For many engineering students, campus placements are the culmination of four years of hard work. While some begin preparing only in the final year, Priyanka Reddy Karumuru started much earlier. The BTech Computer Science graduate from GITAM University, Hyderabad, followed a simple philosophy throughout college—learn consistently instead of chasing marks. That approach eventually helped her secure a software development role at Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Cambridge, London, with a reported package of around Rs 1.4 crore.Behind her success was a lesson she learnt from home. Priyanka says her father, a Senior Manager at IBM, always encouraged her to focus on understanding concepts rather than worrying about grades. According to him, if the learning is strong, marks will eventually follow.
Consistency from the first year made the difference
Unlike the popular belief that cracking top tech companies requires studying for eight or ten hours every day, Priyanka adopted a more sustainable approach. She reportedly dedicated just one to two hours daily from her first year of engineering to strengthening her fundamentals.She focused on Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA), regularly solved coding problems on platforms such as LeetCode and GeeksforGeeks, and steadily improved her programming skills. Rather than relying on last-minute preparation, she built her knowledge step by step over four years.Alongside academics, she also completed certifications in machine learning, operating systems, data analysis with Python and data visualisation, adding practical skills to her profile.
From Hyderabad to AWS London
Priyanka completed her backend software engineering internship at AKRA Investment Services in 2024 before appearing for campus placements.Her consistent preparation paid off when she received an offer from Amazon Web Services. She joined the company as a Software Development Engineer in August 2025 and is now based in Cambridge, England.Her achievement has inspired many engineering students, especially those wondering whether students from private universities can secure global technology roles.
A lesson for engineering students
Priyanka’s journey shows that success in campus placements is rarely built in the final semester. It is the result of small, consistent efforts made throughout college.Her story also reinforces an important lesson for students: instead of obsessing over marks alone, focus on building strong fundamentals, coding regularly and learning new skills. Improving by even one per cent every day can create a significant difference by the time placement season arrives.Disclaimer: This article is based on information shared through Priyanka Reddy Karumuru’s professional profile and publicly available posts. The reported salary package has not been independently verified by The Times of India.
