Rs 50 LPA techie working on AI applications says he wants to make a career change

A young professional recently shared his story on the Developers India subreddit, highlighting that despite earning an impressive salary package of around ₹50 lakh per year, his career satisfaction is far from ideal. Trained as an electrical engineer at a premier institute, he had always been passionate about robotics and electronics. However, due to underperformance during his academic years, he opted for software jobs to secure financial stability.

Now, with five years of experience behind him, stock options, and a lucrative annual package, he works as a full-stack developer with a focus on generative AI applications. Yet, despite the financial rewards, he expressed a strong desire to explore roles more closely aligned with his original interests.

Specifically, he wondered if transitioning into machine learning within robotics or pursuing opportunities as an FPGA developer would be feasible. His concern, however, remained whether these career shifts could provide comparable compensation. With ongoing loan repayments and family obligations, he was reluctant to compromise on income purely to follow his passion.

Community Suggestions And Perspectives

Members of the Reddit community were quick to share their perspectives. One respondent suggested that rather than immediately switching fields, he could treat robotics as a hobby. They recommended experimenting by building robots at home, emphasizing that his knowledge of electronics would give him a strong foundation. Additionally, the user advised learning the Robot Operating System (ROS), a critical tool for robotics software. For those willing to take a bigger leap, they noted that pursuing a specialized master’s degree in robotics could open new professional avenues.

Another community member reflected on the irony of the situation, stating that as a fresher without employment or skills, they would consider the poster’s current job an incredible opportunity. They expressed admiration for his position while encouraging him to investigate international prospects in robotics. According to them, regions such as Glasgow and Edinburgh in the UK, along with Hamburg and other parts of Germany, offered promising roles in the sector.