If I had to thank one platform for changing my career, it would definitely be takeUforward.

Hello all, I am Manish Kumar Back in 2023, I was in my final year of engineering and had very little clarity about how to become a software engineer. Coming from a Tier 4 college, I had limited placement opportunities. Companies like TCS and Wipro visited our campus, but there was hardly any guidance on product based companies, off campus opportunities, or the skills needed to prepare for them. We didn't even have a competitive programming culture.

I knew I wanted to build a career in software development, but I didn't know where to begin.

The Roadmap I Was Looking For

I started exploring YouTube to understand what I needed to learn. That's when I discovered Raj Vikramaditya's videos on takeUforward.

For the first time, I had some clarity about what to study and how to approach my preparation.

Initially, I came across the SDE Sheet. It was a great resource, but as a complete beginner, I found many of the questions difficult because my DSA fundamentals weren't strong enough.

Then I came across the announcement of Striver's A2Z DSA Sheet.

It was exactly what I needed. Unlike jumping straight into difficult questions, the sheet started with the basics and gradually progressed to advanced topics. It gave me a structured path to follow, and the progress tracker on the takeUforward website helped me keep track of every problem I solved.

450 Questions, One Day at a Time

Around the same time, I started my 365 Days of Code challenge on LinkedIn.

Every day, I solved around four to five questions from the A2Z Sheet and shared what I had learned. Whenever I got stuck, I first referred to Striver's explanations and videos to understand the approach.

The A2Z Sheet remained at the centre of my preparation throughout.

In just four to five months, I completed all 450 questions.

After that, I continued practising and eventually reached the Knight milestone through my problem-solving journey.

But more than the number of questions, what mattered was the ability to recognise patterns, understand approaches, and solve unfamiliar problems with confidence.

Every Switch Took Me a Step Further

My first job was at a startup, where I earned ₹15,000 per month.

I continued learning, exploring new opportunities, and appearing for interviews. With every interview, I realised how much my DSA preparation was helping me. Many questions were based on patterns I had already encountered and practised.

Gradually, those efforts translated into better opportunities:

My first job gave me a starting point.

Continued learning and interview preparation helped me secure a 12 LPA offer.

Eventually, I received an 18 LPA offer.

Today, I'm working as a Software Engineer at Pocketly.

Looking back, the progress wasn't overnight. It came from following a roadmap, practising regularly, and continuing to learn even after getting my first job.

From Looking for Guidance to Becoming the Guide

One of the most special parts of this journey happened because I had been sharing my daily progress online.

Many juniors from my college started following my journey. Eventually, my college invited me back as a guest speaker to share my experience with off campus placements and DSA preparation.

It was a memorable moment for me.

I came from a college where there was very little placement guidance and almost no competitive programming culture. Now, I had an opportunity to help juniors understand that their career options didn't have to be limited to campus placements.

I shared the same resources that had helped me, especially the A2Z DSA Sheet, and encouraged them to start practising consistently.

Receiving an 18 LPA off campus offer was one milestone, but knowing that my journey could motivate others from my college made it even more meaningful.

The Sheet I Still Return To

Even today, whenever I prepare for interviews or need to revise DSA, the first resource I open is Striver's A2Z DSA Sheet.

Its structured approach and organised collection of problems make it my go to resource even after all these years.

If there's one thing I'd tell students who are starting from scratch, it would be this:

• Don't worry if you don't know where to begin. Find a structured roadmap and follow it.

• Build your fundamentals before rushing into difficult problems.

• Practise regularly, even if you can solve only a few questions each day.

• Don't depend entirely on campus placements. Explore off campus opportunities too.

• Share your work, learn from others, and help people around you whenever you can.

• Your college, background, or starting point doesn't have to define how far you can go.

The Opportunity to Give Back

I'm genuinely grateful to Raj Vikramaditya and the entire takeUforward team for making such high quality learning resources freely accessible.

You gave direction to students like me who were willing to work hard but simply didn't know where to start.

What began as a search for guidance eventually became a career, and today, an opportunity to guide others.

My career started changing when I found takeUforward, and I'll always be grateful for that.

I'm Rayees Ali, a 2026 Computer Science graduate passionate about Java, backend development, and problem solving.

The Roadmap That Shaped My DSA Journey

takeUforward played an important role in my DSA preparation. I followed Striver's A2Z DSA Sheet, which helped me build strong fundamentals and approach problem solving in a structured way.

Having a clear roadmap made it easier to understand concepts, practise different types of problems, and gradually improve my problem solving skills and helped me place an internship at IT JobXS as a software engineer.

Think First, Then Find the Solution

My preparation strategy was simple: I always tried to think of a solution on my own before looking at the answer.

I made sure not to rush through problems just to complete them. Whenever I struggled with a concept, I revisited it and revised it regularly until I became more comfortable with it.

This helped me focus on understanding the logic rather than memorising solutions.

The Setback That Didn't Stop Me

I couldn't secure a job through campus placements, but I didn't let that become the end of my journey.

I stayed consistent with my preparation, focused on off campus opportunities, and continued working towards my goal. Eventually, with hard work, patience, I landed a good opportunity.

It reminded me that everyone's journey is different, and sometimes the right opportunity takes a little longer to come.

A Message to Those Still Preparing

If there's one thing I'd tell my juniors, it's to start DSA as early as possible.

• Don't get discouraged when concepts feel difficult initially.

• Give yourself time to understand the fundamentals.

• Stay consistent and revise topics regularly.

• Try solving problems independently before checking the solution.

• Be patient with your progress and trust your preparation.

You may not get the opportunity when you expect it, but that doesn't mean you should stop preparing for it.

A Journey Built on Patience and Faith

I'm grateful to Striver Bhai and takeUforward for helping me build my DSA fundamentals and giving my preparation the direction it needed.

