I come from a small town and studied at a tier-3 engineering college — a place where placements are limited and dreams often shrink to match opportunities. But early on, I decided that my background wouldn’t define my future.

The Beginning
In college, the environment wasn’t competitive. Resources were scarce, exposure was limited, and there were more doubts than direction. But I had one thing — the will to make it. I knew if I wanted to make it in tech, I had to hustle harder than most.

The Hustle
I started with the basics — building strong foundations in data structures, algorithms, and core programming. I used whatever free resources I could find — YouTube, GitHub, free coding platforms, and blogs from engineers who had already walked this path. I treated every small win like a big victory — a passed test case, a solved bug, a completed side project.

I didn’t just code. I built. I created small apps, contributed to open-source projects, and documented my learning journey. This wasn’t easy — juggling academics, self-learning, and mental burnout — but it was necessary.

The Right Guidance
One of the most critical moments in my journey was finding the right mentors. I followed engineers on LinkedIn, joined Discord communities, and wasn’t afraid to ask questions — even if it made me feel dumb.

Some of the best advice I received:

1. Focus on depth, not just breadth.
2. Learn to communicate your thoughts clearly, especially in interviews.
3. Build a digital presence — your GitHub and LinkedIn matter.

That advice shaped everything. I refined my resume, practiced mock interviews, and doubled down on projects that showcased real-world skills.

The Breakthrough

Eventually, after many rejections and close calls, the opportunity came. I applied to Scaleup Street Technology, Bangalore — a fast-growing company with a passion for innovation. The interview process was challenging, but I was ready.

I didn’t pretend to be from IIT. I owned my journey, spoke honestly about my learning, and showed what I had built. They saw the hunger and the growth mindset — and I got the offer.

The Reflection

Landing this job wasn’t just a career milestone — it was proof that your background doesn’t define your destination. What matters is how bad you want it, how hard you’re willing to work, and whether you’re open to learning from others.

If you’re reading this from a tier-3 college or a small town and wondering if it’s possible — it is. Your hustle, your discipline, and the right direction can open doors you never imagined.

I’m just getting started. But I wanted to share this to say: You can do it too.