This article war written probably a decade back, or more. I just had a relook and my thoughts from as on today have been appended at the end of this article.
“Why should I work for Rs. 10,000 per month ? “
We will relate the above statement to that of a fresh MBA, an engineer or any fresh graduate who now aspires for a professional career.
In case you have not been able to land up a job from campus considering either poor market conditions, lack of opportunities at your school etc. it is a clearly understood fact that you will have to seek off campus opportunities by directly applying to companies. Directly applying for a job is painful – physically and emotionally. You run around taking interviews and you realise that no one needs you, and people who are looking for fresher’s don’t want to pay as per your aspirations, and people who agree to pay – primarily do so for sales jobs or jobs that you don’t want or are not equipped to handle. Lots of pain and stress before even the best of talent gets an off campus job, unless of course one of your dad’s friend opens up some hidden positions just to get you on board. Not many are lucky that ways either.
Getting back to the story – finally after so many interviews you start getting confirmed job offers , and you realise that most of these job offers are some thing like Rs. 10 – 15 k kinds, and in exceptional cases or for sales jobs some think like Rs. 20 k. Huh, your friends have got campus placements of Rs. 5 L , 8 L etc. Wouldn’t it be an embarrassment to work for such a paltry amount ?
And then comes the statements –
“Why should I work for Rs. 10,000 per month ? “
“Huh , my pocket money is like 20k, why should i take a job for 10 – 12 k.”
“Son, why do you want a job that pays only Rs. 10,000 ? I will give you Rs. 15000 and you wait till you land up a better job.”
Have you heard of or faced such situations ?
2025 Update:
Fast forward to 2025, and you’ll find that the core of this painful dilemma hasn’t budged, it has just inflated. That “paltry” Rs. 10,000 offer might now be a Rs. 20,000 – 25,000 stipend, but it feels just as insulting when your peers are celebrating campus placements of Rs. 12L, 15L, or more.
Here’s the modern paradox: you have unprecedented power at your fingertips. AI can build you a killer resume, a weekend online course can add a certified skill to your profile, and countless platforms are screaming about internship opportunities. Yet, this very accessibility makes the market brutally competitive.
The real danger today isn’t just waiting; it’s the indefinite stretch of that “wait time.” Sitting idle is a quick path to becoming obsolete. Latching onto any engagement—an internship, a part-time project, a low-paying role—is no longer just about avoiding embarrassment; it’s about survival. It’s about gaining momentum, because in today’s world, standing still means you’re already moving backwards. So take the gig, but be smart about it—make sure you’re there to learn and contribute, not just to be exploited. Your first pay cheque is less important than your first real foothold in the professional world.
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