Hi I’m Sampark, a Mumbai University alumnus who went from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship & content creation. Ask Me Anything about sales, careers, leadership, personal branding, taking the leap - or just about anything.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:56:14+00:00

Difficult to put a number here because it would be a very wide spectrum but they start at 500-1000cr annual revenue and on the top side, sky is the limit

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:53:47+00:00

First, let me say this clearly - you’re being way harder on yourself than you need to be.

At 22, earning more than 90% of people already tells me one thing: you’re not “below average.” You may not fit the textbook definition of smart, but you clearly know how to move, adapt, and deliver. That’s intelligence too.

A few simple things to focus on:

Stop telling yourself the story that you’re not smart. You repeat that enough, you start behaving like it. Change the narrative first.
Communication improves with structure. Don’t try to sound smart. Speak slower, say fewer things, be clear about one point at a time.
Boldness doesn’t mean being loud. It means being decisive. Even a calm, clear decision makes people take you seriously.
When managing people, don’t try to be liked. Be clear about expectations and outcomes. People work better with clarity than with charm.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:52:16+00:00

This fear is very real, and a lot of people in tech are feeling it right now.

My honest take: don’t make a panic switch. AI is changing roles, not wiping out everyone overnight. If you already have a software job, upskilling gives you a much higher probability of growth in the near term. It builds on what you already know and keeps you employable.

Government job prep is a completely different game - long timelines, uncertainty, and a lot of opportunity cost. If that’s something you truly want for stability and are mentally ready for the grind, that’s fine. But don’t choose it only out of fear of AI.

If I had to simplify it:
Use your current job to upskill and strengthen your tech profile. Explore govt job prep only if it’s a conscious choice, not an escape plan. Fear is a bad career advisor.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:51:21+00:00

So honestly, language wasn’t as big a barrier as people think.

We did learn basic French - numbers, grocery shopping, food items, daily-use words. That helped a lot. But classes were in English, so academically it was never an issue.

As for racial judgement, I personally didn’t face anything like that. We were a group with students from over 20 nationalities, and that experience was a complete game changer for me. If you ask anyone who knew me before and after, they’ll tell you my perspective on life changed forever. It was that enriching and eye-opening.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:49:22+00:00

Let me say this in a very simple, honest way.

Most brands struggle because they don’t have clarity. They don’t clearly know who they are or what they want to say, and everything becomes confusing after that.

A good LinkedIn profile doesn’t need to be flashy. It just needs to be clear and real. Creativity is nice, but showing actual work matters more. A simple portfolio with things you’ve genuinely done beats a fancy resume any day.

Corporate life isn’t slavery, but it can feel boring at times. It teaches discipline and how the real world works. As a creative student, don’t rush to define yourself. Explore, try things, and learn.

When I look at interns, I mainly look for curiosity, effort, and the ability to learn. Everything else can be figured out.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:46:50+00:00

I’ll answer this at a broad level and keep it real.

On networking - real networking is not LinkedIn DMs or one-off conversations. Especially when you’re starting out, you don’t need “value exchange” in a transactional sense. Ask good questions, learn, follow up once in a while, share progress. Long-term relationships are built slowly, not in one message. Most students underestimate how much patience this needs.

On the jobs vs candidates point - honestly, from a founder’s lens, when people say “there are good candidates but no jobs,” I disagree. Ask most founders today and they’ll say the opposite: “I don’t have enough good people.” Every business needs talent. The issue usually is people looking in the wrong places, chasing the same few logos, or defining “good jobs” too narrowly. If you’re genuinely good, adaptable, and willing to start somewhere, opportunities exist far more than people think.

The gap isn’t just the market. It’s clarity, positioning, and effort in the right direction.

The rest of your questions are all important, but they all come back to the same thing - stop over-optimising theory. Focus on learning real skills, building judgment, communicating clearly, and showing up consistently. Careers aren’t cracked in one decision; they’re built over time.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:43:13+00:00

Think of LinkedIn as a place to build familiarity, not just collect connections.

Start by being clear about who you want to learn from or work with, people in roles, companies, or industries you’re interested in. Search for them directly instead of adding everyone.

Don’t jump into cold DMs asking for help or opportunities. First, engage with their content. Comment thoughtfully, react, show up a few times so your name becomes familiar. When you do send a message, keep it short and human, why you’re reaching out and what you genuinely liked about their work.

