In a tale as old as engineering degrees, a soon-to-be graduate from India has unintentionally set Reddit ablaze with a single question: is it wiser to take a ₹13 lakh-per-annum job offer or pack bags for a fully-funded Master’s in Germany?
As exam halls echo with sighs of relief and nervous optimism, this very real conundrum has everyone from armchair advisors to expat veterans chiming in.
It all started with a Reddit post from a student with a 9.16 CGPA (an impressive 1.5 in the German system). The intent to pursue a master’s abroad was, initially, a plan B formed in the wake of fruitless campus placements.
But, in a plot twist worthy of Bollywood, the student landed a job offer just weeks before graduation. Cue joy, celebration, and a generous serving of self-doubt, as friends and mentors began suggesting that the job, though cushy, might be a shortcut to mediocrity compared to the grand adventure—or ordeal—of higher studies in Europe.
“Get Work Experience—And Learn German on the Side!”
If there’s one thing internet commenters agree on (for once), it’s that experience beats a foreign degree with zero work to your name.
“You can study in the best TU in Germany,” advised one Redditor, “but if you do not have a full-time experience of like 3 years, then you will struggle just to get any random full-time position here.”
Apparently, German employers love work experience even more than they love sausages.
Others added that it is now a deciding factor for recruiters who swiftly overlook international grads lacking India’s favorite extra-curricular: a steady job.
“Anyone saying you’ll get a job without German is lying to you,” warned a blunt voice—and the prospect of immediate European glory loses some shimmer.
“Why Not Both?” ask strategic commenters
But the hive mind is nothing if not inventive. Several commenters floated the idea that the candidate could start work now, defer the Master’s for a year (if possible), build a golden resume, and return stronger—smarter, richer, and B1-certified in German. This hybrid plan is seen as a win-win: career experience, financial stability, and a shot at that TU in Germany when the time is ripe.
“This will enhance your profile and increase your value in India as well as Germany,” noted one commentator, urging the poster to see decisions as investments, not just detours.
“Other People Don’t Pay Your Bills,” Pragmatists Chime In
Of course, what is a public debate without a reality check? Amid the pep talks were reminders to politely ignore unsolicited advice not accompanied by rent money.
“Stop listening to people. They are not going to give you a job and feed you tomorrow if you are unemployed,” added one upvoted response.
With a shiny salary, no student debt, and a strong GPA, many felt the student was, in fact, sitting pretty—and that hands-on work could only sweeten the pot.
In conclusion, whether you chase euros in lecture halls or rupees in corporate cubicles, Reddit’s verdict is clear: choose what builds experience, independence, and peace of mind. And if possible, learn German. Because in today’s world, even the most formal debates need a punchline.
