Video summary

Didn't Get IIT or NIT? Here's How to Build a Successful Tech Career (2026 Guide)

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Overview

The video is a motivational/career guide aimed at students who did not get into IIT or NIT. It argues that in 2026, building a successful tech career depends far more on skills, portfolio, and proactive planning than on college pedigree.

Core reframing: “College doors” may feel closed, but the real question is what you do during your college years.

1) Personal starting point + core message

  • The presenter studied engineering in a tier-3 city (Allahabad) and says they did not get into IIT/NIT.
  • They claim they still built a strong career:
    • a software engineering job in India
    • later moving to Dubai as a Product Manager
    • while also starting their own company (Brandemia)
  • The central message: college entry feels like a gate, but your outcomes depend on your actions and preparation during college.

2) Challenging “IIT obsession” with supply vs demand

Odds of getting IIT seats (supply side)

  • The presenter cites:
    • 13.6 lakh students for JEE Mains (2025)
    • 17,385 total seats across 23 IITs
  • They claim this implies roughly:
    • 1 IIT seat per ~78 JEE aspirants
  • Framing: this is portrayed as a “failure of supply” (structural odds), not a failure of effort.

Demand for tech talent (demand side)

  • The presenter argues tech hiring demand is much larger:
    • India needs 1.4 million additional tech workers by 2027 (NASSCOM, Future of Work Report 2025)
    • IITs produce only about 10,000–12,000 engineers per year (presented as under 1% of demand)
  • Conclusion: most tech hiring will likely come from:
    • NITs
    • state colleges
    • private colleges
    • tier-3 institutions

3) College brand matters less in 2026 (skills-first hiring)

  • The video claims major tech companies increasingly hire based on demonstrated skills and portfolios:
    • Google/Amazon/Microsoft/Goldman Sachs are said to recruit from private universities as a primary channel (not “backup”).
  • It mentions a broader global shift toward skill-based hiring (e.g., Google around 2022).
  • For some cloud roles, AWS certifications are presented as more valuable than a degree.

NASSCOM-supported hiring emphasis

  • The presenter cites NASSCOM (2025) claiming 67% of tech companies prioritize:
    • demonstrated skills / portfolio
    • over college pedigree at initial screening

Practical takeaway

  • A tier-3 student with:
    • a strong GitHub
    • internships
    • solid DSA/problem-solving
  • can compete with—and sometimes beat—students from better-known institutions.

4) Five-point framework to evaluate private engineering colleges

The presenter proposes a five-point framework for choosing a private engineering college:

  1. NIRF rankings

    • Use as a standardized, government-verified signal.
    • Compare year-on-year trends.

  2. Placement data (read carefully)

    • Focus on:
      • median package
      • number of students placed vs batch size
      • types of companies
      • counts above thresholds (e.g., 10 LPA)
    • Avoid relying only on the highest CTC.

  3. Industry tie-ups + curriculum relevance

    • Check whether what’s taught matches 2026 industry needs
    • Examples mentioned: embedded certification programs like AWS/Microsoft/SAP

  4. Research output

    • Combine relevant rankings with:
      • patents/papers
      • PhD faculty ratio
    • Particularly important if you’re aiming for higher studies/product roles.

  5. Student reviews

    • Use sources like Shiksha/CollegeDekho/Reddit
    • Filter extreme claims and look for “the middle truth.”

5) Live case study: Chandigarh University (framework applied)

The presenter applies the framework to Chandigarh University, emphasizing “verified” figures.

Rankings

  • NIRF:
    • jump from 77 (first appearance in 2021) to 19 overall (NIRF 2025)
    • mentions positions for engineering/other disciplines (e.g., engineering 31st, management 32nd, etc.)
  • Mentions:
    • QS World Rankings 2026 band (250–300 for CS & IS)
    • A+ accreditation (NAAC)

Placements (2025 data claimed)

  • Claims:
    • 10,000+ students placed
    • 1,300+ recruiters visited
  • Highest packages mentioned:
    • international: 1.7 CR
    • domestic: 59.9 LPA
  • Average: 9.54 LPA
  • Median: described as “mostly” around 8 LPA
  • Also includes:
    • counts of recruiters offering different LPA ranges
    • examples of top recruiters (e.g., Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, etc.)

Global ties

  • Claims:
    • 515+ international partnerships across 95 countries
    • many partners are QS-ranked
  • Mentions study abroad options such as:
    • exchanges
    • summer internships
    • dual degrees
    • joint research
    • students already studying abroad

Viewer prompt

  • The presenter asks students/alumni to comment with real experiences to validate or contrast what marketing/website claims.

6) “Honest part”: what colleges can’t guarantee

The video highlights limitations and nuances, especially for private colleges:

  • Branch matters

    • CSE/IT is said to have stronger outcomes.
    • core branches (mechanical/civil/electrical) allegedly have fewer core-domain opportunities.
    • many students later transition to IT or go off-campus.

  • Median > highest

    • While very high packages are possible (e.g., 1.7 CR),
    • median is what most students should expect (framed as ~8 LPA at age 21–22 as “good”).

  • You place yourself

    • Colleges can provide recruiter access.
    • Interview outcomes depend on:
      • DSA
      • communication
      • internships
      • projects
      • fundamentals

  • Reinforces: “College is the you-and-what-you-build.”

7) Action plan from day one (job-ready in 2–3 years)

A step-by-step path for building a tech career regardless of college:

  • Month 1

    • Create a strong LinkedIn headline
    • Set up/upgrade a GitHub profile
    • Start computer fundamentals

  • Build DSA / problem-solving

    • Practice DSA for product-based/FANG-style interviews
    • Use a structured approach and solve problems (example given: “two problems a day”)

  • Internships

    • Get at least one real internship early enough to affect placements
    • Use platforms (e.g., Internshala/LinkedIn) and cold outreach to founders

  • Projects

    • Build 1–2 real, defendable projects
    • Publish on GitHub
    • Be ready to discuss them in interviews and on LinkedIn

  • Optional certifications

    • Examples listed:
      • AWS Cloud Practitioner
      • Google Data Analytics
      • Meta Front-End Developer
      • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

  • Job application timing

    • Start applying about 12 months before graduation
    • Apply on-campus and off-campus
    • Don’t depend on a single channel

  • Public presence

    • Recruiters are said to search LinkedIn before interviews
    • Document learning, projects, and internship experiences

8) Ending claim

  • Not getting IIT/NIT is framed as:
    • “the beginning of a different path,” not the end of success.
  • The video includes promotional calls to action for free guidance/counseling related to Chandigarh University (and general counseling for other colleges).

Presenters / Contributors

  • No other presenters are mentioned in the subtitles besides the main video presenter (the YouTuber/author of the guidance).

Original video