After graduating from college, I faced a tough time because I didn’t get a campus placement, while most of my friends did. I searched for a job for nearly six months without success. Finally, one of my friends referred me to KEC International, where I joined as a Trainee Quality Apprentice Engineer. The role was for six months with a salary of only ₹4,000, which was very low, and given my weak family background, it was a real struggle to manage. Still, I completed that job with determination. Afterward, I secured a new opportunity with Phoenix Structural and Engineering Pvt. Ltd., a vendor to KEC International, where I received a small salary hike. That step marked the beginning of my professional growth....

No campus placement, financial struggles.

What I realized is that if I had rejected that first job just because of the low pay, I might never have gotten the next opportunity and could have wasted a few more years. Sometimes, even small beginnings open the door to bigger growth.

The outcome of my early struggles was that I learned the importance of accepting opportunities, no matter how small they may seem. That first low-paying job became the stepping stone to my career growth. It taught me resilience, the value of experience over salary, and the mindset that progress often starts with humble beginnings. Because I took that chance, I was able to move forward, gain confidence, and secure better opportunities.

Start small, don’t wait for perfect opportunities: Even low-paying jobs can be stepping stones.Stay resilient: Struggles are temporary, but persistence builds long-term success.

Quality Basics