PCOD, work pressure, low pay and no fixed shifts: Bengaluru woman quits IT job to drive an auto, says she is earning more than before

Often a career change is not motivated by pay hike or better job title. More than ambition, it is about making life work and prioritising yourself, your family and health. For one Bengaluru woman, leaving her IT job and driving an auto-rickshaw in the Silicon Valley of India was a decision shaped by family circumstances, her health condition, erratic shifts and a need to control her own time. Bengaluru-based influencer, Tanvi Shetty, recently dropped a video on social media, which showcases the conversation she had with the woman, who opened up about why she could no longer manage the hectic job schedule at her IT job and how driving auto gives her better flexibility and higher income.

For many, an IT job is a secured career path with good pay. But for a Bengaluru auto-driver, the demands of the job, the erratic shift timing, health condition and family responsibility made her rethink her career decision. When influener, Tanvi Shetty, a passenger in her auto rickshaw asked why she left her IT job, she shared that her IT role increasingly involved night shifts. After her father passed away, she was left living with her mother and did not feel comfortable leaving her alone at night. She said she would have liked to continue working in IT, but the schedule made it difficult.

Her shifts also changed every week, making it hard for her to maintain a consistent routine. She described her routine as having been “completely changed” because of the constant shift changes. The situation eventually began affecting her health as well. She said she developed PCOD and faced further health-related difficulties, which made her reconsider whether continuing in the same job was worthwhile.

No fixed shifts made life even harder

For her, the problem was not simply the nature of IT work. The unpredictable schedule made managing family responsibilities particularly difficult. She pointed out that even when family issues arose, she had to report to work on time. Travelling to work could also mean being picked up by a cab an hour or even two hours early. She described that as a “headache” that simply did not work for her circumstances. Eventually, she decided that this could not be the life she wanted. She said she reached a point where she told herself, “I don’t know. I will do it. And it is possible. I will take care.”

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From IT professional to Bengaluru auto driver

Instead of continuing with a job that left little room for her personal responsibilities, she chose to drive an auto. The decision was not easy. Her mother and other family members initially discouraged her, telling her that as a woman, she would not be able to do it. But she went ahead. One of the biggest advantages of the new career is the control it gives her over her time. She explained that if there are family responsibilities, she can adjust her working schedule accordingly. She gave the example of a Sunday when she chose not to work and instead stayed home to help her mother rest.

She said this kind of flexibility was something she “won’t get” in her IT job.

Higher income and social attitude

The career switch has also brought an unexpected financial benefit. During the conversation, Tanvi asked her directly whether she was earning more as an auto driver than she had in IT. The woman confirmed that she was. For someone who had left a conventional white-collar career because of scheduling and family pressures, earning more in her new profession has added another dimension to her decision.

She described how female drivers are sometimes subjected to trolling and assumptions that they are doing the job merely “for some show.” She pointed out that women can have families and responsibilities too, and said being educated does not mean they “should only work in IT.” Her message was clear: choosing a different career does not mean giving up on education or ambition. She also added that many people are supportive who kindly address her as "madam" or "sister".

What netizens said about the Bengaluru woman making a career change

The woman's decision to leave the corporate world and become an auto driver struck a chord with many social media users. Several praised her courage and independence, calling her journey “inspiring” and wishing her success in her new profession. Some described her as a “rockstar” and applauded her for choosing a career that better suits her personal circumstances.

Others said the Bengaluru girl's story was a reminder that people should choose work that fits their lives, rather than simply following conventional career paths. One user argued that the corporate sector should reflect on why an employee might find auto driving more manageable than continuing in an IT job.

However, not everyone agreed with the assumptions surrounding her previous employment. Some commenters questioned whether she had actually worked in an IT role and noted that she may have been in a customer-facing service position. Another user shared a similar experience, saying they had recently met someone who had also left a startup job to drive an auto.