Keep learning, keep improving, and most importantly, never give up on yourself.

Hi everyone, I'm Khan Zeeshan Kadeer, and I've recently secured a position as a Senior Software Engineer at EnosWebWorks.

My preparation journey taught me the importance of having a clear roadmap, understanding concepts deeply, and staying consistent. Here's how I approached my preparation and how TakeUForward helped me along the way.

The Roadmap That Made DSA Easier

TakeUForward, especially Striver's SDE Sheet, was the backbone of my preparation.

Before following a structured roadmap, covering DSA topics systematically could feel overwhelming. TUF helped me bring everything together through topic-wise problems, detailed explanations, and a clear learning path.

I focused on understanding the fundamentals and learning different problem-solving approaches instead of simply memorising solutions. This helped me cover the DSA syllabus in a more organised way.

How I Structured My Daily Preparation

I followed a simple but consistent routine throughout my preparation:

• Completed the A2Z DSA Course and Striver's SDE Sheet thoroughly.

• Solved 4–6 quality problems every day.

• Revised important concepts and problem-solving patterns every week.

• Practised mock interviews and previous company interview questions during the last 1–1.5 months.

• Gave equal importance to core Computer Science subjects and aptitude alongside DSA.

I made sure that revision was part of my routine because solving a problem once isn't enough. Understanding it and being able to recall the approach later is equally important.

What Made the Biggest Difference in My Interview Preparation

One of the biggest things I realised was that solving more problems doesn't always mean better preparation.

Understanding why a particular approach works, identifying patterns, and revisiting previously solved questions make a real difference.

I also focused on mock interviews and communication skills, as technical knowledge alone isn't enough. Being able to explain your thought process clearly is equally important during interviews.

A Few Lessons I'd Like to Share with Future Engineers

If you're preparing for placements, my advice is to start early, stay consistent, and focus on quality over quantity.

• Don't just solve problems; understand the logic behind every approach.

• Maintain short notes of important patterns and revise them regularly.

• Follow a structured DSA roadmap instead of jumping between random topics.

• Don't ignore core subjects, aptitude, and communication skills.

• Practise mock interviews to become more confident.

Most importantly, trust the process. Preparation takes time, and progress might not always be visible immediately. Keep learning, keep revising, and give your best every day.

Today, I'm happy to have secured the opportunity to work as a Senior Software Engineer at EnosWebWorks. I'm grateful for the role TakeUForward and Striver's resources played in making my preparation more structured and helping me move closer to my career goals.

Hi, I'm Shreya Jain, currently working as an SDE-1 at Amazon.

Coming from a Tier-3 college, I always felt that getting into a good company would be difficult. Hardly anyone around me focused on DSA because it was considered too challenging, and with very few companies visiting our campus, opportunities seemed limited.

I wanted to change that and build a career in tech. However, expensive paid courses were not an option for me. That's when I discovered Striver's A2Z DSA Sheet and playlists on TakeUForward, and my preparation journey took a completely different direction.

The Free Resource That Changed My Direction

I started learning DSA from scratch through TakeUForward. I followed Raj Sir's videos and started solving the A2Z DSA Sheet, one topic at a time.

Initially, DSA felt difficult, but I focused on understanding concepts and practising consistently rather than rushing through the sheet.

Slowly, things started making sense. The fear I once had of DSA gradually turned into confidence, and I began approaching problems with a better understanding.

Rejections Before My First Breakthrough

Once I started applying for off-campus opportunities, the journey wasn't easy.

I faced multiple rejections and received offers with low stipends. There were moments when things didn't go as expected, but I kept preparing and applying.

Eventually, I got an opportunity to interview at Mechademy.

The interview included two DSA rounds. The concepts and problems I had practised through TUF helped me approach the questions confidently, solve them, and secure my first internship.

From My First Internship to Amazon SDE-1

That internship became my first job and gave me my first salary. It was an important milestone that gave me confidence to aim higher.

Today, I'm working as an SDE-1 at Amazon. Looking back, the journey from a college with limited placement opportunities to working at Amazon reminds me how much consistent preparation and the right guidance can change your career.

What once seemed nearly impossible gradually became a reality.

What My Journey Taught Me

My biggest learning is that you don't always need expensive courses or a perfect environment to start preparing.

If you're coming from a Tier-3 college or have limited placement opportunities, don't let that decide what you can achieve.

Start with the basics, follow a structured roadmap, practise consistently, and don't give up after rejections. Progress might feel slow initially, but every problem you solve takes you one step forward.

I'll always be grateful to Raj Sir and the entire TakeUForward team for making high-quality education accessible for free and helping me build the confidence to achieve something I once thought was impossible.

Hi, I'm Het Mehta, a Computer Science and Design student at CVM University with a strong interest in software development, AI, cybersecurity, and competitive programming.

I'm a Candidate Master in competitive programming, an Ethical Hacker at Cisco, and a 3-time National Hackathon winner. Currently, I'm working as a Software Development Engineer (SDE) and DSA Mentor.

I enjoy solving challenging problems and building real-world applications that create meaningful impact. But reaching this stage took consistent effort, learning from mistakes, and dealing with several setbacks along the way.

How TakeUForward Helped Me Build My DSA Foundation

• TakeUForward was one of the biggest contributors to my interview preparation. When I started learning DSA, figuring out what to study and how to approach problems could be confusing.

• TUF's structured DSA roadmap gave me a clear direction. The sheet, detailed explanations, and interview-focused content helped me develop strong problem-solving skills and understand different approaches to solving problems.

• It also played an important role in my competitive programming journey and helped me strengthen my problem-solving abilities. The preparation gave me more confidence during coding rounds and helped me secure interview opportunities, including an interview at Odoo.

