25‑yr‑old BA History student with gap years seeking career‑pivot stories

[Atharv]

I'm 25, from Navi Mumbai.

My academic path has been pretty unconventional.

71.6% in 10th
57.67% in 12th PCMB
Started engineering but dropped out during the pandemic
Had gap years because of academic, personal and mental‑health reasons
Now doing BA History and thinking about a 4th‑year Honours programme

One thing I'm struggling with is that most career advice assumes a straight‑line path.

A lot of people suggest MBA, government exams, law, teaching, academia, etc., but I want to know what folks with non‑linear journeys actually ended up doing.

I'm especially keen to hear from people who:
- Dropped out of engineering, medicine or another professional course
- Had gap years
- Switched streams completely
- Did BA/BSc/BCom/BCA after a tough start
- Felt lost in their mid‑20s but later found direction

What are you doing now?
How did you figure out what you were actually good at?

What helped you move from confusion to clarity?

What mistakes should someone in my position avoid?

My quals: major in History, minor in Political Science

[Alok]

Please, anyone, give me genuine advice for my situation.

Three‑year gap after 12th because I failed engineering.

How should I explain this gap?

How can I get a non‑voice job?

I did BCom after a three‑year gap from a tier‑4 college.

My academic marks aren't great either.

[Keerthi]

Hey OP, I'm in a similar situation. We can discuss our options and possible solutions-let me know if you want to chat. You're not alone.

[Akshara]

+1

[Ajay]

I'm in a similar spot-don't know what to do now or how to land a job. I have four gap years because of NEET, and I'm in my second year of BSc. Need some advice on getting a job.

[Jai]

Same story, bhai-my age is one year more than yours.