From Taking a Chance to Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Tracking Indian Youth : Sherry Bansal
The Pehli Peedi Fellowship presents the first in a series of stories highlighting the experiences of first-generation students across India.
From a small town in Punjab to a leadership role at one of India’s largest e-commerce companies, Sherry Bansal’s story reflects the power of persistence, support, and the courage to choose one’s own path. Growing up in Raman Mandi near Bathinda, Sherry had little awareness of elite colleges, engineering pathways, or the professional world beyond what she saw around her. Yet a chance scholarship test, the quiet determination of her parents, and her own curiosity set her on a trajectory that reshaped her life.
“I never thought someone like me, from a small town with limited exposure, could study in a reputed college or manage a team at such a young age. But every step—small or big—has shown me that opportunities can change your life when you dare to take them.”
Read her full story below. Profile by Yatika Singh.
Yatika: Hi Sherry! Tell me about yourself.
Sherry: Hi! My name is Sherry Bansal, and I’m a 22-year-old from a small town called Raman Mandi near Bathinda, Punjab. I attended Malaviya National Institute of Technology, Jaipur, where I completed my B. Tech. in Civil Engineering.
Y: Where are you based currently?
S: I’m currently based in Jaipur, where I work as an Assistant Manager in Operations at Flipkart.
Y: What do your parents do and what are their educational backgrounds?
S: My father has a self-owned business, managing the distributorship of Mother Dairy products, and my mother is a homemaker. My father completed 10th grade, and my mother is a high school graduate.
Y: If you are open to answering: what caste and faith do you belong to?
S: I belong to the General category and am a Hindu.
Y: Was it always known to you that you would attend college?
S: Not at all. I finished my 10th grade in my hometown, attending one of the two most sought-after schools. During that time, some coaching institutes offered scholarship tests. I was unaware of subject streams but decided to take one such test at a local coaching centre. A field executive from the institute then visited our home to counsel us on non-medical streams. I enjoyed mathematics and scored well across subjects, so they offered me a demo session for a refundable fee.
After finishing grade 12, I still did not know about future academic or professional pathways. At the institute, I was introduced to IITs and NITs, which led me to take the JEE exam. In the third round of counselling, I got into NIT Jaipur for a B. Tech. in Civil Engineering.
Sherry’s parents
Y: Were there any hurdles you faced in starting university?
S: There was stigma around women studying Civil Engineering in my extended family, which became an obstacle. My parents convinced my relatives that girls can absolutely become Civil Engineers despite outdated perceptions. Relatives on my mother’s side also tried to plant doubts about how I would survive alone in a big city.
There is a 25% reservation quota for girls at my university, which further reinforced that women belong in this field. My parents, especially my father, supported me deeply. My family even shifted to Bathinda so I could be closer to my coaching centre, as it used to be an hour-long commute from my hometown.
Financially, I did not face major hurdles since I took out an education loan for college, and the repayment EMIs will now begin.
Sherry’s parents
Y: Did your university ever take any specific measures to better accommodate first-generation students?
S: No, there were no such measures. Professors were generally unavailable outside of class, making it difficult to build personal connections or seek extra support.
Y: Was the professional aspect of your end-of-college journey smooth for you?
S: In my second and third years, I joined a start-up formed by IIT Roorkee alumni that provided career guidance to students from NITs and private colleges. Being a mentee helped me a lot, especially since I couldn’t get much professional guidance from my family. Often, I still feel I lack knowledge about certain pathways, like government jobs, which many around me pursue.
Y: Did you face any opposition in choosing a job in the private sector over the public?
S: Yes. It is hard to change my parents’ perception that government jobs are superior. Since no one in our family works in the private sector, they believe government jobs offer unmatched stability. They still sometimes ask me to apply, but I am well-settled in the private sector and do not want to switch—nor do I have the information to do so.
Y: Was it easy for you to find a social footing at university?
S: Yes. Since my batch started college online in 2020 during the pandemic, we had already interacted and formed friendships before offline classes began. The campus was also culturally diverse, which exposed me to different perspectives.
Y: What did you discover about yourself in your journey from home to college, and now a full-time job?
S: I never imagined I would study at such a reputed college in a big city. Jaipur had always been like a dream. Beyond that, my current job as an Assistant Manager has placed me in a leadership role despite my softer personality. The past year has been transformative. Leading a team—including members older than me—has given me new confidence.
Y: What advice would you give to other first-generation students who are just starting out their journey?
S: Build a good friend circle—they can make or break you. Having a strong support system has helped me immensely, as my friends have always stood by me. If you don’t have much guidance, ask your seniors and peers for advice. You’re not alone; many first-generation students are on a similar path. Even in my friend group, many were like me. Ultimately, remember to enjoy your college life and don’t burden yourself too much.
This is an ongoing series of profiles documenting the experiences of young people across India. Stay tuned for more stories from first-generation students across India. Follow us on social media for more updates.