My Preparation Strategy, Consistency Over Shortcuts

My preparation strategy was simple, stay consistent and keep improving.

I focused on completing DSA topics through the Striver sheet while making revision an important part of my routine. Alongside that, I regularly participated in coding contests, analysed my mistakes, and worked on improving my problem-solving speed and accuracy.

I also worked on development projects to strengthen my resume and have meaningful technical discussions during interviews.

Balancing DSA, competitive programming, and development helped me grow both as a problem solver and as a software developer.

Rejections That Made Me Better

My journey wasn't smooth. I faced multiple rejections before things started moving in the right direction.

Instead of getting discouraged, I tried to understand what went wrong after every interview. Sometimes I needed to improve my DSA skills, while at other times I had to work on communication or explaining my projects better.

Every interview became an opportunity to identify my weaknesses and work on them. Gradually, I became more confident in both competitive programming and technical interviews.

From Learning DSA to Mentoring Others

One of the most meaningful parts of my journey is that I'm now working as an SDE and DSA Mentor.

My experience with problem-solving and interview preparation has also given me an opportunity to guide others in their DSA journey. I believe teaching concepts helps strengthen your own understanding while helping others avoid some of the confusion you faced initially.

What I'd Tell Juniors Starting Their Journey

My advice is to trust the process and avoid shortcuts. Focus on building strong fundamentals instead of chasing numbers.

• Follow a structured DSA roadmap and complete topics systematically.

• Revise previously solved problems regularly.

• Participate in coding contests and analyse every mistake.

• Build a few high-quality projects that demonstrate your skills.

• Keep applying and learning, even after facing rejections.

Most importantly, don't compare your journey with others. Everyone has a different starting point and pace.

Hi, I’m Rohan Pattanayak, and I completed my M.Sc. in Physics from IIT Hyderabad in July 2026.

Coming from a non-technical background, my preparation journey was different from that of many Computer Science students. I had a two-year course, so I started preparing from my second semester and focused on building the skills required for the roles I wanted to pursue.

In December, I got shortlisted for an interview with the TCS Research & Innovation unit. I cleared the interview and received my offer in January.

Starting DSA from Scratch with TUF

I started learning Data Structures and Algorithms from scratch through TakeUForward (TUF). What I liked most was Striver's approach to problem-solving.

Instead of jumping directly to the optimal solution, I learned how to start with a brute-force approach, understand the problem, and gradually improve the solution. I also learned how to explain my thought process and approach problems from an interviewer's perspective.

The biggest change was that I stopped trying to memorize solutions and started recognizing patterns. This helped me understand how to approach unfamiliar problems rather than depending on previously learned code.

Preparing According to My Target Roles

I was primarily targeting analytics, consulting, and data science roles, so I planned my preparation accordingly instead of trying to solve every DSA problem.

I focused on Arrays, Stacks, and Queues, practising problems up to medium difficulty based on my preparation needs. Alongside DSA, I studied Machine Learning using different resources and prepared Aptitude and SQL for online assessments.

This approach helped me divide my time between the different skills required for my target roles.

Staying Consistent Until the Offer

Since my course was only two years long and I was coming from a non-tech background, I knew I needed to use my time wisely.

• Starting in my second semester gave me time to build my fundamentals gradually. I tried to solve at least 2–3 DSA problems every day, adjusting the difficulty according to the problem and my understanding.

My preparation wasn't about covering everything at once. It was about making steady progress and staying consistent until I was ready for the opportunities ahead.

That consistency helped me reach the TCS Research & Innovation interview shortlist in December. After clearing the interview, I received my offer in January.

My Advice to Students Preparing for Tech Roles

My biggest advice is to prepare according to the role you're targeting rather than trying to learn everything.

Different roles require different skill sets, so understand what your target role demands and prioritise accordingly. This makes preparation more focused and helps you manage your time better.

You don't always need to solve hundreds of problems or cover every topic. Build strong fundamentals, practise consistently, and focus on understanding the logic behind each solution.

Coming from a non-tech background taught me that a different starting point doesn't mean you cannot make it into the tech industry. With a clear goal, a focused strategy, and consistent effort, you can make meaningful progress.

Hi, I’m Nilesh Rathore, currently pursuing my B.Tech in Computer Science at Sangam University, Bhilwara. Alongside my studies, I’ve been exploring software development, gaining internship experience, and preparing for upcoming placements.

My journey has included opportunities to work with Java development and backend engineering, while also building my own experience as a founder. Each step has taught me something new about technology, problem-solving, and consistency.

My First Steps into the Tech Industry

• I started gaining practical experience through a Java Developer Internship at Grras Solutions, where I focused on Java development and the importance of writing efficient, scalable code.

• Later, I joined LC Corporate as a Backend Developer Intern, where I worked around backend concepts such as REST APIs, database design, authentication, and cloud-based applications.

• These experiences helped me connect what I was learning with practical software development and understand how different backend components work together.

The DSA Roadmap Behind My Preparation

While gaining development experience, I continued strengthening my Data Structures and Algorithms fundamentals through TakeUForward (TUF) and Striver Bhaiya’s resources.

My preparation strategy, first, complete the Striver A2Z DSA Sheet, then move on to OOPs, and core Computer Science subjects.

TUF's structured resources have helped me learn new concepts and approach my preparation with better direction.

Beyond Coding: Building Something of My Own

Alongside my technical journey, I’ve also been working as the Founder and Lead Strategist at TrustGenLeads, where I focus on performance marketing, conversion optimization, and tracking systems.

Balancing different responsibilities has given me opportunities to learn beyond academics and explore different areas of work while continuing to build my technical skills.

