Do I regret quitting Mechanical Engineering for IT? Not at all. Here’s my real story of failure, growth, and success in the tech industry.
Breaking into the tech industry can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you’re transitioning from a completely different field. But as one mechanical engineer’s inspiring journey shows, with enough grit, strategic learning, and an unwavering will to succeed, it’s more than possible. This real-life career switch story, from 20 rejections to multiple job offers, provides invaluable lessons for anyone looking to switch from mechanical engineering to an IT job or generally how to get a software job without a CS degree.
🎓 Life After Graduation: The Job I Wasn’t Made For
Fresh out of college with a Mechanical Engineering degree, I secured a job at a reputable company. The initial excitement quickly gave way to disillusionment. My days were monotonous, offered little to no creative challenge, and my learning curve had flatlined. Most importantly, I was deeply unhappy. I was physically present but mentally checked out, a clear sign it was time for a change. After just six months, I made the bold decision to quit.
These Points dispoint me on That Job
- The job was monotonous.
- There was little to no creative challenge.
- My learning curve had hit a wall.
- Most importantly — I wasn’t happy.
Have you ever been in a job where you’re physically present but mentally checked out? That was me,
🚀 My First Attempt at Entrepreneurship: Startup Dream Crushed by COVID
Quitting the job wasn’t the scary part.
I was actually excited — full of ideas and passion.
I launched a small startup, pouring my minimal funds and big dreams into designing a product and pitching to clients. I was finally building something from scratch.
Then, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Lockdowns were enforced, clients backed out, and resources dried up. In a matter of weeks, my startup was shut down. The economic crisis wiped away my first entrepreneurial venture, leaving me back at square one.
But then the COVID-19 pandemic struck.
- Lockdowns were enforced.
- Clients backed out.
- Resources dried up.
- And in a matter of weeks, my startup was shut down.
The economic crisis wiped away my first entrepreneurial venture. Just like that, I was back to square one.
🧭 Feeling Lost: “Now What?”
This was my lowest point. Jobless, with a failed startup and no backup plan, I felt completely adrift.
It was a revelation. I wasn’t alone; others from non-tech backgrounds had successfully transitioned to IT.
One night, while randomly browsing YouTube, I stumbled upon a video:
“How I switched from Mechanical Engineering to Software Developer without a CS degree.”
That video struck a chord.
I wasn’t alone. There were others like me — from tech backgrounds, who had successfully switched to IT.
That night, I made a new decision:
👉 I will become a Software Engineer.
💻 My Journey to Learn Programming Without a Computer Science Degree and get an IT Job.
Without a formal computer science education, I knew I had to work harder. Here’s how I began my self-taught IT jobs journey:
- Started with Python: Its user-friendliness makes it ideal for beginners.
- Studied Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA): Crucial for understanding how to write efficient code.
- Practiced on platforms: LeetCode, GeeksforGeeks, and InterviewBit became my daily companions.
- Watched free tutorials on YouTube: An invaluable resource for conceptual understanding.
- Created a handwritten notebook: I meticulously documented key coding patterns.
For the next 90 days, I adhered to a strict schedule: coding, revising, solving problems, and taking notes, every single day.
Rejected Again and Again — 20 Times!
After three months, I felt ready to apply for IT jobs. What followed was brutal. First interview – rejected. Second – rejected. Fifth – rejected. Tenth – still rejected. Twentieth – yep, rejected again. It was soul-crushing. Each rejection chipped away at my confidence, leading to self-doubt:
“Was I really capable of this switch?”
“Will anyone take me seriously without a CS degree?”
“Can I get my first IT job ever”
But I didn’t stop.
Because I knew something was missing — and I was determined to find it.
Finding the Pattern: The Power of Pattern Recognition
One day, I hit my lowest point.
I had just faced yet another rejection.
I was sitting alone, feeling completely hopeless.
Tears rolled down my face — not because I was weak, but because I felt lost.
“Why am I failing every single time?”
“Will I ever be able to crack even one interview?”
“Am I even good enough to work in IT jobs?”
These thoughts haunted me. I genuinely started doubting if I’d ever achieve anything in life. That evening, as I was mindlessly scrolling Google out of frustration, something caught my eye, a coding problem I had seen before.
It was the same question I had been asked in my last interview.
That triggered something.
I opened my notebook.
I started recalling all the interviews I had gone through.
That’s when the pattern hit me.
- Almost every company was asking variations of the same 7–8 core coding topics.
- The names of the questions were different… but the logic was the same.
- I wasn’t failing because I didn’t know coding — I was failing because I didn’t recognize the pattern.
This was a turning point.
I immediately began creating a dedicated notebook where I:
- Wrote down every question I had faced
- Grouped them based on patterns (e.g., Two Pointers, Sliding Window, HashMap)
- Practiced each type with multiple variations
- Understood why a particular solution worked, not just how
I stopped chasing 500+ problems and focused on mastering the logic behind the patterns.
