When I chose Love over my Career: My Story

Life is hard, and plans don't always turn out the way they should. But when we look back over our lives, we realize that some decisions really changed the course of our lives for the better.

During my B.Tech, I balanced my studies with active participation in clubs and committees, and also engaged in sports and exploration. Aspiring for a non-core placement, I didn't participate in hackathons or apply for internships. After graduation, I pursued various paths, including preparing for the CAT exam with only three months of preparation time, but I didn't succeed. I then applied to several companies for data analytics roles but kept making new mistakes in each attempt. In one instance, I was rejected for oversharing my passion for data science in a final interview. To improve my chances, I optimized my resume and completed significant projects, but these efforts haven't yet yielded the desired results. Realizing the challenges of relying on a single target, I also started preparing for the GATE exam. Reflecting on my journey, I recognize that I should have applied for on-campus opportunities, as off-campus job hunting is challenging and unpredictable, regardless of one's preparation. Tell me your story? In order to get some hope that we can make it and it's never too late

Was having morning chai and realized I should write this somewhere. Not sure if there’s anything to learn here. Just one guy’s story Years 0 to 5: Small town child Was born in Bhubaneshwar, father had a government job. Very average middle class life. Middle class values. Parents always wanted me to study hard so I did. Used to be most excited about playing cricket and football very day Years 5 to 15: The studious class kid We shifted to Jaipur - dad had a transferable job. Took time adjusting to a new school but eventually made some friends. Realised I do not have any music/sports/artistic talent, but I can work hard. So I started working hard on my studies and started being top 10% of my class every year. Maths came easy to me. I am not in touch with any of my friends from this period but they have all gone on to do good things as I see from their LinkedIn profiles Years 15 to 22: IIT years

 Worked super freakin hard - gave the JEE and made it to one of the top 7 IITs in the Mech department, soon realised I do not love Mech and there weren’t any jobs as well. Started learning to code and made a few projects. Did an internship at Microsoft and another at a startup from a college alum. Ended up realising becoming an engineer is not my cup of tea long term. Took a hard turn to working on non engineering skills and jobs. 

Most importantly made so many friends, had so much fun. These are still some of my best friends and we still meet each other and stay at each other’s houses. Picked up a deep obsession with E-Sports (Counter Strike mostly) Years 22 to 24: First job Joined one of the top 10 consulting companies at a good salary. Moved to Mumbai - started wearing suits and living a great life from hotel to hotel. The job was good, but not engaging enough. Decided I should quit. But was scared to do it for 8 months. Started studying for my CAT Years 25 to 28: MBA and marriage CAT went sweet. Joined a top MBA school - the most formative years of my life to be honest. Almost close to my last 2 years at college. Met my wife there to whom I got later married at 28. I still keep in touch with a few people from MBA but not as many as I do from college. Years 28 to 32: Making it onto Tech My campus placement happened as a Product Manager at famous tech company in Bangalore where I have been for the last 4 years now. Got a couple promotions. I love my work and its impact. I still sometimes get to play my Counter Strike. As I look back on all of life, I guess the most important things I have learnt are to just stay happy and do something useful EVERY DAY. Be diligent, work hard and you’ll get where you want to. Do not stress over it. Just stay in the game. Don’t tire out. Anyway. That’s it folks!

I always looked at her and felt she is so beautiful, charismatic, and had an infectious smile. Looking at her made me smile broo. Chapter 1 One day I decided to ask her out. I messaged her and our conversation grew then she spilled out that she also liked me a lot. And she was glad that I asked her out. Chapter 2 She had studied in an all girls school and she had a stereotype about boys that they are all stupid and bad. And girls and boys should never be together. I was fine because atleast she liked me 😂. One fine day she asked me to break up with my brosss. I asked her why? She said your friends are all playboys and I don't like the way they look at me. (Disclaimer: My bros are really nicest guys and I have known them since childhood they are the best gentlemen). We had an argument which didn't end on a good note. Chapter 3 I left to a new state for my Job. After I reached there she messaged me that we can't talk and we have to stop whatever we had. I got anxious and worried and spent my 5 months not being able to contact her. I got into depression. Then me being restless on my birthday I came back to my hometown. At exactly 11:59PM when my bday was going to end she messaged me "Happy Birthday". I was so happy to see her message. Chapter 4 We started talking and she said that she is leaving to Canada for her higher studies. I was happy for her but at the same time I was sad. I didn't want to see her go. We both cried and stayed on call till morning watching each other sleep. Chapter 5: She reached Canada and she completed her formalities and procedures. We talked for few more days but then eventually she started giving me hints that she is not interested. Then one day she abruptly messaged me and said we can't talk and we have to end everything. I cried the whole night, because there was no way for me to contact her and she had blocked me. Chapter 6: It has been 1 yr to that day. Somehow I have gone numb. I'm slowly forgetting her.

for me. i spent college studying for grades and 20s making money in a job I don't like, but never got to make the memories I should've with all my friends. I regret doing all of that

Apart from salaries, what are some compelling reasons that make you prefer US over EU/Canada inspite of immigration hurdles that's akin to walking on egg shells? What's your rationale behind not pursuing opportunities in Europe or Canada where it's possible to get a similar quality of life, lesser immigration related headaches, better work life balance, healthcare that doesn't burn a hole in your wallet, etc.

Question came up because it’s Independence Day 🇮🇳 A lot of us have had the privilege to be able to go abroad, but ended up choosing not to. For me, it was just believing there’s enough growth here in the coming few decades + friends/family Looking to hear if the reduced brain drain is actually true, and what makes people stay.

As I'm entering a new stage of life, I'm starting to reevaluate my career priorities. In my 20s, I was all about climbing the ladder and chasing prestige. Now, I'm more focused on finding work that aligns with my values and allows for a balanced lifestyle. Have any of you gone through a similar shift? How did it change your career trajectory? And how do you define success for yourself now versus when you first started out?

So my sibling is about to graduate with a degree in Computer Science from a T2 college in a few months and wants to now do MS in the US because of three reasons: 1. Low levels of violence against women(Sexual Assault) [IMPORTANT!!] 2. Want to do innovative work in the US instead of working on copycat products in India 3. Ambition of living in the US long term because of free-er culture But my parents have flat out refused to fund the education or even help her with a loan due to regressive mentality (nahi jaana baahar, 2-3 saal kaam karo aur shaadi karo chup chaap) She has accepted a job offer for now and will make 14L/year. What are her options? Should she drop the idea of MS abroad?

I met my girlfriend during college, 5 years ago. We were so much in love. I remember we used to go on dates to picnics, museums and the works. I spent and invested a lot of money and time in this relationship. I feel that my life is purposeless now that she has left me. Her father is a very high ranking government official. He has gotten marriage proposals from very well endowed political connections. Apparently some ex-CM's son is out in the marriage market looking. I don't know why but I still thought we would make it. Like, nothing can come between us. She texted me last night that she was leaving me because I only make 14LPA. My hands are still trembling. I want to go be the best version of myself and simultaneously think that the train tracks are looking comfy to sleep on.