From TheCampusCoders to the 9-5 Grind: My Journey and How I’m Looking for New Opportunities

Sometimes, life has a funny way of teaching you things, and not always in the way you expect. I always thought I was the kind of person who could juggle everything—freelance work, running my own startup, and constantly learning new skills to stay ahead. But life has a way of showing you your limits when you least expect it.

I started The Campus Coders with nothing but a dream. A dream to build a community for developers who felt just like me—lost, confused, and constantly searching for resources to help them grow. I wanted to create a space where people could learn, share, and get real-world coding solutions, all while connecting with like-minded individuals. It was supposed to be a place where knowledge could flow freely, and developers like myself could have a platform to grow.

But what I didn’t realize then was that chasing a dream comes with its own set of challenges—challenges that can feel like an uphill battle when you’re standing alone at the top of the mountain.

The Highs and Lows of Being a Solo Founder

When I first launched The Campus Coders, everything felt fresh, exciting. I poured my heart into the content—coding tutorials, blog posts, job resources. It felt like I was on the brink of something amazing. But, as many solo founders experience, the excitement quickly fades, and the pressure starts to mount. I was the sole person behind everything—the website, the content, the marketing, the management. And I quickly learned that building something from scratch is incredibly lonely and exhausting.

There were moments where I questioned my decision—nights when I stayed up too late trying to perfect a blog post or code something that wouldn’t work. Days when I felt so burned out that I wanted to give up, but couldn’t because I knew so many people were relying on me—even if they didn’t know it. It was in these moments of self-doubt that I realized I was holding on too tightly to an idea of success that wasn’t really mine.

I learned the hard way that self-care is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. The hustle and grind can only take you so far before it breaks you down, and I found myself broken, questioning my worth. I had this fear that stepping away from The Campus Coders would feel like giving up. Like I had failed.

Realizing the Need to Let Go

It took me some time to finally accept it, but I had to acknowledge the truth: I wasn’t ready. Not ready for the weight of running a startup alone, not ready for the constant emotional toll it took, and not ready for the kind of success that required more resources, energy, and time than I had to give.

Letting go of The Campus Coders was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. I had invested so much into it—my time, my energy, my hopes. But sometimes, knowing when to step back is more important than pushing forward without clarity. Failure doesn’t always mean that you didn’t try hard enough; sometimes, it means that you’ve learned what doesn’t work and are giving yourself permission to take a different path.

In that moment, I chose peace over pride, clarity over confusion, and the chance to heal over the pressure to perform.

Returning to the 9-5: A New Beginning

After everything with The Campus Coders wound down, I had to take a hard look at my life. The entrepreneurial dream was still there, but the reality of where I stood in that moment was clearer. I knew I needed stability, a place where I could focus solely on my craft and not the endless tasks of running a business.

So, I made a decision. I’m going back to the 9-5 world, where I can focus on what I do best: coding. I want to join a team that can help me grow, learn, and push me to be better, without carrying the weight of the entire project alone.

I’m now actively seeking a role where I can focus on MERN Stack, Core Java, and UI/UX Design—a place where I can contribute meaningfully and continue to learn from others. I’m looking for a challenging role that allows me to grow both professionally and personally, while also offering flexibility to balance my life and work.

If you know of any companies looking for someone with my skills or have any connections, I would love to hear from you. Whether it's remote work or a full-time position, I’m open to exploring new opportunities.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all of this, it’s that success is not linear, and it’s okay to take detours along the way. There’s no shame in stepping back and recalibrating. No shame in trying something new when the path you’ve been walking isn’t leading where you want to go.

And sometimes, failure is not the end—it’s just the beginning of something new. If I hadn’t gone through this journey with The Campus Coders, I wouldn’t have realized the importance of balance, the need for teamwork, and how crucial it is to be kind to myself during moments of struggle.

I’m not done. This isn’t the end of my story—it’s just a new chapter. I’ll continue to learn, grow, and adapt. And who knows? Maybe one day I’ll return to the startup world with the experience and wisdom I gained from this journey.

For now, though, I’m excited for what lies ahead. And if you’re reading this, thank you for being a part of my journey. The lessons you learn and the people you meet along the way shape who you become. I’m grateful for all of it, even the tough parts.

Resume: You can view my resume here.

Contact: If you know of any opportunities, advice, or just want to share your experiences, feel free to reach out to me at deepak@thecampuscoders.com.