In a remarkable Reddit post that rapidly became viral, a 21-year-old engineering student from Gujarat exposed the stark difference between her life in India and that of her cousin, who had moved to the United Kingdom seven years back. The sentimental but introspective post, titled "Is life in western countries actually better than in India?", has brought about a greater debate regarding the quality of life, education system, work ethics, and avenues for Indian youth—particularly women.

The two women have the same background—close in age, academically qualified, and enthusiastic about engineering. Beyond that, the similarities stop. The Redditor, who remained in India, presented a grim report of her educational and professional life. Battling overwrought college coursework, unengaging teaching practices, and a scarcity of internship opportunities, she chronicled a life overshadowed by extended working hours, paltry stipends, and social disapproval for failing to pass the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).

“I worked 10 hours a day during my last internship for just ₹12,000 a month, plus an hour-long commute,” she wrote, adding that many better opportunities are reserved for college toppers, making the system feel rigged against average students.

Wales: Where Average is Enough

Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, her cousin's life is different. Currently pursuing aerospace engineering at the elite University of Bath, the cousin has already landed two lucrative internships, been offered a job by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and toured Europe with her university's Formula 1 student team.

"Neither is she a topper," the Redditor clarified. "But there, you don't need to be in the top 1% to live well." The post complimented the UK's education system for its practical learning style and open extracurricular environment—opportunities that are usually lacking in India's strictly academic setup.

While some of the users of the internet criticized the post for idealizing life overseas, others supported her opinions, mentioning improved air and water quality, rule-following societies, safer streets for women, and trust-based and efficient systems.

One Belgian user provided insight as a first-generation immigrant, saying Europe's healthcare, social justice system, and merit-based employment were objectively superior. "Even mediocre students with 60% can get good jobs here," they said, in contrast with India's competitive and sometimes discriminatory system.

The post doesn't simply contrast two lives—it captures the hopes and fears of a generation raised in the shadow of world possibilities. It challenges systemic imbalances, provokes ideas of success, and makes readers reflect on where India is in caring for its young. While the young engineer's musings might be based on personal experience, her tale has struck a chord far and wide—serving as a mirror for Indians everywhere trapped in the grind of "meritocracy" with no rewards. It's not so much about the West doing things better; it's about what else India could do.

A recent case involving a school in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu has highlighted the requirement of menstrual hygiene and education among school students. An eighth-grade girl student who had recently gone through her first menstrual cycle was sat on the staircase outside her class and handed her exam. A video of the girl, clearly upset, went viral on social media, and outrage and alarm followed.

The episode also speaks about the insensitivity and indifference of the school administration towards girls who menstruate. The plight of the girl sends a strong message regarding the taboo and stigma of menstrual hygiene in our society. Menstruation, which is a natural biological process, remains a taboo subject, and girls are left to deal with this difficult situation without any assistance or guidance.

Every girl child should be confident and dignified enough to handle menstruation. But the absence of menstrual education and school sanitary facilities discourages them from doing so. The Coimbatore case calls for holistic menstrual education, inclusive classrooms, and facilitation infrastructure.

Schools have a strong influence on developing impressionable minds and creating an empathetic and inclusive spirit. To cultivate a support group for girls, schools may implement the following:

  • Menstrual Education: Include thorough menstrual hygiene education in the curriculum, covering menstrual health, hygiene etiquette, and emotional stability.
  • Sanitary Facilities: Maintain clean, well-maintained, and accessible sanitary facilities, toilets, and disposal units.
  • Empathy and Support: Educate teachers and staff in empathetic and compassionate responses to menstruation issues.

The Coimbatore case is a wake-up call to society to put an end to menstruation stigma. We need to acknowledge the fact that menstrual hygiene is a fundamental human right that ensures girls' education, well-being, and health. Through menstrual awareness and gender-sensitive spaces, we empower girls to hold their menstruation with confidence and dignity.

In the future, the following has to be accomplished:

  • Raise Awareness: Raise awareness among students, teachers, and parents about menstrual hygiene and why it is so important.
  • Create Supportive Infrastructure: Install disposal units in sanitary facilities in schools.
  • Foster Empathy: Create a feeling of concern and care towards girls when they are menstruating.

We can make our society inclusive and embracing for girls so that they can perform at their best together. The Coimbatore incident is an eye-opener that much work has to be done. Let us come together and shatter the taboo of menstruation and see that no girl child is deprived of dignity and confidence in managing her menstruation.

