His Rs 2.6 crore salary was once just Rs 500: Self-made techie shares his success roadmap despite limited resources

Time of India

29-07-2025

Early Life and Earning the First Rs 500
Taking Risks to Escape Stagnation
The Climb to a Global Career
Some success stories don't begin with privilege or perfect opportunities—they begin with grit, sacrifice, and unshakable belief. For one individual, what started as a modest attempt to make ends meet through home tuitions has turned into a remarkable journey leading to a high-paying tech role in the United States. His path serves as a reminder that perseverance and timely support can change the course of a life.The inspiring story, shared by a Reddit user, traces the transformation from earning Rs 500 as a student tutor to making $300,000 (around Rs 2.6 crore) annually as a software engineer at a top FAANG company. It's a reflection of resilience shaped by struggle, family expectations, and the helping hands of friends and relatives along the way.Raised in a lower-middle-class household, the individual faced financial limitations from the start. Despite doing well academically, the pressure to contribute to the family was always present. During his 12th standard, he began assisting his father in a small local business, delivering goods to shopkeepers while juggling school responsibilities.Higher education was never a guarantee—money was tight, and even entrance exams or coaching fees seemed out of reach. To support himself, he started offering home tuitions during college and earned his first Rs 500. That small income gave him a sense of independence and purpose that would continue to motivate him.After graduation, he took a Rs 3,000-per-month clerical job in another city. But within two months, he chose to return—realizing that settling too early would compromise his long-term goals. Tutoring resumed, and thanks to a supportive uncle who paid Rs 15,000 for a professional course, he secured a government job. While this brought stability, a lingering sense of dissatisfaction pushed him to aim higher.A cousin encouraged him not to waste his academic potential, while his father, though rarely satisfied, instilled the importance of striving for more. With a stipend of Rs 15,000, he enrolled in coaching for competitive exams, balancing his job and tuitions with intense preparation.His efforts paid off when he cleared multiple prestigious entrance exams and joined IIT. A cousin helped secure a bank loan for the fees, and another gifted him a laptop without hesitation—gestures he described as rare and deeply impactful.Though college came with its own challenges, he pushed through, buoyed by the success of friends who had already secured decent jobs. Hostel mates, coaching classmates, and mentors supported him during difficult times, reinforcing the importance of a strong network.Landing a job post-IIT wasn't easy due to tough market conditions, but he persevered. After a few job switches and consistent effort, he eventually moved to the United States. Today, he works at a top tech company, drawing a salary of $300,000 per year.In his Reddit post, he expressed gratitude to those who silently supported him—family members, cousins, friends, and mentors. He credits divine blessings, his father's relentless pressure, and encouragement from peers for helping him keep going when giving up felt easier.