‘Burnt Out And Jobless’: 27-Year-Old UPSC Aspirant’s Post Goes Viral

 

Pursuing a lifelong ambition while navigating daily struggles is a daunting task. A 27-year-old recently opened up about their relentless pursuit of cracking the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam while juggling a demanding full-time job. After leaving a toxic work environment, they found themselves jobless but determined to keep their dream alive.

In a candid Reddit post titled “Burnt Out: UPSC, Job Switches, and Jobless at 27,” the user shared their experience of balancing UPSC preparation with financial survival. To support themselves, they took a night-shift job in US IT recruitment, hoping it would leave room for daytime study.

“I’m 27, and I’ve been grinding for the UPSC exam for years. Like many aspirants, I needed a job to stay financially stable, so I worked night shifts in IT recruitment. I thought, ‘I’ll earn money and study during the day—it’s manageable,’” the Redditor explained.

However, the plan unraveled as the job turned toxic, with relentless targets, micromanagement, and mounting pressure. Balancing UPSC prep and work became impossible, leading to multiple job switches before they ultimately quit.

“Now, I’m in limbo—no job, no income. The UPSC dream still burns in me, but it’s tough to stay focused when life feels like it’s crumbling,” they wrote.

The Redditor reflected on their choice of a non-core IT role, expecting it to be less demanding. “I picked recruitment thinking it would give me study time, but it drained me mentally,” they admitted.

Rather than surrendering, the aspirant is now charting a new path. They’re exploring less stressful career options like QA testing (manual), business analyst roles, IT coordinator positions, or product support jobs—preferably remote or flexible to accommodate their UPSC studies.

“I’m not chasing a quick solution. I just need something sustainable to get back on track while keeping my UPSC goal alive,” they shared.

This story resonates with countless UPSC aspirants facing similar challenges. It highlights the resilience required to pursue ambitious goals while navigating financial and emotional hurdles. For those seeking flexible IT roles to balance work and study, options like remote QA testing or business analyst positions could offer a viable path forward. Read more>>