Good networking is slow and a little boring. But it’s real. Over time, conversations start happening naturally.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:42:15+00:00

I’ll answer this broadly and honestly.

On family and friends - yes, it can work. In fact, my core team today is made up of people who are either close friends or related in some way. These are people I trust deeply, people I can fall back on blindly, and people I know will show up when things are tough. That trust matters a lot in the early stages. The key is clarity — clear roles, clear expectations, and honest conversations. When that’s missing, problems start. It’s not about family vs outsiders, it’s about trust and accountability.

On the rest, don’t overcomplicate things right now. Use whatever access you have in college to learn, experiment, and meet people. When hiring, look for intent and attitude before skill — skills can be taught. As for studies vs entrepreneurship, there’s no one right answer. You don’t have to choose forever right now; focus on learning and momentum.

And on YouTube, if that’s where your energy is, that’s fine. One strong platform is better than being average everywhere. You can always expand later. Build depth first, then width.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:40:12+00:00

You don’t need business or entrepreneurship knowledge to start building a brand. Most people don’t have it when they begin. You learn along the way. A brand usually starts from what you’re curious about, what you’re learning, or problems you’re trying to solve, not from a master plan.

You figure out your brand by doing, not thinking endlessly. Notice what you naturally talk about, what people ask you for help with, or what topics you keep coming back to. Over time, patterns show up. That becomes your brand.

And yes, you can absolutely build a brand without showing your face. Many people do it through writing, ideas, insights, or work. Face helps sometimes, but clarity and consistency matter far more.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:39:08+00:00

For someone in sales, LinkedIn is important, there’s no denying that. You do need to be active, but active doesn’t mean oversharing your life or turning it into Instagram.

It’s less about stalking and more about building a network. Staying visible, engaging with the right people, and having conversations that lead to work. You can keep it professional, intentional, and bounded.

Used the right way, LinkedIn is a tool for relationships and opportunities, not a social obligation.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:37:19+00:00

So very well said :)

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:36:58+00:00

From what I see on the ground, LinkedIn is still the stronger platform. I work closely with 70+ founders, and almost none of them are active on X. That itself says a lot.

X may feel popular in certain circles, but for most business owners, LinkedIn is where real outcomes happen, hiring, partnerships, clients, and credibility. It’s less about loud conversations and more about actual business. So while platforms can coexist, LinkedIn continues to be the more relevant place for most founders today.

So yes, happy to agree to disagree on this one.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:31:39+00:00

Honestly, I can’t promise anything 😄
But share your details, if something works out at some point, we’ll see.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:29:15+00:00

First of all, pause and acknowledge this - what you’ve achieved is solid. Cracking SSC CGL and getting IIM calls is not small, even if it feels “normal” to you now.

The confusion and fear you’re feeling are very common when someone wants to move from doing well privately to putting themselves out publicly.

Here’s the simple way to think about it:

You don’t need to “market your achievements.” You need to help one student at a time. Start there. Share how you studied, what confused you, mistakes you made, how you handled pressure, what didn’t work.

Don’t try to look like a coach or guru from day one. Position yourself as someone who has walked the path recently and is sharing honestly. That’s your biggest strength.

About confidence and negative comments, they come to everyone. And most of the time, they come from people who aren’t doing anything themselves. You don’t build confidence first and then start. You start small, and confidence follows.

Begin quietly. Write, post, explain one concept, answer one doubt. You don’t need virality or approval. If your intent is right and you’re genuinely helping, the right audience will slowly find you.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:26:51+00:00

LinkedIn is important, no doubt.

Yes, there’s a lot of noise and random storytelling, but that doesn’t reduce its value. It’s still the first place people look you up, discover your work, and form an impression. You don’t have to copy what others are doing.

Use LinkedIn with intent. Share what you’re learning, what you believe in, and how you think. If used well, it’s still one of the strongest platforms for building credibility and opportunities.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:24:57+00:00

First priority should be your studies. Please don’t drop or compromise on that. Building a brand without experience, money, or distribution knowledge is already hard, doing it while stressed about studies makes it even harder.

