A Microsoft employee has opened up about completing three years at the tech giant, reflecting on how starting her career at the company shaped her understanding of corporate life. She said that while she feels fortunate to have avoided many of the workplace struggles people often talk about, the experience has also come with moments of imposter syndrome.
(Also read: 'Real conversations, honest brainstorming': Microsoft employee says office still excites her after 5 years)
Taking to Instagram, Saniya Ahuja shared a video in which she spoke about Microsoft being her first job and why she feels grateful for how her professional journey began.
‘I got the easy version of adulthood’
“Sometimes I feel like I got the easy version of adulthood. Microsoft was my first job and in three years here, I've never really experienced the corporate struggle people talk about. I didn't have to go through toxic workplaces or spend years figuring out what a good company looks like. And honestly, I'm incredibly grateful for that, because I think we romanticize struggle a bit too much. Not struggling for something does not mean you didn't earn it,” Ahuja said.
She added that despite feeling fortunate about where her career began, working at Microsoft has not completely eliminated self-doubt.
{{/usCountry}}She added that despite feeling fortunate about where her career began, working at Microsoft has not completely eliminated self-doubt.
{{/usCountry}}“But ironically, this place still gives me imposter syndrome all the time. I've genuinely asked myself, what did I do right to get here? But then I remind myself, getting something is one thing, maintaining it is another. The grass is greener where you water it, and this is the grass I have,” she continued.
‘Still learning, growing’
Reflecting on her three-year journey, Ahuja said she continues to value both the professional growth and memories the job has given her.
“Three years in, I'm still learning, growing, and honestly, just incredibly grateful for the opportunity, the memories, and the fact that my first job got to be this,” she said.
The video was shared with the caption, “My first job, got to be this.”
Watch the clip here:
Internet reacts
The post prompted several reactions from social media users, with many appreciating Ahuja’s perspective on workplace struggles and career growth. One user wrote, “Microsoft as a first job is quite a start.” Another said, “This is such a refreshing take on corporate life.”
(Also read: ‘Nobody praised my hard work’: Microsoft employee on role of luck in corporate success)
A third person pointed out that even a seemingly smooth career journey can have its own challenges, writing, “Sometimes the ‘easy version’ still comes with its own pressure.” Another user credited Ahuja’s efforts for landing the opportunity and commented, “You made it easier for yourself by working hard enough to make sure that Microsoft was your first job!”
HT.com has reached out to the user for her comments, and the copy will be updated once her response is received.
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)