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Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
'Doomscrolling on Instagram, drained from work': Indian man in US shares reality of life after college
An Indian-origin man in the US has gone viral on LinkedIn after candidly sharing his struggles transitioning from university to corporate life. Gaurav Chintamneedi, a Chapman University graduate, spoke about the emotional and physical challenges he faced during his first year in the workforce. He revealed that moving halfway across the country after graduation marked one of the most difficult periods of his life. Now working as an assistant store manager at a major e-commerce company, Gaurav said he puts in up to 60 hours a week—far from the post-college life he once envisioned. Feeling drained from work and spending all your time working? Indian man in US shares three tips to help break the Post-College Rut Check full text of post here It's been just over a year since I graduated college and moved halfway across the country to Virginia. And let me tell you—this has been one of the most challenging years of my life. When I first arrived in the DMV, I imagined living the dream early-20s life—like the ones we see on TV or romanticize on social media. I pictured myself working a 9–5, grabbing drinks with coworkers after work, striking up conversations with strangers on the metro who'd eventually become close friends. I thought weekends would be filled with brunches, coffee shop side projects, and late-night online courses to build new skills. But reality hit differently. Over the past year, I've worked 50–60 hours a week—often waking up at 3 am for opening shifts. I've spent 95% of my weekends working. And on the rare days off, I was too exhausted to do much of anything. I found myself lying in bed doomscrolling on Instagram , drained from six consecutive days of work, using my limited free time to catch up with friends and family thousands of miles away. Making new connections in a new city wasn't as easy as I'd hoped. I even started to wonder: Did I peak in college? The truth is: I didn't. But the mental transition from college to the real world? That was harder than I ever expected. This post isn't a complaint—it's an acknowledgment. Because I know that struggling with this transition is quite normal. If you're also in your first year post-grad, and struggling to adjust, you are not alone. The feelings of doubt, disconnection, or disillusionment are more common than we think. Even now, I still miss college and sometimes scroll through old photos just to feel closer to that time. But as I cross the one-year mark, I'm shifting gears—ready to build a version of my 20s that I'm proud of. Nope, although I feel it, this year hasn't been wasted time. It's been a year of progress that encompasses; tenacity, self-realization, and redefining purpose. Adjusting to a new society and lifestyle takes time. At the end of the day, it's a life skill that you're now equipped with for the future. Here are 3 mindset shifts I'm working on to help break the Post-College Rut: 𝟭. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗼𝗸𝗮𝘆. That lifestyle isn't coming back, but that doesn't mean better days aren't ahead. Life can still be fulfilling, exciting, and full of growth. 𝟮. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. Practice gratitude daily. It keeps you grounded and reminds you of the good around—even on the hardest days. 𝟯. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀. Just because the past year hasn't been as exciting as the previous four years of university, doesn't mean you peaked in college. Adjusting takes time, and even though life has become more routine-like, you've made tons of progress just by sticking it through this past year How people reacted? "You said what needed to be said - practicing all three daily! Great insight G," said one user. Love the introspection and advice G! As you've said, the 20's is undoubtedly a challenging time for many of us. There's so many changes and adjustments that happen, that it's ultimately important to adopt these healthy mindsets you've laid out. You've truly grown so much this past year, and your resilience and other skills you've learned will serve you well!" added another user. Live Events "As I approach graduation, I can't help but think about how scary post-graduate life seems like. As usual, thank you for your empowering and reflective words," said another user.
