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Rapido’s jaunt turned into a reality check when a computer science graduate revealed why he now spends his mornings ferrying passengers instead of working in technology
His story struck a chord online. (X/@nirajxdev and the representative image)
Finding a first job is becoming increasingly difficult for many recent graduates. Even after earning a college degree and applying to hundreds of companies, many struggle to get interview calls, forcing some to take on other jobs just to manage their daily expenses.
One such story has now started an online conversation after User This post was well received by many, with users saying that it reflects the difficult reality that new students face in today’s job market.
A chance meeting led to a conversation
The story was shared by X user Niraj, who said he noticed a college sticker on a Rapido rider’s helmet while riding. Out of curiosity, he struck up a conversation while they waited in traffic.
According to the post, Al-Fares graduated this year with a first-class degree in computer science. However, despite sending applications to hundreds of companies, he was unable to get a job.
While participating in the conversation, Neeraj wrote, “Last week, I met a guy on Rapido. I recognized the college sticker on his helmet and ended up talking to him for 10 minutes while we were stuck in traffic. Turns out he graduated this year with a first-division degree in computer science. After two months, he was making trips from 6 a.m. every day because his savings ran out and no one called him after over 500 job applications. He said he honestly couldn’t count anymore,” Neeraj wrote while participating in the conversation.
The knight also shared that his parents believe he is still at home preparing for interviews. He didn’t tell them he was a Rapido rider because he didn’t know how to explain his situation.
“His parents still thought he was at home preparing for interviews. He never corrected them because he didn’t know how to bring it up without making it a bigger issue. He wasn’t dramatic about it. He simply kept saying, ‘The market is like this now,’ and kept driving as if it was completely normal.”
Neeraj concluded his post by saying: “I don’t know, but it seems like this is happening to a lot more people than we realize. The job market may be especially tough for new graduates right now.”
I met a guy at Rapido last week and recognized his college sticker on his helmet and ended up talking to him for about 10 minutes while we were stuck in traffic and he graduated this year from his first division CS league
Now, two months later, he is riding every day at 6am because his savings have run out…
– Neeraj (@neerajxdev) July 3, 2026
Social media discusses the job market
The post sparked reactions from many users, many of whom said the rider’s experience mirrored what many recent graduates are currently going through.
“This is what a $3 trillion economy does for our youth,” one user wrote. Another simply commented: “Oh my God.”
Many others noted that many graduates take on temporary jobs while continuing to apply for full-time positions, saying the current employment market has become particularly challenging for those just starting their careers.
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