That day — the day I was crying and doubting myself — ended up becoming the most important step in my career switch journey.
- cases
🔑 The Game-Changing Question: Two Sum Problem
One question, in particular, appeared repeatedly, sometimes directly, sometimes in disguise: the Two Sum Problem.
“Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.”
Sometimes the array was sorted, sometimes it contained duplicates, and sometimes I had to optimize for space. I practiced every variation of this problem, mastering its logic. I could explain it in three different ways: brute force, hashing, and the two-pointer method. This question became my secret weapon.
I practiced every variation of this problem. I mastered the logic. I could explain it in 3 different ways — brute force, hashing, and two-pointer method.
This question became my secret weapon
21st Interview: Everything Changed
Armed with a better mindset and stronger, targeted preparation, I approached my 21st interview. Passed. The 22nd? Passed again. The 23rd? I received an IT job offer.
Within the next few weeks, I had five IT job offers from reputable IT companies. All I had was:
- A Mechanical Engineering degree
- Three months of intense self-learning
- 20 failed interviews
- And an unbreakable will to succeed
💼 Taking Control: How I Negotiated Every Offer
With multiple offers in hand, I realized I had a power I never imagined.
This wasn’t just about accepting any IT jobs.
It was about taking control, valuing my worth, and choosing the best for myself.
So I made a conscious decision — I would negotiate every single offer.
Here’s how I approached it:
🔍 Compared CTCs (Cost to Company)
I looked beyond just the base salary and focused on the full compensation — including bonuses, joining perks, stock options (if any), and annual hikes.
🧾 Checked Company Benefits
I examined each company’s health insurance, PF contribution, leave policies, remote work flexibility, and other perks — because salary is just one part of your financial well-being.
📈 Evaluated Growth Opportunities
I assessed which role offered me the best long-term potential — in terms of learning, promotions, and exposure to real development work.
🗣️ Used Every Offer as Leverage
Without being aggressive, I professionally and confidently communicated my competing offers. This gave me negotiation power — and every company responded positively.
✅ The Result?
I secured significant salary hikes across the board.
Every company revised their offers upward.
Some added additional perks.
A few even fast-tracked my interview to retain me before I joined elsewhere.
From someone who once cried over constant rejection…
I now had the incredible power to choose the best — on my terms.
It wasn’t just about breaking into IT jobs anymore.
It was about reclaiming my confidence, realizing my value, and shaping a career that matched the effort I put in.
“Success isn’t just about getting offers.
It’s about knowing your worth — and never settling for less.”
💡Key Lessons from My Career Switch Journey
Confidence Comes from Preparation
The more I prepared — really prepared — the more confident I felt in interviews. Confidence isn’t about arrogance; it comes naturally when you know what you’re doing and have practiced thoroughly.
Your Degree Doesn’t Define Your Destiny
Don’t let your educational background limit your dreams. I came from a mechanical engineering background, and still made it into IT. Today, what matters most is your skills — not your label. If you’re willing to learn and grow, the door is always open.
Consistency Beats Talent
You don’t have to be a genius to succeed. You just need to show up every single day. Whether it’s coding, interviews, or learning something new — small daily efforts compound into big wins over time.
Failure Is Feedback
Every rejection taught me something valuable. At first, they felt like personal failures. But soon I realized — they were guiding me toward what to fix. Failure isn’t the end; it’s part of the process.
Pattern Recognition Is Everything in Coding
Instead of solving 1000 random problems, focus on understanding the logic behind 100 key ones. Most coding interviews repeat the same patterns. Mastering those can give you a massive edge.
🙌 Final Thoughts: Can You Crack Your First Offer Letter?
If you’re reading this and wondering whether you can switch to IT job or crack your first IT job offer letter—
my answer is: Yes, you absolutely can.
No matter your background —
No matter your age —
No matter how many times you’ve failed —
If you’re willing to:
- Learn consistently
- Face rejection
- Practice the right way
- Believe in yourself
You can break into IT Job. You can change your life.
Just like I did.
💬 What You Can Do Right Now
🔹 Leave a comment: What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing in your switch to IT job? I’d love to help.
🔹 Share this post: If you know someone stuck in a similar situation, please share this article with them. It might change their life and they also can follow the steps to get first IT job
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🔹 Bookmark this blog: I’ll be posting my full coding roadmap, preparation strategy, and mock interview breakdown soon.
❓ FAQ: Switching to IT Without a CS Degree
Q1. Can I get a software job without a CS degree?
Yes! Skills and projects matter more than your academic background today.
Q2. Which companies hire non-CS graduates in tech roles?
Many startups, product companies, and even big MNCs like TCS, Accenture, Wipro, etc.
Q3. What skills should I focus on first?
Start with core programming (Python or JavaScript), problem-solving (DSA), and Git/GitHub.
Q4. Do I need certifications?
They’re optional but can add value. Focus more on building real projects and problem-solving.