As a 23-year-old, I think I have ruined my life.

Am a 2022 passed out mechanical engineer. 90% in 10th, 80% in 12th, 85% in UG.

As soon as I graduated, I landed a job in core industry with 12k per month salary. I left the job after 3-4 months mainly because of commuting distance. The learning curve, the salary curve was quite flat overtime when compared to IT. So decided to join IT and the first thing that caught my eye was Business Analysis. The reason for me to choose BA was I was good at speaking and listening. So I thought BA would be an apt role for me.

Time was going on, my friends were getting jobs and was earning, and the social media made me feel even worse than what I already was. A company called me and asked me if I would be interested to join them as a Data Science Intern for 4 months, for which I had to pay them 5k. I thought I can use them in my resume and said OK to them. I also went to a local institution which taught me basics of Python, C, C++ until arrays and matrices. The Data science Intern was scam and they kept online classes twice a week for name's sake and taught the exact basics of python I learnt in the Institution. i was all along the way learning about Business Analysis and was preparing MySQL, power BI, Excel, PPT and was searching for a full-time job.

On Jan of 2023, I was searching for BA Intern roles, but landed on BDE Intern role for a Healthcare startup. I got 5k per month and I had to work full time as an Intern. I was a HR, I did Social Media Audit, I did design for their new websites, I gathered data from open sources, Managed a group of sales team, etc. After three months, they asked me to either work on the same or leave the job and I chose to leave as I felt that wasn't what I set out to achieve and that my goal was to actually become a BA in IT.

On May 2023, I searched for all the companied near my home and I found a medium scale startup IT company and I mailed their CTO regarding my interest to become a BA and asked him for a 15 min meeting. Luckily, he agreed, and I aced the meeting and was also asked to make a documentation for a Zomato App clone. I did with taking reference from an employee of the same company's blog. There were 3 rounds, and I was said that after 3 months of being a BA Intern, I will be offered a full-time role with 15k salary. I immediately said OK, because of the BA role. I worked there as a BA and was entrusted with Project Manager role for a small project (it was a Singapore client).

Three months passed and it was September 2023, I asked them about the full-time role. I was working even at some weekends and even at nighttime too upon the request of our Manager (Even when other BA denied the same). Before having a word with CTO and HR, the manager told me I will get you a good salary and not worry a bit. But at the same day evening, he told me unfortunately, they weren't able to provide the salary (i.e.15k) and asked if I would be able to work as an intern for another 3 months. I asked him If he can at least increase my stipend from 6k to 10k at the least. He said, there weren't many projects on pipeline, and they won't be do that also. I had 0 saving from my previous stipends. Other BA in my same team was getting around 30-35k. I understood how they were using the needy and I decided to quit the job.

Its been 2 months without any Jobs. I got couple of offers, but they were demanding 3 years of bond with less pay too. No Giants hired from the time I graduated. I got MBA seat in a Govt college last week (25k fees per year) and had decline the seat as the placements were too bad. I am confused now. I am doubting about my career choices now.

Now I have an offer from a IT company but they are demanding 2 and half years of bond and during the initial 6 months of training, they'll provide 10k. It's becoming very hard to see my parents right now. I had my CAT 2023 exam scheduled today. But I didn't attend it because of my 0 preparation.

I think I have ruined my life now. I am confused very much. I feel very deeply sad when I see my cousin and other people of my same age having their own bikes, travelling at weekends, enjoying their life. What did I do wrong to deserve this Bad luck?

TL;DR

Am a 22 passed out, worked in core company for 4 months, thought of getting into IT as a BA, looked out for Intern opportunities, Got BDE Intern, also got BA Intern and left the job due to politics. Now no job opportunities and confused of my life choices.

I got govt seat for MBA. Declined it due to the poor to no placements in the college. Didn't attend my CAT because I didn't prepare anything. Am confused and doubting my career choices right now.