School counselors are finding it difficult to provide individualized student support due to a variety of reasons, a new report warns.

Nearly nine in 10 middle school and high school counselors indicated that providing individualized services is important, the 2025 School Counselor Report by YouScience, a college and career readiness platform, discovered.

The company's poll of more than 300 school counselors found time to be a major hindrance. The instructors are requesting additional resources, like student aptitude tests, in order to "streamline and enhance" their work, according to YouScience.

The survey found three main challenges:

Heavy caseloads: With 300 to 400 student caseloads, most counselors have to "put off proactive career and academic planning in favor of addressing pressing issues." Studies have determined that numerous students feel unprepared to select colleges and careers. In addition, the American School Counselor Association suggests a ratio of one counselor to 250 students.

Needs for mental health: Almost three-quarters of counselors said they are not well-equipped to handle the growing complexity of students' mental health needs. This has resulted in students being less connected to their school and futures.

Administrative tasks: The majority of counselors indicated that "compliance-related administrative tasks" consume most of the time that might be spent with students.

"School counselors play a deep impact on students' futures, but they're being overextended to create the type of difference they're being asked to create," said Edson Barton, YouScience co-founder and CEO.

"When counselors have access to up-to-date solutions, they can do what they do best: assist students in unlocking their natural strengths and creating a future based on their strengths and passions," he added.

Empowering school counselors

In order to reverse the trends listed above, the survey recommends that school leaders:

Instill digital career exploration and aptitude tests that increase counselors' ability to provide targeted guidance.

Install automated scheduling systems and provide administrative relief to counselors so that they can spend more time engaging with students.

Train school counselors in mental health services and increase access to mental health professionals.

As one heads for the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), it is absolutely crucial that contestants stay current with new updates, expectations, and sources. For a productive and headache-free experience, contestants must acquire competition-specific developments and directions. They consist of important content including topics, explanations, professional development examination study guides, national competitor online submission/testing requisites, among others.

Competitors are to note that live animals and biohazardous materials may not be brought to any competition. In addition to this, an examination of the SkillsUSA National Competitor Checklist, which contains vital details as well as pre-conference requirements, is equally important. Such a checklist could be a must-have in bringing competitors adequately equipped for national competition.

With regard to web submission, national competitors must submit online by June 5, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET. Login details will be transmitted by state directors by or before May 21, 2025. Competitors must then post their resume and satisfy additional requirements on the Competitor Portal. To make it easier, it is recommended that the competitors check their equipment prior to attending the conference so they can take advantage of the 5GHz Wi-Fi connectivity that is offered in the Georgia World Congress Center.

As they prepare their resumes, job candidates can rely on the SkillsUSA Championships Resume Guide and have example resumes guide them. That they follow through in obeying the mandatory naming requirements, the PDF requirement, and the assigned page count requirement is a necessary step that, if followed to the letter, would put the candidate in best shape when turning in his resume.

The SkillsUSA Professional Development Test is another critical component of the national competition. Pre-conference, national competitors must take this test and can prepare using the SkillsUSA Professional Development Test Study Guide. By preparing rigorously for this test, competitors are in a position to determine their own knowledge of fundamental skills and knowledge required in their own profession.

Finally, competitors must incorporate the 2024-25 SkillsUSA competition theme, "SkillsUSA: Ignite Your Potential," into projects and presentations. The theme will be addressed in the SkillsUSA Chapter Display, Prepared Speech, and Promotional Bulletin Board competitions. Through the implementation of this theme, competitors are able to promote their creativity, skill, and passion for the chosen profession.

Technology in the classroom today is not an amenity anymore—it's a powerful tool that transforms teaching and learning vocabulary. With computer tools embedded into vocabulary instruction, teachers can circumvent many of the pitfalls of the traditional method and provide students with a rich, customized learning experience.

Simple Assessment

Hand grading of vocabulary tests is tedious. EdTech solutions like the Vocabulary Workshop Interactive Edition test automatically, grade instantly, and offer instant feedback. Teachers are free from time, and students receive instant feedback on learning. Missed tests or retakes are easy, freeing teachers from stress and students from confusion.

