Viral LinkedIn Post Reignites Debate on Degrees vs. Skills After ₹3.5 Lakh/Month Internship Revelation
A recent LinkedIn post by Mumbai-based entrepreneur Sakshi Jain has taken the internet by storm, reigniting the long-standing debate about the importance of degrees versus skills in today’s job market. Jain shared her disbelief upon discovering that a friend—currently pursuing an MBA at IIM Calcutta—was offered an internship in Mumbai with a monthly stipend of ₹3.5 lakh.
“An internship paying ₹3.5 lakh a month? I was stunned,” Jain wrote, highlighting that the amount was strictly the internship stipend, without any added perks. While she clarified that her post wasn’t intended to spark comparisons, it quickly did just that.
Her reflection led to a broader conversation online. “We often say degrees don’t matter anymore, and I believed that too,” she wrote. “But sometimes, something makes you pause and reconsider.” She acknowledged that although degrees aren’t essential in every field, they still carry weight in specific contexts. “There are times when a degree doesn’t matter, but there are also times it opens doors you didn’t know were there,” she added.
Jain’s post gained momentum across platforms like LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter), with users chiming in to share their opinions and experiences. One user echoed her view, saying, “Degrees might not be everything, but sometimes they are the key to hidden opportunities.” Another pointed out an instance where an IIT student landed a two-month internship with a ₹25 lakh stipend—equating to ₹12.5 lakh per month.
Several commenters stressed that while academic credentials can unlock certain opportunities, skills, creativity, and real-world experience remain just as crucial. “There isn’t one right path to success,” one user commented. “Degrees help, but it’s how you use your strengths that really makes the difference.”
The conversation also had its lighthearted moments, with some users joking about the stipend amount. “This has to be in USD,” one quipped, while another asked, “Which company is paying this?”
Wrapping up her post, Jain offered a balanced perspective: “This isn’t about comparisons. It’s simply a reminder that success comes in many shapes and forms—and every journey is valid.”
