For many professionals, reaching a leadership position with a high salary is the definition of success. Years of hard work, promotions, and financial stability often represent career milestones that people pursue throughout their lives.But for Akriti Goel, success eventually started to feel incomplete.After graduating from BITS Pilani, she spent seven years building a thriving career in Bengaluru’s startup and fintech ecosystem. She rose through the ranks in the company and became the head of operations, earning a reported annual salary of about Rs 30 lakh. Yet despite all her achievements, one thought stuck in her mind – her childhood dream of becoming a doctor.At the age of 30, she made a decision that surprised almost everyone around her. She quit her corporate job and returned to the textbooks after nearly a decade to prepare for one of India’s toughest entrance exams from scratch.
BITS Pilani alumnus quits Rs 30 Cr LPA leadership position to pursue MBBS dream. (Picture: X post)
Far from the dream career of many.
Aakriti’s journey started from BITS Pilani where she completed her B.Tech in 2015.Like thousands of engineering graduates, she entered Bangalore’s fast-growing startup ecosystem, working at several technology and fintech companies. Over the years, she has developed operational expertise, assumed leadership responsibilities, and established herself as a successful professional.By most standards, she has achieved what many young graduates aspire to—a leadership role, financial security and a promising career trajectory.But she often felt like something was missing.While the corporate world offered career advancement, it no longer gave her the sense of purpose she had been looking for since she was a child.Rather than ignore the feeling, she chose to act on it.
start from scratch again
Leaving a high-paying job is just the beginning.After nearly a decade away from academics, Akriti had to rebuild her study habits from scratch.Preparing for NEET UG requires a completely different mindset.She reportedly studied nearly 10 hours a day and completed more than 100 mock exams in just 10 months, while also working hard to relearn physics, chemistry and biology.The discipline she developed during her corporate career became one of her greatest strengths.Her efforts paid off.In NEET UG 2021, Aakriti scored an impressive 676 marks out of 720 and secured All India Rank (AIR) 1118, a score that opened doors for admission to medical colleges.
From boardroom to hospital ward
Rather than accept another lucrative business opportunity, Aakriti chose to start a completely new chapter.Today, she is in her final year of Bachelor of Medicine in Internal Medicine at Rao Medical College in India, preparing for a career that she feels is more in line with her goals.Her journey—from the engineering classroom to the corporate boardroom and now the hospital ward—is a reminder that careers are not always linear.Sometimes, the courage to start over becomes the most decisive decision.
Courses for students and professionals
Students are often told that the career they choose in Year 12 or after graduation will determine the rest of their lives.Akriti’s story challenges this belief.It demonstrates that career choices are not permanent and that learning can continue long after formal education has ended. Changing direction may require sacrifice, patience, and tremendous effort, but it is possible.Her journey also highlights the important difference between success and fulfillment. Prestigious positions and attractive salaries can certainly bring career satisfaction, but they may not always bring a sense of purpose.For students preparing for competitive exams and professionals wondering whether it is too late to pursue different dreams, Akriti Gore’s story offers a powerful message.Sometimes the bravest career decision is to not accept that next promotion. Sometimes, all it takes is the courage to start over.Disclaimer: This article is based on information about Aakriti Goel’s academic and professional journey that has been shared publicly through social media and other public sources. It is for educational and informational purposes only.
