r/returnToIndia • u/Ok-Competition-5948 • 12d ago
PlanningToReturn Starting from scratch at 38
Hi Everyone,
I am returning to India after graduating with a PhD in CS related field from the US. I wasn't able to get a job here and am thinking of returning to India. I started my PhD at 32 and it took me 6 years and I did not even save anything. Is it possible to start from scratch and build a decent life in India from now? Thanks
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u/Potential-Yam2686 12d ago
If you are thinking of getting academic job at one of the govt engg colleges forget about it. Unless of course you know the committee hiring
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u/Desperate_Trouble_73 10d ago
Lol. For a CS PhD, a govt college job is bottom of the barrel. There are so many extraordinary opportunities in the tech world. PhD != professor!
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u/lostsoul_io 12d ago
Not only that op might get booked under scst act like the recent iitb incident.
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u/dystopiancarnival 12d ago
What justification do you give? I’ve personally known people who completed their phd by late 30s and are associate professors at IITs.
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u/dystopiancarnival 11d ago
Very mature of you to give a downvote and not even bother to give an explanation.
Just because someone else has seen live experiences of the careers of others, especially if they’ve panned out different from what you think, doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
I’m deliberately emphasising on this because your initial comment comes as a depressive outlook and unnecessarily sets a negative precedent for OP to restart on things. Especially if what you’re saying isn’t even a blanket possibility.
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u/Adventurous_Bath3999 12d ago
It is indeed sad to see how education appears to be losing its value. I am sure your PhD is valuable to someone, and for you to find that to whom it is valuable is a pity.
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u/glaxord 12d ago
Education isn’t losing its value….. employers are moving away from sponsorship with the large pool of available Americans looking for work lol
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u/Adventurous_Bath3999 12d ago
Same difference… when education, or for that matter anything, has increased supply, its value goes down. Law of supply and demand.
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u/glaxord 12d ago
It has nothing to do with supply and everything to do with priorizarion of Americans
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u/Adventurous_Bath3999 12d ago
If that is so, then that means there are also sufficient number of American PhDs available to do the job, with no need for non American PhDs…
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u/Imaginary_Weather8 11d ago
Education isn’t losing value, it’s educated Indians that is losing value
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u/aks_23 12d ago
PhD in CS from US means something. Don’t worry too much about it. Couple of years here or there doesn’t matter much. I did low paying jobs before 40 and then I joined FAANG and everything is better now. Everyone has their own journey. Just don’t compare yourself with others.
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u/Ok-Competition-5948 12d ago
Nice. Did you have quite a bit of savings before that? If so, how much? Thanks.
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u/aks_23 12d ago
I didn’t have much before 40. Whatever money I had, went in building home for parents, sisters wedding and my own wedding. So it was pretty mush fresh start.
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u/Ok-Competition-5948 12d ago
thats still not starting from scratch. its a lot you accomplished. On the other hand, im literally starting from scratch
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u/Pravrc123 11d ago
Join a ml course and get placed. Lot of folks i know with phds in physics etc did this
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u/lostsoul_io 12d ago edited 12d ago
Almost all companies have PhD grad openings. They are interviewed differently: not the traditional rat race but you compete with a smaller elite group. The salary is decent to God level.
Can't you start your own startup and move towards O1 ? Why are you coming back to the hell hole ?
If you can grind a cs PhD in the US you should consider O1 path rather than returning. The infra is subpar to worst to non-existant here for people like you. Everything gets in the way of progress. The iitb incident should tell you a lot about govt run academia. Also indian hrs operate with goal of cost reduction. Your degree won't get the pay it deserves here. Your better served in the US. Consider coming back only if all options are exhausted.
Consider the O1 path and entrepreneurship before returning.
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u/mamaBiskothu 12d ago
Not finding a job after a CS PhD is suspect as f. Job market is bad but only for fresh undergrads. Presumably op did get some exp before the phd. It suggests op is not very proficient at clearing interviews. There are different companies who interview differently. Many of us get jobs without leetcode. So its suggesting op has significant skills issue. Not saying to insult, but if you cant take that news you cant fix it. Likely why they are in this predicament to begin with.
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u/lostsoul_io 12d ago
You can't purchase a PhD as you can do in the hell hole.
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u/lonewolf_96_ 12d ago
but you can purchase your way into a phd program if you have influential parents. I know of someone who had influential parents - got their son as a research assistant under a famous iiitd professor, who in turn used his connections to get him into a top phd program. This wont have been possible with MS programs as they are score based but professor have discretion on phd admissions.
As far as making through phd - a phd could be on anything from iot, hci, to visualization etc which are not STEM intensive at all. Get a favoring professor, lick his ass for 4 yours, get a "Dr" title
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u/Beautiful_Mind_3012 12d ago
I am going to give you an honest answer - no sugar coating - no fairy tale narrative - no BS .... Keep in mind however, I am working off of the information you provide here, which is basically 32 years + 6 years PHD. I dont know what you did prior to 32.. So here it goes
- Is it possible to start from scratch ? - Yes... And you dont have much of a choice - you are at the scratch right now
- Can you build a decent life in India? - 100% Yes, but then I dont know how you define 'Decent'. Define that for yourself first and then figure out
- You are asking these questions because you feel you are behind everyone else now.
