An Indian software engineer has gone viral on social media after sharing his journey from repeated academic setbacks to landing a high-paying tech job by the age of 25.
In a Reddit post titled “My story:
From a pure failure in college to here at 25,” the engineer recounted how years of failures, health issues and job insecurity eventually led him to secure a role with an annual package of Rs 21 lakh. Describing himself as an introvert during school, he said his struggles began after Class 10, when he scored 72 per cent in Class 12 and performed poorly in engineering entrance examinations.
My story: From a pure failure in college to here at 25
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He said he enrolled in a BSc Mathematics course at what he described as a “worst possible college,” failing all subjects in his first semester. The situation worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he slipped into depression. He failed his final university examination in 2022, failed again in a re-examination in 2023, and was unsuccessful in the NIT MCA entrance exam despite preparing for a year.
Alongside academic difficulties, his health also deteriorated. He said he was diagnosed with hydronephrosis and chronic kidney disease stemming from pre-existing medical conditions, further compounding his challenges.
Determined to pursue a career in software engineering, he began learning coding independently after college. In 2023, he landed a part-time role, followed by a full-time job paying Rs 6 lakh per annum. However, he was laid off just five months later. “Definitely wasn’t happy with what I had,” he wrote, adding that he resumed preparation and interviews soon after.
His persistence paid off in October 2025, when he received job offers from two mid-level startups. He joined one of them with a base salary of Rs 21 lakh per annum along with ESOPs. “Recently turned 25 and feel this is way better than I thought where I could end. The journey is not finished, but at least now I’m in a better and happier shape,” he wrote.
The post struck a chord with users online, many of whom praised his resilience and openness. Several commenters said his story challenged India’s emphasis on degrees and college pedigree, highlighting instead the value of continuous learning and skill-building. Others shared similar struggles and said his journey gave them hope for the future.
