A software professional who increased his salary from Rs 6 lakh per annum to Rs 23 lakh per annum within a year by switching jobs twice has opened up about the challenges that came with rapid career growth. While the salary jump looks impressive on paper, the employee says he is now dealing with anxiety, self-doubt, and the pressure of adapting to a large and complex codebase at his new AI startup.
Sharing his experience on Reddit, the professional explained how his career changed dramatically over the past year. He began as a data analyst but eventually transitioned into backend engineering, a move that significantly boosted his earnings and career prospects.
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From Data analyst to backend engineer
The employee revealed that he worked as a data analyst for one year but was not satisfied with either the nature of the work or the compensation.
He wrote: "Last year I was a data analyst but didn't like the work there, and the pay was a major bottleneck for me." Determined to move into software engineering, he focused on building projects and writing technical blogs alongside his full-time job. His efforts paid off when he landed a backend engineer role with a salary package of ₹12 LPA.
After taking a one-month break, he joined the company in February and initially found the experience rewarding.
Unexpected career twist forced another job change
Just a few months into the role, the startup faced business challenges. According to the employee, several high-paying clients left the company, creating financial pressure.
As a result, the founder reportedly advised him to start exploring new opportunities because sustaining his salary could become difficult. The situation led to another career move, and he soon secured a position at an AI startup offering a package of ₹23 LPA.
New Role, Bigger Salary, Greater Pressure
Although the salary increase was substantial, the transition has not been easy.
The employee said he joined the new company only a week ago and is already feeling overwhelmed by the scale and complexity of the codebase.
He shared: "Joined this new really good AI startup 1 week back l, and although I did make some good progress, I feel I am having a hard time actually understanding the codebase. it's so vast and complex." The startup's work culture has also added to the pressure. He noted that many employees regularly work around 12 hours a day or even longer.
Despite acknowledging the demanding environment, he is optimistic because he sees long-term growth opportunities within the company.
Anxiety and self-doubt Begin to surface
The rapid transition from analyst to backend engineer, followed by another jump into a fast-growing AI startup, has left him questioning his abilities.
The employee admitted that recent health issues have further affected his concentration and productivity.
He wrote: "feeling this sense of anxiety and inadequacy due to it. also had some health problems since some days so can't focus much on work. This feeling is eating me up." His post resonated with many professionals who have experienced imposter syndrome after landing higher-paying roles or joining fast-paced startups.
How He Made the Transition
When other users asked how he managed to switch from data analytics to backend engineering, the employee credited consistent self-learning.
He replied: "It was mostly due to my projects and blogs. I'm really consistent with them since two years, along with my job." He also clarified: "I worked as an analyst for exactly one year in 2025".
His journey highlights how side projects, technical writing and continuous learning can help professionals move into new domains, even without years of direct experience.
Reddit users offer encouragement
Many users reassured the employee that feeling overwhelmed in the first few weeks of a new role is completely normal, especially in a startup environment where systems are often large and evolving.
One user commented: "Kudos to you mate. Keep learning!! Keep Growing !! Just hang there for long, you would do great !!"
Another user highlighted how startup experience can accelerate professional growth: "Work one year and call it a day... that is equivalent to you working 4 years in old org. Its a win win."
The post has struck a chord with young professionals navigating India's competitive technology sector. While stories about massive salary jumps often focus on the financial rewards, this experience sheds light on the emotional and mental challenges that can accompany rapid career growth.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a user-generated post on Reddit. ET.com has not independently verified the claims made in the post and does not vouch for their accuracy. The views expressed are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of ET.com. Reader discretion is advised.
