written by H. Karan Kumar in association with Prof. Taran Kaur."

How to Become a Lawyer at Judicial Court in India – 2023

Introduction:

Amid crores of pending court cases, India is witnessing a huge demand for skilled lawyers, advocates, and judges. A lawyer is a crucial part of the Indian judicial system, dedicated to maintaining harmony in society. However, none of this would be possible without the knowledge centers of our country, which are working tirelessly to provide law students with cutting-edge legal education and all the necessary practices required to mold them into successful lawyers. One such educational center is IILM University, which brings accomplished lawyers into the classroom to teach law students and provide them with real-life experiences with one of the biggest moot courts in the field.

In this article, I am going to guide you through the entire process of becoming a lawyer from scratch. You can also use this as a roadmap for your law journey.

Law as a career:

A job in law is very fulfilling because it gives lawyers the ability to change people’s lives and run the path of justice more effectively. They have the skill to represent clients, make arguments, and negotiate agreements as legal experts, having a big impact on people and communities. This line of work also provides access to powerful networks that link lawyers with other senior lawyers, judges, public servants, and corporate executives, establishing beneficial connections and providing chances for collaboration. A lawyer can also have a significant impact on society by promoting social reform, standing up for marginalized people, and helping to create fair and just laws. In short, a profession in law offers a special combination of benefits, authority, and the chance to have an enduring impact on society.

6 Steps to Become a Lawyer:

Here’s a full comprehensive guide to making a successful career in law:

1. Obtain a Law Degree (LL.B.)

You must first earn an undergraduate law degree (LL.B.) before you can practice law in India. The two main paths to earning an LL.B. are as follows:

1. Integrated Law Degree (5-year program):

This program is for students who have completed their 10+2 education. In India, a number of universities like (IILM University) provide integrated law programs like B.A. LL.B., B.Sc. LL.B., B.Com. LL.B., and B.B.A. LL.B.

2. 3-year LL.B. program

Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in any field are eligible for this program. The three-year LL.B. program offers comprehensive legal knowledge and only focuses on legal topics.

2. Clear the All India Bar Examination (AIBE):

You must pass the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) after earning an LL.B. in order to practice law. After passing the AIBE, you will receive the “Certificate/license of Practice,” which entitles you to represent clients in any court in the nation.

3. Gain Practical Experience:

You need to develop your practical legal experience if you want to advance in the legal field and become a judge. This includes working for law firms, running your own business, or giving corporations or government organizations legal advice. Concentrate on honing your legal skills in this phase, particularly those related to research, drafting, negotiation, client counseling, etc.

4. Prepare for Judicial Services Examinations

In India, you must pass the relevant State Judicial Services Examination or the Higher Judicial Services Examination in order to become a judge. The High Courts or Public Service Commissions of the relevant states are responsible for administering these tests.

1. State Judicial Services Examination

Eligibility: LL.B. degree and a minimum of 2-7 years of experience (varies by state)

2. Higher Judicial Services Examination

Eligibility: LL.B. degree and an age between 35-45 years.

5. Clear the Judicial Services Examinations

These tests are divided into three parts: the preliminary, mains, and interview. Civil and criminal laws, the Indian Constitution, the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Civil Procedure, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and other pertinent laws are frequently covered in the course curriculum. To perform well on the exams, it is essential to gain a thorough understanding of these subjects and practice frequently.

6. Undergo Judicial Training

You will be appointed as a judge (civil judge, junior division, or judicial magistrate, first class) after passing the judicial services examination, and you will go through a rigorous training program at the relevant state judicial academy. This training will equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to perform your judicial duties effectively.

FaQs:

To become a licensed lawyer, it can take you 6-7 years after your 10+2.

The price may fluctuate at different colleges, but in IILM, it takes INR for your bachelor’s in law.

Here’re the most well-payed specializations in LAW: Corporate Law, Intellectual Property (IP) Law, International Law, Tax Law, Labour & Employment Law.

Well, it depends on various factors but, here’s an average calculation: For entry-level: 5-8 LPA, For Experienced: 18-50 LPA, For Senior: 1 crore per Annum.

Future Scope of CSE (Computer Science Engineering) – 2023

Introduction:

The IT sector boom started in India with the globalization of the Indian economy, and we started selling out Indian IT talent as a service to other tier-1 countries like USA, Canada, UK, etc. This boom started giving us employment opportunities and filling our reserves with dollars. This made India the world’s biggest exporter of IT talent, and today the CEOs of the major companies that are ruling the world are Indians. 

So in this article, we are going to talk about the scope of pursuing computer science in 2023 in India, what its advantages and disadvantages are, and how IILM University can help you pursue your dream career in computer science.

The Impact of Computer Science:

According to statistics and market research, computer science is a safe and evergreen career option for the younger generation. 

The skill of coding/programming gives you the superpower to create and maintain digital products or services. But it’s not easy to attain this superpower; you need to put in hours practicing in the right direction and have the technical knowledge to execute things in the world of computer science. But worry not; help has arrived. IILM University is providing escalators of success to thousands of students who want to make a fruitful career in computer science. Here’s how you too can get into these elevators.

The field of computer science is adding a lot of value to society and helping our country grow drastically faster.

The Future of Computer Science:

Here’s why experts call computer science, the fuel of tomorrow:

Every business needs customer’s attention to thrive in the market, and now that everyone is shifting their attention to digital platforms, businesses need to go online, and they desperately need the assistance of people who can code and take their business online. So, this need for skilled professionals isn’t going away from the market any time soon.

Another reason why IT is one of the most promising sectors is, its low investment cost. Unlike some core engineering fields like mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering, starting a business or being self-employed in the software engineering field requires less cost and is relatively easier. 

