From 'Ordinary' Class-12 Marks To Rs 2 Crore Job At Google - How Did He Do It?

Last Updated:September 11, 2025, 11:20 IST

Hungry to learn more, Shivam pursued a master’s in Computer Science at University of Massachusetts, Amherst. While studying there, he applied to Google through its career portal.

Low Boards, Big Dreams: How an “Average” Student Cracked a Rs 2 Crore Google Role

Shivam Raj of Salegutu village in Gumla district, Jharkhand, shows how a single low score doesn’t define a life. When he finished his Class 12 exams, Shivam scored 74%, a respectable mark but not enough to qualify for the JEE Advanced engineering test or an IIT seat.

Instead of letting the setback crush his dreams, he decided to regroup. He took an extra year, studied harder, and the next time around raised his score to 86%, clearing both JEE Main and JEE Advanced.

From Ranchi to BIT Mesra

Shivam completed his schooling at JVM Shyamali in Ranchi and earned a B.Tech in Computer Science from BIT Mesra in 2021. During campus placements, his skills landed him a remarkable Rs 52 lakh package, a strong start by any measure. He spent the next two years as a front-end developer, sharpening his technical expertise and preparing for bigger challenges.

Hungry to learn more, Shivam pursued a master’s in Computer Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. While studying there, he applied to Google through its career portal.

Four rigorous interviews later, his persistence paid off with an offer worth nearly Rs 2 crore per year, proof that perseverance can rewrite any story.

Shivam comes from an academically driven household. His father, Rajkumar Ohdar, and mother, Dr. Archana Kumari, are both professors and now live in the Argora area of Ranchi. Their support helped him stay focused when things looked uncertain after his first board exam.

A Lesson in Turning Failure Into Fuel

Shivam’s path is a reminder that a single number on a mark sheet is just a moment, not a verdict. He calls failure an “opportunity to improve" and believes success depends on continuous learning and curiosity.

His story resonates with every student who has stumbled once and feared it would end their ambitions. Scoring 74% is not failure, it’s a starting point.

Shivam proves that with determination, strategic effort, and the courage to try again, even a setback can lead to global success. For anyone staring at an underwhelming grade or a missed opportunity, his journey is a masterclass in resilience and relentless growth.

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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d...

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