Hello,

See, when it comes to cracking government job, let me tell you coaching is not compulsory, it's a choice people make because they need guidance. There are many examples of people who have cracked many reputed government jobs such as UPSC, SBI on self-study or while they were working. You need to understand what works for you, and coming to your friend advice, I will strongly suggest you to go after where your interest lie.

If you love teaching, please go ahead, if you want to become professor, you have to appear for NET/SET,you can do this after passing MSc or even in final year. Now, does it mean simply cracking NET/SET make you eligible? No, to become a lecturer or assistant professor in case of SET, one needs to have teaching experience and by that I don't mean degree, but simply experience of teaching, along with having published research papers definitely add high value to candidate's CV.

Decide for yourself, you're studying in college yourself, do you get inspired  by your professor and the life they lead? Answer lies with you only.