So if you pursue software engineering, you have higher chances of leading a successful and more promising career due to market forces, entry barriers, and the ease of starting a business.

Disadvantages of pursuing a career in computer engineering:

Well, everything has its flipside. If you want to make more money doing a job that doesn’t require you to get your hands dirty, CSE is the right choice for you. But here are some cons to pursuing a career in the field of computer science and engineering:

  • include less social interaction
  • Not everyone likes desk jobs.
  • The workload never meets the deadline.
  • Rapid updates in the market
  • Be unique or get outthrown.

Now, these points are quite subjective, and everyone may not agree with them, but you must have gotten my point.

Conclusion:

So, this was my unbiased blog post on the future of computer science engineering from a career standpoint, and how premium Universities like IILM can help you make a good career in CSE. Summarizing my whole blog post, I can say, computer science engineering is a promising career from all perspectives, but one should first evaluate their own career goals and future plans before choosing any career.

I hope you found this blog post interesting and that it added some value to your life. If you love consuming such insightful content, then do follow us.

Best Future Ready Specialization To Take in BTech CSE in 2023

Introduction:

Market dynamics are changing rapidly, and we’re living in such a fragile era where being ordinary is not enough. But don’t worry; standing out from the crowd doesn’t require you to be born extraordinary but a consistent effort to get better at your skills. Right now, you would have just passed your 12th-grade boards or gotten done with your JEE examination, which tells you that you have time, energy, and enough mental capacity to work on your primary skill and get good enough at it to overpower the majority of your peers.

At this point, any mistake in choosing your career path would cost you a lot of time and effort, and you can even feel burned out after a while and may get a feeling of low motivation to enter and conquer your field.

So, in this article, we are going to talk. What are some of the best, future-ready, and AI-proof specializations to pursue with B-tech CSE, and how can you choose the best one for you? We’ll also see case studies of one of the many high achievers from IILM and how choosing the right specialization helped them make a great career. 

Importance of Specialization in B-tech:

It’s no secret that the job market is in an economic crunch and companies are laying off their employees. The reality of the job market is that the competition is huge, and if you possess an outdated skill or don’t have in-depth knowledge in any particular field, you’ll be crushed brutally. However, such conditions aren’t going to last, and circumstances are going to change soon, but we still have the AI wave to see, and god knows how many jobs it will scoop away. But one thing is for sure if you are really good at what you do, you don’t belong to the crowd, and being unique comes with the perk of irreplaceability. Now, achieving excellence in any skill requires you to have a specialization along with your ordinary degree. That’s why specialization is so important if you want to pursue your bachelor’s in computer science. 

At IILM, we have live examples of students who achieved unimaginable success with our industry-oriented curriculum and specializations.

Top 7 specializations to take in BTech CSE:

In this section, we’ll see what are the most demanded and industry-oriented specializations in B-tech CSE that are future-proof, have demand in the market, and can offer you a high package job.

1. Cyber Security:

I don’t feel the need to tell you how important this field is, both in terms of financial and security purposes. To give you an idea of the depth of my statement, all I need to quote is;

World War III will consist of cyberattacks.

The most important part is that this field is yet untouched by most of the Indian students, which means the market for cyber security is very less crowded, unlike just another software engineer in India. If you have a specialization in cybersecurity, you are already ahead of the crowd. 

Skills Require

To be a cyber security expert who is good at securing their company’s crucial data, here are a few skills that you need to possess:

  •  A deep understanding of networking, operating systems, programming languages, and software development.
  • Be up-to-date with the latest threats and vulnerabilities. They should have the ability to identify, analyze, and respond to potential security threats.
  • Must be able to analyze data, detect patterns, and identify anomalies that may indicate a security breach.
  • Cybersecurity professionals need to adhere to ethical principles, as they have access to sensitive information and play a critical role in protecting their organization’s assets.
  • The cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving, and professionals must continuously update their skills and knowledge to stay current with the latest trends and technologies.

 Remember, being a cyber security expert comes with a huge responsibility, and you need to be personally a little composed and careful of your communications.

Job Prospect:

As I mentioned earlier, cybersecurity has a healthy demand but a poor supply. You have a large opportunity in this field where you don’t have to face a huge crowd of people. Even in such a stiff market condition, companies are willing to pay 50,000–60,000 INR on average for freshers in India.

Industry trend:

The cybersecurity sector is expanding and is anticipated to do so in the years to come. Cybersecurity has become a crucial area of emphasis for businesses and organizations due to the rise in cyber attacks, data breaches, and our increasing reliance on technology. The worldwide cybersecurity industry is anticipated to increase from $173 billion in 2020 to $270 billion in 2026, at a CAGR of 9.7%, according to research by Cybersecurity Ventures.

2. Data Science

Clicks, impressions, reach, performance, and customer retention drive this digital world. Now, to succeed in the world of such diverse data sets, it’s crucial for companies to analyze this huge pile of data and get useful insights out of it. Data analytics taps into the exact needs of data science. In today’s market, there’s a huge demand for good data analysts who can dig into data and fetch useful insights for the company’s benefit.

Skill Requirements:

  • Data analysts need to have strong analytical skills to be able to analyze and interpret large datasets. They need to be able to identify patterns, trends, and correlations in data to provide insights and recommendations.
  • Strong command of technologies such as SQL, Python, R, and data visualization tools.
  • They should be able to identify key business metrics and how they relate to data analysis.
  • They should be able to identify and analyze data-related problems and develop solutions that are data-driven and aligned with business goals.