One Thing I Want Every Junior to Know

If there’s one thing I would tell my juniors, it’s this, consistency is the key.

You don't need to master everything in a single day. Follow a structured roadmap, strengthen your fundamentals, practise regularly, and keep learning from your experiences.

Don't compare your progress with someone else's. Everyone has a different starting point and timeline. Stay consistent, trust the process, and keep moving forward.

As the saying goes, “Day One or One Day.” Keep putting in the effort today, and give yourself the chance to achieve your goals tomorrow.

Hi, I’m Mohd Aasim Qureshi, a Computer Science and Engineering graduate with around 2 years of experience in software engineering. I’m currently working as an SDE-1 at Amazon. Before joining Amazon, I worked as an SDE-1 at two startups.

I graduated from a Tier-3 college where placement opportunities were almost nonexistent. My journey taught me that your college background doesn't have to define your career. With the right preparation, consistency, and willingness to learn, you can keep moving towards your goals.

Building My DSA Foundation with Striver's Sheets

During my interview preparation, I primarily focused on the Striver SDE Sheet. The structured roadmap helped me build a strong foundation in Data Structures and Algorithms instead of jumping between random problems.

I also regularly watched Striver's YouTube videos to understand different approaches, learn how to optimize solutions, and strengthen my problem-solving concepts. TakeUForward (TUF) had been a valuable learning resource since my college days, helping me with DSA, competitive programming, and interview preparation.

My Secret to Effective Revision

I solved every problem from the Striver SDE Sheet. But solving problems wasn't the only part of my preparation. I also maintained a personal revision document where I recorded the code and key ideas behind different approaches.

This document became my go-to resource for revision. It helped me recall important patterns quickly, reinforce concepts, and stay prepared for interviews without having to start from scratch every time.

What I Learned Along the Way

My biggest learning was that understanding patterns matters more than memorizing solutions. Instead of solving hundreds of random questions, it's better to follow a structured roadmap and understand why a particular approach works.

Whenever I got stuck, I referred to Striver's YouTube videos to explore different approaches and clear my concepts. I also made revision a regular part of my preparation rather than leaving everything until the last moment.

My Advice to Aspiring Engineers

Stay consistent and trust the process. You don't need to compare your progress with someone else's or rush through your preparation.

• Follow a structured roadmap, Striver SDE Sheet.

• Focus on understanding problem-solving patterns instead of memorizing code.

• Maintain your own revision notes and revisit them regularly.

• Learn from every interview experience and identify areas where you can improve.

• Be patient with yourself. Placement preparation is a marathon, not a sprint.

From Setbacks to Amazon

My journey was built on consistency, discipline, and continuous learning. There were challenges along the way, but staying persistent and trusting the process helped me grow as a software engineer.

Today, I'm working as an SDE-1 at Amazon, and I'm grateful for every setback and learning experience that helped shape this achievement.

If you're preparing for placements from a college with limited opportunities, keep working on your skills and give yourself time to improve. Your starting point matters less than the effort you put in consistently.

Hi, I’m Esha Dhoot, a Computer Science graduate from JIET, Jodhpur, currently working as an SDE-1 at Byteridge.

My journey began with a Full Stack Developer internship at Tyke, where I gained practical development experience and built a strong foundation in software development. This experience helped me understand how to apply my technical knowledge to real-world problems.

How TUF Helped Me with DSA

During my placement preparation, TakeUForward (TUF) was one of my go-to resources for Data Structures and Algorithms. Its structured roadmap helped me stay consistent, strengthen my problem-solving skills, and approach preparation with better direction.

What I'm Working Towards Now

I’m currently preparing to move into a product-based company, and TUF continues to be an important part of my preparation. I believe there is always room to learn, improve, and become a better engineer.

My Advice to Juniors

Stay consistent, strengthen your fundamentals, and trust the process. Don't expect results overnight. Focus on improving a little every day, and remember that consistent effort makes a difference over time.

I’m Gokul Krishna R, currently working as an Associate Consultant in AI Engineering at SST Cloud Solutions. I graduated from VIT Bhopal in 2025 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science Engineering.

My journey wasn't exactly how I had planned it. Campus placements didn't work out as expected, but the preparation I put into DSA and the experiences I gained through hackathons eventually helped me find my way into the industry.

How I Started Learning DSA

During my third year of college, I realised how important Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) were for placements. Most companies included problem-solving in their online assessments and technical interviews, so I knew I needed to build a strong foundation.

I started learning through Striver’s free DSA videos on YouTube and gradually developed a genuine interest in problem-solving.

As I continued practising, I realised that understanding a concept and applying it to solve a problem were two different things. I needed consistent practice to bridge that gap.

One challenge I faced was maintaining consistency. Switching between different resources made it difficult to follow a structured learning path.

When TakeUForward (TUF) was launched, I started practising there. I liked being able to learn a concept through a video or blog and immediately solve related problems on the same platform. It made my preparation more organised and enjoyable.

When the premium plan was introduced, I purchased the lifetime plan because TUF had already become an important part of my learning journey.

The Preparation Strategy That Worked for Me

One thing that made a real difference was learning to recognise patterns instead of treating every question as a separate problem.

Rather than solving random questions, I practised topic by topic and focused on understanding the reasoning behind each solution. This helped me recognise similarities between problems and choose suitable approaches when facing new questions.

When Campus Placements Didn't Go as Planned

My campus placement experience was challenging because many companies visiting my college had CGPA cutoffs. I wasn't eligible for the initial coding rounds at several of them, which meant I had limited opportunities to participate in campus recruitment.

During college, I qualified for the written round of TCS CodeVita. This gave me my first in-person technical interview. Although I didn't clear it, the experience motivated me to keep improving.

