Gurugram startup intern explains, says left home, spent Rs 30,000 on dream job, got fired in 23 days; Internet outraged

Visualize packing your bags, leaving home, spending Rs 30,000 of your own pocket money, and going to Gurugram for an internship of your dreams to be released in 23 days. This is what really happened to a young intern who shared his experience on Reddit lately and now it's going viral.

The Reddit user, who had commented as @Regrets_only_, revealed that she had moved to Gurugram to work for a startup after being offered a full-time job and mentorship in three months. The salary offered? At least Rs 40,000 a month.

But after 10–12 hours a day, weekends included, something changed. The intern was unexpectedly informed that their position was no longer required because a client had cancelled. No warning. No notice. Just poof.

"I was shocked. I regret trusting the founder," the intern wrote in an email, calling the entire experience a disaster. Unemployed now and stuck in one of India's most saturated job markets, they're attempting to figure out what to do next, and they're not the only ones.

The story resonated with many on the internet. A couple of Reddit users spoke out to relate similar experiences of being let down by startups.

One responded, "Same thing worked for me. Keep applying through LinkedIn, though most jobs are scams, you'll get some calls if you persist." Maybe ask the founder whether he can connect you with someone who's looking to hire."

This story has opened up an age-old debate, are Indian startups taking advantage of young interns? Some of them work for long hours, unpaid or underpaid, only to be dumped without any reason. The glitzy promise of "experience" sometimes veils a sad reality.