(https://i.redd.it/kmyjtinpwarg1.jpeg)
You know, 10 years of experience really sharpens your skills. And an IIM MBA can boost your soft skills a lot. Without any certifications, how will you prove your abilities in a 30‑min interview?
CGPA and certification courses might matter, but the rest are pretty important and can impact your career a lot. Hate the LeetCode grind as much as you want, but it's still one of the best ways to crack a high‑paying job.
None of them are overrated except maybe the last one.
The top 5 things matter a lot; my company even offers an extra 10L for IITians, lol.
Posted by a Galgotia graduate.
IIT tag definitely matters for core fields. Just coding isn't enough. Research papers and patents are definitely needed. It can also apply in software roles, though I'm not sure. For R&D, IIT matters.
I really dislike being a LeetCode monkey. I know it's important for high‑paying jobs, but even roles that pay just 3‑4 lakhs are asking for this stuff plus full‑stack skills. They want a whole department while paying peanuts. I'm talking about freshers – the IIT tag matters a lot, but a CGPA of just 7.5+ isn't a big deal.
Agree with the OP. I've been in tech for 10+ years.
1. IIT/NIT tag is overrated – down South many graduate from good private or public universities in their state, get solid placements and move ahead. Some even do masters in the USA and progress. Don't fall for the hype. I've seen many IIT grads struggling mid‑career, even those from CS or Electrical.
2. LeetCode grind – overrated again. Know a few hard topics and the most‑asked ones and you can land a good job. Master your CS fundamentals rather than grinding 200+ LeetCode questions.
3. MBA from IIM – overrated for tech. It's just a fast track to product‑manager roles, but with the right network and experience anyone can pivot into product management. You don't need an MBA.
4. 10 years experience – overrated if most of that time was spent on obsolete tech or without taking risks; it won't help.
5. Certification courses – no one cares. You can learn for free.
Ultimately, three things matter:
1. Strong CS fundamentals and the ability to learn anything quickly.
2. Professional network.
3. The art of speaking effectively – not just communication, but explaining what you've done crisply in a short time.
Says a tier‑3 graduate, cope harder, bro.
IIT, IIM – S Tier
10 years of exp – A Tier
LeetCode grind – B Tier
CGPA – C Tier
Certifications – F Tier