Job Prospect:

Businesses and organizations need qualified professionals to analyze vast amounts of data, which makes data analytics a highly sought-after field. Data analysts are key players in this process, assisting businesses in better understanding their clients, streamlining processes, and gaining a competitive edge.

  • Healthcare uses data analytics to examine patient data and enhance patient outcomes. 
  • It is applied in finance to manage risk and find investment opportunities. 
  • It is applied to online shopping to give customers a more tailored experience. 
  • Additionally, it helps marketers target the appropriate audience with the appropriate message. 

This indicates that there are numerous job openings for data analysts across a variety of industries.

Companies are comfortable paying 35,000-40,000 INR for any fresher in the data analytics field.

Industry trend:

Data analytics is a fast-expanding area. The size of the worldwide data analytics market is anticipated to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.3% over the forecast period, from USD 49.2 billion in 2020 to USD 132.9 billion by 2025. Also, as organizations look to make wise choices in these unsettling times, the COVID-19 epidemic has pushed the use of data analytics.

3. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:

The world is well aware of the capabilities of AI, and the imagination of sci-fi movies that we used to talk about is here. Today, you can get a 99% precise answer to all your most complex questions within a snap, and this is all possible thanks to AI and software trained on ML programs. Many Gen Z’s today are scared that AI is gonna take their job but always remember 

AI will not take your Job the Person using AI will

So to stay ahead of the generation and keep your profession AI proof you should either be in the top 1% of your job or do the job that AI couldn’t. 

Now, making AI or working on ML programs are the kinds of stuff that only human intelligence can do ‘till now’. That’s why learning AI is so crucial in today’s competitive world.

Skill Requirements:

As Python, R, and Java are frequently used for data analysis, creating predictive models, and creating algorithms, having a solid foundation in these languages is essential for success in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Moreover, as AI specialists must be able to evaluate data and create prediction models, a strong foundation in statistics and mathematics is required. Lastly, understanding machine learning is essential since it entails teaching algorithms for computers to learn from data and make judgments. Deep learning, natural language processing, and data visualization are additional crucial abilities for AI workers.

Job Prospect:

Professionals in artificial intelligence (AI) have excellent employment prospects in India. The need for AI specialists has risen by 76% in the last year alone, according to a survey by Analytics India Magazine. This is a result of the growing use of AI in various sectors, including healthcare, banking, and retail. Data scientists, AI researchers, and machine learning engineers hold the most in-demand positions in the field of artificial intelligence.

AI specialists in India may anticipate earning respectable compensation. The average income for an AI expert in India, according to Payscale, is roughly INR 800,000 per year, with entry-level jobs earning about INR 500,000 and senior-level jobs paying over INR 2,000,000.

Industry trend:

A lot of data shows how artificial intelligence (AI) is developing and becoming more significant. From 2021 to 2026, the worldwide AI market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 42.2%, according to research by ResearchAndMarkets. According to PwC research, by 2030, AI will be worth up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy. 

During the past four years, there has been a 74% yearly rise in the number of AI-related job ads on LinkedIn, showing a rising need for AI specialists. These figures highlight the demand for people with AI knowledge and abilities in the labor market and the huge growth potential and growing relevance of AI across several industries.

4. Graphics and Gaming:

The previous ten years have seen significant advancement in gaming and visuals in the entertainment industry. Modern software and technology have enabled game developers to build remarkably lifelike virtual worlds that immerse players in alternate realities. Modern video games’ visuals and movement are so lifelike that it may be challenging to tell them apart from reality, whether you’re playing on a console or a mobile device.

The need for experts with knowledge of graphics and games has grown dramatically as technology has advanced. For people with a passion for creativity and technology, the gaming industry provides a wide range of job prospects, from game design to animation, graphics programming, and visual effects.

Skill Requirements:

A strong background in computer programming languages like C++, Java, and Python is the key qualification needed for a career in graphics and games. It’s essential to have knowledge of visual design programs like Adobe Photoshop, Blender, or 3D Studio Max in addition to programming.

Also, experts in this industry must be well-versed in computer graphics, data structures, and algorithms. It’s also crucial to be familiar with gaming engines like Unity, Unreal Engine, or CryEngine. Moreover, experts in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence may use their skills to further improve the gaming experience.

Job Prospect:

One of the fastest-growing industries in the world is the graphics and gaming business. A Newzoo analysis projects that by 2024, the global gaming business will be worth $218.7 billion. The gaming sector now offers more job possibilities as a result of this expansion.

Professionals in the gaming and graphics industries may expect to work in a variety of positions, such as those for game designers, animators, UI/UX designers, game developers, and graphics programmers. Depending on the position and amount of expertise, the typical remuneration for a graphics and gaming specialist in India ranges from INR 400,000 to INR 2,000,000.

Industry trend:

The growing acceptance of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) is one of the most important developments in the gaming sector.

By 2024, the VR/AR market is projected to be worth $72.8 billion, according to a MarketsandMarkets analysis. Games like Pokemon Go and Minecraft Earth leverage augmented reality (AR) to improve the gameplay experience, demonstrating the significant momentum that these technologies have already achieved in the gaming industry.

The expansion of mobile gaming is another trend in the gaming sector. According to Newzoo research, there will be 2.7 billion mobile gamers worldwide by 2023. As mobile gaming gains in popularity, game designers and developers now have more chances to make games that are optimized for mobile devices and provide a smooth gaming experience.

5.  Internet of Things (IoT):

The Internet of Things, or IoT, has completely changed how we interact with our environment. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of hardware, software, and sensors that are linked to the Internet and capable of sharing data and making decisions in real-time. We can manage our houses, automobiles, and even our health thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT).

