150,000 Indian Masters Graduates in US Face Significant Job Market Hurdles

More than 150,000 Indian Masters students graduating in the United States this year are likely to struggle finding employment, according to a recent social media post by tech influencer Deedy. This challenging outlook comes as the number of Indian students pursuing Masters degrees in the US has tripled over the past five years, reaching approximately 300,000 current students. The confluence of a constrained job market and evolving visa policies is creating unprecedented difficulties for this demographic.

Indian Masters students now constitute 81% of all Indian students and nearly 30% of all international students in the US, a significant increase from a decade ago. This surge is partly attributed to companies in India that have emerged to facilitate the process for students seeking higher education abroad. With master's programs typically lasting one to two years, a large cohort is now entering a job market that is proving less accommodating than in previous years.

A major factor contributing to the job scarcity is the concentration of students in Computer Science and Engineering, with approximately 70% pursuing these fields. However, the tech sector, which traditionally absorbed many of these graduates, has not fully recovered from recent hiring slowdowns. New graduates with limited experience are particularly affected, as Deedy stated, > "there are simply not enough tech jobs to meet this demand."

The visa landscape has become increasingly difficult, with proposed changes such as wage-based H-1B visas potentially reducing eligible positions. Additionally, the four-year F-1 cap and changes to Day 1 CPT mean students may not be able to remain in the US beyond their three years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) without securing an H-1B through the lottery. Deedy highlighted that > "Visas are harder than ever before," with credible rumors suggesting further tightening under the current administration.

Historically, pursuing a Masters in the US has been a reliable route for upward financial mobility for many Indians, but this path is now fraught with uncertainty. Many students fund their education through substantial loans, adding immense pressure to secure employment quickly. This situation has led to concerns about financial distress and mental health challenges among the student population, as the dream of a US career becomes increasingly elusive for a significant number.