By January 2025, I decided to stop depending on campus placements and focus entirely on off-campus opportunities.

Alongside my preparation, I started participating in hackathons. I wanted to put my skills into practice, build projects, and challenge myself with problems beyond a typical coding question.

That decision eventually led to an opportunity I hadn't expected.

How a Hackathon Led to My First Job

At my second hackathon, my project impressed the judges and qualified for the final round. During the demo, a judge asked me to explain how I would implement a feature I hadn't prepared for. I broke the problem down and explained my approach.

Looking back, my DSA practice on TakeUForward helped me think through unfamiliar problems instead of relying on prepared answers. The hackathon eventually led to my first job offer.

Another Milestone: CyborgDB Hackathon 2025

I also won the Best Technical Feedback Award worth $1,000 at the CyborgDB Hackathon 2025 for my project, MedSec. These experiences taught me the value of applying technical knowledge to real-world problems.

Advice for Students Preparing for Placements

• Focus on patterns: Understand solutions instead of memorising them.

• Stay consistent: Practise DSA regularly and follow a structured path.

• Build meaningful projects: Apply what you learn to practical problems.

• Participate in hackathons: Challenge yourself with unfamiliar problems.

• Share your work: Show your projects and ideas to create opportunities beyond campus placements.

Campus placements didn't go as planned, but focusing on off-campus opportunities and hackathons helped me find another path into the industry. DSA taught me more than interview problem-solving, it helped me develop a mindset I could apply to real challenges.

I'm grateful to TakeUForward and Striver Bhai for being an important part of my preparation.

Stay consistent, trust the process, and keep applying what you learn. You never know which opportunity might change your journey.

Hi, I’m Manish Singh, a software engineer with a strong interest in problem-solving, DSA, and backend development. I enjoy learning new technologies and building scalable applications.

Finding the Right Direction

Preparing for coding interviews requires more than just solving problems. Having a clear roadmap and staying consistent can make the journey much more manageable. TakeUForward (TUF) helped me bring structure to my DSA preparation. The sheets and explanations helped me strengthen my concepts and practice in a more organized way.

What Made the Difference

• My preparation was focused on building strong DSA fundamentals through the TUF sheets, practicing coding consistently, and revising important topics regularly. Alongside DSA, I also worked on projects and prepared core computer science subjects to develop a well-rounded understanding of the concepts required for interviews.

• I also focused on mock interviews as part of my preparation to improve my interview readiness.

My Message to Juniors

One thing I would recommend to anyone preparing for placements is to stay consistent and follow one roadmap instead of jumping between multiple resources. TakeUForward offers a structured approach that can help you prepare with better direction. Focus on understanding concepts rather than just solving problems, revise what you have learned, and keep practicing.

My placement journey taught me the value of persistence and continuous improvement. There were challenges along the way, but staying consistent with my preparation and trusting the process helped me secure my placement.

Sometimes, the best feeling is seeing your hard work slowly turn into something you once only dreamed of. The journey isn't always easy, but every small step teaches you something valuable.

Hi everyone! 👋 I'm Tarun Kumar , and I'm incredibly grateful to share that I've been placed at Scaler AI as a QA Engineer

My Journey

This journey has been full of learning, challenges, self-doubt, and small wins. There were times when things didn't go as planned, and moments when I questioned whether I was doing enough. But I kept reminding myself that progress takes time, and every effort counts.

From learning new skills and solving problems to making mistakes and trying again, every experience has helped me grow. This achievement means more to me than just getting a job, it reminds me that consistency, patience, and a willingness to learn can take you a long way.

What Kept Me Going

Two things that made a real difference in my journey were:

• Continuous Learning: Focusing on my technical skills, practising DSA, and building projects helped me improve my knowledge and confidence.

• Consistency Over Perfection: I learned that I don't need to know everything from day one. What matters is showing up, learning from mistakes, and getting a little better every day.

A Heartfelt Thank You

A big thank you to my family for their constant support, encouragement, and belief in me, especially during the moments when things felt difficult.

I'm also grateful to my teachers, mentors, friends, and everyone who shared their knowledge, guidance, or motivation along the way. Every little bit of support has made a difference.

My advice to anyone working towards their goal: Don't compare your journey with someone else's. Keep learning, keep building, and trust the process. You may not see results every day, but your efforts are never wasted.

This is one milestone, not the finish line. I'm excited to keep learning, take on new challenges, and see what comes next!

I’m Mahima, a B.Tech ECE student who wanted to build a career in software development. My placement journey was a mix of learning, self doubt, consistency, and continuous improvement.

Coming from ECE, I knew I had a lot to learn. I had to build my DSA and problem solving skills while also preparing myself for the other parts of technical interviews.

Making Sense of Difficult Problems

takeUforward played an important role in my preparation, especially in strengthening my DSA fundamentals. The structured approach and quality resources helped me understand concepts more clearly and gradually become more confident with coding problems.

Instead of simply trying to complete questions, I focused on understanding the thought process behind them and learning how to approach unfamiliar problems.

The Other Side of Interview Prep

My preparation wasn’t limited to coding. Alongside DSA, I revised important CS fundamentals and worked on projects and interview preparation.

• DBMS, OS, and Computer Networks were part of my preparation.

• I practised DSA regularly and revised concepts along the way.

• I worked on projects so I could confidently discuss my work during interviews.

• I prepared common interview questions alongside technical preparation.

This helped me feel more prepared for the different things that could come up during the placement process.

Working Through the Doubt

There were moments when I questioned whether I was preparing enough or whether I was on the right path. Rejections and difficult problems could easily make me feel underconfident.

But I learned that every setback could also show me what I needed to improve. I stopped comparing my progress with others and focused more on becoming better than where I was before.