Skill Requirements:

You’ll need a solid grasp of hardware, software, networking, and security standards in order to succeed in the IoT. It is crucial to be proficient in programming languages like Python, C++, and Java. Knowledge of data analytics and cloud computing platforms is also advantageous. With the IoT, it is also crucial to have the capacity to analyze and comprehend enormous volumes of data.

Job Prospect:

IoT experts will be in high demand as the IoT market is expected to develop dramatically in the upcoming years. The global IoT market is anticipated to develop at a CAGR of 25.68% from 2019 to 2026, reaching $1,386.06 billion, per research by Allied Market Research.

IoT is a fast-expanding sector in India, where both established businesses and numerous startups are making significant investments. IoT specialists are in high demand, with positions like IoT architect, IoT developer, and IoT consultant being among the most sought-after.

Industry trend:

Rapid IoT industry growth is having an influence on a number of industries, including healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and smart cities. With the development of 5G technology, which will offer faster and more dependable internet access, and the rise of edge computing, which will allow devices to process data locally rather than relying on the cloud, the expansion of the IoT is anticipated to continue in the upcoming years.

The worldwide edge computing market is anticipated to reach USD 43.4 billion by 2027, rising at a CAGR of 34.1% from 2020 to 2027, according to a MarketsandMarkets analysis. IoT devices will be able to process data more quickly and effectively as a result of the rise in edge computing.

6. Blockchain Technology:

Blockchain technology is a ground-breaking innovation that has the power to completely revolutionize how we trade, distribute, and keep data. It is a distributed ledger system that is decentralized and enables safe transactions without the use of middlemen.

Skill Requirements:

One has to have a solid background in computer science, cryptography, and data structures in order to succeed with blockchain technology. It is crucial to be proficient in programming languages like C++, Python, and Solidity. It’s also essential to be familiar with networking, distributed systems, and consensus techniques.

Job Prospect:

In recent years, there has been an increase in the need for blockchain experts, with positions like blockchain developer, architect, and consultant among the most sought-after. The fastest-growing career role in 2018 and 2019 was blockchain developer, according to LinkedIn research.

The blockchain market is expanding quickly in India as well, with several startups and well-established businesses making significant investments in the technology. Professionals in the blockchain business are in high demand, and their pay is among the highest in the IT sector.

Industry trend:

Several industries, including banking, supply chain management, healthcare, and voting systems, stand to benefit from the use of blockchain technology. In the upcoming years, it is anticipated that blockchain will continue to expand as new use cases and applications are created.

The size of the worldwide blockchain market is anticipated to increase from $3.0 billion in 2020 to $39.7 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 67.3% over the course of the forecast period, according to an analysis by MarketsandMarkets. The expansion of the blockchain sector has also been aided by the advent of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and decentralized finance (DeFi).

7. Cloud computing:

In recent years, virtualization and cloud computing have been major forces behind the digital revolution, allowing companies to operate more effectively, safely, and affordably. These technologies have made it possible for businesses to virtualize their IT infrastructure and move workloads to the cloud, enhancing their flexibility, scalability, and agility.

Skill Requirements:

It is crucial to be knowledgeable about cloud computing platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Moreover, understanding virtualization technologies like VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM is essential. Knowledge of containerization tools like Docker and Kubernetes is also becoming more and more crucial.

Job Prospect:

Professionals in the fields of cloud computing and virtualization are in more demand than ever; among the most sought-after positions are those for cloud architects, cloud engineers, and virtualization engineers. Cloud computing positions were among the top-growing employment titles in 2019 and 2020, according to LinkedIn research.

The cloud computing market is expanding quickly in India as well, with both new and well-established businesses making significant investments in cloud technology. Professionals in the field of cloud computing are in high demand, and their pay ranks among the best in the computer sector.

Industry trend:

Businesses are now more nimble and able to respond to shifting market conditions thanks to cloud computing and virtualization technology. In the upcoming years, it is anticipated that cloud computing will continue to expand as new use cases and apps are created.

The global public cloud services market is anticipated to expand by 18.4% in 2021 to reach $304.9 billion, up from $257.5 billion in 2020, according to a Gartner analysis. The expansion of the cloud computing sector is also being fueled by the emergence of multi-cloud and hybrid cloud systems.

5 Tips to Choose the Best Specialization for You:

We are bringing you these specialization tips from the most experienced counselor of IILM. Follow them all to choose the best specialization.

  1. Identify your personal interest: Now, for some people knowing their own passion in itself is a huge task, and I’ll be “writing a dedicated blog post on that topic. But for an instance, you can take some ideas from your childhood, friend circle, and school memories and identify what were the things that made you curious or grab your attention for a longer time. Make a list of all the Ideas and refine the 3 most interesting things out of them. 
  2. Now read about all the 3 topics you’ve chosen and dig and little deeper into all of them. Identify what’s that one thing to which you can devote the most energetic years of your lifetime.
  3. Look at the topics and do your own research about future prospects.
  4. Now you must be able to find out the best option for you.
  5. If you still can’t you should be consulting a good career councilor who can guide you to the right path for your career plan.

Conclusion:

The market trends will keep changing, but if you want to excel in your career, you have to develop a learning habit and the ability to adapt to this changing world. Most importantly, you must do your own market research and explore other fields. At this age, you have plenty of time and energy that you can devote to learning new skills and excelling in your career. I hope these specializations can give you an idea of where the market is going and what stream will hold the technology of tomorrow.

If you love reading such insightful content, do follow us.

How to Prepare for Group Discussion in (2023). Tips to Win G.D.

