A 24-year-old engineering student from New Delhi has taken to Reddit with a question that may resonate with many young professionals struggling with missed opportunities, academic setbacks and an uncertain job market: what happens when you have years of work experience but still do not have the degree needed to prove it?In a post on the Reddit, the young man wrote, “I think my software engineering career is over,” describing a journey that took him from engineering college and multiple internships to nearly three years of practical experience in software development — before missed examinations, an incomplete degree and the loss of his job left him unemployed.
From an electrical engineering seat to software development
The Reddit user said he entered NSUT to study electrical engineering but struggled academically, with his grades averaging around 4–5 GPA per semester.Outside academics, however, he explored a range of interests, including singing, animation, 3D art, writing and electronics. He wrote that his focus eventually shifted towards software development.By the end of his second year, he said he had begun learning full-stack development and started applying for internships. After several rejections, he landed his first internship as a frontend developer in August 2023.That experience, he wrote, was followed by further opportunities. In January 2025, he joined another startup after meeting its founder and discussing a new product the company was planning to build.According to the Reddit user, the role gradually expanded from frontend development to broader software engineering work.
24-year-old NSUT student says software engineering career is over after degree setback
“I built the foundation for their product”
The young engineer claimed that he became heavily involved in building the startup’s product and spent months learning how to develop production applications and systems from scratch.“During first 6 months, it was me contributing around 95% of the work,” he wrote.But while his professional responsibilities were growing, his academic problems were becoming more serious.He said he missed registration for two examinations in his final semester. The mistake meant he would not complete his degree on schedule.When the startup’s founder later asked him to provide his degree or certificate, he had to explain that he had not yet completed the course.The company reportedly allowed him to continue after he explained the situation, but he said he was moved back to an intern role.
A final exam, but still no degree
The Reddit user registered to complete his pending examinations in the summer semester of 2026.However, while waiting for his academic situation to be resolved, he said the startup informed him in July that his services were no longer required. He resigned from the company and later received an experience letter showing 17 months as a software engineering intern, adding to what he described as around three years of internship experience overall.Then came another setback.According to the post, the examination results showed that he had failed one subject and did not reflect marks for another examination he said he had taken. The instructor allegedly told him that the marks had not been received from the examination cell.The result left him in a situation he described bluntly: “No job, no degree.”
Does internship experience count?
One of the biggest concerns raised in his post was whether his years of practical work would carry any value in the job market.He wrote that he had experience with modern software development and AI concepts and was willing to continue learning, including in machine learning. But without a completed degree and with much of his work experience classified as internships, he questioned why an employer would consider hiring him.“Why would someone hire me now?” he wrote.The post also included worrying references to feeling that “not existing feels better than being here”, reflecting the emotional toll that prolonged academic and career uncertainty can have on young people.
Reddit’s advice: Fix the degree first, then rebuild
Among the responses, one Reddit user offered a direct assessment but rejected the idea that the situation was beyond repair.“Like you’ve fucked up real bad, but it’s really not the end,” the commenter wrote, suggesting that smaller companies and startups may be more willing to consider candidates based on their skills and practical ability.The advice was straightforward: complete the degree, take a smaller job if necessary, build formal work experience and then look for better opportunities.The original poster’s situation also highlights a broader lesson for students and young professionals. Skills and practical experience can open doors, but academic requirements and formal documentation can still become critical at key points in a career.For the 24-year-old, the immediate challenge may be to resolve the pending examination issue and secure his degree. His story, however, also shows that a career setback at 24 — even one involving missed exams and unemployment — does not necessarily have to become the final chapter.Disclaimer: This article is based on an anonymous Reddit post and comments shared on the platform. The claims, experiences and circumstances described have not been independently verified by TOI Education.
