An Indian man living in the United States has shared his journey from repeatedly appearing for competitive examinations in India to choosing an unconventional career path that eventually took him abroad. In a video posted on Instagram, he reflected on the pressure, financial struggles and uncertainty he faced before deciding to pursue hotel management.
(Also read: Indian man in US says owning a car is a necessity, not a luxury: ‘Otherwise, you cannot go anywhere’)
Kartik Chauhan said he initially joined the competitive exam race after watching friends prepare for exams such as JEE, NEET, UPSC and government jobs. However, after facing multiple failures and mounting pressure, he decided to take a different route.
‘There was a lot of frustration’
Sharing his experience, Chauhan said, "If you are preparing for JEE, NEET, UPSC, or any government job in India, I respect all of them. But here I am sharing my journey. A few years ago, seeing my friends, I also entered this race. I took exams, failed many times and there was a lot of frustration. There was a lot of pressure from family. I wanted to do something for my parents, build a house; our financial condition wasn't good, and I used to overthink a lot. But then I chose something different from my relatives and friends. I did hotel management and worked for three years as a pastry chef at Marriott Hotel. Then I got an opportunity to move to America. Whether it is India or America, the struggle exists everywhere. But if you struggle in America, you get a 1,000% reward for it."
Watch the clip here:
{{/usCountry}}Watch the clip here:
{{/usCountry}}His remarks about the rewards of working in India and the US reflect his personal experience and perspective.
Social media users react
The post drew reactions from social media users, several of whom related to Chauhan’s decision to step away from a conventional career path. One user wrote, "This is such a real perspective." Another said, "Taking a different path takes courage." A third remarked, "Hard work matters everywhere." A fourth added, "This journey is truly inspiring."
HT.com has reached out to the user for his comments, and the copy will be updated once his 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.)