Introduction:

A standard part of the selection process for numerous educational institutions and job interviews is the group discussion (GD) round. The Group Discussion instructor evaluates a candidate’s personality, problem-solving capabilities, teamwork, and communication abilities.

Any topic can be provided to a group of candidates to discuss during a GD round for a predetermined time, typically between 10-15 minutes. The group is then assessed on a range of criteria, including its content, communication abilities, leadership traits, capacity for listening, and teamwork.

Acing the GD round is the stepping stone for you to achieve a good score during any selection or interview process and in this article, we are going to guide you step-by-step on how you can convert your group discussion weaknesses into your strength and pull off the best GD round of your lifetime.

Attributes that are assessed during the G.D. round:

If you are asked to imagine the best-performing candidate in the GD who will absolutely nail the round, what qualities do you think he will have? You would probably have answered, he will be the one with a loud and clear voice, sufficient knowledge about the topic, and a good level of confidence. 

Well, those qualities are a must but not sufficient because an instructor typically looks for applicants who have a mixture of excellent communication abilities, teamwork and collaboration skills, leadership traits, analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, interpersonal skills, and time management skills during a Group Discussion (GD).

In a GD round, you should be able to recognize the problems, provide solutions, analyze and understand the data and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of various possibilities. Furthermore, instructors seek applicants who can effectively engage with others, form relationships, and manage their time during the GD round.

Also Read:

Candidates with these capabilities are ‘apple of eye’ for instructors:

  1. Communication skills: In a GD round, it’s essential to be able to express ideas clearly and concisely. Applicants are judged on their language ability overall as well as their fluency, vocabulary, and grammar.
  2. Team work: An additional crucial component of a GD round is the ability to work in a team and interact with others. Applicants are judged on their capacity to accept others’ perspectives, listen to others, and participate constructively in discussions.
  3. Leadership attributes: Applicants are judged on their leadership abilities, including their capacity to start and steer the conversation, motivate others, and bring the group to an agreement.
  4. Analytical abilities: During a GD round, candidates are also tested on their capacity to evaluate and comprehend information. Candidates are judged on their capacity to recognize important topics, formulate reasoned arguments, and bolster their viewpoints with pertinent data and examples.
  5. Ability to solve problems: Applicants are judged on their capacity to recognize issues, offer solutions, and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of various possibilities.
  6. Interpersonal skills: During a GD round, the capacity to establish bonds with people and communicate clearly with them is also evaluated. Applicants are judged on their capacity to communicate with others, comprehend their viewpoints, and establish rapport.
  7. Time management: During the GD round, candidates are judged on their capacity to properly manage their time, including their capacity to make timely and effective contributions.

How to prepare for Group Discussion:

If you are feeling nervous (or) anxious, please don’t be as it’s not worth it. G.D. could be your best and easiest scorer in any interview or selection process. You just have to follow some standard step-by-step process and you are good to go. Here’s a simple guide on how to prepare for Group Discussion:

  1. Practice Speaking: The standard language uses G.D. round is English and in case you are not comfortable speaking in the language don’t worry, it’s easy. If you are able to read this blog post comfortably, you can communicate very effectively in English too. Just do the following:
    1. Start thinking in English.
    2. Pen down your goals (or) subject concepts, (or) random story/thoughts on a paper or laptop screen in English
    3. If possible try talking to someone in English
      Just follow these steps consistently and you’ll notice a drastic change in your spoken English. (This is how I personally learned English.)
  2. Read about trending Topics: Usually, in GD you are given a trending topic (it may not be true always) to discuss. If you already have some idea about the topic you can gather more points to speak about in the GD. So just spend 15 minutes a day staying aware of what’s all happening in the world.
  3. Practice Listening: Being a good listener is one of the most important qualities to perform well in GD. So practice active listening and try focusing all your attention on the one you are talking to. This will also help you build good relationships with your loved ones.
  4. Practice Thinking with different perspectives: In GD it’s the most important part where you consider other people’s opinions & perspectives to build healthy and open-ended communication. So, judging people from their own perspective can help you a lot.
  5. Stay Calm: The final tip would be to never lose your cool. GDs can be stressful and can make you lose your temper, but those angry emotions in you are just worthless energy consumers that distract you from the primary topic of your GD.

How to Start a GD:

If you are an introverted kind of person then starting a GD will not be less than a nightmare for you. But do you know in most cases, the one who starts the GD has more probability to win the GD.

So starting a GD could be difficult but it’s worth trying, Here are a few easy steps that can help you start the GD:

  • Start with introducing the topic, just give some outline and brief about the topic.
  • Add a relatable story: It can make others more comfortable contributing, also this technique can help make your points more valid in the conversation.
  • Keep things open-ended: Never subtly stay on your points, but keep it open-ended so that others can also add their thoughts and make it a healthy conversation.
  • Start with some stats so that you can make a solid impact on your first conversation. It can guarantee your success to a very high extent. 

Cracking the beginning could be difficult but believe me it’s worth trying.

How to destroy your nervousness in GD

It’ll fetch you a lot of negative light if you are silent and never seen speaking/contributing to the group discussion. But sometimes it just goes out of your control and you feel helpless as neither you get the chance to contribute nor do you have anything solid in your head to contribute to the conversation and you go silent.

How to not go silent in a GD:

You need to tackle this feeling. Basically, it depends on the situation but there are some generic steps you can take to counter this feeling and win against your emotions. 

First,  you need to know that you are not the only person feeling this way, every human being faces this problem and so do you. Now after accepting yourself, take a deep breath and for a split second stop listening to any other voices and recall all the points you prepared before entering the GD room. Now come back to all your senses and try plugging in your own points in the conversation.

