India, March 17 -- A PhD in Physics from the prestigious University of Cambridge is often seen as a golden ticket to a successful career. However, for one highly qualified graduate, the reality has been far from smooth. Despite an impressive academic background, Marika Niihori struggled for months to land a good job. She documented the highs and lows of her job hunt on Instagram, where her journey has served as inspiration and solace to millions.

In October last year, Marika shared a joyful Instagram update revealing that she had earned a doctorate from Cambridge University in Physics after four years of hard work. A lucrative career in STEM seemed inevitable for Marika, or so everyone thought.

In reality, the PhD graduate struggled for...