‘It’s not my identity’: After 420 job rejections, NYU graduate secures job in New York- Moneycontrol.com

‘It’s not my identity’: After 420 job rejections, NYU graduate secures job in New York
International <a href="https://ji<a href="https://jiuniversity.com/university-of-hyderabad-opens-ug-integrated-pg-admissions-at-uohyd-ac-in-apply-by-july-21/” title=”University of Hyderabad opens UG, Integrated PG admissions at uohyd.ac.in; apply by July 21″>university.com/student-visas-jump-to-2500/” title=”Student visas jump to $2,500″>student Divya Bansal shared her journey of securing a job in New York after facing 420 rejections. In an Instagram post, she celebrated the achievement but also highlighted the importance of not letting a career define one’s entire identity.
July 07, 2026 / 13:34 IST
Divya Bansal secures new york role and shares powerful message. (Image credit: Instagram/
__divyabansal__)

• Divya Bansal landed a job in New York.
• She faced 420 job rejections as an intl. student.
• Bansal emphasizes career is part of identity, not whole.

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After facing 420 job rejections, international student Divya Bansal finally landed a job in New York. But on her first day, she shared an important message, saying she would not let her career define who she is

“As an international student with limited options and visa struggles, I landed this job after 420 rejections. It’s a big deal for me, but not so much that I make my life revolve around it,” digital creator Divya Bansal wrote on Instagram

She continued, “10 years ago, when I started my career- if someone told me I would be working in New York, I would laugh it off but today, it’s a dream come true. This dream also comes with a realisation that your job is a part of your identity, not your entire being.”

‘Job after 420 rejections’

Divya’s video opens with a text overlay that says, “First day of job after 420 rejections.”

In the video, Bansal is seen walking through New York while saying, “I got a job in New York and today is the first day of it. Here’s the badass energy I am starting it with.”

Bansal goes on to say that she secured the job about a week after graduating from NYU as an international student. She adds, “I applied to about 420 jobs, got three interviews, and landed two.”

Bansal explains that in a time when employment is often linked to self-worth, getting the job felt like a major achievement for her. However, she adds that while her career matters, it does not define her entire life

‘Helps me grow, and pays my bills’

“It’s a part of my life. A part that challenges me, helps me grow, and pays my bills but it’s not my identity. I am going to make my work revolve around my life and not the other way around.”

She says that despite starting a new job, she will keep pursuing her passions and spending time with her loved ones. Bansal believes that making work her whole identity could make her lose interest in the things that bring her happiness

“I came to New York to build a life and not just a career. My career is something I do, it’s not who I am and it’s not what defines me.”

Social media reacts

International students face challenges such as numerous job rejections, visa struggles, and the pressure of visa deadlines. Some students apply to hundreds of jobs, receiving very few interview calls. One student shared that after 420 rejections, she landed a job.
Job seekers can maintain resilience after rejections by not letting their career define their identity, focusing on preparation and consistency, and understanding that rejection does not define capability.
I cannot make predictions about future events. According to news reports, NYU graduate Divya Bansal, after facing 420 job rejections, secured a job in New York and stated that her career would not define her entire identity. She emphasized that a job is a part of one’s identity, not the whole being.

One individual wrote, “Keep thriving, gurllll. More power to you!” Another person said, “Having worked for 13 years with names like AmEx, Airbnb & Goldman Sachs…. All I can say is ‘you are nailing it with this mentality,’ lots of joy to you.” A third user said, “As someone who just started at NYU. Thank you so much. I needed this.”

first published: Jul 7, 2026 01:34 pm

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Source: www.moneycontrol.com