Now when you start talking you’ll automatically feel rushed and you’ll be filled with confidence to present yourself. This way you can come empty-handed from any Group Discussion.

How to End Group Discussion:

A group discussion’s conclusion might be just as crucial as its beginning. Here are some pointers for efficiently concluding a group discussion:

Enumerate the main points: and summarize the main ideas that were covered during the session. This can aid in reinforcing the points made and giving a firm knowledge of the main lessons.

Ask for closing remarks: Before concluding the discussion, ask participants if they have any last-minute ideas or opinions they’d want to contribute. By doing this, it may be possible to guarantee that everyone has had a chance to contribute.

Explain any action items that were mentioned throughout the meeting, especially if it was on a specific issue or issue or problem. By doing this, you can make sure that everyone understands what needs to be done next.

Thank you to everybody who came: We appreciate everyone’s participation and contributions. Show your thanks for their time and work by acknowledging their ideas and suggestions.

Follow-up: After the session, it could be required to contact participants depending on the nature of the conversation. This can support ensuring that everyone is on the same page and that action items are done.

It’s important to keep in mind that the purpose of a group conversation is to produce ideas, share expertise, and identify problems. You can contribute to the development of a constructive and fruitful atmosphere for subsequent talks by summarizing important points, making action items clear, and expressing gratitude to participants.

How to Dress in a Group Discussion:

Make a strong first impression and dress professionally when participating in a group discussion (GD). Here are some broad suggestions about GD attire:

Dress formally: When attending a GD, formal attire is recommended. This may entail a suit, dress trousers, and a formal shirt for the male gender. For ladies, this may entail donning a formal top with a skirt or trousers suit.

Choose neutral hues: It is better to use neutral hues like white, black, grey, or navy blue. Keep bright or flamboyant colors to a minimum.

Keep things simple: Don’t over accessorize, and wear straightforward clothing. Keep your jewelry to a minimum, and opt for plain, formal shoes and a bag.

Pay attention to hygiene: It’s crucial to consider hygiene. Make sure your clothing is spotless, ironed, and well-fitting.

Dress appropriately for the situation, taking into account the type of GD and the organization or company you are interviewing with. To determine what is appropriate, learn about the company’s culture and dress code.

Keep in mind that establishing a strong first impression involves more than just how you dress. Your potential to succeed in a GD is also significantly influenced by your leadership traits, cooperation and collaboration abilities, communication skills, and capacity for logical argumentation.

Conclusion:

Learning group discussions can be helpful to you in various aspects of life, it improves your confidence, way of thinking, communication skills, people-convincing skills, etc. The above tips have proven successful for many of our students in cracking interviews and making them a confident person overall. We post such insightful content regularly and follow IILM to stay ahead of your time in such a fast paced world.

Recently Published:

“Bouncing Back: Swim but don’t Sink, Bend but don’t Break”

Ms. Megha Kochhar and Dr. Kriti Vyas

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Psychology

29th March 2022     10 mins Read

Resilience has often been referred to as “ordinary magic” while it looks like an extraordinary act. It is more than once thought. It’s a human trait inhibited by all, but only used by some.

Research by Dan Gilbert, a Harvard psychologist, suggests that no matter how extreme the difficulty may seem, people will bounce back to their happiness baseline in what seems like a short time. Rather, it surprises us how fast a huge majority of people who experience any kind of tragedy or trauma get back to their daily routine, as Gilbert notes “We don’t recognize that we are as resilient a species as we turn out to be.”

I don’t remember someone teaching me to be resilient nor telling me that trouble and turmoil would be an inevitable part of my life. That, someday I would face really tough times with disappointment, fear, and the occasional carpet pull (when life pulls the ground beneath your feet.) I always grew up thinking life was a fairy tale, all rosy and that staying safe and secure was the best strategy to survive. Over the years I have realized I have become much more resilient by challenging my own limits, facing my fears and enduring through my perceived limitations. After surviving near to death situations in my life, I started to face more challenges in life.

The secret to resilience is not stopping, it is to keep trying hard, then falling, getting up then recovering, again trying, then falling, then getting up again and keep trying again. It’s more like climbing a mountain without a route map. Yes, it undoubtedly requires time, effort, and support. One may face setbacks and roadblocks along the way. However, you will eventually reach the top and will feel proud of your journey. It’s all about becoming aware of and then building the endurance levels residing within you.

You are stronger than your beliefs, this is the affirmation you need to give yourself every moment. Build your stamina. It’s all about your self-belief, hope and optimism. Stress is an internal process and our emotional reaction that we add meaning to based on external events in our life.

Dr. Martin Seligman, founder of Positive Psychology writes “Talk to yourself. Give yourself a cognitive intervention and counter defeatist thinking with an optimistic attitude. Challenge your downbeat thinking. And replace it with positive outlook.”

The bestseller author of Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goldman also opines that changing our self-talk makes us more resilient. This is the key to resilience, and we overcome from our self-induced stress. Positive conversations with our self, give our lives a perspective that opens new windows of hope and belief. We have heard of the flight-or-flight response. So, the way we fight back and regain our control over our self helps us to talk to our inner self in a compassionate and gentle way. Being mindful of your internal states helps us to become generative, positive and more pragmatic.

So, step one is to take care of physical body, love yourself, and eat healthy, foods that have all colors of the rainbow. Get quality sleep. Install a habit tracking app. Make self-care your second nature. Finally, rather than blaming yourself about what all that’s happening in you life world treat yourself, with love, compassion, and empathy.

Practice accepting life’s impermanence, nothing stays forever not even your pains. This shall also pass. Ask yourself “How can I mould myself to life’s changes.”