News18
a day ago
- Business
- News18
‘Reality Hit Differently': Indian-Origin Man In US Shares Snippet Of Life After College
Last Updated: Chintamneedi, who earned a BA in Strategic and Corporate Communications from Chapman University, shared a heartfelt message on LinkedIn Indian-origin Gaurav Chintamneedi, who works as an Operations Leader at Amazon in the US, has struck a chord with many on LinkedIn after candidly sharing his struggles transitioning from university to the corporate world. Chintamneedi, who earned a BA in Strategic and Corporate Communications from Chapman University, posted a heartfelt message titled, 'You Didn't Peak in College; the Transition Is Difficult and That's Ok." The post quickly went viral on the platform. He began by recalling his expectations: 'When I first arrived in the DMV, I imagined living the dream early-20s life—like the ones we see on TV or romanticize on social media. I pictured myself working a 9–5, grabbing drinks with coworkers after work, striking up conversations with strangers on the metro who'd eventually become close friends. I thought weekends would be filled with brunches, coffee shop side projects, and late-night online courses to build new skills." But reality was far different. Gaurav shared that he routinely worked 50–60 hours a week, sometimes waking as early as 3 am for 'opening shifts." Weekends were consumed by overtime, and his few rare days off were spent recuperating. 'I found myself lying in bed doom‑scrolling on Instagram, drained from six consecutive days of work… Making new connections in a new city wasn't as easy as I'd hoped. I even started to wonder: Did I peak in college?" Rather than complain, Gaurav offered perspective and solidarity. 'This post isn't a complaint—it's an acknowledgment. Because I know that struggling with this transition is quite normal." He admitted he still misses college and sometimes scrolls through old photos. But as he reached the one‑year mark post‑graduation, he began to reframe the experience: 'Nope, although I feel it, this year hasn't been wasted time. It's been a year of progress that encompasses tenacity, self‑realisation and redefining purpose… Adjusting to a new society and lifestyle takes time. At the end of the day, it's a life skill that you're now equipped with for the future." Gaurav also offered three practical 'mindset shifts" to help recent graduates: Accept that college is over —and that's okay. That lifestyle isn't coming back, but that doesn't mean better days aren't ahead. Life can still be fulfilling, exciting, and full of growth. Gratitude is everything. Practice gratitude daily. It keeps you grounded and reminds you of the good around—even on the hardest days. Progress is Progress. Just because the past year hasn't been as exciting as the previous four years of university, doesn't mean you peaked in college. Adjusting takes time, and even though life has become more routine-like, you've made tons of progress just by sticking it through this past year. The response to Gaurav's post has been overwhelmingly positive. One user praised his advice, writing: 'Love the introspection and advice G! As you've said, the 20's is undoubtedly a challenging time for many of us.… You've truly grown so much this past year." 'Thank you for posting this! This was so encouraging, especially since I just graduated a few weeks ago!" another user wrote. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: June 20, 2025, 23:42 IST News viral 'Reality Hit Differently': Indian-Origin Man In US Shares Snippet Of Life After College
NDTV
a day ago
- Business
- NDTV
"Waking Up At 3 AM, Working Weekends": Indian-Origin Man In US Shares Harsh Reality Of Life After College
An Indian-origin man living in the US has gone viral on LinkedIn after sharing his struggles with the transition from university to corporate life. In his post, Gaurav Chintamneedi, a graduate from Chapman University, opened up about the emotional and physical toll of his first year in the workforce. He shared that after he graduated, he moved halfway across the country, which was one of the "most challenging" times of his life. Now, as an assistant store manager at a leading e-commerce company, he said that he works up to 60 hours a week - a stark contrast to the life he imagined he would have after college. "When I first arrived in the DMV, I imagined living the dream early-20s life-like the ones we see on TV or romanticize on social media. I pictured myself working a 9-5, grabbing drinks with coworkers after work, striking up conversations with strangers on the metro who'd eventually become close friends. I thought weekends would be filled with brunches, coffee shop side projects, and late-night online courses to build new skills. But reality hit differently," Mr Chintamneedi wrote. He said that over the last year, he has worked 50 to 60 hours a week. Many days, he wakes up at 3 am for the opening shift. "I've spent 95% of my weekends working. And on the rare days off, I was too exhausted to do much of anything," Mr Chintamneedi said. "I found myself lying in bed doomscrolling on Instagram, drained from six consecutive days of work, using my limited free time to catch up with friends and family thousands of miles away. Making new connections in a new city wasn't as easy as I'd hoped. I even started to wonder: Did I peak in college?" he asked, adding: "The truth is: I didn't. But the mental transition from college to the real world? That was harder than I ever expected." Mr Chintamneedi added that his post was not meant to be a complaint. Instead, it was aimed at everyone struggling to adjust. "If you're also in your first year post-grad, and struggling to adjust, you are not alone. The feelings of doubt, disconnection, or disillusionment are more common than we think," he wrote. The post resonated with several young professionals online. Reacting to it, one user wrote, "Love the introspection and advice G! As you've said, the 20's is undoubtedly a challenging time for many of us. There's so many changes and adjustments that happen, that it's ultimately important to adopt these healthy mindsets you've laid out. You've truly grown so much this past year, and your resilience." "Thank you for posting this! This was so encouraging, especially since I just graduated a few weeks ago!" commented another.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘Work 50-60 hours a week, most weekends': Virginia man on harsh reality of life after college
A Virginia man has opened up about the difficult transition from college to corporate life in a now-viral LinkedIn post. Gaurav Chintamneedi said the year after he graduated college and moved halfway across the country was one of the 'most challenging' times of his life. Chintamneedi, an assistant store manager at a leading e-commerce company, said that he works up to 60 hours a week. This is in stark contrast to the life he imagined he would have after college - one where he would work an easy 9 to 5 job and hang out wit his co-workers after office. Instead, he now spends about 95% of his weekends at work too. 'When I first arrived in the DMV, I imagined living the dream early-20s life—like the ones we see on TV or romanticize on social media. I pictured myself working a 9–5, grabbing drinks with coworkers after work, striking up conversations with strangers on the metro who'd eventually become close friends. I thought weekends would be filled with brunches, coffee shop side projects, and late-night online courses to build new skills,' Chintamneedi wrote on LinkedIn. Reality was different. Chintamneedi said that over the last one year, he has worked 50 to 60 hours a week. Many days, he wakes up at 3am for the opening shift. The grilling schedule leaves him drained at the end of the work week. 'Over the past year, I've worked 50–60 hours a week—often waking up at 3 am for opening shifts. I've spent 95% of my weekends working. And on the rare days off, I was too exhausted to do much of anything,' he said. 'I found myself lying in bed doomscrolling on Instagram, drained from six consecutive days of work, using my limited free time to catch up with friends and family thousands of miles away. Making new connections in a new city wasn't as easy as I'd hoped. I even started to wonder: Did I peak in college?' the Virginia man asked. Chintamneedi, a graduate of Chapman University, said that the mental transition from college to real world was harder than he expected. He added that his post was not meant to be a complaint. Instead, it was aimed at everyone struggling with the transition from college to corporate life. 'If you're also in your first year post-grad, and struggling to adjust, you are not alone. The feelings of doubt, disconnection, or disillusionment are more common than we think,' he wrote.
