From marketing manager to software engineer in less than 1 year
When I chose Commerce in school, it wasn’t because I loved the subjects — it was because I was scared. Scared of scoring less and ending…
When I chose Commerce in school, it wasn’t because I loved the subjects — it was because I was scared. Scared of scoring less and ending up jobless. Playing it safe seemed like the only way forward.
Fast forward to my B.Com (H) at Delhi University, where I immersed myself in marketing. Internships, activities, projects — I explored every corner of the field. Yet, deep down, something felt off. I was learning, but not fully present.
Influencer marketing followed. For almost two years, I managed campaigns and offline accounts, checking all the right boxes. On paper, things looked great, but during my second role, I felt a quiet nudge — “This isn’t it.”
No performance issues, no big drama. Just the feeling that I wasn’t giving my 100%. Watching data analysts work their magic sparked curiosity. Could I do that? Thanks to the unconditional support of a senior colleague, I dove into Python and SQL, discovering a whole new world. And that was the turning point.
The path wasn’t easy. Coming from a Commerce background meant endless rejections for technical roles. “You’re not qualified for this,” they said. The education system back then didn’t support cross-domain careers, and I felt stuck.
Then luck knocked — a referral through a friend got me a role at an early-stage startup. I led data analytics, often Googling the simplest things while also learning how a tech team functions. The steep learning curve, endless challenges, and incredible mentors pushed me forward.
Today, I’m proud to say I work in a pure software role, and I completed my Masters in Computer Science in 2024.
This journey — from fear-driven choices to embracing a career shift — has been a rollercoaster. And this year, I’m committed to sharing my learnings, insights, and experiences, hoping they might inspire or guide even one person considering a career switch.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in a path you didn’t love, keep following along. The road might be tough, but trust me — it’s worth it.