IIT-IIM graduate quits her dream job with zero backup plan: Her exit mail may make you change career goals

In a time when career moves are often calculated and backed by bulletproof plans, Avani Rathore, an IIT-Kanpur and IIM-Calcutta graduate, has taken the road less travelled. In a heartfelt post on LinkedIn, Avani shared her decision to quit Boston Consulting Group (BCG) — without a next job in hand.

She posted a photo of an airport exit sign, clicked moments before sending in her resignation. Alongside the image, she shared the farewell email she had written to her colleagues, reflecting the mix of caution and clarity that defined her bold move. “I clicked this picture while boarding my return flight from the KL training, moments before I sent my resignation email,” she wrote. “The exit board and a much bigger caution/danger board in front of me aptly summed up my emotions as I decided to leave without a plan.”

After nearly two years at BCG, including an internship and several projects across four case teams, Avani described the journey as one filled with memorable people and invaluable learning. She expressed deep gratitude for being part of the Women’s team and contributing to the IIT and IIM recruitment efforts.



But despite her accomplishments, something was missing.

"The decision to leave BCG came after months of contemplation, yet it was not easy," she admitted. "The training helped me zoom out and put things into perspective… there is fear in the ambiguity of not knowing what you seek, but there is power in the clarity of knowing what you don’t." In an era dominated by hustle culture, Avani’s move to prioritise clarity, mental space, and personal growth is a reminder that stepping back is sometimes the boldest step forward.