Gurugram startup intern reveals he left home, spent Rs 30,000 for dream job, only to be fired in 23 days; Internet furious

Time of India

28-07-2025

Imagine packing your bags, leaving home, spending Rs 30,000 from your savings, and heading to
Gurugram
for a dream internship, only to be shown the door in just 23 days. That's exactly what happened to a young intern who recently shared their story on Reddit, and now, it's gone viral.
The Reddit user, posting under the name @Regrets_only_, revealed they had moved to Gurugram to work at a startup after being promised mentorship and a full-time job within three months. The expected salary? At least Rs 40,000 per month.
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But after working 10–12 hours a day, including weekends, things took a turn. The intern was suddenly told their role was no longer needed because a client had backed out. No notice. No warning. Just gone.
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"I was shocked... I regret believing the founder," the intern wrote, calling the entire experience a disaster. Now jobless and stuck in one of India's most competitive job markets, they're trying to figure out their next step, and they're not alone.
The story hit a nerve with many online. Several people on Reddit shared similar experiences of being let down by startups.
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One person commented, "Same happened to me. Keep applying on LinkedIn, even if most jobs are fake, you'll get a few calls if you're consistent."
Another advised, 'Don't lose hope. At that time, it was the best decision you could've made. Maybe ask the founder if he knows someone who's hiring.'
This story has reignited an old debate, are Indian startups taking young interns for granted? Many of them work long hours, often unpaid or underpaid, only to be replaced without reason. The shiny promise of 'experience' sometimes hides a darker truth.