I am Shubham Saini, and just a year ago, I was preparing to join the army. Today, I am working as a Front-End Developer Intern at Mark Anthony Ventures.
It has not been an easy path. But with the right training, mindset, and consistent effort, I made the switch, and it feels like a fresh beginning.
If you are someone wondering whether it is too late to enter tech or if your background is “too different,” I hope my story gives you a little more clarity and confidence.
After finishing my B.Sc in 2021, I began preparing for the army exams. One of my friends had cleared it, and I wanted to follow a similar path. But due to health issues, things did not go as planned.
That is when I came across NxtWave on YouTube. I had been interested in IT since 10th grade, but back then, seat allocation and fees made it difficult. Now, I had a second chance, and I decided to take it.
I registered for the NxtWave Full Stack Development course on December 30, 2022, and started learning seriously.
What impressed me most was that NxtWave offers courses in vernacular languages. That made the learning process much smoother for someone like me who was new to software.
Also, watching other students' success stories kept me motivated. I saw people from different backgrounds making it, and I told myself, “If they can do it, so can I.”
It took me nearly a year to complete the course, not because I lacked pace, but because I had to skip some placement drives that were too far from my location.
Initially, I was only looking for work-from-home roles, thinking it would be easier to manage. However, over time, I realised that most good job opportunities, especially for fresh graduates, require being open to in-office roles. That shift in mindset helped me take placement more seriously.
I gave more than 10 interviews. Some feedback was positive, some was not, but I made sure to ask after every round. That helped me understand where I needed to improve.
NxtWave’s mock interviews were the turning point. They were designed in a way that prepared me for real interviews. It was tough at first, but it helped me understand where I stood. Nxt Mock, an AI-powered mock interview platform by NxtWave, is a game-changer.
Over time, my technical knowledge improved. I kept practising, reviewing my mistakes, and learning from each interaction.
The NxtWave support team and my Success Coach were also helpful. Whenever I had a doubt or needed guidance, I got support. That made a big difference, especially during tough weeks.
After all the effort, I was finally selected for a Front-End Developer Intern role. The internship is for three months, and if I perform well, I may receive a full-time offer.
It feels great to start working after months of learning and interviews, finally. I am now applying what I learned and getting real experience. This opportunity is helping me grow, and I am happy with how things are going.
My father sells vegetables in the local market, and my mother is a homemaker. They have been supportive throughout. They stood by me through each phase, from army prep to switching to tech.
Without their belief in me, I would not have reached here.
“NxtWave gives its best, but your outcome depends on how much effort you put in.”
From missing out on the army to starting my tech career, this journey has taught me that it is never too late to begin.
The key is to keep learning, ask for help when needed, and show up every single day.