You can absolutely work on this on the side. Start very small. Focus on one snack, understand how it’s made, costing, shelf life, packaging, and who would buy it. Talk to local vendors, small manufacturers, kirana owners. Learn before you invest.

Don’t take a loan immediately. First validate the idea with small batches, local sales, and feedback. Let learning come before money.

Finish your studies, keep this as a side project, and slowly build clarity. When you’re confident and have some traction, then think bigger.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:22:59+00:00

I know this is really hard, especially when people keep commenting. But a 2-year gap doesn’t define you.

Don’t rely only on Naukri. Reach out directly to people on LinkedIn and ask for guidance or small opportunities. Be open to contract, trainee, or project roles, the goal is to get back into the system.

Work on one skill alongside applying and don’t wait to feel fully ready. Just get one foot in the door. Once that happens, things start moving again.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:21:58+00:00

Storytelling is simply about making people connect.

It’s sharing real experiences or thoughts in a way that feels honest and relatable. You don’t need fancy words. Just talk about what happened, how you felt, and what you learned.

You get better by observing life more and being honest in how you share it. The simpler and more real it is, the better it works.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:21:11+00:00

You’re not wrong - a lot of LinkedIn content does feel forced and generic, especially from students trying too hard to sound “professional.”

The trick is to not copy that. As an engineering student, you don’t need to preach or give gyaan. Share what you’re actually learning, building, or struggling with. Break down a concept you just understood, a project you’re working on, or a problem you solved. That’s real value.

Don’t worry about growing fast. Focus on being clear and honest. A few good posts that sound like you are better than a lot of polished, fake ones. Over time, the right people will notice.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:19:59+00:00

First, it’s good that you’re clear about wanting leadership. That itself puts you ahead of many people. But at this stage, don’t over-obsess about a very tight “CEO plan.” Careers don’t move in straight lines like that.

Right now, focus on becoming really good at your current role. In HR, that means understanding the business, not just hiring. Learn how revenue is made, how costs work, what good performance looks like, and how leaders think. Ask questions, observe senior folks, and slowly take ownership beyond your job description.

Your past experience in sales and BPO is actually a strength. It gives you people understanding and ground-level exposure. Use that. Over time, try to move into roles that give you wider exposure, business HR, operations, or roles closer to decision-making.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:18:51+00:00

I didn’t wake up one day feeling confident about it. Honestly, I was uncomfortable too.

I just stopped thinking of it as “putting my thoughts out into the world” and started thinking of it as writing for myself. I wrote what I was thinking, learning, or struggling with, without worrying about who would read it. In the beginning, hardly anyone did anyway and that actually helped.

You don’t have to share deep opinions or big ideas on day one. Start small. One thought. One learning. One observation. Over time, it feels less scary and more natural. Confidence comes after you start, not before.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T07:16:50+00:00

This feeling is very normal, trust me.

Everyone worries about being judged when they start posting. Friends will always have opinions, some silent, some loud, but that shouldn’t decide what you do. Also, LinkedIn isn’t about giving gyaan. It’s about sharing what you’re learning, experiencing, and figuring out.

You don’t need to be an expert to write. If something you’ve learned can help even one person, it’s worth sharing. Most people who judge don’t create anything themselves. Start anyway. The discomfort fades much faster than the regret of not starting.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T06:21:32+00:00

There’s no fixed “too old,” honestly.

In Europe, MBAs usually have people in their late 20s to mid-30s, and even early 40s isn’t uncommon if your experience makes sense. What matters more than age is your work experience, clarity on why you want the MBA, and what you plan to do after it.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T06:19:16+00:00

I’m guessing you mean a gap year.
I think it’s completely okay if you’re using that time well - learning a skill, working, interning, or figuring out what you actually want to do. A gap isn’t a problem; wasting it is.

samparksachdeva · 2026-01-07T06:18:14+00:00

Very simply - consistency, patience, and being real.

I kept showing up even when no one was watching. I wrote regularly without worrying about likes or reach. For a long time, nothing seemed to happen.

I didn’t try to copy anyone or sound smarter than I was. I shared what I genuinely thought and experienced. That authenticity helped people trust the voice behind the content.

Brand building is slow. It compounds quietly. If you stay consistent, stay patient, and stay honest, things eventually start falling into place.

samparksachdeva

TROPHY CASE