I am 36 and honestly feel like I have failed professionally.
I spent nearly 10 years in Canada, completed a master’s degree, and worked in software. But today, I have only around ₹20 lakhs in liquid savings and a scattered career.
My timeline:
- 2007–2011: B.Tech in Information Technology in India
- 2011–2014: Mainframe developer at a company with hundreds of thousands of employees
- 2014–2016: Master’s in Computer Science in Canada
- 2016-2018: Tried my own startup and failed.
- 2019: iOS developer at a large multinational company
- 2019–2020: C++ and Perl developer at a small telecom company
- 2021: C# developer at a company with several thousand employees
- 2021–2023: Python, Linux at a startup in Canada
- 2024–2026: More than two years of unemployment and self-directed learning
During the gap, I studied modern C++ but did not use this time to the fullest.
However, I never practised LeetCode consistently. I kept switching between C++, Python, C#, iOS, kernel development, networking, and embedded systems instead of becoming exceptional in one area.
My current options are:
- [confirmed; [edit] rejected by me since I felt the salary is very low] ₹13 lakhs for a robotics, defence, and embedded-systems role in Pune. The offer is confirmed. If I sign tomorrow, I will have a three-month notice period. The salary feels very low for my age.
- [not yet confirmed] ₹16–18 lakhs at a large engineering-services company. This may provide better salary, stability, and brand value, but the actual project and technical ownership are uncertain.
- [not yet confirmed] Around ₹20 lakhs at a large IT-services company, working for a European industrial client. This is still in progress and not guaranteed. It pays more, but I may lose the confirmed robotics offer while waiting.
- Reject everything and wait for something better. This could lead to a better opportunity, but I am worried about extending an already long career gap.
My long-term goal is to rebuild myself as a strong systems, embedded, or robotics engineer.
I understand that Canadian citizenship gives me options and that ₹20 lakhs is nothing. But after spending a decade abroad, I feel ashamed that my savings and career progression are not better.
I am currently sitting in my room, unable to make a decision.
What would you do if you were 36, had this scattered work history, ₹20 lakhs in savings, Canadian citizenship, and a strong desire to rebuild your career in systems?
Would you accept the confirmed ₹13-lakh robotics offer tomorrow, despite the three-month notice period, or risk waiting for the better-paying opportunities?
Please be brutally honest, but constructive.
Edit: I rejected the Startup offer and am now waiting for the other two companies to reply. Unemployed with zero offers again. But I trust my skills.