Over 500 applications, no job: Engineering grad turns Rapido rider to make ends meet
A first-division Computer Science graduate's story has gone viral after he revealed he became a Rapido rider despite submitting more than 500 job applications. The story has sparked fresh discussion about India's slowing hiring market and the challenges facing new graduates.
A first-division Computer Science graduate. More than 500 job applications. Still no offer. A viral post on X has brought renewed attention to the challenges facing fresh graduates, telling the story of a young engineer who now works as a Rapido rider after months of unsuccessful job hunting.
According to the post, his parents still believe he is at home preparing for interviews.
The story emerged after X user Niraj shared an interaction with a Rapido rider during a recent trip. A college sticker on the rider's helmet sparked a conversation that revealed the employment challenges many fresh graduates face.
According to Niraj, the rider graduated this year with a first-division degree in Computer Science. Despite applying for more than 500 jobs, he received no offers. After exhausting his savings, he began working as a Rapido rider from 6 am each day while continuing his job search.
'MY PARENTS STILL THINK I'M PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS'
According to Niraj, the graduate said his parents still believe he is at home preparing for interviews. He never corrected them because he did not know how to explain his situation without making it "a whole thing."
What stood out most, Niraj said, was the rider's acceptance of his circumstances. Rather than expressing frustration, he simply remarked that "the market is like this right now" before continuing with his day.
POST RESONATES WITH MANY
Sharing the experience, Niraj suggested the graduate's story reflects a growing reality for many freshers trying to enter the workforce. "Idk man, this is happening to way more people than expected. Maybe the market is tough rn for freshers," he wrote.
The post quickly resonated online, with many users sharing similar experiences of submitting hundreds of applications, receiving few interview calls and struggling to land their first job despite having strong academic records.
The graduate's story has become a reminder of the growing gap between education and employment. As competition for entry-level roles remains intense, many freshers are finding themselves taking up temporary work while continuing the search for their first career opportunity.
A first-division Computer Science graduate. More than 500 job applications. Still no offer. A viral post on X has brought renewed attention to the challenges facing fresh graduates, telling the story of a young engineer who now works as a Rapido rider after months of unsuccessful job hunting.
According to the post, his parents still believe he is at home preparing for interviews.
The story emerged after X user Niraj shared an interaction with a Rapido rider during a recent trip. A college sticker on the rider's helmet sparked a conversation that revealed the employment challenges many fresh graduates face.
According to Niraj, the rider graduated this year with a first-division degree in Computer Science. Despite applying for more than 500 jobs, he received no offers. After exhausting his savings, he began working as a Rapido rider from 6 am each day while continuing his job search.
'MY PARENTS STILL THINK I'M PREPARING FOR INTERVIEWS'
According to Niraj, the graduate said his parents still believe he is at home preparing for interviews. He never corrected them because he did not know how to explain his situation without making it "a whole thing."
What stood out most, Niraj said, was the rider's acceptance of his circumstances. Rather than expressing frustration, he simply remarked that "the market is like this right now" before continuing with his day.
POST RESONATES WITH MANY
Sharing the experience, Niraj suggested the graduate's story reflects a growing reality for many freshers trying to enter the workforce. "Idk man, this is happening to way more people than expected. Maybe the market is tough rn for freshers," he wrote.
The post quickly resonated online, with many users sharing similar experiences of submitting hundreds of applications, receiving few interview calls and struggling to land their first job despite having strong academic records.
The graduate's story has become a reminder of the growing gap between education and employment. As competition for entry-level roles remains intense, many freshers are finding themselves taking up temporary work while continuing the search for their first career opportunity.
