Getting a job after engineering is often considered the first step towards financial independence. But for a 23-year-old software engineer, the reality has been much more difficult. Despite passing several rounds of interviews at leading companies and working in the tech industry, she says her biggest struggle is still having to ask her father for money at the end of the month.Her emotional social media post has resonated with thousands of students and young professionals, many of whom said they saw their own journey reflected in her words. At a time when India’s tech job market has slowed and competition has intensified, her story highlights the pressures that many recent graduates endure in silence.
The young software engineer’s struggle with job rejections and financial pressure resonates with graduates
From JEE disappointment to startup uncertainty
The young engineer shared that his journey did not start as he expected. After failing the JEE, he enrolled in a Tier 3 engineering college, where he gradually developed a strong interest in programming.On-campus internships, however, offered very limited opportunities. Only a handful of companies visited the university and very few students were selected.Determined to build a career, he landed a six-month internship at a startup. He described it as one of the happiest phases of his professional life, where a small team gave him the freedom to learn and contribute.But the excitement was short-lived. Funding problems forced the startup to lay off employees, and interns were among the first to leave.After nearly two months of searching, he found another role at a startup building SaaS products. Although he likes the product, he admits that the work environment has been tough and his salary of Rs 24,000 a month barely covers his expenses.
Several interview calls, but no progress
What makes her story particularly amazing is that she came very close to landing jobs at some of India’s most sought-after employers.According to the publication, he received interview opportunities from Amazon, Meesho, McKinsey and Accenture. In several cases, he advanced through four or five rounds of interviews before being rejected.Instead of questioning their skills, many professionals who responded to their post noted that receiving interview calls from these companies reflects great technical potential. They argued that the current hiring slowdown has made conversions much more difficult, even for capable candidates.
“I am ashamed to ask my father for 5000 rupees”
The most emotional part of the post wasn’t about the salary or the rejections, it was about family.The engineer wrote that despite earning, he still cannot complete a month without asking his father for an extra Rs 5,000. Although she knows her parents would never refuse, she admitted to feeling guilty because she had always hoped to become financially independent after graduation.That single statement resonated deeply with many readers, who reminded her that needing support during the early years of a career is much more common than most people admit.Several seasoned professionals shared their own stories of restarting their careers, surviving on modest salaries, and facing repeated rejections before finding success.One comment captured the broader sentiment: “Life is not linear. The people who keep showing up eventually win.”For engineering students and recent graduates, the young software engineer’s story serves as a reminder that an early setback, a modest salary, or even multiple interview rejections do not define an entire career. Sometimes persistence matters more than a perfect start.Disclaimer: This article is based on a social media post shared by an anonymous user. The person’s claims have not been independently verified by The Times of India. The story is presented to highlight the wider discussion about the challenges facing young professionals entering today’s job market.