A 22-year-old growth marketer, Lavanya Jain, has sparked a widespread debate on social media after claiming to earn nearly ₹5 lakh (approximately $100,000 annually) each month, despite dropping out of his BTech program in its final semester. Jain’s viral post on X (formerly Twitter) challenges the conventional belief that an elite college degree, particularly from an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), is the sole path to a high-paying career.
Challenging the IIT Prestige
Jain, who was pursuing Electronics and Communications Engineering, shared screenshots on X showing two payments totaling ₹4.86 lakh credited to his account via Wise Payments. He states that he now earns more than the highest placement package offered by his former college, all while working part-time as a contractor and cultivating five additional passive income streams.
“I’m not even from an IIT. In fact, I dropped out from my BTech, majoring in Electronics and Communications Engineering in my final semester. I think it was one of the best decisions of my life,” Jain wrote, adding, “IIT is just a tag.”
His bold statement has ignited discussions about the evolving job market, where practical skills, real-world experience, and entrepreneurial drive may be gaining more traction than traditional academic credentials.
Skills Over Degrees in a Modern Economy
While acknowledging the benefits of an IIT education, such as a strong alumni network and increased visibility, Jain argues that ultimate professional success hinges on individual achievement rather than a college name. He provocatively concluded one post with, “What’s the use when you got a couple of IITians working under you lol.”
This sentiment resonates with a growing trend where remote work, freelancing, and global contracting opportunities are enabling individuals to carve out successful careers outside the traditional campus placement system. Jain’s experience highlights a shift towards valuing execution and practical expertise, prompting many to reconsider the long-held notion that a prestigious degree is the biggest factor in career advancement.