I need a salary of at least 25 LPA in the next 10 years.

What should I do?

https://www.quora.com/I-need-a-salary-of-at-least-25-LPA-in-the-next-10-years-What-should-I-do

Answer 1:
I started with 1.68lpa, despite graduating from an IIT *:)*, about 11 years back. Now, I
make USD10k( ~7lac/month) per month in India.

This is what I did

> Took hard decision. 90% of the people will not dare to take unconventional decisions

> Chalked out a plan about how I can excel in programming

> Executed my plan with utmost sincerity

> Worked my ass off

When I joined my first employer, I did not respect software development. In fact, I did not
know what programming was. Everybody I knew was in a hurry to get into management.
Like everybody else, I also wanted to chuck coding to become a manager. Wrote CAT
multiple times. Scored a decent 98.5percentile once. Applied only to IIM A, B, and C. So, no
luck. Decided to write GMAT. Scored a 730. Applied to all top notch B-schools. One
question that made me think was

"What matters to you the most and why?"

I am still trying to find an answer to this question. If you apply to GSB Stanford, you will
need to write an answer to this question.

Received selective feedback from Tuck school of Business, Dartmouth. I was encouraged
to apply again. Since I wrote all my MBA application myself without any help, I realised
that there was nothing I was reasonably good at. I wanted to be good something. So, I
decided to find what I would love to do for the next 40 years.

Quit my job. I was being paid quite well by this time. Read a lot of books. Decided to take
on programming. I was ashamed of myself that it had been six years since I graduated, but
I could not call myself a good programmer.

It has been six years since I started learning to code. I work on super interesting
algorithmic problems. Companies have started to take notice of my work. Google, Tower
Research, and Amazon have invited to interview at any point in future. So, it is literally in
my hand to decide when do I want to take interviews with them.

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Somebody wise once told me that If you become exceptional at anything, you will make a
fortune. I totally believe in it now.

I would suggest you to find something you can keep doing with a smile over the rest out
your life. Do not make money your end goal. Do not judge a job by how much it will pay
you. Do what you love.

Don't get swayed away by what other people are doing. My batchmates have figured out
their name in Forbes 30 under 30. Some are paid incredibly well. I adore them. I do not
want to become like them. I do not want to do what they are doing. Discover yourself.

Have a plan. Work towards a goal.

You should have a clear answer to

"What matters to you the most and why?" , and

"How far will you go to realise you dreams?"

Edit:

Let me elaborate my plan:

> I read a lot about industry trends and research

> I figured out what would be hottest skill in the years to come

> I did a lot of mathematics

> I invested heavily into learning theoretical computer science

> I worked tirelessly to learn complicated algorithms related to graphs, trees, number
theory, algebra etc. I learned maths behind everything e.g. I went through Diestel's book
on graph theory, which presents a pure mathematical perspective on graphs.

> I worked so hard that I slept 24-30 hours in a week

> I worked for nothing on some projects. But, the intensity of my efforts was not less in
those projects. I worked straight 48hours to meet timelines.

> I invested heavily on books. These are some of the books that I bought during the last
three years:

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There are more shelves full of books. And, I have a kindle too :P. I did not hesitate to buy a
book even if it cost me 20k. I invested my savings on these books. I was not earning like I
do now. So, don't hesitate to buy a book. Even if you end up reading one chapter, it will
increase your knowledge.

> I have to read many technical papers to finish a project. Since I have read a lot, I can
understand these papers

A typical expression that I encounter during my work often. BTW, this expression is
related to automata theory. If you understand theory of computation, you will understand
the notation and meaning different symbols carry. You will find such expressions in
Natural Language Processing Algorithms.

PS: I have not written this answer to prove a point. I am not trying to say that I am better
than anybody. I have shared my journey so that more people understand the need to
discover themselves.

My post is not about programming, it is about finding a true meaning in what we do for a
living. We should enjoy every moment we work. We should be proud of what we are.
We should not be defined by how much do we earn.

I could have shared my identity. I don't want undue attention. I want people to take the
message. That's it.

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Answer 2:
I cannot tell you what you should do to reach a package of 25 lpa. But I can tell you what I
did to reach a package of 30+ lpa in less than two years after my graduation (23 years old).

