Indian Techie at Microsoft Shares the Hard Work Behind ‘Dream Job’

September 27, 2025 | New Delhi For many, landing a role at Microsoft looks like the stroke of good fortune. But for Shivanjali Verma, an engineer from India, her journey to one of the world’s biggest tech companies was built on years of effort, discipline, and resilience. In a viral Instagram post, she revealed the struggles behind the “luck” people often attribute to her career success. The Story Behind the ‘So Lucky’ Label In her video, Verma highlighted how friends and acquaintances often say, “Oh, you work at Microsoft, so lucky.” The clip then moves to show her academic journey—marksheets from school, certificates from IIT, and finally, her standing in front of the Microsoft office. Her caption underlined the truth behind the achievement: “People see the destination and think it’s luck. What they don’t see is the journey that built it. Luck plays a part, yes! But without patience, persistence, and discipline, it can’t take you anywhere.” Hard Work From School to IIT The techie’s video opened a window into her early years, where she built a strong academic base. She later pursued Mechanical Engineering at IIT, which not only gave her rigorous academic training but also exposed her to a vibrant coding culture. Verma explained that studying mechanical engineering may look unrelated to a software career, but her IIT environment sharpened her problem-solving skills and gave her exposure to multiple opportunities in coding and technology. Microsoft Internships to Full-Time Role According to her LinkedIn profile, Verma first joined Microsoft as an intern in 2021 for two months. She returned for another internship in 2022, gaining deeper experience in software development. In 2023, she finally secured a full-time role as a software engineer at the company. Her journey reflects not just academic excellence but also adaptability, as she used her skills to bridge the gap between a mechanical degree and a career in tech. Social Media Reactions and Questions Her post drew widespread responses online. One user asked, “With mechanical engineering, how did you get into Microsoft?” Verma explained that during internships and placements, most top companies open their doors to non-computer science students, provided they demonstrate strong skills and high CPI. Another follower commented, “Everyone just sees the results and gives their opinion, but they don’t see the struggle behind it.” Some even questioned her choice of degree, asking, “What’s the use of studying mechanical engineering?” To this, Verma replied that IIT’s culture gave her access to world-class peers, competitive coding opportunities, and an ecosystem where she could grow beyond her branch. “It was a win–win situation,” she added. Inspiration for Others Several comments on her post praised her journey as a reminder that persistence matters more than comparisons. One individual wrote, “Please don’t feel unfair for yourself. Whatever point you are, if you are better than yesterday, you are already a winner.” Verma’s story stands as a powerful reminder: while luck may open a door, it’s the years of preparation, determination, and skill-building that carry someone through it. Not Just Luck, But Years of Effort Many say, “You work at Microsoft, so lucky.” But behind that label is a long journey of hard work, setbacks, and persistence. Engineer Shivanjali Verma shared her story through a video—school marksheets, IIT certificates, and finally, her role at Microsoft. She explained that luck may play a small part, but patience, discipline, and consistency made the real difference. From interning in 2021 and 2022 to becoming a full-time software engineer in 2023, her path proves that success isn’t accidental—it’s built brick by brick, day after day, through determination and courage.