Coming to the US for MS with the intention of settling here? Please Stay Back.
Times have changed; things are becoming challenging even for highly skilled individuals.
A thread you go through:
A guy with 9 years of software engineering experience at Oracle with a newly acquired master's in CS hasn't secured a job in the last 6 months, now started applying to entry-level analyst positions.
PLEASE DON’T LEAVE YOUR JOB FOR A MASTER’S ABROAD. IT’S UNWISE NOW.
Life as an immigrant in the US is often misunderstood. After the initial excitement, once settled into a job in a new city, free time feel isolating. Despite a hustling mindset, nights bring thoughts of family and friends back home, going to bed happy seems like a distant dream.
Another friend of mine(also an Ivy grad) left the US after ~7 months of job hunting. She returned debt-free as she had no student loans.
COME TO THE US IF YOU ARE CONFIDENT ABOUT BEING IN THE TOP 1-5% AND ARE FINANCIALLY STRONG.
MS and the job search scene in the US are MESSED UP
Talked with my school senior in Missouri doing MS; her program's size jumped from 55 to 1100 with a surge in applications. Over 850 of them are Indians. Graduates from the past two semesters are still on the job hunt.
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To those who don't know him: He is Nara Chandrababu Naidu, a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in Andhra Pradesh state’s development in technology and infrastructure.
He is behind the Hyderabad you see now.
What I genuinely appreciate about Americans is their commitment to life beyond work. After 5 on weekdays and during weekends, you hardly see anyone working.
Just in case you're not aware, this website has information on all US employers offering VISA sponsorship, and the data is sourced from the US Department of Labor.
Please, not again.
Don't fall into the study abroad consultancy trap, especially Indian students. This week, I am creating detailed threads about each part of grad school applications and tools.
A thread you must read if planning to do a Master's abroad:
2. The number of MS graduates is on a significant rise, but due to the H1B cap, only a limited number secure the visa. Additionally, there's an over a century-long wait time for obtaining a green card.
While it is trivial to enter the United States illegally, it is insanely difficult for legal immigrants to move to the United States.
This is madness! We should shut down illegal immigration and greatly increase legal immigration.
I've just received application fee waivers for 6 out of 7 universities, and yes, that includes the likes of Stanford, Cornell, and UIUC. Want in on the secret sauce? Keep reading!
If someone returns to their home country from the U.S., it doesn't mean they aren't smart. They simply prioritized their mental health or got unlucky with the visa system which can be easily manipulated.
A rough start for recent grads:
BTech in India:
Tuition: ₹8 Lakhs
GPA: 9.3/10
Post-graduation: Worked for 2 years, ₹22L/year (2021 grad)
MS in the US:
Program Cost: $110,000 USD
GPA: 4.0/4.0
Post-graduation: Annual salary $80k
+ $100k debt
I applied to over 1300 jobs from Feb to May last year to get 3 offers. The job market is still challenging and competitive. You should apply to more jobs and try different ways of sending applications to increase your odds.
STUDY ABROAD CONSULTANCIES ARE A HUGE SCAM
They charge you thousands only to place you in mediocre universities. Despite being told I couldn't crack the top 50, I secured admission to all my top choices, including Ivys, ranked top 10 in the US.
A thread🧵
1. As you're aware, the current job market is terrible, and even graduates from the top 50 universities are facing difficulties securing positions. So, if you manage to get into one of the top 20 unis, the decision is yours.
Read this:
Winter is coming for Indian Masters students in the US this year.
~50,000-65,000 Indian Masters students in CS are going to graduate looking for tech jobs that *most* will NOT find.
This is the single largest international student subgroup in the US.
THREAD
🧵
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For everyone in cold states, as temperatures drop, we always keep our heaters on, sometimes we forget to check if the detectors in our houses are functioning. Get your heaters inspected by your landlords, you can also find carbon monoxide detectors on Amazon for around $20.
Packages for graduates in my program over the past terms
May 2022 and before: $160k - $250 and above
Dec 2023: $130k - $190k
May 2023: $80k - $140k
Dec 2023: forget package, <50% of them secured jobs
For those aiming to pursue a Master’s in the US or recent grads intending to reside long-term, I highly recommend following Soundarya Balasubramani on LinkedIn. Her newsletter is a treasure trove for immigrants.
3. For those in the US pursuing MS, landing a job is no easy feat. It demands hard work and a stroke of luck. Check out this thread to take the safe route:
May 2023 and Dec 2023 graduates are on the job search. May 2024 graduates will match the combined count of the past 3 graduating semesters.
