Ask HN: F1 student stuck in a CS-PhD program. How do I get a job?
I am asking HN hoping somebody might have gone through a similar situation or has some idea on how to deal with such situations.
Some background: I have a Masters in Software Engineering with a background in NLP and skill sets of a novice DevOps. I don't suppose the tag of university would matter that much except for getting an interview.
However, I have a huge student loan debt from an Indian student loan company because of my Masters. I need to keep sending money back home (~1.3k) to pay the EMIs or my family house will go through foreclosure. There's no one else earning any money in my family.
Here's the best plan I came up with so far: Use the summer to develop my github profile to showcase what I can do: using libraries like Torch or some RNN, small apps (pizza ordering, anyone?), tools and techniques used in DevOps (pseudo-HOWTOs), contribute to open source code etc. Apply for any and all companies and pray to get a job offer.
But what do I say to the company about my visa status? Or what do I do for a living in the US? Tell them that I can't do my PhD so please give me a job and sponsor my H1B?
On the gloomy side of things: am I screwed? like, I leave the program => F1 expires => go back to India => no money => family house is gone => I am screwed by the debt.
Thoughts/suggestions?
18 comments
[ 4.0 ms ] story [ 56.4 ms ] thread"If the student chooses to engage in pre-completion OPT, he or she may not work more than 20 hours per week while school is in session, but may work full-time during his or her annual vacation and other times when the school is not in session."
So I can't go on doing a job on pre-completion OPT forever.
I am not recommending F1-OPT forever obviously. But, it would buy you time until you find someone willing to sponsor and H1B. Things are much easier these days.
> start failing my PhD program because I just can't take it anymore?
I don't know how serious of issues you're having when you say "just can't take it anymore." If it's anything like what I experienced, it's not unusual. I wanted to quit really often (once per month?) for several years. And I actually did informally quit for a few months.
Sorry that I don't really have any advice. Just relaying my thoughts on "just can't take it anymore": every PhD student feels like that at some point.
This is going on for about a year now, and I am afraid that one day I will just break down and give it all up. I understand what you're saying and to an extent it helps to know others have gone through similar situations. I am just looking for options and possibilities in case I give up the PhD program.
Not so sure about CS PhDs specifically, but I know a few researchers (employed by the feds) that have "all but dissertation" on their CVs next to their PhD listing. Meaning they didn't finish but clearly they're employable.
So, from your question:
>Tell them that I can't do my PhD so please give me a job and sponsor my H1B?
You've likely accumulated a lot of accomplishments, are just as valuable as someone who has completed their PhD, and you're employable. Right?
Moreover, if I include living expenses, taxes, etc. it becomes nearly impossible to get this much high paying job in India (I might be wrong - been over 3 years since I was in India). Student loans really make you think twice before taking any risks in life.
Can you apply for a STEM extension now? That will keep you in the country and let you work for another 24 months. Try to get the highest paying job you can and then Aggressively save to pay off your student loan?
After that to continue staying in the country you'll have to get an H1-B. Having graduated from a US masters program you have slightly better chance in the MS cap but the odds may not be in your favour.
The safest option would be to plow through your PhD program. But you probably already knew that.
Quitting the program and getting a job might be a gamble, but weighing the risks is something you'll obviously have to figure out.
Unfortunately, I can not. I spoke with our international student advisor and it appears that I cannot get STEM extension. I need to be in post-OPT phase to get a STEM extension which I forfeited when I joined the PhD program. I can only get another post-completion OPT after I complete the PhD program.
I can get a pre-completion OPT, but as I quoted in another comment that is a limited option.
As each day passes by I am trying to digest the reality that I have to complete the PhD program. I am trying, but TBH I don't know how much I can force myself to do it. I am scared of my future, and I can't find a way out of this mess :'(
Try switching advisors or maybe even fields within your CS department. You might start something you like
I am currently thinking of taking a break and come back to the program with a fresh perspective. I have faith in future me, I just need to find him ;)
Start reaching out to and networking with senior executives from your country of origin. Linkedin advanced search is an excellent resource for this. Also, Google search for Indian entrepreneurs> https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/apr/11/powerful-...
It's enough to say at this juncture you believe it's best to suspend your academic track and start working professionally. Those individuals will likely be more understanding and sympathetic to your situation. And more inclined to deal H1-B sponsorship requirements.