Instant Activity Assignment

With the right platforms—Google Classroom, Canvas, or vocabulary apps—assignments can be sent and received within seconds. Online activities reduce missing worksheets, lost time on absent students, and quicker feedback, which means better and more efficient vocabulary practice.

Real-Time Monitoring of Progress

Computer technology allows teachers, students, and families to track progress effectively. EdTech provides teachers advanced analysis of student work, allowing more rapid intervention and better understanding of student strengths and weaknesses.

Effortless Differentiation

Differentiated instruction is infused with technology. Teachers can place level-specified vocabulary in the hands of students without creating heightened awareness of differences in learning. EdTech sites typically include integrated accommodations for IEP objectives and learning diagnostics.

Increased Student Engagement

Digital natives thrive when learning is experiential. Interacting vocabulary programs with gamification, instant feedback, and multimedia keep students enthusiastic and motivated toward their studies. 

In a nutshell, tech-enhanced vocabulary instruction fills in gaps, accelerates engagement, and empowers all learners—making teaching both more effective and more rewarding.

Doctors, engineers, and government officers have always been praised as success symbols in India. Several parents can only imagine their children achieving more in these professional fields, hoping for them to land a respected and secure career. Times changed. Today, the limelight also moves towards other professions. Digital marketing, data science, and art are some fields that are generating interest among students today. How a student is directed after clearing Class 12 determines their working life and gives shape to imagination. But here's a reality check: seats in conventional offline institutions are dwindling. In the past five years, available data suggests, the number of students appearing for MBBS entrance exams doubled, but only 23,000 undergraduate medical seats were added in the period. Likewise, engineering seats fell to their lowest in a decade by 2021-22.

With stiff competition and few opportunities of entering offline institutions, the students have to seek alternative paths to chart their future.

Directions Beyond Conventional Paths

Once they complete school, students nowadays have numerous options to choose from. They can study for competitive exams, go for a gap year to find out what they like, work on internships or freelancing assignments, or even begin working early. But if they want to stay on course, keep learning, and still pursue their dream jobs, online learning is the ideal solution.

Why Online Learning Is Gaining Popularity

  1. Availability of a broad selection of courses

Traditional institutions often have a fixed curriculum with limited specialisation options. Online learning, on the other hand, provides access to an extensive range of courses across various domains, including technology, business, arts, and healthcare. Whether someone wants to learn artificial intelligence, digital marketing, or financial modeling, there is an online course available. This allows students to explore different fields before committing to a specific career path, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.

  1. Accessibility and flexibility

Learning online eliminates much of the burden associated with formal education.

You don't require a high grade to join the majority of courses online. Online learning still allows you to acquire knowledge and improve yourself even if your board exams were not satisfactory. Also, if your parents don't approve of your going to another city, then online learning enables you to reach good education at home. Just with a laptop or smartphone and an internet connection, you can be sitting in a small Indian town and learn a course made by some of the world's top teachers.

3. Affordable learning without sacrificing quality

Higher education can prove costly, with tuition fees, accommodation, and travel expenses amounting to quite a bit.

Online courses dispense with all these costs, making learning affordable. High-quality courses are provided by many top universities and platforms at a small fraction of the cost of regular degrees. Some even offer scholarships and financial assistance, so quality education is accessible to a larger number of people. Affordability is a major consideration, with 51% of students viewing it as the primary reason to opt for online education. 4. Chance to study from world experts

Online education eliminates the limitations of geography, enabling students to study from among the finest brains worldwide.

Several online portals that offer one-stop shopping for well-informed online education decisions, partner with leading universities, industry experts, and domain specialists to offer quality education. This exposure assists students in obtaining varied viewpoints, engaging with international professionals, and remaining current with international trends. The ability to obtain mentorship and guidance from global experts renders online learning an excellent option for students looking for a balanced education. 5 New-Age Courses For A Bright Future 1. Digital Marketing

Nowadays, companies are more dependent on the internet to connect and interact with the audience. Digital marketing provides excellent opportunities in content marketing, social media marketing, search engine optimization, and performance measurement. As companies look for growth with metrics and customer engagement, professionals who have expertise in digital marketing are in great demand, hence a progressive career path with a lot of innovation, creativity, and growth opportunities.

  1. UX/UI Design

User interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design are important in defining digital interactions. As technology becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, organisations focus on seamless, intuitive, and engaging digital experiences. UX/UI design careers provide opportunities for app development, web design, and product interfaces. It's a fast-moving field, which brings together creativity, empathy, and technology to drive user satisfaction and business performance.

