Indian engineer left Rs 9 LPA job offer for Masters in US and now makes ends meet with part-time jobs and burdened with education loans
A friend of a software engineer turned down an on-campus placement of Rs 9 lakh per annum (LPA) to pursue a master’s degree in the US, sparking discussions on social media with many users debating whether the promise of overseas education still outweighed the certainty of job opportunities.The article, shared on X by a user named Vikas, narrates the journey of a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) graduate in Computer Science who chose to pursue higher studies abroad instead of interning at Tech Mahindra.According to Vikas, his friend graduated in 2023 and got a campus internship with Tech Mahindra with an LPA package of Rs 9.“One of my B.Tech friends graduated in Computer Science in 2023. During his campus internship, he got a 9 LPA package from Tech Mahindra but he didn’t take the job because everyone was going to the US for master’s degree, so he went too,” he wrote.This friend moved to the United States in August 2023 and completed his master’s degree in December 2024. However, the transition from college to employment is more difficult than expected.“He has been unable to find a job since. Every time he applies, he encounters some issue, either with visa sponsorship, preference for local candidates, or other issues,” the post reads.
Debt, uncertainty and the pressure to succeed
Vikas said the friend’s father had been repaying an education loan of Rs 40 lakh, but the situation became more complicated after he lost his job.“Now, he earns money through part-time jobs every day without proper opportunities to improve his skills and recently told me that he was considering returning to India. But then he started to reconsider because he was worried that his family and society would consider him a loser and there was a loan burden,” he wrote.Vikas concluded: “Sometimes, the American dream is not the life or the colorful picture that social media shows. There are many people who suffer in silence and go through depression.”
The Internet reflects a changing reality
The post prompted many users to discuss the current employment prospects for international graduates.One user wrote, “Cruel but now common story. US Masters plus heavy debt compared to Indian offer. Visa reality is hitting hard. Weigh the risks early.”Another person said the decision was influenced by the fear of missing out, writing: “He walked away from an offer of 9 LPA due to FOMO and now he makes ends meet by working part-time. Social media only showcases success stories. “Others argued that the article reflected the broader dilemma faced by many students, in which the desire for an international education is increasingly intertwined with visa restrictions, education debt and an uncertain global job market.
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