IITian quits Salesforce job for Google, shares why: ‘I had to prove it to myself'
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An IIT graduate shared his journey of overcoming early career coding struggles to transition from Samsung to Salesforce and finally to Google. His story highlights the power of disciplined self-study and persistence in the competitive tech industry.
The Evolution of a Software Engineer: A Journey of Persistence
The recent narrative shared by an IIT graduate, known online as @bug_to_feature, offers a candid look into the often-hidden struggles of early-career software engineers. Despite the prestige associated with graduating from an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), the individual recounts a humble start at Samsung, where technical discussions and complex coding tasks felt overwhelming. This admission underscores a vital reality in the tech industry: academic pedigree does not automatically equate to immediate professional mastery.
Overcoming the 'Imposter Syndrome'
At the onset of his career, the engineer described feeling like an outsider, noting that team discussions on system design and code quality sounded like a foreign language. This phase of his professional life is a textbook example of the 'imposter syndrome' that plagues many junior developers. By admitting that he was not a 'big time coder' initially, the techie highlights that technical proficiency is a learned skill rather than an innate talent, emphasizing that even top-tier graduates must navigate a steep learning curve in real-world corporate environments.
The Strategy of Intensive Reskilling
To bridge the gap between his current capabilities and his aspirations, the engineer implemented a rigorous self-improvement regimen. In 2024, he dedicated six to eight hours daily for two months to master Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA), system design, and various technology stacks. By utilizing a combination of online courses, books, and technical literature on platforms like Medium, he systematically dismantled the barriers that once made him feel inadequate. This disciplined approach served as the catalyst for his transition to Salesforce.
Mindset as a Competitive Advantage
Central to his success was the application of his 'IIT mindset'—the belief that if he could conquer the rigorous entrance examinations to gain admission into an IIT, he could certainly overcome his technical shortcomings. This psychological framework allowed him to treat his career challenges not as failures, but as obstacles to be dismantled. By viewing the process as a personal challenge to 'prove it to himself,' he transformed the stress of job hunting and skill acquisition into a structured, goal-oriented project.
Career Mobility in the Modern Tech Era
The engineer's eventual move from Salesforce to Google is emblematic of the high-velocity career mobility characteristic of the modern tech landscape. His journey demonstrates that career trajectories are rarely linear; they are shaped by iterative cycles of learning, applying, and pivoting. For aspiring developers, this narrative serves as a reminder that the path to 'Big Tech' is accessible through consistent, deliberate practice rather than relying solely on past credentials.
Conclusion: The Future of Continuous Learning
Ultimately, this story reflects a broader trend in the software engineering sector: the transition from static academic degrees to a model of continuous, self-directed upskilling. As technology stacks evolve, the ability to rapidly adapt—as demonstrated by this IIT graduate's two-month deep dive—will remain the most valuable asset for any engineer. His success serves as both a roadmap for junior developers and a testament to the fact that persistence is the most critical factor in professional growth.
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