I am Praveen Kalla, a 2024 B.Tech CSE graduate from Lovely Professional University (LPU). Today, I am working as a Trainee at DataGaps, with a ₹4.5 LPA package.
But things weren’t always this smooth.
Like many students, I graduated with hopes, but no job in hand. I had tried learning from YouTube, applying for roles, and attending college placement, but nothing worked. The journey was frustrating.
It wasn’t until I found structured learning through NxtWave that everything started falling into place.
Why I Missed Out on Placements in College
While my college offered placement opportunities, most of them were for business development roles, rather than software development.
I had chosen Machine Learning as my specialisation, thinking it would open more doors. But I soon realised that it was harder to find job-ready roles in that domain, especially without real project exposure or full-stack skills.
At that time, I lacked sufficient knowledge of Web Development, which made me ineligible for technical roles.
Why I Chose to Upskill with NxtWave
In June 2024, I saw an ad for NxtWave on YouTube. I attended a demo session, and for the first time, I felt that this was something designed for students like me.
There was clarity, structure, and a real path to job readiness. I enrolled in their Full Stack Course immediately.
To give myself the best shot, I moved to Hyderabad and stayed there for 10 months, entirely focused on learning without distractions. That decision helped me stay consistent and build momentum.
How Structured Learning Made All the Difference
At NxtWave, everything was different:
- Each topic was explained clearly and in-depth
- After every lesson, there were practice questions to strengthen the concepts
- My problem-solving and logical thinking improved with regular assessments
- If I ever had doubts, I used the Discussion Portal, where questions were answered in just a few hours
During the COVID pandemic, I tried to learn from YouTube. While I understood concepts, I would forget them quickly without regular practice.
But at NxtWave, the daily schedule, constant revision, and real engagement helped me retain everything and apply it confidently.
Facing Job Rejections and Doubts
Before joining this course, I applied to multiple companies, but got no responses.
That silence was emotionally draining. I started doubting myself. Was I doing enough? Was I even employable?
But I didn’t stop. I started my upskilling journey and waited for the right opportunity.
Fast, Structured Placements That Actually Work
One of the best parts of NxtWave was their offline drives.
- No long wait times
- Interview + result + offer → all in a day
- Clear communication and timelines
That experience gave me a much-needed confidence boost.
My Family’s Support Meant Everything
I come from a modest background. My father is an electric lineman, and my mother is a homemaker. My elder sister is preparing for government exams.
We have had our share of financial ups and downs, but my father made sure I never had to stop learning. That support gave me the strength to keep going, even when things felt stuck.
Today, I’m working at DataGaps as a Trainee, and we are currently in the training phase.
The job is aligned with my interests. I finally feel like I’m in the right place doing work I enjoy, with growth ahead.
To Job Seekers and Non-CS Grads: Here’s What I Learned
- Do not wait for placements—start building your skills early.
- Choose a structured learning platform that offers clarity and support.
- Stay consistent even when results are slow.
- Offline drives and fast interview processes matter; they reduce stress and uncertainty.
- Most importantly, believe in yourself even when others don’t respond.
“You can be jobless after graduation and still build a great career, if you choose to learn with focus.”
