From Rejections to Redemption: Indian mans path from JEE setback to YouTube goes viral

An Indian man’s journey from failing the IIT-JEE examination to becoming a Product Manager at YouTube has resonated widely online, with many describing it as inspirational. The story, shared by Humans of Bombay on Instagram, traces the experiences of Abhijay Arora, who detailed the challenges and turning points in his career. Arora stated that he was raised by his mother, who single-handedly brought up him and his sibling while frequently relocating due to her government job. He stated that she remained closely involved in his education, supporting him from early school tests through to preparation for the IIT entrance examination and waking early to help him study during that period. He stated that his ambitions were disrupted in 2012 when he failed the JEE examination, describing the moment as a significant setback that made him feel he had let down his mother’s sacrifices. He stated that he chose to pivot by enrolling at IIIT Bangalore, where he later won a hackathon and secured a job in Malaysia. Despite professional and financial stability, Arora stated that he felt unfulfilled and set his sights on working at Google. He stated that he pursued an MBA at Harvard University despite scepticism from consultants, who informed him that admission would be difficult without an IIT background. He added that he took a loan of approximately ₹1 crore to finance his studies. Following graduation, Arora stated that he faced a challenging job market and had a limited timeframe of 90 days to secure employment or leave the country. He stated that he applied to nearly 100 roles each week but initially saw no success. He stated that during this period, his wife played a crucial role by supporting the household while he dealt with repeated rejections. He informed that her support encouraged him to innovate, leading him to build an AI-based tool to improve his resume and begin creating content around AI-driven job applications. He added that this work eventually drew attention from Google. Arora stated that he currently works as a Product Manager at YouTube and has built an online community of over 600,000 followers. He also informed that he hosts a podcast featuring leaders from Silicon Valley working in artificial intelligence. He further stated that he recently took his mother to a Google office, describing it as a full-circle moment that reflected the culmination of years of effort and perseverance. The post has drawn strong reactions online, with users stating that his journey serves as motivation for young people navigating setbacks and career uncertainty.

First Published on April 5, 2026, 22:31:01 IST