Not every student with big dreams begins with a spotless academic record. For one tech professional, the early years of education were filled with challenges, failed expectations, and multiple academic setbacks. Initially, things seemed promising—he scored a decent 70% in his Class 10 exams, a respectable figure back in 2008. However, pressured by his father, he chose the science stream in high school, a decision that quickly turned into a struggle. His performance dropped drastically, scoring just 55%, and he found himself unable to cope with the stream.
Thanks to his father’s connections, he managed to secure a seat in an engineering college, but the problems persisted. He failed repeatedly, accumulating eight backlogs over two years. Disheartened, he switched to a BSc in Computer Science, hoping for a fresh start. Unfortunately, that move led to even more setbacks—twelve backlogs in total—putting his academic future in serious doubt.
Turning Point: ITI Form and Mother’s Faith
With his father losing hope, the young man was advised to consider vocational training through an ITI course, possibly to become an electrician or plumber—careers his father viewed as more respectable than a failing engineering student. With limited options, he filled out the ITI application. But his mother’s unwavering belief in him became the catalyst for change. He decided to retake the failed exams and, against all expectations, cleared them all in one go.
This marked the beginning of a turnaround. He went on to complete his BSc with a 59% aggregate and later earned an MSc in Computer Science, graduating with a CGPA of 7.9. The academic battles may have left scars, but they also shaped his perseverance.
Climbing the Career Ladder
Despite lingering doubts about employability due to his history of failures, he pushed ahead. Starting his career at a startup without a salary, he immersed himself in learning technologies like REST and SOAP services. This unpaid stint led to a paid role in another startup where he earned ₹9,000 per month. Over the next seven years, he steadily progressed, and today he earns ₹15 LPA as a Java Developer. To top it off, he recently secured an H1B visa and is awaiting an opportunity to work in the U.S.
Reddit Cheers Him On
Fellow Redditors flooded the comment section with applause. Some shared how the story inspired them during their own academic struggles, while others congratulated him and wished him success in his international career.