The day I joined my first project as a fresher in an MNC, I thought I’d start slow — maybe shadow someone, understand the system, or assist with small tasks.
But no.
I was handed a 4,000-line shell script — the main script of the entire module — and told:
“Go through this today. Share your understanding tomorrow.”
😐 Imagine being a fresher, barely out of training, and the first thing you’re asked to do is deep-dive into something completely unfamiliar.
In college and even during onboarding, we were taught basic shell commands — not full-blown shell scripting at this scale. So naturally, I was overwhelmed. I tried, but the script was long, complex, and written in a language I hadn’t worked with in-depth.
The First Breakdown –
On Day 2, my manager asked me for my findings. I explained honestly —
“It’s my first time seeing this kind of script with so many lines. I need some more time.”
But instead of support, I got shouted at.
That night, I barely slept. I was scared, embarrassed, and already doubting myself.
Still, I pulled myself together and worked for over 16 hours — going line by line, function by function. And on Day 3, I explained the full working of the script in detail. That gave my team something to present to the client. That felt good.
The Work Kept Coming…
After that, the pressure didn’t stop.
I was given more and more critical responsibilities — leading small initiatives, helping teammates, creating plans, solving code issues — all within 3 months of joining.
Eventually, the project ended due to budget cuts, and I was released.
But those 3 months?
They were honestly a nightmare.
I couldn’t sleep properly, skipped meals, and carried constant stress.
There were days I genuinely hated my IT job.
But There Was One Relief…
It was the COVID WFH time. And I had some close friends —
The kind who just listened without judgment.
I used to call them almost every other day to share my frustration, and they were always there to listen.
Thank you, guys. That support meant a lot, more than you can imagine.
Looking Back Now…
Today, when I reflect on those days, I don’t feel anger or regret.
I feel growth.
Because that intense pressure shaped me.
Because those late nights built something in me.
Because my breakdowns taught me resilience.
This was just one story from my journey — but it made a lasting impact.
If you’ve ever been in a similar situation, I’d love to hear your experience. Drop it in the comments.
And yes — more stories coming soon.
Follow me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankit-rai-389403162/ if you’d like to walk through them with me 🙂