From Tier 3 College to Top Tech Companies: Lessons from My Journey

Introduction

Have you ever felt that your college background limits your career prospects? I did too. Starting my journey at Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, a tier 3 institution, I knew I had to work extra hard to carve out a successful career in the competitive tech industry. Today, as a software engineer with experiences spanning several top companies, including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Swiggy, Groww, and Airmeet, I want to share not just my story but the key lessons and strategies that helped me overcome the odds and achieve my career goals.

If you’re looking for inspiration and actionable tips to elevate your career, keep reading!

Lesson 1: Balancing College and Entrepreneurship

Starting Hungerbite

During my college years (2015–2019), I co-founded a food delivery startup named Hungerbite in Ludhiana. Balancing my studies and startup, I handled the tech side along with a friend. We managed restaurant tie-ups and even made deliveries ourselves. Despite the challenges, we reached up to 100 orders per day. However, the entry of Zomato into our city, with their substantial cash burn, forced us to shut down as we were bootstrapped. This experience taught me the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and practical skills that went beyond the classroom.

Lesson 2: Gaining Practical Experience