Every year, thousands of Indians travel to the United States (US) and Canada for higher studies. Courses in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields and in management — particularly business analytics, finance and marketing — are most in demand. These disciplines equip graduates with analytical abilities and strategic thinking, which are essential for problem-solving and innovation.
These academic programmes emphasise hands-on learning through co-op programmes, research projects and internships. This approach equips students with real-world knowledge and skills that employers value.
Arvind Kumar from Chennai did an MTech in computer science from the University of Washington in Seattle, US. He secured an internship at an IT company where he worked with a team developing a machine learning model to improve customer recommendation systems for an e-commerce platform. This exposure helped him understand machine learning algorithms and data analytics. At the end of it he secure a job with the company.
Meera Thomas did multiple internships and projects at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, US, where she studied psychology. She was also excited by the options available. She says, “You can get into human resources, organisational development, rehabilitation, neuropsychology, forensic psychology and industrial psychology, and not be limited to clinical psychology or counselling.” Meera worked as an undergraduate research assistant on campus and later as a research coordinator at a physical health and neuroscience laboratory. “We tested the effects of exercise on mental abilities,” she adds. At present she works as a behaviour technician at the Ally Behavioural Centre in Washington, DC, in the US.
Meera could also transfer credits to her programme at UIUC, saving time and money. “I took chemistry, psychology and biology at the higher level and maths, English and French at the standard level in the IB Diploma programme at school. These subjects were geared towards psychology, and I transferred a year’s worth of credit and graduated in three years instead of four,” she explains.
Anjali Mehta earned a master’s degree in public health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, US. She also worked as a research associate for a year-and-a-half with the World Health Organization. She says, “Finding a job is challenging for international students even if they have interned in good places. I went through almost 50 interviews.” Anjali wants to pass on the advice her parents gave her to aspiring students: “Don’t be average. If you’re spending so much time, money, and effort moving far from home and family, you must strive to be the best.”
The prospect of securing a job after graduation is based on several factors like visa regulations and work permits, field of study, individual efforts and prevailing economic conditions.
In the US, international students can work for up to 12 months under the optional practical training programme, with STEM graduates eligible for a 24-month extension. In Canada, the post-graduation work permit allows students to work for up to three years. These work permits provide a critical period to gain work experience and transition into the job market.
Paresh Karia, CEO of Acquest Advisors, an immigration advisory firm in Mumbai, notes the increasing difficulty for international students to secure jobs in the US or Canada, suggesting proactive networking and flexibility. While their initial goal might be to work in the US or Canada, he advises students to keep an open mind about companies hiring them for roles in Europe and Australia and smaller companies and startups. “Once the job market improves, they can pursue their desired career path,” he says.
Pranav Gangwani of Mumbai pursued computer science with a minor in user design from Wilfrid Laurier University’s Waterloo Campus in Canada. Upon completing his programme, he launched a start-up providing software and marketing solutions for jewellers. Says Pranav, “In 2019, when I began my course, the starting salaries for developers ranged from Canadian $65,000 to 80,000 (about Rs 40 lakh to Rs 49 lakh). However, by the time we were graduating, the economy had taken a hit, leading to a slowdown in hiring.” He did not think the offers he got, which were significantly lower, were viable.
Says Karia, “Landing a job after completing an American degree is not easy these days, and students should not rely solely on college placements. Instead, they should engage with head-hunters, reach out to alumni on platforms like LinkedIn, and explore various avenues to create opportunities for themselves.”
Last updated on 11 Jun 2024
