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A short Rapido ride turned into a reality check when a Computer Science graduate revealed why he now spends his mornings picking up passengers instead of working in tech
His story struck a chord online. (X/@nirajxdev and representational image)
Finding a first job has become increasingly difficult for many fresh graduates. Even after earning a degree and applying to hundreds of companies, many are struggling to get interview calls, forcing some to take up other work just to manage their daily expenses.
One such story has now started a conversation online after an X user shared his meeting with a Rapido rider who had graduated in Computer Science this year but was still searching for his first job. The post has struck a chord with many, with users saying it reflects the tough reality faced by freshers in today’s job market.
A Chance Meeting Led To A Conversation
The story was shared by X user Niraj, who said he noticed a college sticker on his Rapido rider’s helmet during a ride. Curious, he struck up a conversation while they were waiting in traffic.
According to the post, the rider had graduated this year with a first division degree in Computer Science. However, despite sending applications to hundreds of companies, he had not managed to land a job.
Sharing the conversation, Niraj wrote, “Last week, I met a guy on Rapido. I recognised the college sticker on his helmet and ended up talking to him for about 10 minutes while we were stuck in traffic. It turned out he graduated this year with a first division degree in Computer Science. Two months later, he is doing rides from 6 am every day because his savings have run out and nobody has called him back after more than 500 job applications. He said he had honestly lost count.”
The rider also shared that his parents believed he was still at home preparing for interviews. He had not told them that he was working as a Rapido rider because he did not know how to explain his situation.
“His parents still think he is at home preparing for interviews. He never corrected them because he does not know how to bring it up without making it a bigger issue. He was not being dramatic about it. He simply kept saying, ‘The market is like this right now,’ and continued driving as though it was completely normal.”
Niraj ended the post by saying, “I do not know, but this seems to be happening to far more people than we realise. Maybe the job market is especially tough for fresh graduates right now.”
meet a guy on rapido last week recognized the college sticker on his helmet and ended up talking to him for like 10 mins while we were stuck in trafficturns out he graduated this year first division CS
and now two months later he’s doing 6am rides everyday cause savings ran…
— Niraj (@nirajxdev) July 3, 2026
Social Media Discusses The Job Market
The post drew reactions from several users, many of whom said the rider’s experience reflects what many fresh graduates are currently going through.
A user wrote, “This is what a 3 trillion economy is giving to our youths.” Another simply commented, “OMG.”
Several others pointed out that many graduates are taking up gig work while continuing to apply for full-time jobs, saying the current hiring market has become especially challenging for those just starting their careers.
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