I want to share my experience working at Dr. Homi Bhabha State University (HBSU), Mumbai.
For more than a year, I worked extensively on building and improving the university’s technical infrastructure. During my time there, I:
- Helped establish the AI Lab from the ground up
- Set up the IoT Lab
- Developed and maintained multiple institutional portals and digital systems
Some of the platforms I worked on include:
- https://secondarytrainingcollege.com/
- https://elphinstone.ac.in/
- https://iscm.ac.in/
- https://ifsm.ac.in/
- https://psych.hbsu.ac.in/
I was originally hired as an IT Assistant, but over time my responsibilities expanded far beyond that role. I handled development work, infrastructure setup, project coordination, troubleshooting, and administrative tasks simultaneously.
Like many developers passionate about their work, I gave the job everything I had. Long nights, overtime, urgent fixes, deployments, support requests, I consistently pushed myself beyond normal limits because I believed the work mattered.
Unfortunately, the working environment became increasingly difficult.
Administrative delays became routine. Even basic processes involving approvals, signatures, documentation, or communication would often take excessive amounts of time. Tasks that should have taken minutes frequently consumed entire days.
After my final working day on April 30, I was requested by the registrar to continue supporting systems remotely for an additional 10 days. I completed the requested work in good faith and submitted handover documentation for the various portals and systems I had managed.
However, despite completing these responsibilities, I am still waiting for:
- Pending payment
- Experience letter
- Project completion certificate
I have been informed that my online handover is “not valid” and that I must physically return to campus again, despite already documenting and transferring project responsibilities.
This post is not about revenge or hostility. I’ve already moved on to a new opportunity and a new phase of life.
I’m sharing this because I believe developers and technical professionals deserve:
- Clear role definitions
- Respect for their time and expertise
- Timely documentation and payments
- Professional management practices
When organizations rely heavily on technical employees but fail to support them administratively or professionally, burnout becomes inevitable.
If you are considering working in similar institutional environments, my advice is simple:
Document everything. Keep records of your work, communication, handovers, and responsibilities from day one.
To everyone who has gone through similar workplace experiences — you are not alone.
Sometimes the hardest part of a job isn’t the technical work. It’s surviving poor management while trying to maintain your professionalism.
Thanks for reading.