Los Angeles Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘Gospel Voice of OC' returns to champion Black excellence in music, art, history
Four years ago, Debora Wondercheck was trying to process scenes of civil unrest in the wake of the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor taking place nationally and in Orange County, when she became inspired by an idea. A lifelong musician and founder of the Arts & Learning Conservatory, a Costa Mesa nonprofit that aims to change children's lives by exposing them to the arts, she began drafting the idea for a production that would place Black excellence in the spotlight it deserves. 'I thought, it's time for people to see African Americans for the brilliance that we bring in the arts and just as a people,' the Garden Grove resident recalled Wednesday. That simple prompt gave rise to 'Gospel Voices of OC,' a production that chronicles the lives of individuals who contributed to America's history, art and national story and celebrates their contributions through music, dance, song and spoken word. The inaugural performance at Chapman University's Musco Center for the Arts in 2022 was timed to commemorate Juneteenth, the fateful day on June 19, 1865, when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved people in Texas. Its narrative arcs spanned centuries, illustrating the evolution of African American music and dance — from spirituals and gospel to blues, jazz and beyond — and how that cultural expression provided an outlet and a means for people to dream together of a life beyond oppression. 'I created this so people could just see us for who we are. We are amazing at what we do,' Wondercheck said. ''Gospel Voices' honors that legacy.' The production returns to Musco Center for the Arts at 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 22. Proceeds benefit students served by the Arts & Learning Conservatory. Although the program is now in its fourth year, no two performances are the same. While last year's installment, themed 'Sacred Sounds, Soulful Queens,' honored trailblazing African American women whose talents influenced dance, jazz and rock 'n' roll legends like Benny Goodman, Thelonius Monk, Chuck Berry and Elvis, this year's show takes a different tack. 'We decided we wanted to bring back a timeline, from enslavement to today. I call it, 'History through Harmony,'' Wondercheck said. 'We're telling stories of African Americans and our artistry, and we're taking the audience through all kinds of music but making sure people understand it's all American music and it's all been created by our pains and difficult experiences as humans — it's a journey.' Viewers will be transported from Africa to America as they witness scenes and reenactments throughout art and history centering on the lives of abolitionist Sojourner Truth, Duke Ellington, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and more. In addition to performances by violinist Annelle K. Gregory and gospel legends Smokie Norful and Ricky Dillard, 'Gospel Voices of OC,' as the name suggests, lends its stage to dozens of local dance troupes, choir singers and youth from throughout the county. Wrangling a cast and crew of 80 or more individuals and overseeing the complicated logistics of lighting, sound and making sure performers hit their marks is no small feat. But assisting in that effort is managing producer Bruce Cecil, an accomplished entertainment director and producer who specializes in live events and concerts. Cecil began working with Wondercheck in 2021 as she was developing 'Gospel Voices OC,' moved by her mission to bring a vital message to the stage during turbulent times. 'I was like, wow, she's doing this in Orange County — that deserves my attention, because I know how hard it is,' he said Wednesday of the show, its themes and purpose. 'The throughline of these shows is that African Americans have value, period. They have a story, they have a history and they contribute to all the luxuries we enjoy.' The aim of 'Gospel Voices of OC' is to entertain, enlighten and inspire while perpetuating culture, an objective that aligns with Wondercheck's vision for the Arts & Learning Conservatory, which has provided programs to more than 32,000 students across 10 school districts. Funds raised through the June 22 performance will go toward scholarships that allow students to participate in theatrical and music performances, workshops, arts camps and lessons throughout Southern California. 'Sometimes the arts are not seen as something that parents would want to invest in, but I've seen how the arts can change the trajectory of these kids' lives,' Wondercheck said. 'The children of the future need these programs so we can be honoring their legacy on stage one day.' 'Gospel Voices of OC' takes place on Sunday, June 22 at Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at
