‘Don’t let a 4-year degree dictate a 40-year career’: IIT graduate’s career advice divides internet

Don’t let a 4-year degree dictate a 40-year career

Bharatmorningnews.com – A recent post by an IIT graduate has ignited a debate on X, highlighting the tension between academic expectations and personal career choices. The individual’s account of being a “last bencher” during college and eventually pursuing a path distinct from his engineering discipline has stirred both support and criticism among online users.

“Back in 2012 during my IIT days, I was a Last Bencher. A waster. There’s a word for it. Lukkha. The institute had a mandatory attendance rule. My degree felt like a four-year sentence for my brain, academically. That was the price I paid for the IIT tag,” he wrote.

Akash Sampurnanand Pandey, who now works in New York, described his student life at IIT (BHU) Varanasi, labeling himself as a “waster” and recounting how he barely engaged with coursework. He explained that he attended classes solely to meet the 75% attendance requirement, with little passion for metallurgy or engineering studies.

“I only touched a Metallurgy textbook 24 hours before the exam. It would suck my soul. I did the bare minimum. Managed a GPA of 7.5 just so I was eligible to sit for job placements. I explored and enjoyed everything except academics,” he added.

Pandey shared that while his classmates focused on metallurgy, he immersed himself in novels, essay compilations, and books covering modern Indian history, economics, political science, and global affairs. He revealed that he read 7-10 books each semester, often borrowing from his roommate, who was preparing for the UPSC examination.

After completing his degree, Pandey transitioned into consulting before fully moving away from engineering. “I served my time. Took up a consulting job. And once I was a free man, I ran as far away from my major as I possibly could,” he said.

Reactions to the Post

The post generated polarized responses, with some applauding his pursuit of personal interests and others questioning his decision to occupy an IIT seat without academic dedication.

“You stole a metallurgy seat from someone else who would have been interested. Just so you could get a subsidised IIT degree.”

“I empathize bro. I did medicine and then pivot to medical Informatics. Work is clinical data science, no patients. Much better work like balance and much more stimulating. Downside is that my parents have no idea what I do.”

“Well whom do you blame for your decision to be ‘stuck’ in a situation which you didn’t like? I think you should be ashamed of yourself. You wasted too much resources consciously.”

“Harsh, as it may sound, I wish your IIT seat had gone to someone, who would have appreciated and valued the opportunity. I know at least four folks, whose life has become perpetual Autumn, just because they couldn’t make it to IIT. Three of them are Stateside.”

One user expressed regret over his own choice, stating, “Everyday I regret choosing Metallurgy should have compromised in college and choose circuit or cse.”

About the Author

Bhavya Sukheja, a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times, has over six years of experience in digital journalism. She specializes in storytelling that reflects everyday human experiences, with a focus on viral videos, social media trends, and narratives that inform and engage readers.

Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Bhavya worked with Republic World and NDTV, where she developed her ability to identify emerging trends and craft impactful narratives from online phenomena.

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