A former Microsoft employee has shared his unexpected journey after being terminated from Microsoft without prior warning or explanation.
Kapil Kulshreshtha, a former Sr. Program Manager at Microsoft, was fired on August 25, 2005.
Kulshreshtha sees his firing not as a setback but as a pivotal moment of growth.
In a heartfelt LinkedIn post, Kapil Kulshreshtha, a former Sr. Program Manager at Microsoft Hyderabad, shared his unexpected journey after being terminated from Microsoft without prior warning or explanation. Kulshreshtha, who was fired on August 25, 2005, described the mix of emotions he faced—anger, confusion, and a deep sense of failure.
His initial reaction was to lean on his support system. Upon receiving the news, he called his wife, who advised him to come home immediately. Instead of succumbing to anger or despair, Kulshreshtha and his wife decided to confront the situation head-on. They discussed their options and started planning their next steps.
Also read: Former OpenAI researcher speaks out: Here’s why he was fired
Determined to find closure, Kulshreshtha took the bold step of meeting with his former manager. The candid conversation allowed him to express his feelings and gain some perspective. His former manager’s advice to move on and let go proved to be instrumental in his recovery process.
The subsequent three weeks were a whirlwind of intense job hunting—networking, refining resumes, and reconnecting with old contacts.
“This 3 week period was tough, but I eventually found my place at Cognizant,” he wrote in his LinkedIn post.
Reflecting on his experience, Kulshreshtha sees his firing not as a setback but as a pivotal moment of growth. “Looking back, that firing was a turning point. It forced me to confront my fears, re-evaluate my goals, and ultimately find a path that was more aligned with my true likes.”
“By the way – I owe who I am today to Microsoft. What felt like a blow to my career was actually a blessing in disguise,” he added.
In his post, Kulshreshtha also offered words of encouragement to those facing similar challenges. He emphasised that while it’s natural to feel defeated, setbacks are opportunities for growth. By leaning on support systems, planning strategically, and embracing the process, one can turn a difficult chapter into a stepping stone toward a brighter future.
“Trust the process, because your next chapter could be just around the corner,” he added.
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Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
