Last Updated:
A graduate left his 10 LPA position to pursue advancement in contemporary computing roles, prioritising skills above a lucrative salary.
The man’s story highlights the importance of putting skill development first in one’s profession. (Representative Image/Unsplash)
One young developer made a daring choice by prioritising skills over financial security in a world where salaries often determine career choices. He reportedly obtained a 10 LPA position through campus placement after graduating in 2024, but he quickly found that the traditional Advanced Business Application Programming (ABAP) developer position lacked motivation and opportunity for advancement. He found the work tedious because he was not exposed to contemporary technologies like UI5 or Fiori. For him, gaining useful skills was more important than money at his first job.
In an attempt to change course, he resigned in September 2024 and entered an uncertain period, as per a report by The Economic Times. The following six months were emotionally taxing because there were no job offers or interviews. His perseverance, however, paid off when he was hired as a Java Full Stack Developer for a mid-stage startup, but with no restriction bond and a lower 5 LPA income.
As a junior developer, he was working on a crucial project in a dynamic workplace despite the wage drop. The challenging learning process, exposure to real-world problems, and practical coding experience were significantly more fulfilling than his prior high-paying but unfulfilling position.
Thinking back on his experience, he reportedly advised ambitious developers to put skill development first in their formative years. Stability may come from staying in one’s comfort zone, but true growth comes from taking risks and embracing difficulties, he added.
The idea of putting talents ahead of pay in the early years of one’s career was relatable to many users online after this post went viral.
One user had a similar experience, landing a position at a prestigious IT company following an internship, but later deciding it wasn’t the perfect fit. A position at half the prior CTC was accepted after he/she left and took six months to consider their alternatives. Now, four years later, he/she acquired useful skills and made a lot more money than those who stayed behind.
Reportedly, another user emphasised that happiness and personal development are the most important factors in professional growth. Some, however, highlighted the financial realities faced by middle-class people, where pursuing a profession may not always be as important as a greater pay.