Get curious to deal with uncomfortable emotions like embarrassment, disappointment, failure, comparisons as they arise. Our ability to be comfortable in uncomfortable emotions builds our resilience. There are various forms of meditation like sound, water, light self-guided meditation, practice what resonates best with you.

Build a supportive network of friends, family, health care professionals whom you can reach out to, not all challenges in life re meant to be faced alone.

How about creating a set of Calm Cards, pick a card in the morning that will help you reflect on the intention of the day. Pick a card on Sunday to set an intention for the week. Pick a card when you are struggling with another person, explore his good qualities and ease your relationship. Send a card to someone who needs some inspiration in life.

Adopt a Furry friend, don’t know about you but, my dog Raja was one of my strengths during my tough times, fostering him and getting greeted by him with those extra cuddles was so therapeutic.

Self-Reflection works the best –

  • Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. When you are facing tough time just ask yourself “What can I learn here” or “How can I add meaning to this situation of my life?”
  • Which part of me is tender and needs special attention?
  • Journaling really helps to get your stream of consciousness going.
  • Ask yourself “Am I taking anything for granted”
  • Am I letting matters that are out of control, stress me out?
  • Make a list of 21 things that make you smile. When was the last you followed them?

We all are aware that setbacks are a part of our lives. What matters is how quickly we learn to bounce back from adversity and negative events. In the words of Angela Duckworth that has inspired me “As much as talent counts, efforts count twice.”

Let us take a step forward and make our time worth it.

Share your experiences with us on megha.kochhar@iilm.edu / kriti.vyas@iilm.edu

 

An Ideal Law School

The question that most frequently crosses our mind while selecting a college to pursue our higher education in law is what we need and what they offer? An ideal Law college should be a paradise land offering a mock of the entire life ahead of every budding lawyer. It is paramount to understand that a lawyer is not only the one who practices the law. Instead, a lawyer is expected to preach its values and propagate them in society. This brings us to the foremost value every budding lawyer searches for in a law school, the quality of being able to be good. Law school should focus on the speaking abilities of every law student, even of the ones sitting in the corner of the class. To polish this skill, law school should regularly engage their students in moot court competitions, panel discussions, debates, and classroom interactions. The use of these practices makes the students confident to face the world with much ease.

The second virtue a law college should offer is the opportunity to let the young minds speak, write and publish. An ideal law school is the one that pushes all its students to contribute towards the law journals of the college and also help them build up their research skills to enable them to publish their works in other journals. The next essential trait a law student looks for in a law college is its ability to offer internships and placement opportunities. Law school should also focus on co-curricular activities apart from the regular law classes, which will ensure the student’s overall growth. For the overall growth of students, the students should be able to stay in touch with their teachers even beyond the classroom and college years. The professors and mentors should establish healthy relations with the students or a system that offers continuous mentoring of the students by following some unique mentor-mentee system. In addition to this, any law school that follows the Socratic method of teaching will raise the more analytical and intellectual lawyers. That involves complete participation of the student in the learning process, whereby he gets the freedom to ask questions and the confidence to raise his voice.

So an ideal law school should follow a student-centric approach, keeping in mind that a law student is not made a lawyer only by reading the books, instead what he experiences throughout the law school. A student becomes a lawyer with all the experiences he/she shares with his/her fellow students and mentors at the law school.

A Cross Cultural Perspective on Child Rearing – Student Blog – Ritwik Khurana

 

Parenting is regarded as one of the most challenging tasks for a person to take up. It requires patience, understanding, unconditional love and support. There is a quote that states “A single tree cannot grow a variety of fruits”, which implies that a person cannot possess a multitude of qualities to sustain a desirable life. But how does this translate to parenting?

There have been many stories of children who reminisced the times spent with their mothers and fathers, whereas there also have been horror stories of childhood abuse and parents who neglected their children. But overall, on average most children can provide a testament to having nostalgic and vivid childhood experiences in their adulthood. Parenting requires a person to possess the same multitudes of qualities as mentioned above, which proves this statement wrong. Humans are complex, are prone to lapses in judgement but are capable of possessing a variety of desirable and positive traits.

Universally, the challenges of Child rearing are very similar but differ in practice according to one’s culture. In todays Blog post we will try to understand the impact of parenting styles on Child rearing and mainly the cultural differences between Eastern & Western Child rearing practices. Diana Baumrind (1950s) revolutionized the existing thoughts on parenting by introducing 3 types of parenting styles, which are; Authoritative, Authoritarian and Permissive. Now let’s apply these concepts on Eastern & Western Child rearing. Countries like India, China and Vietnam are often recognized as truly Asian, because of their strong collectivistic values.

Indian parents are often typified as being “Authoritarian”, being too controlling and worried about their child’s future. This is often displayed through “High academic expectations” where these parents force their children to pursue excellence in studies and co-curricular activities. China also follows a similar model, barring cultural connotations. This attitude of parenting often stems from an excessive reliance on communal image and personal goals at the parental end, which harms the emotional and cognitive development of children.

The strength of cultural conformity and family bonds has even extended the authoritarian rights to neighbors and other adult members of the society. This often causes problems among the younger members of society, who require deserved autonomy in their youth. But on the other hand, the youth are usually well supported by their parents – emotionally & financially, until they can afford this autonomy on their own. Resulting in some members of this culture doing well for themselves. Which is not the case in Western culture.

