No IIT tag, but he got Rs 2.6 crore NVIDIA job: Meet Karnataka engineer Pruthviraj
He did not come from an IIT, nor did he have access to the best opportunities while growing up. But years of self-learning, persistence and belief took Pruthviraj from a small Karnataka village to NVIDIA's headquarters in California with a yearly package of Rs 2.6 crore.
For many engineering students, an IIT degree is often seen as the only passport to a dream job in global technology companies. But every once in a while, a story comes along that challenges that belief.
Pruthviraj P has become one such example.
The young engineer announced on LinkedIn that he had joined NVIDIA as a Software Development Engineer – Deep Learning at the company's headquarters in Santa Clara, California.
"What started as a quiet dream in a small town has now become reality," he wrote while sharing the milestone.
For Pruthviraj, the achievement was about much more than a job offer. "Coming from a place where access to technology once felt out of reach, the path here seemed almost impossible," he said. "But every long night, setback, and moment of doubt only strengthened my resolve."
NO IIT, JUST CONSISTENCY
According to the LinkedIn post, Pruthviraj grew up in Katamdevarakote village in Karnataka's Chitradurga district, where opportunities and exposure to technology were limited. His father worked in a bank, and the family lived a modest middle-class life.
Unlike many viral tech success stories, Pruthviraj did not study at an IIT or another elite engineering institute. He completed his bachelor's degree from PES University in Bengaluru before deciding to build his skills independently.
Rather than relying on expensive coaching or college brand names, he reportedly spent years teaching himself artificial intelligence and deep learning through online resources, projects and continuous practice.
THE LONG ROAD TO NVIDIA
His journey did not become easier after graduation.
Reports suggest that Pruthviraj later moved to the United States for a master's degree, joining a tier-3 university while dealing with financial constraints and limited guidance. Much of the process, from applications to career planning, had to be figured out on his own.
Despite the challenges, he continued sharpening his technical skills and eventually cleared NVIDIA's interview process.
Today, he earns nearly $275,000 annually (around Rs 2.6 crore) as part of NVIDIA's deep learning team.
"Joining NVIDIA feels surreal, not just for the opportunity to work on cutting-edge deep learning and AI, but to be part of something bigger, alongside some of the brightest minds in tech," he wrote.
A MESSAGE FOR EVERY STUDENT
Pruthviraj ended his post with a message for students who may be doubting themselves.
He wrote, "To those still chasing their dreams, please don't stop. Keep learning, stay patient, and move forward one step at a time. What feels impossible today might just become your story tomorrow."
He concluded with a line that has now resonated with thousands online: "Yes, I made it to NVIDIA, and so can you."
His story is a reminder that while prestigious colleges may open doors, persistence, curiosity and continuous learning can sometimes build entirely new ones.
For many engineering students, an IIT degree is often seen as the only passport to a dream job in global technology companies. But every once in a while, a story comes along that challenges that belief.
Pruthviraj P has become one such example.
The young engineer announced on LinkedIn that he had joined NVIDIA as a Software Development Engineer – Deep Learning at the company's headquarters in Santa Clara, California.
"What started as a quiet dream in a small town has now become reality," he wrote while sharing the milestone.
For Pruthviraj, the achievement was about much more than a job offer. "Coming from a place where access to technology once felt out of reach, the path here seemed almost impossible," he said. "But every long night, setback, and moment of doubt only strengthened my resolve."
NO IIT, JUST CONSISTENCY
According to the LinkedIn post, Pruthviraj grew up in Katamdevarakote village in Karnataka's Chitradurga district, where opportunities and exposure to technology were limited. His father worked in a bank, and the family lived a modest middle-class life.
Unlike many viral tech success stories, Pruthviraj did not study at an IIT or another elite engineering institute. He completed his bachelor's degree from PES University in Bengaluru before deciding to build his skills independently.
Rather than relying on expensive coaching or college brand names, he reportedly spent years teaching himself artificial intelligence and deep learning through online resources, projects and continuous practice.
THE LONG ROAD TO NVIDIA
His journey did not become easier after graduation.
Reports suggest that Pruthviraj later moved to the United States for a master's degree, joining a tier-3 university while dealing with financial constraints and limited guidance. Much of the process, from applications to career planning, had to be figured out on his own.
Despite the challenges, he continued sharpening his technical skills and eventually cleared NVIDIA's interview process.
Today, he earns nearly $275,000 annually (around Rs 2.6 crore) as part of NVIDIA's deep learning team.
"Joining NVIDIA feels surreal, not just for the opportunity to work on cutting-edge deep learning and AI, but to be part of something bigger, alongside some of the brightest minds in tech," he wrote.
A MESSAGE FOR EVERY STUDENT
Pruthviraj ended his post with a message for students who may be doubting themselves.
He wrote, "To those still chasing their dreams, please don't stop. Keep learning, stay patient, and move forward one step at a time. What feels impossible today might just become your story tomorrow."
He concluded with a line that has now resonated with thousands online: "Yes, I made it to NVIDIA, and so can you."
His story is a reminder that while prestigious colleges may open doors, persistence, curiosity and continuous learning can sometimes build entirely new ones.
