Mumbai — A seemingly casual LinkedIn post by Mumbai-based entrepreneur Sakshi Jain has set social media ablaze, reigniting the age-old debate over whether academic degrees or raw hustle hold the key to success in today’s fast-paced world. The post, which detailed a jaw-dropping ₹3.5 lakh monthly stipend earned by an IIM Calcutta intern, has sparked conversations about the value of prestigious degrees in an era where skills and adaptability are increasingly celebrated.
Jain, a LinkedIn strategist and founder of The Content Edge, shared her reaction to meeting a friend pursuing an MBA at IIM Calcutta. “Earning 3.5L/month in an internship? Yeah, my jaw dropped too,” she wrote, recounting how the friend’s two-month internship in Mumbai would net a cool ₹7 lakh. The revelation prompted Jain to question her own assumptions about success: “Maybe degrees do hold some weight after all.”
The post, which quickly went viral across LinkedIn and X, struck a chord with professionals, students, and entrepreneurs alike. Comments poured in, reflecting a spectrum of perspectives. “Degrees might not be everything, but sometimes they’re the key to doors we didn’t even know existed,” one LinkedIn user remarked. Another countered, “There’s no single path to success. Degrees can open doors, but it’s your hustle that keeps them open.”
The discussion comes at a time when India’s job market is undergoing seismic shifts. With automation, AI, and gig work reshaping industries, many argue that practical skills and entrepreneurial grit outweigh the traditional prestige of a degree. Yet, stories like the IIM intern’s highlight the enduring allure of elite institutions, where high-paying internships and placements remain a powerful draw.
Jain herself was quick to clarify that her post wasn’t meant to pit degrees against hustle. “It’s not about one being better than the other,” she told Business Today. “I was just reflecting on how a degree from a place like IIM can create opportunities that seem almost unreal. But at the end of the day, it’s what you do with those opportunities that matters.”
The viral post also tapped into broader anxieties about career paths in India, where millions of students grapple with the pressure to secure top-tier degrees amid fierce competition. For every IIM success story, there are countless others struggling to translate academic achievements into meaningful opportunities. A recent LinkedIn post by a Delhi college topper, Bisma Fareed, went viral for highlighting this disconnect: despite her stellar academic record, she struggled to land an internship because recruiters prioritized skills over grades.
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On X, reactions to Jain’s post ranged from awe to skepticism. “₹3.5 lakh a month for an internship? That’s more than most people earn in a year!” one user exclaimed. Others questioned the sustainability of such high stipends, pointing to the stark salary disparities across industries. “Sure, IIM grads get these crazy offers, but what about the rest of us?” another user wrote.
The debate also caught the attention of industry veterans. Anupam Mittal, founder of Shaadi.com, weighed in on X, saying, “Degrees can give you a head start, but hustle keeps you in the race. The real winners combine both.” His comment echoed a growing sentiment that while elite degrees can unlock elite opportunities, long-term success depends on adaptability and relentless effort.
As the conversation continues to unfold online, Jain’s post has become a lightning rod for deeper questions about education, ambition, and opportunity in modern India. For some, it’s a reminder of the transformative power of a prestigious degree. For others, it’s a call to rethink what success looks like in a world where hustle can sometimes trump pedigree.
“This isn’t about choosing sides,” Jain said. “It’s about recognizing that there are multiple paths to the top. Whether it’s a degree, a skill, or sheer grit, what matters is finding the one that works for you.”
The viral post shows no signs of slowing down, with thousands of shares and comments fueling a debate that’s as complex as it is compelling. In a country of 1.4 billion dreams, the question of how to achieve them remains as urgent as ever.
