Life after graduating from a tier 3 college often feels like a steep uphill climb, especially when you’re aiming for a competitive career in tech. As a 2023 Computer Science graduate, I knew that securing an 18-20 LPA job wasn’t a realistic expectation for someone from my background. With this in mind, I had always planned to pursue higher studies, setting my sights on cracking the GATE exam and securing admission to a top institution. However, as fate would have it, life had other plans for me.
During the final year of my undergraduate studies, I was fortunate enough to secure a 1-year internship, which opened up new avenues of opportunity. Additionally, I received a 7 LPA job offer from another company. The excitement of having a job lined up, along with the experience of my internship, caused a temporary distraction from my GATE preparation. It felt like everything was falling into place.
However, as the saying goes, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." My internship company informed me that they couldn’t extend a PPO due to budget cuts, and the other company offering 7 LPA postponed my joining date to January 2024. Suddenly, I found myself in a situation where, despite having two opportunities in hand, I was effectively unplaced after graduation. The sense of uncertainty was overwhelming.
Determined not to let these setbacks define my future, I decided to revisit my original plan of preparing for GATE. I had six months until the exam, and I was determined to give it my best shot. Unfortunately, just as things were beginning to stabilize, I received another shocker in January 2024—the company that had postponed my joining date indefinitely delayed it again. This time, there was no clear timeline for when I would start. With only 15 days left before the GATE exam, I found myself unable to perform at my full potential.
Although my GATE performance fell short of my expectations, I refused to let this setback defeat me. Rather than giving up, I shifted my focus toward another goal—clearing the PGEE, the entrance exam for the prestigious International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIITH). With its exceptional curriculum, vibrant research culture, and stellar placement opportunities, IIITH was one of the best options available for a serious Computer Science student. After intense preparation, I cracked the exam and secured admission to the M.Tech program in CSE at IIITH.
Looking back now, halfway through my first semester, I couldn’t be more confident in the decision I made. IIITH has exceeded my expectations in every way possible. The academic environment is as challenging as it is rewarding, constantly pushing me beyond my limits. Writing 500-1000 lines of code for assignments has become routine, and the growth I’ve experienced, both personally and professionally, in just four months is nothing short of remarkable.
Aside from IIITH, I was also fortunate to receive offers from esteemed second-generation IITs and IIITB. However, after much consideration, I chose IIITH because of its rigorous academic environment and strong research focus. I even opted out of CCMT counseling after receiving my PGEE result, confident in my decision to join IIIT-H.
In addition to my success in the PGEE, I also cleared the BARC OCES/DGFS'24 written test with an AIR 22. I had the privilege of visiting the lush BARC Trombay campus for the interview, a unique and enriching experience in itself.
Despite the setbacks I faced along the way, I never gave up hope. The disappointment I felt after my GATE performance didn’t define my journey but rather strengthened my resolve. The preparation I had done for GATE proved invaluable when tackling other competitive exams like PGEE, BARC, and BITS HD. The lessons I learned along the way will continue to serve me well.
To my fellow GATE aspirants, remember this: preparation never goes to waste. While GATE CS’24 saw a significant increase in candidates—almost double the previous year—there is still a wealth of opportunity available for those willing to put in the effort. With the rising numbers in GATE DA and the increasing cutoffs for interdisciplinary courses at top IITs, the competition is only getting fiercer. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from my journey, it’s that setbacks are setups for greater comebacks. Keep pushing forward, and you’ll find your path.
The road to success is often filled with unexpected detours. What matters most is how we choose to adapt, learn, and keep moving forward. My journey to IIITH wasn’t easy, but it was worth every challenge I faced along the way.