Give Yourself Time to Learn

Start With This in Mind:

• Start early and give yourself enough time to learn.

• Stay consistent instead of trying to do everything at once.

• Focus on understanding concepts, not just completing questions.

• Don’t compare your journey with someone else’s.

• Treat rejections as feedback and keep improving.

You don’t need to have everything figured out from the beginning. What matters is continuing to move forward.

When I Finally Got My Chance

All of this eventually led to an internship opportunity at Cisco, which became a very special milestone in my journey.

Looking back, the journey was about much more than preparing for placements. It was about learning to trust myself, improving one step at a time, and continuing even when things didn’t go as planned.

I’m genuinely grateful to takeUforward and the entire community for being an important part of my preparation journey.

Sometimes, the moment you’ve been working towards finally arrives, and it takes a while to believe it’s real. Looking back at the preparation, challenges, and learning that brought me here, I feel incredibly grateful to have reached this milestone. ❤️

Hi everyone, I'm Meegada Vamsidhar Reddy (LinkedIn Profile), a Computer Science and Engineering student at NIT Durgapur, and I'm thrilled to share that I’ve completed my Accenture AEH Summer Internship and received an ATE Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) from Accenture!

The Journey

My journey towards this achievement began with preparing for campus placements and strengthening my technical fundamentals. Like many students, I knew that success required consistent practice, patience, and the willingness to learn from mistakes.

One important milestone was 27 February 2026, when I received my internship offer from Accenture. It was an exciting moment that marked the beginning of a new chapter in my professional journey.

During my preparation, I focused on improving my aptitude and Object-Oriented Programming (OOPs) concepts. These fundamentals helped me build confidence for the recruitment process.

After securing the offer, I got the opportunity to experience the corporate environment through my AEH Summer Internship at Accenture, where I worked with SAP technologies, including SAP ABAP, CDS Views, RAP, OData Services, and SAP Fiori fundamentals.

The internship gave me valuable practical exposure and helped me understand how technical concepts are applied in real-world development. Completing the internship and receiving the ATE PPO made this journey even more special and motivated me to keep growing professionally.

What Kept Me Going

Two things played an important role in my preparation:

• Object-Oriented Programming (OOPs): Practicing OOPs concepts helped me strengthen my programming fundamentals and improve my understanding of core technical concepts.

• Aptitude Preparation: TUF resources helped me practice aptitude questions, improve my problem-solving approach, and build confidence for the recruitment process.

Most importantly, I learned that consistent preparation and strong fundamentals can make a real difference.

A Heartfelt Thank You

I’m sincerely grateful to Take U Forward (TUF) for providing learning resources that supported my preparation.

This achievement is not just a milestone for me; it is also a reminder of the value of continuous learning, perseverance, and the support of the people around us.

My advice to you: Don't underestimate the power of strong fundamentals and consistent practice. You don't need to know everything at once. Start with the basics, practice regularly, learn from your mistakes, and trust your journey. Your hard work will help you become better prepared for the opportunities ahead. Keep going!

I'm excited about this next chapter and look forward to learning, growing, and contributing more.

I’m Jai Anjaria, a final year Computer Engineering student with a strong interest in software development, AI, and problem solving. Over the course of my preparation, I worked on multiple technical projects while building the skills I needed to step into the software industry.

takeUforward played an important role in strengthening my DSA and core computer science fundamentals. The structured content and problem solving approach helped me prepare for both online assessments and technical interviews with more clarity.

Building the Rest of My Preparation

My preparation wasn’t limited to solving coding problems. Alongside regular DSA practice, I focused on the core subjects that could come up during interviews.

• DBMS

• Operating Systems

• Computer Networks

• OOP

I also made sure I could explain my projects properly. Rather than just knowing what I had built, I prepared to discuss the architecture, implementation, challenges, and technical decisions behind them.

Every Attempt Had Something to Teach Me

• My placement journey came with its share of assessments, interviews, rejections, and learning experiences.

• Not every opportunity worked out, but each one helped me identify something I could improve. Sometimes it was a technical gap, sometimes the way I approached a problem, and sometimes simply how I communicated my thoughts.

• Instead of seeing each rejection as the end, I used it to prepare better for the next opportunity.

When Every Attempt Became Practice

I kept working on DSA, revising core subjects, improving my projects, and practising interview questions. With every assessment and interview, I became a little more comfortable with the process.

That experience taught me that placement preparation isn’t about getting everything right on the first attempt. It’s about learning from each attempt and carrying that learning forward.

Make Every Attempt Count

My advice to juniors would be to stay consistent and build strong fundamentals rather than trying to cover everything at once.

• Practise DSA regularly and focus on understanding the approach.

• Prepare your core CS subjects properly.

• Know your projects inside out.

• Keep appearing for assessments and interviews, even when the outcome isn’t what you hoped for.

• Use every attempt to identify what you can improve.

You don’t have to be perfect before you start appearing for opportunities. Sometimes, the opportunities themselves become part of your preparation.

The Moment I Was Ready

After going through different assessments and interviews and learning from each experience, I was eventually selected as an AI Engineer at Real Value Infospace.

Looking back, the journey was not just about the final selection. It was about everything I learned through the attempts that came before it. takeUforward helped me build the fundamentals that supported me throughout that process, and every experience helped me become better prepared for the next one.

Finally, the day I’ve been working toward has arrived! It feels surreal to see my hard work, patience, and countless hours of preparation turn into reality. ❤️

Hi everyone, I'm Sougata Jana, and I'm incredibly grateful to share that I’ve been placed at American Express as a Software Development Engineer II (SDE II).

My Journey

My placement journey was a mix of learning, struggling, and growing. There were times when solving DSA problems felt overwhelming, concepts seemed difficult to understand, and interview preparation tested my patience. I faced challenges, made mistakes, and had moments of self-doubt, but I kept pushing myself to improve.

