No degree, no IIT-IIM: How this 20-year-old built a Rs 70 LPA career

In an era where prestigious degrees and campus placements are often seen as the gateway to success, a 20-year-old Indian professional is challenging that narrative.

Without an IIT, IIM, or even a college degree, he reportedly secured a remote role with a San Francisco-based startup offering nearly Rs 70 lakh per annum (LPA), proving that skills, execution, and persistence can sometimes outweigh traditional credentials.

The young tech professional shared his journey on Reddit, detailing how years of freelancing, self-learning, and practical experience helped him build a career from scratch.

HOW DID A 16-YEAR-OLD START HIS CAREER WITHOUT A DEGREE?

According to the Reddit post, his journey began at the age of 16 when he started freelancing online with no clear roadmap in mind.

He admitted he initially had no fixed career plan and simply picked up projects wherever opportunities appeared.

“I did freelancing when I was like 16 because I genuinely had no clue what else to do," says the techie.

The early days were far from glamorous. He worked on small projects, accepted low-paying gigs, and often dealt with difficult clients. However, those experiences eventually became stepping stones rather than setbacks.

Over time, he built expertise in growth strategies and marketing through practical work and continuous learning. Instead of formal education, he relied heavily on real-world experience and online resources to improve his skills.

WHAT CHALLENGES DID HE FACE DURING HIS FREELANCING JOURNEY?

Building a career independently came with several challenges.

The young freelancer revealed that he spent years working on random assignments while frequently being underpaid. He also dealt with difficult clients in the early phase of his career.

Despite those struggles, he continued learning and improving. He reportedly completed more than 12 projects and even worked with the growth team of a major company as a freelancer.

Most of his learning came from hands-on work, internet research, experimentation, and daily self-study. He said many of those lessons came from late-night sessions exploring online content and “internet rabbit holes.”

HOW DID A SAN FRANCISCO STARTUP OFFER HIM A RS 70 LPA ROLE?

The turning point came when he found a San Francisco-based startup that had recently raised nearly $50 million and was hiring for a position offering close to Rs 70 lakh annually.

Although he believed his chances were slim, he still decided to apply.

Initially, the company rejected his application.

However, he kept pursuing opportunities and later managed to connect directly with the startup founder. That interaction eventually led to an interview.

He shared that the discussion focused largely on execution, growth strategies, marketing psychology, practical experience, and ideas he had already implemented in previous projects rather than academic qualifications.

A few days later, he received the offer.

WHY ARE SKILLS BECOMING MORE IMPORTANT THAN DEGREES?

Stories like this reflect a broader shift in startup hiring and global remote work markets.

Many companies today are increasingly placing value on practical skills, portfolios, freelancing experience, and problem-solving abilities alongside academic backgrounds.

While degrees still remain important in many sectors, industries such as technology, startups, digital businesses, and growth marketing are increasingly opening opportunities for self-taught professionals with proven work experience.

His journey highlights how freelancing, self-learning, and project-based experience can create alternative career paths.

HOW DID SOCIAL MEDIA REACT TO HIS STORY?

The Reddit post attracted significant attention online, with many users congratulating him and calling the journey inspiring.

One user said it was something they would like to learn over time.

Another said, “Really inspiring journey. This proves that skills, consistency, and putting yourself out there can genuinely change your life.”

The post sparked strong reactions and highlighted startups’ growing focus on skills, portfolios, and execution over degrees.

CAN SELF-LEARNING REALLY BUILD A HIGH-PAYING CAREER?

The 20-year-old’s story reflects a growing trend among young professionals exploring unconventional career paths.

From starting freelance work at 16 to reportedly securing a global remote role by 20, his journey underlines how skill-building, persistence, and real-world experience can sometimes create opportunities beyond traditional academic routes.

While such outcomes may not be common, his experience shows how the digital economy is increasingly rewarding execution, adaptability, and continuous learning.

(Disclaimer: This story is based on a social media post. The details, including figures, background, and outcomes, have not been independently verified by India Today. The article is intended for informational purposes only, and readers are advised to exercise their own discretion before drawing conclusions or making decisions based on the content.)