1.) Pick up something you like, dig deep and be patient: During my college days I picked
up competitive programming. Initially I sucked, lost motivation often, but still tried to hang
on. Within 6 months I was ranked among the top 20 in India consistently. I was fascinated
by algorithms, the way you could apply them to problems and get that green tick on OJs. It
was addictive. I wouldn't say I was the best at this, there were more experienced people
who were a lot better than me, while I had had only a few months of practice. Statistically
speaking I might have been in the 98-99 percentile, and the road to 100 would have taken
a year more. Nevertheless my skills here were more than enough to get a job at most
firms. Got a few offers on campus and ended up working as a researcher with a data
science firm (15+ lpa).

2.) Expand your breadth in your initial years: After a year I was not happy with my work.
It was slow and boring. Thought I would be better at a development firm, where things
might get spicy again. Started interviewing, got a few offers in the range of 18-25 lpa. Was
finally able to negotiate with a startup to pay me 30+. Had an amazing experience there.
Learned too many new things, from scaling to caching to building new products. Worked
days, nights, holidays, trying to make an impact. Partied harder than we worked.
Everything was going smooth, but there was something missing. 10 months down the line,
I was unhappy. Again. Work was monotonous. Building similar features, you knew the
solution to all the time. All that was required was to write some code. Resigned again, not
knowing what to do next.

3.) Do what you love (or at least try to find that): I was always fascinated by startups,
wanted to build one myself. So I started exploring ideas. Met a lot of people, with amazing
ideas. Was finally able to find a kick ass team where I would have been a good fit and the
people who shared my passion. We started a Data Science firm. As for now, the last few
months have been the most amazing time I've had in my professional career. We have
built an amazing product, got some clients, and are exploring different things everyday.
The fact I would like to highlight here is that I've been working at zero salary now. Yes, no
income (Although we have a fairly good amount of profit, most of that go into scaling our
infrastructure and team building.).

4.) Money is too material a thing to be able to define your future: Don't work towards a
target of 25 lpa in the next 10 years. Don't work at a company because they might send
you to the States sometime in the future. Instead work towards doing something you like.
If you don't like your current job, quit, right away. There isn't going to be a better time.
Don't be afraid to quit. EVER. There are too many opportunities available, if you develop a
skill set. You can always find a company where you'll be a better fit, whose vision aligns
with your passion. Find something you love. You might not be the best at first. Give it
some time. You'll eventually get there.

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 Your time is limited, don't waste it living an average software developer's life.

All the best!

Answer 3:
1. This is reasonable and not as difficult as it might sound.
2. I know few people who reached 20 LPA from 1 LPA in 10 years. Due to inflation, In 2026,
your 25 Lakh will be more or less equivalent to 20LPA of 2016.
3. My friend's friend switched from PQR to ABC with more than 100% hike. From 9 LPA, he
reached 20 LPA.

There is a common thing I have found among high achievers. You can consider it as 12 Tips
that can ensure that you accomplish your goal.

1. Focus on acquiring the skills that're going to pay off today.

2. Don't follow the crowd. Turn around and wave.
3. Run the Rat Race fast and keep looking for an exit.
4. Utilize your time in meaningful pursuits- Learning and celebrating Life.
5. If you want to earn more money, don't focus on money.
6. Do you have holy cows- It's the skills that are in demand but only few people have those
skills.
7. I am not in IT but I know the demand for Big Data and Top Quality Developers.
8. Companies are paying huge sum to have a flawless Android/IOS Apps or other high end
development.
9. Money is not an issue if you've the rare/ niche specialization.
10. Be sharp in Negotiation. Being a "Yes" Person is going to take you Nowhere, same is with
"No" Person.
11. Make your Online Presence Felt. Check my Quora Bio for ideas.
12. Always Play on your strength.
13. Read my Quora Blog "Career Consultant" for stories and career building Tips.
Ravi got an Invite for Interview. He didn't went there as he was 1000 miles away. The HR
agreed to bore the Flight Tickets for him to attend the interview.

Why they agreed to spend 30K for inviting an outstation candidate for the job. It was so
because his profile just floored them. We all can be like R.

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My sister was expecting to Join CTS in Nov- Dec this Year. She kept working hard even
after getting placed in CTS and two others. Finally, her perseverance paid and she got into
INTEL. If you're waiting for your Joining. Use that time to be different and 25LPA will be
achieved well before you hit a decade in the Industry. Best Wishes!

Always dream big and work hard to make them a reality. Don't chase money. Keep
enjoying your life and work. Money will never be an issue for smart Passionate People.

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