Indian engineers play a significant role in the global tech industry today, but a large number of these successful professionals come from top institutions like the IITs, IIMs, IIITs, or NITs. Hard work, self-belief, and refusing to give up, these three qualities can take you to heights you’ve always dreamed of. The success story of Sagar Kumar from Haryana is a perfect example of this. Sagar did not study at a prestigious IIT or NIT, yet he managed to land a high-paying job at Google, a leading tech company.
IITs and NITs are considered some of India’s top institutions, and getting admission into them is often seen as a ticket to a successful career. But Sagar proved that it is possible to achieve great success even without an IIT or NIT degree. Sagar hails from Gurugram, Haryana. According to his LinkedIn profile, he completed his BTech in Computer Science from Sharda University in 2021. Right after college, he started applying to several tech companies.
Starting Career at TCS
After facing multiple rejections, Sagar began his career at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) through the TCS Ninja application. His starting salary was Rs 3.3 lakh per year. Later, after passing the TCS Digital Capability Assessment (DCA), he got promoted to a virtual function role, with an annual income increasing to Rs 7.4 lakh. Sagar worked at TCS for three years and received several awards for his contributions, but he aspired for more.
Coming from a smaller city, reaching Google was not an easy journey for Sagar. He applied to over 500 companies through platforms like LinkedIn, Wellfound, and Glassdoor. Initially, he failed in Google’s and Walmart’s recruitment processes and faced repeated rejections. But he did not give up. He kept his determination alive and worked on improving his skills.
Focusing on Strengths and Improving Weaknesses
Sagar realized that he lacked expertise in DSA (Data Structures and Algorithms) and competitive programming. Instead of giving up, he focused on his strengths, such as development and troubleshooting. He changed his strategy, sought guidance from experts on LinkedIn, requested referrals, and got feedback on his resume through platforms like Topmate.
Alongside his full-time job, Sagar dedicated himself to studying sincerely. He practiced through mock interviews, honed his talent, and kept trying without losing hope. Nine months before finally succeeding, a Google recruiter called him, but he couldn’t clear the screening round. Instead of giving up, he doubled his efforts and kept preparing.
Achieving the Dream Job at Google
In March 2025, a friend referred him again to Google. This time, Sagar cleared every round of interviews and finally secured his dream job. His salary also saw a remarkable 500% increase. Today, Sagar Kumar works as a Software Engineer at Google with an annual package of Rs 40 lakh.
Sagar’s journey proves that with determination, consistent effort, and self-confidence, it is possible to achieve extraordinary success, even without attending India’s top technical institutes. His story is an inspiring example for every young professional striving to reach their goals.
