Gaurav Chintamneedi’s honest LinkedIn post strikes a chord with young professionals facing harsh realities after graduation
An Indian-origin man in the US has gone viral on LinkedIn after candidly sharing the emotional and physical toll of transitioning from college to corporate life. Gaurav Chintamneedi, a Chapman University graduate and now an assistant store manager at a major e-commerce firm, opened up about the demanding schedule and personal struggles he faced during his first year in the workforce, reported ndtv.com.
In his viral post, Chintamneedi said he works 50–60 hours a week, often waking up at 3 AM for opening shifts. He revealed that 95% of his weekends are spent working, and the rare days off leave him too exhausted to do much.
Chintamneedi says post-college life has been far from glamorous—marked by long shifts, isolation, and exhaustion—but shares his story to assure others they’re not alone.
“When I first arrived in the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia), I imagined the dream early-20s lifestyle—9 to 5 workdays, after-hours drinks with coworkers, and chance friendships on the metro,” he wrote. “But reality hit differently.”
He described long hours, emotional burnout, and struggling to connect with new people in an unfamiliar city. “I even started to wonder: Did I peak in college? The truth is: I didn’t. But the mental transition to the real world was harder than I expected.”
Clarifying that his post was not a complaint, Chintamneedi said he aimed to speak to others who are struggling. “If you’re in your first year post-grad and finding it hard to adjust, you’re not alone. The feelings of doubt, disconnection, or disillusionment are more common than we think.”
His post resonated with many young professionals, sparking conversations around burnout and the pressure to meet societal expectations. One LinkedIn user commented, “Love the introspection and advice. Your resilience this past year has been inspiring.” Another wrote, “Thank you for posting this! This was so encouraging—especially since I just graduated a few weeks ago!”
Experts say such conversations are important to normalize the post-college adjustment period. Young workers entering high-pressure roles often face silent battles with identity, isolation, and unrealistic expectations.
