An Average Student With A Big Dream: How Kerala’s Athul Krishna Landed A Rs 43 LPA Job In Germany | Education and Career News
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Athul Krishna’s achievement is the result of 1.5 years of preparation, language training and technical upskilling, driven by his passion for automobiles.
Athul Krishna scored 65% in high school and faced setbacks during Classes 11 and 12.
For Athul Krishna, the road to a career with Mercedes-Benz in Germany did not begin with an exceptional academic record. A native of Kochi, Athul describes himself as an average student who scored 65% in high school and faced setbacks during Classes 11 and 12.
Today, that journey has taken him to Germany, where he has secured an opportunity with Mercedes-Benz with a Rs 43 lakh annual package and an employer-sponsored work visa.
His achievement is the culmination of nearly one and a half years of preparation, language training and technical upskilling—driven by a childhood-like curiosity about automobiles and a determination to build a career in the German automotive industry.
After completing his senior secondary education from IHRD’s Model Technical Higher Secondary School in Kerala, Athul pursued a professional diploma. It was during this period that his interest in automobiles began to take shape.
He remembers seeing a Volkswagen service centre and becoming curious about the company and the industry behind it. “I started researching Volkswagen and later learned more about the German automotive ecosystem and its different brands,” Athul says.
What began as curiosity gradually became a career goal. He realised that Germany, home to some of the world’s best-known automotive companies, was where he wanted to build his future.
Searching for a pathway to Germany
“When you are trying to plan an international career, uncertainty can be frustrating,” he says.
However, rather than allowing the uncertainty to derail his plans, Athul began looking for an alternative pathway that would offer greater clarity and allow him to prepare systematically. That is when he discovered Medhavi’s SHINE Centre.
Athul was already preparing for Germany, but the guidance he received helped him approach the process in a more structured way. “It made the journey feel more structured. My approach also became more focused. I understood that wanting to work abroad was not enough. I had to continue improving my language and stay prepared for the requirements of the opportunity,” he says.
Athul spent around one and a half years preparing for the opportunity, with German language training forming a crucial part of the journey. Although he had completed a German language course earlier, he continued strengthening his language skills and preparing for the required proficiency tests.
His technical preparation focused on Mechatronics Technician skills, while the programme also introduced him to the expectations and working environment of the German automotive industry.
For Athul, the preparation went beyond technical knowledge. He also had to prepare himself for the cultural transition and the realities of living and working in another country.
“The journey taught me patience. Building an international career does not happen overnight. You have to keep learning, improving yourself, and remain consistent while waiting for the right opportunity,” he says.
Language was one of his biggest challenges. German, he realised, requires continuous practice. The uncertainty of not knowing exactly when an opportunity would materialise was another test of patience.
“There were moments of uncertainty, but I learned to trust the process and keep moving forward,” he says.
After months of preparation, Athul finally secured the opportunity he had been working towards—a position with Mercedes-Benz in Germany carrying a Rs 43 lakh annual package and an employer-sponsored work visa.
The achievement, however, did not immediately sink in.
“I was very happy, but honestly, I was not jumping around or celebrating immediately. I think I was still processing it,” he recalls.
Having spent so long preparing and navigating uncertainty, the moment reminded him of one of his favourite films, The Pursuit of Happyness—particularly its message of continuing to believe in a goal and moving forward even when the outcome is uncertain.
For Athul, the opportunity is both a personal and professional milestone.
“Personally, it is a proud moment for my family and me. Professionally, it is the beginning of the career I had been working towards,” he says.
Over the next five to ten years, he hopes to deepen his technical expertise, improve his German, take on greater responsibilities and work with emerging technologies on complex automotive projects.
And he has an even bigger dream for the future.
“Maybe one day I could take everything I have learned and build a car of my own. That would be a dream come true.”
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Ask News18Athul secured the position through nearly one and a half years of dedicated preparation, which included German language training, technical upskilling in Mechatronics, and structured guidance from Medhavi’s SHINE Centre.
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September 21, 2026, 08:24 IST
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