A software engineer’s account of a friend who declined a ₹9 lakh per annum (LPA) campus placement to pursue a Master’s degree in the United States has sparked discussion on social media, with many users debating whether the promise of overseas education still outweighs the certainty of a job offer.Shared on X by a user named Vikas, the post follows the journey of a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) graduate in Computer Science who chose higher studies abroad over a placement at Tech Mahindra.According to Vikas, his friend graduated in 2023 and secured a campus placement at Tech Mahindra with a ₹9 LPA package.“There is one B.Tech friend of mine who graduated in Computer Science in 2023. During campus placements, he got placed at Tech Mahindra with a 9 LPA package, but he didn’t take the offer because everyone was moving to the US for a Master’s, so he went as well,” he wrote.The friend moved to the United States in August 2023 and completed his Master’s degree by December 2024. However, the transition from university to employment proved more difficult than expected.“Since then, he hasn’t been able to get a job. Every time he applies, some issue comes up, either visa sponsorship, preference for local candidates, or something else,” the post said.
Debt, uncertainty and the pressure to succeed
The situation, according to Vikas, became more complicated after the friend’s father, who had been repaying a ₹40 lakh education loan, lost his job.“Now, he earns through part-time work every day, has no proper opportunity to upskill, and recently told me that he is thinking of coming back to India. But then he starts rethinking because he fears his family and society will see him as a failure, along with the burden of the loan,” he wrote.Vikas concluded by saying, “Sometimes, the US dream is not the life or the colourful picture that social media shows. There are many people who suffer silently and go through depression.”
Internet reflects on changing realities
The post prompted many users to discuss the current employment landscape for international graduates.One user wrote, “Brutal but common story now. US Master’s plus heavy debt versus Indian offers. Visa reality is hitting hard. Weigh the risks early.”Another suggested that the decision was influenced by fear of missing out, writing, “He left a 9 LPA offer because of FOMO and today he is surviving on part-time work. Social media only showed the success stories.”Several others argued that the post reflected a broader dilemma facing many students, where aspirations for international education increasingly intersect with visa restrictions, education debt, and an uncertain global job market.
