A 32-year-old engineer has shared his professional journey on Reddit, showing how he moved from a modest starting salary to an Rs 1.03 crore compensation package over ten years. His journey is gaining attention for showcasing determination, strategic decisions, and consistent career progress. Here’s a look at how his path unfolded.
Early Career (2015-2016)
After completing a degree in Electronics and Communication from a second-tier engineering college, he joined a software developer role through campus placement in 2015. His starting salary was Rs 4.8 lakh per year, with Rs 4.4 lakh as fixed pay. Coming from a lower-middle-class family, the earnings were a significant step. He lived in a shared two-bedroom apartment in Bengaluru with five others and managed to save some money while enjoying his early working years. A modest salary hike in 2016 raised his pay to Rs 5.8 lakh annually.
MBA and Career Shift (2017-2019)
In 2017, he earned admission into a top-tier IIM, which marked a turning point. During his MBA, he completed a high-paying international internship in 2018. By 2019, he returned to India and took a program manager role with an annual package of Rs 17 lakh. While he initially hoped for an international posting, organizational changes kept him in a domestic role, which did not slow his ambition.
Growth and Frustration (2020-2022)
In 2020, his pay increased to Rs 18.5 lakh, though it did not meet his expectations. In 2021, he joined a major e-commerce company with a Rs 22 lakh fixed salary and Rs 7 lakh in stock options. The next year, he received a small promotion and a Rs 24 lakh package, but the limited growth pushed him to explore other opportunities again.
Remote Work and Bigger Offers (2023-2025)
In 2023, he moved to a remote SaaS company with an Rs 31 lakh fixed salary and an Rs 12 lakh joining bonus. Despite a lower job title, the remote work and higher pay made it worthwhile. A promotion in 2024 increased his salary to Rs 41 lakh, and another hike in 2025 brought it to Rs 47 lakh. Still, he sought bigger challenges.
The Breakthrough (Mid-2025)
Recently, he received an offer as Principal Program Manager, reporting directly to the Chief Product Officer, with a total compensation of Rs 1.03 crore, including Rs 70 lakh fixed, Rs 8 lakh variable, and Rs 25 lakh in ESOPs. His current employer tried to match Rs 65 lakh, but he chose the new opportunity for its growth potential.
Despite his success, he remains humble. He still rides the same bike he bought in 2015, owns no property, and lives on a single income while his wife runs her own design agency. He says the journey is far from over, with bigger goals and family plans ahead.