Scaler Review: From ₹12K/Month to 19 Job Offers
My first salary was ₹12,500 a month. Last year, I turned down 18 job offers—because I could only accept one.
To myself from a few years ago, it would’ve sounded like a dream.
Back then, I was working long hours across multiple jobs trying to make ends meet. Despite having a B.Tech degree, I couldn't secure the kind of opportunity I had always hoped for. Every interview seemed to end the same way…with another rejection.
Today, I work as a Team Lead at OATI (Open Access Technology India), and when I look back, it's hard to believe how much has changed.
And yes, this journey wasn't quick or easy.
It involved setbacks, self-doubt, financial struggles, and one decision that completely changed the direction of my career.
This is my story, and I hope that if you're feeling stuck in your own career today, you'll find something in it that reminds you that your starting point doesn't have to define where you end up.
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+1000 moreThe Reality behind Earning ₹12,500 a Month
Like most students, I thought getting through college would naturally lead to a decent job.
I completed my B. Tech degree while freelancing on the side. It helped me earn some extra money and gave me a glimpse of professional life. At the time, I believed I could balance both.
But unfortunately, I was wrong.
Trying to juggle freelancing with academics meant I never gave either my complete attention. My interview preparation suffered, I struggled to stay focused during interviews, and even after knowing how to solve many of the technical problems I was asked, I failed to execute them well under pressure.
Then came 2020.
COVID brought everything to a standstill, and before I could recover from one setback, I found myself facing another. I was at home without a full-time job, watching opportunities disappear while my confidence slowly started fading.
Eventually, my financial situation pushed me to take up a part-time job that paid just ₹12,500 a month. Even that wasn't enough, so I started taking up other odd jobs to make ends meet.
I was working close to 12 hours a day with irregular schedules, yet my monthly income barely covered my expenses.
That phase was difficult not just because of the money, but because I felt like all the effort I was putting in wasn't taking me anywhere.
The Months That Built My Confidence
It was during that time that I met a friend of mine who was doing relatively well. Knowing him, I felt devastated at my own situation. But at the same time, it got me motivated enough to move forward and do something about this situation.
Reaching out to anyone and seeking advice, especially from peers, made me hesitant at first, but I decided to take a step forward and do everything it takes to reach my goals.
And that is when a friend of mine mentioned Scaler to me.
At that time, my financial situation was already difficult. A close friend helped me with the initial amount, and I also managed to secure a loan to pay the course fee.
That support gave me an opportunity, but it also gave me responsibility.
I wanted to make sure that it didn’t get wasted.
The next few months were all about consistency.
I spent most of my time learning Data Structures and Algorithms, solving problems, attending classes, and understanding concepts that I had previously struggled with. Some days felt productive, while on others, I questioned whether I was making enough progress.
But I kept showing up.
One thing that made a real difference for me was the learning environment. Whenever I got stuck, I could quickly clear my doubts through the study groups or reach out to the instructors. Satya Sai Sir's DSA classes helped me build a much stronger foundation, while Anshuman Singh Sir's High-Level Design sessions and Naman Bhalla Sir's Low-Level Design classes and project guidance gave me confidence in areas I had previously found challenging. The mentorship sessions also helped me stay focused and improve steadily instead of feeling lost.
Over time, I could see the difference.
The same concepts that once felt difficult slowly started becoming familiar.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt confident that I was moving in the right direction.
When Everything Started Changing
After months of learning and preparing consistently, I started applying for jobs again.
This time, things felt different.
The interviews that once filled me with anxiety started to became a part of a process I was ready for. The concepts I had spent months practicing started reflecting in my performance, and with every interview, my confidence grew a little more.
Then something happened that I never imagined.
By the end of my job search, I had received 19 offers.
For someone who had once questioned whether he would ever build a career in tech, it almost didn't feel real.
Choosing one opportunity out of so many wasn't easy.
I spent a lot of time evaluating my options, and my mentor, Vikash Kumar Sir, played a huge role in helping me make that decision. He encouraged me to think about the role, the learning opportunities, and where each offer could take me in the long run as he explained how important these factors were along with high salary packages and in the end how growth matter a lot. That guidance ultimately helped me choose the opportunity that aligned best with my long-term goals.
How Scaler Transformed Careers in Different Fields
Scaler learners achieved 2.5x salary growth with average post-Scaler CTC reaching ₹23L.
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When I think about my journey today, I don't just think about the 19 job offers.
I think about the person I was before all of this.
There was a time when I used to constantly question my decisions. Every rejection made me wonder whether I was good enough or whether I had taken the wrong path altogether.
But now, I am incredibly happy to work as a Team Lead at OATI.
I often think about those nights when I stayed awake wondering what I was doing with my life. Now, I walk into work every day with a sense of purpose that I didn't have a few years ago.
When I think about it, I don't think my journey changed because of one interview or one opportunity. It changed because I finally decided to stay consistent, even when progress felt slow.
If you're reading this while feeling stuck in your own ₹12,500 phase, remember this.
Your current situation doesn't have to become your permanent reality.
Take the next step of your career with Scaler Academy
FAQs
Q1. Can someone in a low-paying non-tech job become a software developer?
Pankaj Kumar used to have a difficult time with his job, but now, after receiving guidance, mentorship, putting in consistent efforts, and building the skills that industries are demanding today. He has now gone from earning ₹12,500 a month to receiving 19 job offers. In fact, Scaler's audited report consists of a learner cohort that includes 24% of learners from non-development backgrounds, showing that many successful career transitions begin without a traditional software development role.