On the other hand, a research conducted on American & Western parenting practices by Sandra Hofferth in 2015 discovered that America has higher proportions of poor and low-income children than other developed nations, and poverty explains more differences in parenting practices than family structure. It is slightly ironic, but can we infer this is as a reason for problems observed in Indian parenting, from the given statement? This statement gives us a reason to believe that the financial resources of a family in any cultural context, is the biggest extraneous variable in research conducted on Parenting & Child rearing practices. According to Hofferth’s research, the parents were performing well on average, but two aspects need improvement in American culture, as these cause a lot of developmental problems.

These are Poverty & Parental relations; Poverty and homelessness are the biggest causes of childhood abuse and exploitation in developed countries. There are many cases of resilience, but a lot of children succumb to their adverse circumstances. Strong Parental relations is a good indicator of peaceful family life, It is worth noting, moreover, that despite the preponderance of children living with two married parents at any one time, more than half of American children will spend some part of their childhood living in a household that does not include two biological parents who are married to each other.

This small overview has been presented to provide an insight into the commonly observed Child rearing practices between Eastern & Western cultures. The institution of marriage is highly regarded in the Indian culture and its impact can be evidently observed on child rearing practices in India. Whereas marriage in western cultures is often characterized as the “Next step”. It is very important to note, that when cultural contexts change the problems will also change. Countries like India & China, which have a higher density of people residing in an area, are prone to more collectivistic consumer-oriented parenting. Whereas North Americans are used to Individualistic consumer-oriented parenting. Here consumer-oriented refers to the impact of popular culture on Child rearing practices.

I hope you learned something today, and are able to take something home. Don’t get alarmed by these statistics, refer to the first paragraph of this post. Good Parenting can happen with patience, understanding, unconditional love and support!

For more Blogs on various Psychological Facets follow blog.iilm.edu.

By – Ritwik Khurana

BA Psychology

Really is it True- Do we all Think Alike?

I was reading in the morning paper about how a game of Ludo saved our lives during the lockdown. The collective power of distracting ourselves from the pandemic glued people the world over to gaming. Obsession and now so much time on hand, made some people go back to board games, especially Ludo- the traditional four players’ game. Families hurdled up together for some fun time, given when they were free from their work from home schedule to enjoy each other’s company. Some took to phones and started playing ludo with friends and family near and far to play ludo on the app. It was all good fun and in essence, has taught many of us the virtues of living life. Pandemic was not only an eye-opener for so many of us who were living life in the fast lane but was also an insightful year to reflect and relax in life- we only get it once.

Ludo as explained by Wikipedia is a strategy board game for two to four players, in which the players race their four tokens from start to finish according to the rolls of a single die. Two, three, or four can play, without partnerships.

This game brings out the best in us- to win and go home and be happy or the worst- to keep killing other players’ tokens so that you can overtake them and win. A lot of animosities also stems up from those who are not interested in being killed and sent back to wait for a roll of dice to make a six and be released all over again in the game. This game is not for the weak-hearted, as only the most meticulous, careful, and fully aware player will make it first to home without a scratch.

Like others, I always begin the game hoping for my dice to show six so that my tokens will freely roam around the square of the board, only to occasionally meet threats from other players, who would be determined not to let my token take a peaceful walk by home, unscratched.

So, while I am rejoicing for my tokens and at the same time worried that other players may not harm me, I wonder, do we all play fair? Do we all think alike? Is it true that like-minded people think alike?

Thinking is a mental process of experiencing present events and making critical judgments from past experiences. Thinking is used almost every second of our living and most of the time engage in thoughtfulness without even thinking. It is like a habit you flow into without you realizing you are doing it (nail-biting for example).

We all display similar yet unique styles of thinking even though we can be characterized into personality types, yet something in our nature makes us individually unique. To explain how we think, I will bring in Sternberg’s ideology of thinking styles.

Sternberg (1988,1997) proposed his own theory of thinking styles, a theory he named the “theory of mental self-government”. He used the metaphor of mental self-government to portray how the human mind works. His theory postulated 13 different mental styles to manage our daily activities. To make it simpler, I would like to explain different mental styles with examples of players on a Ludo game and their strategies to win.

A legislative player will use his own method, not follow others, and look for winning moments but creatively.

An executive player will follow only a structured method and hopefully will not cheat.

A judicial player will evaluate other players’ moves and constantly comment in the game at them.

A monarchic player will spend all his energy on one token to safety than putting all his tokens in the game.

A hierarchic player will put all his tokens out in the game and make the most calculative moves to save his tokens.

An oligarchic player will be in a hurry to win and will move without looking in the game.

An anarchic player will go all out to win, unlike an executive, unlikely to see risk assessment of other players moves.

A global player may look like a loser in the beginning but will keep looking at the bigger picture than a quick win.

A local player will keep thinking, time-consuming player of the game, and take small steps.

An internal player is someone only playing for himself even if it is a group game, no partnership, no mercy to others.

External player unlike internal player is playing with everyone, will let others go at times than cutting their chance and putting them back in the box. He likes partnership.

A liberal player will keep changing his own strategies to surprise other players with unpredictable moves in the game.

Conservative player will be the predictable player of the game, everyone will know his moves even before he moves his tokens.

We like the players in Ludo have different thinking styles which we display in different scenarios when thinking critically and working through problem-solving. To make effective decisions, most of us jump from one thinking style to another, maybe from personal to professional concerns of decision making.

There is no one reason to explain this variation, but yes, some generalizations can be as to how skilled we are, varied past experiences, the seriousness of problem-solving, time at hand, and of course our temperament influences the way we think and from that thinking behave.

To conclude, thinking influences all facets of our life even when we are mindlessly doing something, say as simple as a board game. Interestingly, even if everyone knows how to play ludo, they will always play it differently than the last time; just like our thinking styles alike- yet different.