IMMIGRANTS IN THE US PURSUING MS OR ON THE JOB HUNT, THIS THREAD IS FOR YOU.
Please read and RT for others:
A close friend from Cornell just landed his dream job in NYC after a 4-month intense search, thrilled for him!
To those on the job hunt, keep at it, your dream job offer will make all the effort worth it.
When I say stay back, I am telling you to reconsider if it's truly worth it especially considering that repaying the loan might take longer than usual. If you're financially secure or simply want to study, it is great here anytime. I can answer any questions that you might have
In your 20s, please lift weights, eat healthy and stay fit, that’s the best investment for your future.
I’m terrified seeing people in their 40s and early 50s dealing with health issues. That’s definitely not the age to battle sickness and depend on others.
REMINDER!! No job should come at the cost of your sleep or health. You’re one of many to your employer, don’t overwork or stress yourself unnecessarily. After all, it's about you, family, and friends.
Dinesh and Nikesh from Telugu states died in their sleep barely 16 days after having reached the US to pursue a master's in CS. The news reports that their death was caused by a leak of Carbon Monoxide from the heaters.
4. The landscape is changing, and those who traded high-paying jobs for MS are in great regret over job uncertainties or accepting less-than-ideal positions. It's a scenario you'd want to avoid.
A guy with 9 years of software engineering experience at Oracle with a newly acquired master's in CS hasn't secured a job in the last 6 months, now started applying to entry-level analyst positions.
PLEASE DON’T LEAVE YOUR JOB FOR A MASTER’S ABROAD. IT’S UNWISE NOW.
Choosing to become a product manager solely to avoid coding is so stupid.
Product management is far more complex than you imagine or hear on social media.
Market is saturated with CS grads. Those planning to switch to CS for a master's abroad from other majors, don't unless you are truly interested.
My fellow grads from Food Science, Biotech, and Material Science are doing great and making as much as CS grads.
Many of us haven't experienced freezing temperatures before, and in such conditions, there are risks like hypothermia, frostbite, trench foot, and chilblains. These are various conditions that arise initially due to inadequate clothing or not staying warm enough.
It's unimaginable what their parents and friends must be experiencing. I'm sure their hearts are shattered. Sending prayers their way. Students, stay safe, keep warm, and ensure your homes are inspected, following all safety measures. Your safety is your responsibility
To early career professionals, don't run after high-paying jobs. Focus on finding the right role and identifying your niche. If you like the job, you do great, and your earnings grow exponentially. After all, it is about fulfillment and growth together.
The job market seems to be opening up again. For those on the job hunt, now is the time to actively apply.
The challenging part is standing out in a sea of thousands of applications.
A thread:
Don't accept admissions without thorough consideration; consult ambassadors, alumni, inquire on Reddit, and research extensively. Graduating from these universities may not contribute much to your learning but could result in significant debt.
This is what I've been emphasizing lately: people who held strong positions in decent companies in India are now having difficulty finding jobs.
Leaving a well-paying job, acquiring substantial loans, and facing challenges in job hunting is truly distressing.
M.Eng in Computer Engineering from an Ivy League school interviewing since August has gotten only 1 interview.
This is the unfortunate plight of doing your Masters in the US for most international students.
Please read the offer document carefully before investing.
Status of most May 2023 and December 2023 grads in the US rn, including Ivy grads; the job market is just deteriorating.
Students with significant loans coming to the US to earn more and settle, please reconsider.
If achieving something takes one step for tier 1 students; tier 3 ones need three.
My IITB friend secured direct admission to Cornell Aerospace via faculty reference, while others had to go through a $105 app fee, application review, and an interview.
The girl I helped with her resume two weeks ago heard back from a recruiter for the first today in her five-month job hunt🤌🏻🤌🏻
Yes, the market is terrible, companies are hiring just one instead of ten. So, ensure your resume/profile stands out.
It's been more than a year since I graduated with my BTech degree, yet I still feel regretful about not getting into an IIT. How long will this lingering feeling last? Will I ever overcome it?
Turned down my SDE job offers post my BTech in CS, thinking coding wasn't my thing; went for a master's in engineering management. Guess what? It's my coding skills that got me a job during the recession.
*No matter your stream, knowing how to code is always a plus.
Honestly, I never expected to code again after my BTech in CS and Cornell MEM. However, the job market demanded my CS skills above all others.
Moral: LEARN TO CODE, no matter your program or major.
To those saying he has no skills because he's with the same company, my uncle graduated from IITKGP, joined Oracle 24 years ago, and is still at Oracle in California. Many reasons exist for staying with the same company. It’s the job market that’s terrible rn.
