Fresher stories / Manshi Mishra

Fresher story

From no offer after graduation to a better package in five months

Manshi Mishra
Bundelkhand University, Jhansi (2019 to 2023)

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The journey at a glance

1. Starting point
   Bundelkhand University, Jhansi, 2019 to 2023 batch. Learned from free YouTube resources, hackathons and Smart India Hackathon
2. Final year
   Fewer good companies came to campus because of COVID. Applied on my own and faced rejection again and again
3. The search
   20 to 25 days going from company to company in Lucknow, then a job fair in Noida
4. First job
   Got an offer through a walk-in interview, at Rs. 15,000 a month
5. The decision
   Chose to join and get into the industry first, then grow through skills
6. Today
   Switched to a better package at a good company within five months

What I would tell you

1. Your first job is not your final destination. It is only the starting point of your journey.
2. Rejection can come in anyone's story. Do not stop trying.
3. Keep working on your skills and keep believing in yourself.
4. Dream big, and do not be afraid if the start is small.
5. Do not let your first salary become the measure of your ability.
6. Get into the industry first. With experience, your skills can take you further.

The full story

A big dream from the first year

From the first year of college, I had a big dream. I wanted a job in a big company, a good salary, and a better life for my family.

I was a student of the 2019 to 2023 batch at Bundelkhand University, Jhansi.

To make that dream come true, I worked day and night. I learned from free resources on YouTube, took part in dozens of hackathons and also joined the Smart India Hackathon, SIH.

Final year and COVID

Then came the final year of college.

Because of COVID, the hope of good companies visiting our campus became very small. So I started applying to companies on my own.

Sometimes I fell short in an interview, sometimes I was rejected, and sometimes an email arrived saying, “Unfortunately, we are not moving forward with your application.”

I took referrals and applied to many different companies, but I was rejected again and again. After COVID, hiring was low and the competition was very high.

In the end, college finished and I graduated without a single job offer.

Company to company in Lucknow

On one side was my dream of a job in a big company. On the other side, I had no job offer after graduation. My confidence started to go down, but I did not give up.

I began going from company to company in Lucknow looking for a job. I walked into offices and asked whether there was any vacancy, and almost everywhere I got the same answer.

“There is no opening right now. Leave your resume and we will contact you if there is a vacancy.”

About 20 to 25 days passed like this.

The job fair in Noida

Then I learned that a Physics Wallah job fair was going to be held in Noida. With new hope, I reached Noida alone.

But when I got there, I found that in the name of IT companies, most of the opportunities were call centre and contractor roles.

After coming so far, I came away with nothing, and my tension grew.

But I decided to try one more time.

A walk-in interview and the first offer

A little later, I heard about a walk-in interview. Once again I went with hope.

After the interview process was complete, I was finally offered the job.

I was very happy that I had finally got a job. But when the salary came up, the company offered only Rs. 15,000 a month.

Living in a city like Noida on that salary, and managing food and other expenses, was a big challenge in itself.

I had thought I would work in a big company, and now I was starting from a job with a small salary.

The decision

I faced a question: should I join this job or wait for a better opportunity?

Then I thought about it calmly and trusted myself.

I decided that entering the industry was the first thing I needed. Once I had experience, I could move forward on the strength of my skills.

That decision proved right.

I joined the job, and within just five months I switched to a good company at a better package than before.

I had started my journey after graduation without any offer. With hard work and courage, I had made a new path for myself.

What my story teaches

My story teaches one important thing.

Your first job is not your final destination. It is only the starting point of your journey.

Not everyone gets a job in a good company after graduation. Sometimes you face rejection, sometimes there are no opportunities, and sometimes you have to start far below your expectations.

But if you keep working on your skills, keep believing in yourself and do not stop trying, you can change your situation.

Remember: dream big, do not be afraid if the start is small, and do not make your first salary the measure of your capability.

Because your start may be small, but your future is not.

Difficulties I faced

• Few good companies visiting campus in the final year because of COVID
• Repeated rejections and “we are not moving forward” emails
• Graduating without any job offer
• 20 to 25 days in Lucknow hearing “no opening right now” almost everywhere
• A Noida job fair with mostly call centre and contractor roles
• A first salary of only Rs. 15,000 a month in an expensive city

More fresher stories

This is one person's real experience and not a guarantee of any result. Every job search is different.