
The world is moving fast, and as an Indian student, you need to be strategic. That doesn’t mean to pick one path over the other. You must strike a balance between both instead of viewing artificial intelligence as a disruptive technology in education. Check out five practical tips tailored for Indian learners in 2026:
Be a T-Shaped Professional
Don’t be a generalist or a specialist; be both. That’s what we call the T-shaped model. The vertical bar of the ‘T’ stands for your core skill, which is the area in which you have the most experience and knowledge. It could be something very relevant right now, like:
- Data analytics
- AI
- Digital marketing
- Mechanical engineering
- Cybersecurity
The horizontal bar shows that you know a lot about a lot of different things. You need both to be successful in any profession.
Take the case of artificial intelligence and technology courses. They are great for preparing for some specific tasks. But they can’t see how they fit into the bigger picture. An AI model can make code for a website, but only a person with adequate knowledge of design and user psychology can finally make it useful.
Balance Alternative Learning With Accredited Degrees
Short-term artificial intelligence and technology courses are fantastic for upskilling. But to set up a foundation, you need time. And that’s where the relevance of traditional degree options comes in.
Companies still see a degree as proof of consistency and discipline. According to a Forbes report, 81% of employers believe getting a college degree today is worth it, despite the money and time needed.
So, it’s always better to take a hybrid approach. First of all, focus on acquiring a relevant degree from a top university in the world, possibly from abroad to access the benefits of international networking. Then, stack up online credentials to show adaptability.
Build a Portfolio
A resume just shows your academic credentials. It’s a portfolio that shows what you can bring to the table. Here’s how to build a portfolio:
- Programmers and data scientists: Host your projects on GitHub and include detailed READMEs. You could show off your data analysis work on sites like Kaggle or make a simple web app that solves a problem in the real world.
- Marketers: Use a site like Behance or your own website to show off case studies. Clearly mention what the problem is, how you solved it, and what the result was.
Learn AI Collaboration and Prompt Engineering
These days, it’s no longer about knowing every answer. What really matters is knowing how to ask the right questions. That’s what we call prompt engineering. It’s the skill of communicating with AI models to get the best results.
Check out how to learn it from scratch:
- You can learn by experimenting with free AI chatbots. Treat them as your practice ground to test different prompts and note how the responses change.
- Maintain a notebook or digital doc where you record prompts you tried, what worked, and what didn’t. Over time, you’ll build your own playbook.
Fun Fact
You can make this prompt journal a product. Many creators have sold their AI playbooks online, with some making thousands of dollars. Who knows? You might even earn enough to pay for your Harvard tuition if yours is good enough!
- Study how AI career professionals use prompts in marketing, coding, or content creation. Many online case studies are available.
- Look for specialized artificial intelligence and technology courses that include prompt engineering modules. A formal path keeps your learning organized.
Always Stay Updated
Things change so quickly that what you learn today will be out of date in a few years. So, the best skill you can have is to ‘unlearn and relearn’. Have a look at how to do that:
| Approach |
What To Do |
| Micro-learning |
Consume short content every day through Reels, Shorts, newsletters, blogs, etc. |
| Project-based |
Build practical projects every month, related to your industry |
| Certifications |
Earn specific credentials on new emerging skills through platforms like Google, IBM, Infosys, LinkedIn Learning, etc. |