A recent LinkedIn post by Sakshi Jain, founder of Viralyze Media, has stirred discussions on the significance of formal education. She shared that a friend from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta landed a summer internship in Mumbai with a monthly stipend of ₹3.5 lakh. Jain expressed her astonishment: “Earning 3.5L/month in an internship? Yeah, my jaw dropped too.”

Jain's revelation sparked widespread discussions on social media platforms about the tangible benefits of elite educational institutions. She noted, "Met a friend from IIM yesterday. She’s in Mumbai forher summer internship. And she’s getting paid 3.5 lakhs per month." Reflecting on the experience, she added, "And it kinda hit me- 7 lakhs in 2 months? Maybe degrees do hold some weight after all."

Met a friend from IIM Calcutta yesterday. She’s interning in Mumbai.
Getting paid 3.5L per month

And it kinda hit me- 7 lakhs in 2 months?
Maybe degrees do hold some weight after all

— Sakshi Jain LinkedIn Strategist (@thecontentedge) April 20, 2025

The post quickly gained traction, amassing over 1.5 million views on X (formerly Twitter) and prompting users to share similar anecdotes. One user commented, "Met some IIT students recently. One of them got a 2-month internship for 25 lacs. INR 12.5 lac per month for an internship." Another remarked, "This is the truth at the end of the day, people can make noise and be part of the 'MBA doesn’t matter' bandwagon but IIM A/B/C are in a league of their own and that tag stays with you for life - gives you a serious headstart."

While acknowledging that success can be achieved through various paths, Jain emphasized the unique opportunities that prestigious degrees can offer. "We love to say 'degrees don’t matter' online. And honestly, I’ve believed that too. But sometimes, you come across these moments that make you pause," she stated. "Maybe degrees don’t matter everywhere. But sometimes, they open doors you never knew existed.

The debate is highlighted by the still-raging controversy surrounding the usefulness of formal education in the current fast-paced employment landscape. Although the alternative paths to success are being increasingly realized, the benefits bestowed upon students from elite institutes like IIMs and IITs are still being perceived in some high-paying fields.

While discussions go on, Jain's posting is a reminder of the lasting influence that high-level academic qualifications have on career paths, particularly in competitive sectors.