I started practicing Data Structures and Algorithms using Striver’s A2Z DSA Sheet, focusing on understanding concepts rather than simply memorizing solutions. I practiced coding regularly, revised important topics, and worked on improving my problem-solving approach. Gradually, I became more confident in tackling unfamiliar problems and explaining my thought process during interviews.

What Kept Me Going

• Striver’s A2Z DSA Sheet: Helped me strengthen my DSA fundamentals, practice problems systematically, and improve my problem-solving skills.

• Consistent Practice & Revision: Regularly revisiting problems, analyzing mistakes, and practicing interview questions helped me become more confident and prepared.

A Heartfelt Thank You

I am truly grateful to my family, friends, mentors, and everyone who supported me throughout this journey. Their encouragement and belief in me helped me keep going, even when things seemed difficult. I'm also thankful to the learning resources and communities that made my preparation journey easier.

My advice to you: Don't compare your progress with anyone else's. Focus on understanding concepts, practice consistently, learn from your mistakes, and never let a few setbacks define your potential. You don't need to be perfect; you just need to keep improving.

I’m Shakti Maharana, a final year B.Tech student passionate about data engineering and backend development.

During my placement preparation, I followed the TUF+ A2Z Sheet as my primary roadmap for DSA. What helped me most was the structure. I didn’t have to constantly wonder what to study next. I could move from fundamentals to advanced topics step by step, without feeling overwhelmed.

That clarity made a real difference in how I approached my preparation.

I Wanted to Understand, Not Just Finish

My strategy was simple: stay consistent.

Instead of chasing a huge number of questions, I focused on understanding concepts, solving problems regularly, revising important patterns, and learning from my mistakes.

• Understand the concept before moving ahead.

• Practise regularly instead of cramming.

• Revise patterns and problems that I struggled with.

• Learn from mistakes instead of simply moving on.

Alongside DSA, I also worked on development projects and interview preparation to build a more well rounded profile.

Building Skills That Don’t Show in Code

As my preparation progressed, I realised that placements aren't only about solving coding problems.

I also spent time improving my communication skills, working on my personality, and becoming more confident about presenting myself. Technical preparation may get you ready for the questions, but being able to communicate your ideas and stand out also matters.

The Difficult Part Nobody Talks About

My journey had its share of challenges and moments of self doubt. There were times when progress felt slow and it was easy to compare myself with others.

Over time, I learned to trust my own pace. Everyone’s preparation looks different, and comparing journeys only adds unnecessary pressure.

The important thing was to keep showing up, revising, learning from mistakes, and moving forward.

Don’t Rush the Process

Start early and give yourself enough time to build strong fundamentals.

• Follow a structured roadmap instead of constantly switching resources.

• Focus on understanding rather than memorising solutions.

• Revise regularly and stay disciplined.

• Don’t measure your progress against someone else’s.

• Work on communication and personality alongside technical skills.

• Give yourself time. Consistency matters more than intensity.

You don't need to do everything at once. What matters is building a process you can actually sustain.

The Offer That Made It Worth It

All of this eventually led to me securing a TCS Prime offer through the TCS OnCampus Drive.

Looking back, the structure and guidance from takeUforward played a significant role in keeping my preparation on track. The journey had challenges, but staying consistent helped me keep moving through them.

The biggest lesson I’m taking forward is simple: consistency beats intensity when it comes to long term growth.

Hi, I’m Riya Dhabuwala, a Computer Science and Engineering student at Nirma University, Ahmedabad, with a CGPA of 9.0. I’m passionate about software development, problem solving, and AI/ML.

My placement journey took me to JPMorgan Chase & Co., where I joined as a Software Engineer Program Intern and later received a full time offer.

The DSA Skills I Built Along the Way

takeUforward played an important role in my DSA preparation. I primarily used it to understand concepts in a structured way and then put those concepts into practice through problems.

What helped me most was the clarity of the explanations. Instead of simply memorising solutions, I focused on understanding the reasoning behind them and learning how to approach different types of problems.

Over time, this helped me become more comfortable with unfamiliar questions and gave me the confidence to tackle DSA based coding rounds.

From Concepts to Problem Solving

My preparation started with getting my DSA fundamentals right and then gradually building consistency through regular practice.

I covered important areas such as:

• Arrays and Strings

• Linked Lists, Stacks and Queues

• Trees and Graphs

• Recursion and Dynamic Programming

• Common problem solving patterns

The focus was never just on finishing topics. I wanted to understand the patterns behind the problems and become faster at recognising which approach could work.

Alongside DSA, I also prepared core CS subjects, projects, and communication skills so that I was ready for different stages of the placement process.

The First Real Test of My Preparation

The JPMorgan Chase selection process gave me an opportunity to put my preparation to the test. The initial stage involved DSA based questions, where the fundamentals and problem solving approach I had built became especially useful.

Being able to break down a problem, think through the approach, and arrive at a solution gave me the confidence to move through the technical stages.

Eventually, I secured the Software Engineer Program internship.

The Internship Wasn’t the Finish Line

• Getting the internship was a major milestone, but there was still another step ahead.

• During my internship, I had the opportunity to learn in a professional environment and apply what I had prepared for beyond coding rounds. After completing the internship, I was fortunate to receive a full time offer from JPMorgan Chase & Co.

• That made the journey even more meaningful because the preparation had taken me from learning DSA to securing an internship and eventually converting it into a full time opportunity.

Build Before You Chase

My biggest advice is to focus on consistency rather than trying to finish everything as quickly as possible.

• Build your DSA fundamentals properly.

• Understand the logic instead of memorising solutions.

• Learn from the problems you get wrong.

