Nobody Expected Much From Me But I Kept Working

Hi, I’m Rahul Malhotra, an MCA graduate from Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies (VIPS), GGSIPU, currently working as an Application Support Engineer.

Coming from a typical Tier 3 college, I knew opportunities for high paying product based roles were limited. I wasn't an exceptional student either.

I was just an average student who decided to keep improving every day.

I Turned Scattered Effort Into a Routine

I started using takeUforward early in my preparation and was one of the early learners to purchase the TUF+ Pinnacle plan when it launched.

It became an important part of my interview preparation.

I consistently:

• Followed the DSA roadmap.

• Solved DSA problems regularly.

• Revised OOP, DBMS, and OS.

• Focused on understanding concepts instead of memorising solutions.

• Used mistakes as opportunities to improve.

The structured roadmap helped me stay disciplined and prepare with confidence.

I Didn't Try to Do Everything

My strategy wasn't complicated. Stay consistent.

Every day, I focused on improving something:

• Practised DSA.

• Revised CS fundamentals.

• Analysed mistakes.

• Revisited difficult concepts.

• Kept moving forward even when I got stuck.

I didn't try to become perfect overnight. I just kept getting better.

My College Didn't Have the Final Say

I didn't start my career as a Software Development Engineer, but my preparation eventually helped me secure 11.33 LPA, one of the highest packages offered at my college.

Compared with opportunities available at top tier colleges, that number may not seem extraordinary.

But for me, it represented something much bigger. It proved that your college doesn't have to define your future. Your starting point can influence your opportunities, but it doesn't have to determine where you end up.

I Refused to Stay Limited

My biggest advice to juniors is simple:

• Don't let your college define your potential.

• Build strong fundamentals.

• Stay consistent.

• Learn from your mistakes.

• Don't compare your beginning with someone else's journey.

• Trust the process.

• Your first job is only the beginning.

Every day you invest in learning can take you one step closer to where you want to be.

The Result I Didn't Expect

Tier 3 College → Consistent DSA & CS Preparation → TUF+ → 11.33 LPA → Career Growth