“just write a check”, her life has "limited value"
Remember these words by a police officer in Seattle after Jaahnavi died? He faced NO charges due to lack of evidence.
Her death was senseless and deserved better justice:
Applying for master's programs can cost up to $1000 in fees.
I received full application fee waivers from all the universities I applied to: Stanford ($200), Cornell ($105), Duke, UIUC, and Dartmouth.
Here's what I did:
It's a private university with a ranking exceeding 500. With a total count of 1100, will someone outstanding still get noticed? Putting aside student-faculty relationships, is there any chance for exposure to diversity when over 70% are Indians?
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Tier-3 students can't get into Stanford, Harvard, or Ivys is just a myth.
The admission process is way better now and evaluates your whole profile rather than just your test scores—GRE, TORFL or undergrad university tier.
A thread🧵:
If you’ve lost your job in the US and wish to stay for a while without returning to your home country, consider looking into the H-4 EAD, B-2 visa, F-1 visa, or O-1 visa options.
A thread:
Being in your 20s can be hard and bewildering. Some people in their late 20s are still exploring various options, while some in their early 20s have settled into a career, savings, and support family. Understand that both paths are valid and admirable.
@aryan_raveshia
Reducing competition? Not at all. If you check my other tweets, I'm actively encouraging people to apply to top universities and sharing insights on landing high-paying jobs.
Remember the boom in tech hiring back in 2021 and 2022? LinkedIn was almost overflowing with people posting about their several job offers from FAANG. Everything’s changed in <2 years.
It's tough when you can't open up about feeling awful since it might sadden those around you. The Instagram life people showcase is rarely authentic, at least 90% of the time.
I've compiled guides, samples, and walkthroughs for Statements of Purpose (SoP), and Letters of Recommendation (LOR) from top US universities. If you're interested, comment your email, and I'll send it your way.
I reviewed over 100 resumes & SOPs, and assisted in choosing the right universities. I'm just sharing the current situation here, and if you choose to come, it's your decision. My Medium articles are a valuable resource to send great applications. Why the hate?
While still completing my undergrad, I applied for three jobs and was offered all three. Post an Ivy League master's degree, it took me 1200+ applications to get three job offers, haha.
The truth is, most job openings are taken internally or through referrals before they're even posted or within the first 3-4 days. Sadly, many people go after these positions for a few months, not realizing they're already taken.
Amid the challenging job market, student loan rates are also escalating significantly. Not everyone can return to India post-graduation with such massive debt, so choose the right loan.
Study Abroad Loans for Students🧵:
Gratitude to those who supported with statements and stats. Some seem to think I'm discouraging people from coming to the US to reduce competition – what's the misunderstanding? In the past 2-3 months, I've extensively shared advice on getting into Ivys or top 10 unis.
Experience is key to getting hired in the U.S., even for entry-level jobs.
Touch on your internships if you don't have proper full-time work experience. Bring your experience section to the top of your resume and let it occupy >35% of your resume.
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In grad school, you might make good bunch friends, but post graduation, everyone gets caught up in life. Sometimes, you're left wondering who to reach out to when your folks back home are asleep.
This year, I completed my master's at Cornell in two semesters (33 credits). Serving as a Teaching Assistant both times covered my expenses, and simultaneously applying to jobs resulted in securing 3 offers.
Here’s how I did it:
Every so often, I wish I hadn't been so disciplined during my school and college years: never skipped a class, no ragging, missed out on group nightouts, didn't stand outside the classroom; no point in thinking about it now. For those still in college, live it up, don't be me.
Unpopular take: Pick your target universities before starting GRE and TOEFL prep. Check the average scores of previously admitted students and set the target scores accordingly. It gives you a clear aim and keeps you driven.
To those planning for an MS abroad, aim for Teaching Assistant or Research roles right after receiving your admit instead of looking for other part-time jobs.
Having TA/RA ex adds weight to your resume and pays you a ton.
I tweet about tech, job search and MS abroad. But the urge to tweet in Telugu about Film Industry, memes, politics, and critics is real, my knowledge on these >>>>> tech, but less than 20% of my network gets it. Should I create another X account?
May 2023 and Dec 2023 graduates are on the job search. May 2024 graduates will match the combined count of the past 3 graduating semesters.
IMMIGRANTS IN THE US PURSUING MS OR ON THE JOB HUNT, THIS THREAD IS FOR YOU.
Please read and RT for others:
Working in restaurants and cafes off-campus for Master’s students abroad is a no-no. The pay is bad and you could end up deported if they catch you.
A thread on on-campus jobs for students abroad 🧵: