In a recent podcast episode with host Vinamre Kasanaa, Dev Mitra, the Indian-origin founder of a Canadian-based consulting firm, talked about his challenging journey from student life to entrepreneurship. Mitra, who is currently a partner in a business management consultancy, shared his experiences as an international student and the sacrifices he made to pursue his education abroad.

Mitra, who quit a lucrative corporate job earning Rs14 LPA, took up a role as a waiter to support himself while studying. “The sad reality of being a student studying abroad!” Kasanaa pointed out as she shared a snippet of their conversation. The two discussed Mitra’s transition to life in Canada, where he has lived for the past six years, touching on topics such as safety and the challenges of racism facing the Indian community.

In the podcast, Mitra explained the financial pressures of managing student loans while balancing work and studies. He highlighted the difficult decisions he made to achieve his goals, reflecting on the resilience needed to navigate his path.

The podcast has drawn mixed reactions from viewers, with some expressing admiration for Mitra’s determination, while others criticized his complaints about working as a waiter, suggesting he was aware of the challenges before he moved.

One user commented: “It’s gone but will never be seen again. No matter what your profession is, all jobs are worth respecting. People like you are the main reason they think a job is for on the other. Every job is worth respecting. So if you put your ego aside and say I’ve worked hard and learned the hard way that all jobs are worth respecting!”

Taking issue with the entrepreneur’s reaction, another user commented: “You’re not the only one mine, there are thousands with the same stories all over the UK, Canada, USA and Australia.”

Mitra’s educational journey began at Bishop Cotton School and Ahlcon Public School, followed by an LLB from the University of Calcutta and a Masters in Law from UNSW, Australia. He began his career as a legal associate at CPA Global and held various positions at Huron Consulting Group, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and ByteX before founding Matrix Venture Studio, a boutique consulting firm, in 2021.