• Revise concepts and patterns regularly.

• Balance DSA with core CS subjects and projects.

• Work on your communication so you can explain your thinking clearly.

• Don’t let difficult problems or rejections discourage you.

You don’t need to have everything figured out at once. Keep improving one step at a time.

The Work That Led Me Here

Looking back, my journey was built through small improvements over a long period of time. takeUforward gave me a structured way to learn DSA and helped me develop the problem solving foundation I needed for technical interviews.

What started with learning concepts and solving problems eventually led to an internship at JPMorgan Chase & Co., and that internship later became a full time opportunity.

I’m genuinely grateful to takeUforward for being a part of this journey and for helping me build the confidence to take the next step in my career.

I Focused on the Thinking, the Solutions Followed

Hi, I’m Dhrumil Sheth, a final year B.Tech Computer Science and Engineering student at Nirma University. I’ve always been interested in problem solving, DSA, and software development. During my preparation, I focused on strengthening my fundamentals, solving a wide variety of problems, and becoming comfortable with technical interviews.

I also had the opportunity to intern at Mastercard as a Software Engineering Intern, where I worked on backend development using Java and Spring Boot. Recently, I was placed at Infosys as a Specialist Programmer L2.

Making Sense of DSA

takeUforward played an important role in strengthening my DSA and problem solving fundamentals.

The A2Z DSA Sheet gave me a structured way to cover topics instead of randomly solving problems. More importantly, it helped me understand:

• How to approach unfamiliar problems

• How to identify common problem solving patterns

• How to think about different approaches before jumping to a solution

• How to build confidence through regular practice

Over time, this changed the way I looked at DSA. I became more focused on understanding the approach rather than simply remembering the final solution.

Strengthening the Other Pieces

My preparation revolved around three things: strong fundamentals, consistent problem solving, and regular revision.

I worked through DSA topic by topic and made sure my concepts were clear before moving ahead. Alongside DSA, I prepared the subjects that commonly came up during technical interviews:

• OOP

• DBMS

• Operating Systems

• Computer Networks

• SQL

• Core programming concepts

I also spent time solving problems under time constraints, which helped me become faster and more comfortable when facing pressure during coding rounds.

Before interviews, I focused on revising important concepts and practising how I would explain my solutions rather than just solving them silently.

What Didn’t Work, Taught Me

The placement journey wasn’t just about preparing and waiting for an offer. I went through different opportunities and interviews, and each experience showed me something I could improve.

Some rounds exposed gaps in my preparation, while others helped me understand what I was already doing well. I used each experience as feedback and kept working on the areas where I felt I was falling short.

That process gradually made me more comfortable with both coding rounds and technical discussions.

Learn the Why Behind the How

My biggest advice is to start early and stay consistent. You don’t need to solve hundreds of problems every day.

• Focus on a few quality problems and understand them properly.

• Learn why a solution works instead of memorising it.

• Build strong DSA and CS fundamentals.

• Work on a few meaningful projects and understand them deeply.

• Practise explaining your solutions and projects clearly.

• Don’t compare your progress with someone else’s.

Everyone has a different pace. What matters is being able to keep moving forward for a long enough period.

When Consistency Came Together

My placement journey was a combination of DSA practice, academics, projects, technical preparation, and learning from every interview experience.

takeUforward’s resources gave me a strong foundation for coding rounds and technical interviews, while the rest of the preparation helped me become more well rounded.

After months of preparation, setbacks, and learning, securing the Specialist Programmer L2 role at Infosys felt like a meaningful milestone.

Looking back, the biggest lesson I’ve taken from the journey is simple: stay consistent, learn from every setback, and keep improving even when the results take time.

Hi everyone! I’m Rathna Sujith Reddy, a final year Computer Science student at IIEST Shibpur. I’ve received an offer from Accenture for the role of Advanced Technology Engineer.

From Learning to Interview Practice

I started my DSA preparation with Striver’s A2Z DSA Sheet, which helped me build my fundamentals topic by topic. As placements got closer, I switched to the SDE Sheet for more focused interview preparation.

The structured progression and wide range of problems helped me cover most of the important patterns I needed for placement preparation.

Learning by Building

I kept my preparation simple and divided it into three major parts:

• DSA through structured practice and regular revision

• Projects based on ideas and problems that I genuinely wanted to solve

• Core CS fundamentals alongside my technical preparation

For my project, I started with a real pain point faced by students preparing for placements. Instead of choosing a project just for the sake of having one, I built a solution around that problem and learned the required technologies while developing it.

I also integrated AI into the project and focused on proper documentation and deployment so that I could confidently explain the complete project during interviews.

Preparing for the New Interview Landscape

As I got closer to placements, I became more focused on core CS subjects and understanding my own project in depth.

I also realised how important AI has become in the current hiring landscape. Having some understanding of AI and knowing how to integrate it meaningfully into projects can add another dimension to your preparation.

For interviews, I made sure I could explain my project beyond just the features. I prepared the documentation and built a clear story around why I created it, what problem it solved, how I built it, and the decisions I made along the way.

When Preparation Meets Setbacks

I started taking my preparation seriously in my third year, and the journey wasn’t always smooth.

There were interviews that didn’t work out, but I learned not to treat every rejection as a final result. Each one helped me understand where I needed to improve.

The biggest thing that helped me was staying consistent with DSA and gradually becoming clearer with my CS fundamentals and projects.

From Third Year to the Offer

My placement journey really started taking shape in my third year. What began with DSA preparation gradually expanded into projects, CS fundamentals, AI integration, documentation, and interview preparation.

Getting the opportunity at Accenture feels like the result of putting all these pieces together.

Stay consistent, keep learning, and don’t let one rejection define your preparation.

All the best!