After 18 years in the US, he left Mehta and returned to Bangalore. His reasons have nothing to do with money
For many engineering students, starting a career in Silicon Valley is the ultimate dream. A degree from a top university, a job at Microsoft or Meta, and life in the United States often represent the pinnacle of professional success.But for Balaji Gururajan, an engineering leader who spent nearly two decades working in the United States at some of the world’s largest technology companies, success ultimately meant something else.After 18 years abroad, he packed his family’s life into a few suitcases and returned to Bengaluru – not because he wanted a better job or a higher salary, but because he didn’t want to watch an important phase of his family’s life thousands of kilometers away.
“Close to aging parents and growing children”
sense of sharing Decisions on LinkedInBalaji wrote that he and his family recently moved back to Bengaluru after spending 18 years in the United States.“A month ago, my family and I packed up our belongings after 18 years in the United States and moved to Bangalore to be closer to aging parents, growing children, and a family life we didn’t want to watch from afar,” he wrote.His words resonated with thousands of professionals, especially Indians working abroad who often find themselves balancing career opportunities with family responsibilities.Balaji described the move as exciting, saying the California Bay Area has given him career opportunities, lifelong friendships and valuable experience in technology and leadership.“Thank you to everyone who gave me a chance, taught me something I needed to hear, or just made a tough time easier – thank you,” he wrote.
From NIT Tiruchirappalli to Meta
Balaji graduated in Instrumentation and Control Engineering from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli.Over the years, he has built an impressive career at some of the world’s leading technology companies.He started his career in India before moving to the United States to work at Microsoft on products such as Bing and retail technology. He later worked at LinkedIn for more than eight years, leading engineering teams building products for the LinkedIn advertising and enterprise platform.In 2022, he joined Meta to lead engineering teams working on advertising technology and business messaging systems used by millions of businesses around the world.For students dreaming of global careers, his resume represents years of continuous learning, technical excellence and leadership.
Success is not always measured by geography
Balaji admits that returning to India after nearly two decades has been an adjustment.In his words, finding a home, enrolling children in school and integrating into daily life were all “his own plans.”But he also described the transformation as “humbling” and “truly good.”Interestingly, instead of slowing down after the move, he put his experience to work building an AI-assisted project called Bhavitta, an app designed to help non-resident Indians (NRIs) with financial planning across countries, currencies and tax systems.The idea stemmed directly from the challenges he experienced while planning his return to India.His LinkedIn post sparked responses from hundreds of professionals who had made similar decisions, with many saying that returning home to spend time with their aging parents and bring their children closer to their families has become one of the most meaningful choices of their lives.
A lesson beyond engineering
For students preparing for engineering school, management courses or a career abroad, Balaji Gururajan’s story provides a perspective that is rarely discussed during the career season.Global careers can provide extraordinary opportunities for learning, innovation and growth. But life decisions are not always guided by promotions, paychecks or prestigious positions.Sometimes, success is being there when your parents need you. Sometimes it’s about making sure your children grow up with their grandparents. Sometimes, after spending years building a successful career overseas, returning home becomes the next big milestone.Balaji’s journey reminds us that while careers can take people across continents, the definition of success evolves over time. This may be the most valuable lesson for today’s students—it’s important to build a successful career, but it’s equally important to build a meaningful life.Disclaimer: This article is based on information Balaji Gururajan has shared publicly on LinkedIn and details provided in his public professional profile. It is for educational and informational purposes only.
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