Microsoft employee shares lessons from her early workdays: 'No one is thinking about you'

Sharma emphasized that career progress does not come by itself. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

• Microsoft employee's career advice goes viral among young Indian professionals
• Nandini Sharma advises early-career focus on hard work, consistency, and growth.
• Her post inspires IT workers from tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

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A 26-year-old Microsoft employee’s post on X has resonated with young professionals across India, especially those early in their careers. Nandini Sharma, a Microsoft employee, has shared insight from her early career, offering guidance to young people about hard work, consistency and corporate realities.

In the post, Sharma said, effort and consistency compound over time, especially in the early stages of a career, much like money, influencing long-term growth.

Sharma stressed that the early twenties offer an advantage, as young people have more time, energy, flexibility and fewer responsibilities, warning that postponing personal growth only increases challenges in later years.

According to Sharma, realising that most people are too busy with their own lives to care about others gave her immense confidence to take risks and develop skills she once feared pursuing.

She also highlighted that no one will “come to save you”, adding that success does not come automatically from a degree and a reputed company's name; it requires personal effort.

Even while working at Microsoft, Sharma said she is exploring her career growth, fitness goals and sense of purpose and hopes to share her journey with everyone.

She concluded her post by encouraging professionals from tier-2 and tier-3 cities working in IT and dreaming of more, reminding them they are not alone in their aspirations.

The post quickly went viral and struck a chord, with many people sharing their personal experiences.

I'm 26 and i work at @Microsoft .

if you're in your late teens or early 20s, here are a few things i wish someone told me earlier: 1. Hard work compound - espcially early. People talk a lot about money compounding, but effort compounds too. But Consistency changed… — Nandani S (@TheDebugDiva) January 28, 2026

One user wrote, “One thing I’ve learned so far is... nobody actually cares. You’re the only one worrying about what people might say. In reality, everyone is too busy dealing with their own problems, not sitting around waiting to watch you fail.”

Another X user commented, “Hard work compounds, yes. But the direction is equally important. Connecting with the right people and getting good guidance. It does wonders!”

A third user said, “I am 28, I work as a software engineer, and I had my 4th switch. To be honest, it depends person to person. Balancing work & home is always an option, but I have seen people, by their own choice, work more in the office instead of giving the remaining time to their family and hobbies. Later, they complain about life. Yes, agree with what you said, energy is depreciating, but that’s the beauty of life, the only constant thing is “Change”