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Akshay Varshney
Akshay Varshney

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How did I get into Software Engineering?

"Switching fields until you find your passion is difficult but not impossible..."

After my engineering my parents wanted me to do a Government job so with the family's decision I decided to choose Electrical Engineering.

In my first year, I was being taught about coding (C-Programming). I performed very poorly in that subject and at that time I did not understand the basics of coding rather than I was focused on writing complex programs without knowing the basics. Somehow I managed to clear that subject and get promoted to the second year. After that, I had made an image in my mind that coding is very difficult, and it's not my cup of tea. So I quitted coding and started studying for my curriculum, I gained a bit of interest but I was not getting a feeling of satisfaction from inside so I just keep studying for the sake of the marks or getting a government job.

Then in my third year, I started my preparation for the "GATE" exam like everyone else. I used to study for the exam for more than 2-3 hours/day but still, I was not satisfied with what I was doing. In my 3rd year last semester, there was one subject "MATLAB Programming" this time when I heard this subject I decided to study this subject in depth. So I clarified my basics of programming and my interest automatically got emerged.

After some time I started applying for an Internship then again the process of rejection started. Finally, after around 500 applications, I got selected for a research internship in India's most premier Engineering college IIT Madras. I continued coding in MATLAB programming language.

Finally, when I entered the final lane of engineering I started learning Python. It is the time when companies came for campus recruitment. In my first interview, I performed so poorly that I got rejected in the first quiz round all my friends cleared that round. I gave the exam for TCS got rejected. A couple of more companies started to come got rejected from everywhere. In some companies other software companies I was not eligible to appear as I was not from a CS background. At this point, I decided to work more and more I started publishing a few research papers. At the same time, I was studying for interviews as well. With this much amount of load, I was working 6-7 hours daily after my college. By end of the year, I had no placement and I got rejected from more than 20-30 companies...

I was seeing no hopes from on-campus placement so I started with an off-campus approach. Daily I used to apply for a lot of companies to get one single interview. I just keep going and practicing my coding daily for the interview. One day somehow I got one mail from Adobe regarding my interview. I got the chance to present myself but when I reached there then I looked there were a lot of other students who were from cs background and some of them knows coding better than me. But I know one thing that I have the ability to solve problems. I faced 5 interview rounds and after several days I got my mail...Congratulations you are on...

"Never lose hope & keep trying until you reach your final destination..."

Thanks for reading :)

Top comments (8)

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paritoshdadhic2 profile image
Paritosh Dadhich

Akshay you are not from CSE background still cracked Adobe interview. Genuinely I was getting goosebumps when I was reading your journey. You did your research internship at IIT Madras still faced many rejections even in TCS also. Finally, with your firm dedication and consistent efforts, you cracked Adobe interview.
Your story is indeed inspiring. We can learn a lot from your experience. Thank you for sharing your experience with the community.

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akshayvarshney6 profile image
Akshay Varshney

Thank you so much for your words!!

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nirbhayvashisht profile image
Nirbhay Vashisht

Great journey Akshay

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akshayvarshney6 profile image
Akshay Varshney

Thanks a lot, Nirbhay! :)

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ritvikdubey27 profile image
Ritvik Dubey

This is so inspiring manπŸ”₯

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akshayvarshney6 profile image
Akshay Varshney

Thanks, Ritvik! 😊

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nazanin_ashrafi profile image
Nazanin Ashrafi

You really worked hard and it finally paid off πŸ˜πŸ™Œ

You're hardworking is really inspiring btw

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akshayvarshney6 profile image
Akshay Varshney

Good to know this. Thank you so much, Nazanin. :)