‘I quit IIT, McKinsey, startup’: Woman’s decision to start over at 31 sparks debate

A woman from Rajasthan has triggered a conversation online after opening up about walking away from a high-achieving career path to “start over” at 31.

Kanak Agrawal, in a now-viral Instagram video, reflected on her journey—from studying at IIT to working at a global consulting firm and co-founding a startup—only to eventually step away from all of it.

Her story is striking not because of failure, but because of what many would call success.

“Main IIT gayi, McKinsey mein job ki, startup shuru kiya… aur phir sab chhod diya and started over again at 31,” she said.

Growing up near Kota—India’s coaching hub—she said the path to IIT felt almost predetermined. With her brother already in an IIT, following the same route seemed natural.

Her entry into McKinsey & Company, too, felt less like a conscious decision and more like momentum.

“I gave four interviews in a day and McKinsey selected me. It didn’t feel like a choice.”

Even her entrepreneurial journey, she said, began by joining friends who had already started working on an idea.

Choosing fulfilment over conventional success

Despite ticking all the “right” boxes—elite education, top-tier job, startup experience—Agrawal said she felt a persistent lack of fulfilment.

“No matter how well things went, I didn’t feel satisfied.”

This dissatisfaction eventually pushed her to step away and explore a different path—writing and creating content online.

Four years later, she admits life is still uncertain. But there is one key difference.

“Now every decision I make—where I live, what I do, how I spend my time—is my choice.”

Internet reacts

Her post has drawn mixed reactions online, with users divided over whether her decision reflects privilege, courage, or a mix of both.

While some praised her honesty and self-awareness, others questioned whether such choices are realistic for most people.

A user wrote, “This is a good reel. I may be wrong but girls hardly get any freedom of choice in career, property, and this all begins at their own home . They carry this all throughout their lives and it’s a big loss as they realise this after many years. Society needs to change.”

Another user commented, “Unpopular and slightly contrarian view : the fact that you can exercise this choice of leaving everything behind is BECAUSE of your experience and academic pedigree and not DESPITE it. I don’t mean to sound critical or pessimistic though. All the very best to you.”

“Hey, I’m happy for you. But please acknowledge that it was easier to “start writing” because you did the hard yards first—going to IIT and then working at McKinsey, and starting your company. In the absence of those accolades, it’s harder to drop everything and “start writing”, because you won’t have an audience because you didn’t go to IIT, didn’t work at McKinsey and didn’t start your company. All the best,” the third user commented.

“Life is far from sorted—but it feels mine”

Agrawal summed up her journey with a line that resonated widely:

“Life is far from sorted, but it feels mine.”

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