An IIT student with a job offer of ₹ 70 Lakh wants to quit and says, "I'll never be truly happy". See viral post

A final year IIT student who recently secured a Pre Placement Offer (PPO). ₹70 lakhs from a multinational corporation is faced with a dilemma that many young professionals may be dealing with. Despite landing what many would consider a dream job, the student says he isn’t sure whether accepting the offer will bring him long-term happiness.

The story caught the attention of the internet after finnfluencer and content creator Ankur Warikoo shared an email he received from a student who opened up about his journey from a farming family to one of India’s premier engineering institutions.

From academic success to career uncertainty

In the email, the student described growing up in a middle-class household where academic success was prioritized above all else.

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“I am a final year student of IIT born in a middle class family. I never really asked myself what I want to do in life since my childhood. In school I was taught to compete with toppers and get 90+ marks in all subjects. I became a class topper who only knew how to get good marks and that’s how I got into IIT. I joined IIT and I was still the same studio,” he wrote.

The student explained that while securing admission to an IIT and receiving a lucrative job offer may seem like the culmination of years of hard work, he began to question whether the path was in line with what he really wanted out of life.

‘I know I’ll never be truly happy’

Thinking about ₹70 lakh compensation package, the student acknowledged that many would consider it a dream opportunity. However, he admitted that the prospect of continuing the corporate journey left him feeling unfulfilled.

“It seems like a dream life, maybe even a dream of many students. But I don’t want this anymore. I know I’ll never be really happy living like this. Now I feel like I’ll just compete with my colleagues for promotions, and if AI affects work, I’ll have to change roles or become an AI developer and work all my life. Then I’ll retire with a 20 million life, 50 or 06 life, and how will I really enjoy myself?” he wrote

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The student’s concerns resonated with a wider debate about career success, work-life balance and the pressures many young professionals face after graduating from elite institutions.

Torn between passion and responsibility

While the student said he enjoys fitness, maintains a disciplined lifestyle and goes to the gym, he is still unsure about turning this passion into a sustainable source of income.

“It’s not that I don’t like my life – I really enjoy fitness. I like to go to the gym and follow a disciplined diet. But I don’t see a clear way to make money from it. A high-paying job like this forces people to give up their dreams to earn money and provide a comfortable life for their family. Will this race ever end?”

At the same time, he acknowledged that turning down the offer would not be easy because of the financial expectations placed on him and his desire to provide for his family.

Ankur Warikoo ‘Life Fund’ Board

In response to the email, Warikoo told the student that his feelings were valid and that he had already achieved what society usually defines as success.

However, instead of walking away from the opportunity immediately, Warikoo suggested using the job as a stepping stone to create financial security.

“Don’t take this job as a career, but as a ‘life fund’. Use the first 2-3 years to secure your family’s financial future. So that the ‘guilt’ of following your dreams goes away,” he advised.

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Warikoo also encouraged the student to explore opportunities within the growing maker economy by combining his academic discipline with an interest in fitness.

Turning passion into opportunity

According to Warikoo, the student’s IIT education and dedication to fitness could help him stand out in the crowded digital landscape.

“Fitness doesn’t have to be just a hobby: You say you don’t see a way to make money from it, but we live in an attention economy. If you can combine your IIT discipline with your passion for fitness, you’re already ahead of 99 percent of people,” he said.