How many of you qualified UGC NET with the hope of building a career in teaching or research? And how many of you have actually secured a job because of it?  
This question has been on my mind ever since I qualified NET six months ago.  
UGC NET is undoubtedly an important qualification. It is the minimum eligibility for Assistant Professor recruitment in many universities and colleges, and it also opens the door to pursuing a PhD. However, qualifying NET alone does not guarantee employment. The number of eligible candidates is far greater than the number of academic vacancies announced each year, making the competition extremely intense.  
During my visit to Loyola College, Chennai, while enquiring about PhD admissions, a professor explained that candidates holding JRF are often preferred for funded research positions because they come with government fellowship support. While this may not be the policy everywhere, it reflects the reality that JRF can provide a significant advantage in many research environments.  
On the other hand, my B.Ed. has consistently provided employment opportunities. School teaching vacancies whether through state governments, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, private schools, or other educational institutions, are announced more regularly than university faculty recruitments. Although competition exists there as well, the number of opportunities is comparatively broader.  
This is not a post against UGC NET. If your goal is higher education, research, or becoming an Assistant Professor, NET remains an essential qualification. But if your immediate priority is employment after an M.A., I genuinely believe it is wise to have an additional professional qualification such as B.Ed., or another skill that expands your career options.  
The current employment landscape is unpredictable. Depending on a single qualification can be risky. Having multiple pathways doesn’t mean you lack focus—it means you’re prepared.  
What’s your experience after qualifying NET? Has it helped you find the opportunities you expected, or has your journey been different?

Does NET justify current unemployment situation??