‘From earning Rs 14 LPA to server…’: Indian-origin entrepreneur on the ‘sad reality of studying abroad’

In a recent podcast episode with host Vinamre Kasanaa, Dev Mitra, the Indian-origin founder of a Canadian-based consulting firm, opened up about his challenging journey from student life to entrepreneurship. Mitra, who currently serves as a partner in a business management consultancy, shared insights into his experience as an international student and the sacrifices he made to pursue his education abroad.

Mitra, who left a lucrative corporate job earning Rs14 LPA, took up a servant role to support himself while studying. “The sad reality of being a student studying abroad!” Kasanaa noted while sharing a snippet of their conversation. The two discussed Mitra’s transition to life in Canada, where he has lived for the past six years, touching on topics such as security and the challenges of racism faced by the Indian community.

In the podcast, Mitra elaborated on the financial pressures of managing student loans while balancing work and studies. He emphasized the difficult decisions he made to pursue his goals, reflecting on the resilience needed to navigate his path.

The podcast drew mixed reactions from viewers, with some expressing admiration for Mitra’s determination, while others criticized her complaints about working as a waitress, suggesting she was aware of the challenges before moving out.

One user commented: “He came to pass, but he will never be seen again. Whatever your profession, all jobs are worth respecting. People like you are the main reason they think a job is over to the other. All work is worth it. So put your ego aside and say I worked hard and learned the hard way that all work is worth it!

Opposing the entrepreneur’s reaction, another user commented: “You are not the only one my man, there are thousands with the same stories all over the UK, Canada, the US and Australia” .

Mitra’s educational journey began at Bishop Cotton School and Ahlcon Public School, followed by an LLB from Calcutta University and a Masters in Law from UNSW, Australia. He began his career as a legal associate at CPA Global and held various roles at Huron Consulting Group, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and ByteX before founding Matrix Venture Studio, a boutique consulting firm, in 2021.