  1. Data Science & Analytics

Data has become the foundation of data-driven decision-making in various industries. Data science and analytics enable organisations to extract actionable insights, forecast trends, and improve operations. With increasing dependence on big data and artificial intelligence, this profession has promising prospects in finance, healthcare, retail, and more. It offers a future-oriented career option for individuals willing to transform complex data into useful business intelligence.

  1. Ethical Hacking & Cybersecurity

In a rapidly globalized world, cybersecurity has taken center stage among governments and organizations. Cybersecurity experts and ethical hackers protect digital assets, mitigate breaches, and maintain information integrity. With emerging cyber threats, this is an industry that has huge career prospects in security consulting, network defense, and risk management. It's mission-critical and a fast-growing area for technologists and those interested in digital safety.

  1. Entrepreneurship & Startup Incubation

The contemporary business world lives on innovation and disruption. Entrepreneurship and startup incubation promote innovative concepts, developing them into scalable businesses. With connections to global markets, funding channels, and online tools, entrepreneurs can quickly translate ideas into impactful businesses. The dynamic environment promises unlimited potential, fueling economic development and societal transformation, and is perfect for those who yearn for autonomy, leadership, and creative freedom

The global remote job market is booming—and it's no flash in the pan. Five years into the world's transformation to working remotely, remote careers have gone from fringe benefits to mass career offerings. While demand still outpaces supply for highest-level jobs, an increasing amount of high-paying remote work—and many of those pay in USD—are opening up to professionals all over the globe. This increase in remote opportunities has developed a dynamic career space, where jobs are up for grabs across sectors such as technology, marketing, customer support, and design.

Best Sites to Get Remote Employment

Whether you're a freelancer, technical specialist, creative professional, or searching for part-time flexible full-time employment, the following sites provide excellent platforms to start from:

Freelance Platforms

Freelancer – Assignments for writing, design, technology, and more.

Upwork – Bringing freelancers together with businesses worldwide.

Toptal – Hand-curated platform for high-quality talent in software, design, and finance.

 Hand-Curated Remote Job Boards

Jobspresso – Hand-curated listings in tech, marketing, and customer support.

Remote OK – Globally verified remote opportunities.

Remote4Me – Tailored to tech professionals.

Remotive – Community-supported listings with handpicked jobs.

Pangian – Varied roles in remote-first businesses worldwide.

 General Job Boards with Remote Filters

SimplyHired – Aggregates listings including remote opportunities.

LinkedIn – Professional network now full of remote job listings.

FlexJobs – Filtered flexible and telecommute jobs with premium filtering.

Niche & Startup-Focused Sites

AngelList – Startup jobs, many remote by default.

NoDesk – Tech and creative remote jobs made available.

Remotees – International platform providing jobs across sectors.

Job hunters have a range of sites to look for remote work. Freelance platforms such as Freelancer, Upwork, and Toptal provide projects and positions in writing, design, tech, and finance. For more specialized searches, remote job boards such as Jobspresso, Remote OK, Remote4Me, Remotive, and Pangian are dedicated to curated listings that specialize in remote-first companies and international hiring. Moreover, popular sites such as SimplyHired, LinkedIn, and FlexJobs enable users to filter and search for remote jobs, making it simpler for professionals to locate flexible jobs that match their skills. For startup and niche industry enthusiasts, sites such as AngelList, NoDesk, and Remotees offer remote jobs that are specifically designed for creative and technical talent.

Top-Demand Remote Jobs to Pursue

  • Design & Development
  • UI/UX Designer
  • Full-Stack Developer
  • Software Support Engineer
  • Sales & Marketing
  • SEO Manager
  • Influencer Marketing Intern
  • Performance Marketer
  • Customer Success
  • Chat Support Agent
  • Customer Success Manager
  • Client Support Specialist

UI/UX designers, full-stack developers, and senior software support engineers in the design and development field are among the most sought-after remote jobs. Roles such as SEO managers, influencer marketing interns, and performance marketers are becoming popular in sales and marketing. Customer success is also a booming field with job opportunities for chat support agents, client support specialists, and customer success managers. Whether you want to launch a home-based career or transition to a flexible work plan, never have there been such great times to seek out the opportunities that are right for you and your ambitions—no matter where in the world.

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