Student says IIT secret folder has nothing to do with engineering. See Viral Post | Today’s news
What makes Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) special? Is it rigorous academics, renowned professors or highly competitive entrance exams?
According to the 19-year-old social media user, the answer may lie elsewhere.
A post shared by Anurag Jha on X sparked an online discussion after he reflected on a conversation with a friend studying at IIT Guwahati. The paper suggests that the real strength of IITs goes beyond classrooms and courses and instead comes from an ecosystem of seniors, alumni and peers that help students navigate their careers and personal development.
A conversation that changed his perspective
In his post, Jha recalled what his friend told him about life at IIT Guwahati and the support system available to students.
“My friend who is in IIT Guwahati said that in IIT culture, seniors even graduates who are doing well in life will meet (online/offline) and give you mentorship and strong recommendations on resources and road map. And even recommend good startups,” Jha wrote.
According to the student, the IIT experience includes regular interactions with seniors and alumni who provide guidance on career planning, recommend educational resources, and in some cases help students find opportunities through referrals.
“It’s a great network and community”
Reflecting on the conversation, Jha said it changed the way he looked at IIT.
“So I realized that it’s not the course, the professors or the academics that make IIT, it’s the network and the great community,” he wrote.
The teenager also spoke about the transformation he had witnessed in his friend since their school days.
Read also | LIVE: British PM Starmer ends in tearful farewell – will Andy Burnham be the next leader?
“He was just a nerd at school, but now he’s so good at communication, programming, DSA, development and sports that it amazes me that he’s the same kid who played Bingo with me and only had 2 friends,” he said.
His comments struck a chord with many users who argued that peer groups and professional networks often play a significant role in shaping career outcomes.
Social media weighs
The post soon attracted responses from users who shared their own views on the value of alumni networks and communities within leading institutions.
One user wrote, “Many top institutes are not just institutes. They are networks. Very few people understand that. But also, even in IITs not everyone uses these networks. Very few people make it to the top.”
Another commented: “Exactly, the IITs do because they are well connected.”
A third user echoed a similar sentiment, writing: “It’s not about the place, it’s always about the people.”
Others pointed to the role of competition and peer influence in helping students improve.
“It’s peer pressure for competition that makes them average better than the best of us,” read one comment.
Another user emphasized the value of senior counselling, writing: “Yes goat, networking with seniors will teach you a lot.”
Read also | FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H: Can Cabo Verde qualify for the round of 32?
Outside of academics
The discussion reflects a broader debate about what makes elite educational institutions valuable. While the IITs are known for their academic standards and highly selective admissions process, many students and alumni have often emphasized the importance of the relationships, mentoring opportunities, and professional networks that develop during their time on campus.
Jha’s contribution resonated with many because it shifts the focus away from textbooks and lectures to something less tangible but just as influential—the people students meet along the way.