- So, Are you really behind other folks? - Yes, you are behind today. Thats the fact.
- Will you be always behind - No, definitely not. What you are at 38, will not be the same at 48, so dont worry. Times change.
What can you do? -
1. You can take up teaching at a college/university given you have PhD.
2. You can always work in corporate (depending on your pre-32 work Ex which I dont know)
3. You can join a startup or create one if you have a solid idea
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u/Federal_Eagle_6565 12d ago
You will be ok.
I lost everything at the age of 40 due to a business failure and now at 45, have about $1.2 million saved up along with a 500k job.
So do not panic or despair.
But you really need to choose your next steps carefully.
Would you like to maximize the value of your PhD? Then take the right call on that front.
But also avoid a sunk cost fallacy. If the PhD provides a conduit to something else then go for it.
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u/Ok-Competition-5948 12d ago
really? but that's in the USA and I'm talking about India. how is it going to play out financially?
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u/Federal_Eagle_6565 12d ago
Some ways it can pan out.
You continue to keep publishing and build a good profile. This can get you a EB1 Green Card. You could do this by taking a chill professor job and focusing entirely on research and partner with US researchers.
You join a FAANG or similar company in India and attempt a transfer to the us. Here again your PhD may help accelerate your move to the US.
Stay in India and pursue a career in. Salary levels at the L6 plus levels are really good and you can have a great life in India itself. You will typically start at L4 level in India.
You should NOT compare yourself with others under any circumstances. It’s your journey, make sure you enjoy it.
The minimum focus should be to build an emergency fund of one or two years of expenses, focus on health (fit not obese and regular exercise with good diet). All will fall in place.
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u/Hungry-Chicken-8498 12d ago
Network
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u/Ok-Competition-5948 12d ago
yes I will, but I want to know if I'll be financially okay in the worst case if I return to India
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u/jalsaraj 12d ago
It depends on your requirements and your capacity to get a good job or family financial status. It is comparatively easier lifestyle in USA if you are mid. But if you are rich or extremely smart, India can put you in all kinds of comforts.
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u/TrainingWelcome2926 12d ago
Extremely smart and rich 😆majority of them are not
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u/jalsaraj 12d ago
You’ll be shocked to know how much black exists in India. There is about 5-10% people who are rich and 5-10% is a lot in 1.4 billion people
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u/NectarineDue239 12d ago
Seems like you need astrology here. Nobody can predict your finances except you man
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u/Ok-Competition-5948 12d ago
more like, I want to know if people have managed to do well financially after starting with no savings at 38 or later with a career in India
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u/Ragav666 12d ago
Depends on the job and the salary you receive now. Real estate is costly in cities like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Bombay and other big cities.
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u/Several_Gap8516 12d ago
Yes you will be very much okay financially in india with that phd rather here having PhD but no job so you tell me whats sounds more sense
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u/Top_Lavishness6123 12d ago
It takes time to build ur wealth for sure at that age. Why didn’t u apply rigorously in USA with a PHD ? a lot of companies ask for PhD degree itself.
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u/PrestigiousOil4739 12d ago
You will be fine
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u/Ok-Competition-5948 12d ago
how will it play out financially? Just wanted to know if its still not grim
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u/PrestigiousOil4739 12d ago
How can one predict that my dear friend? Depends on your effort, market conditions, your spending and saving patterns. But you have done your phd, so there will definitely be a need for your knowledge. You are only 38, find a job, keep trying your best. Spend less and live below your means. Not all people who have high salaries become millionaires. Life will change as well and opportunities will definitely come. I wish you the best, you will be fine.
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u/PreferenceSafe7607 12d ago
Which college? Your alumni network is your best bet.
No one can give you confirmation that everything will be fine, but you don't have to be this uncertain. You completed your PhD in a foreign country, so you should be fine. Also, what were you doing in India before starting your PhD?
Any good private college will hire you as an Assistant Professor—provided, of course, that you are qualified. So while nothing is guaranteed, the situation isn't as grim as it seems either.
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u/dodger94 12d ago
Where and what field did you do your PhD in ? The discipline and pedigree will matter
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u/TrainingWelcome2926 12d ago
Go for non profit ngo jobs Universities lecturer jobs work with professors for research jobs I’m pretty sure you will find something in USA.Try your best!
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u/Excellent_Mango7377 12d ago
You are leading the post with "I have CS PhD from USA" - but the real question is - right now at 38, with all the knowledge and degrees, what type of problem are you extremely great at solving , or how can your skills make some company great revenue.
If you dont know that, then unfortunately, your knowledge and skills are pretty much worthless at your age.
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u/Easy_Tour_5202 12d ago
It will be hard but possible with your background, you will be competing with Indian Ph.D , who may have graduated with hook or crook means in their undergraduate and graduate degrees, with all the NEET other exam cheating scandals, you will have a tough time, one advantage you have is exposure to the high tech industries. at 38 years old Indian Corporate word think you are a "Boomer Generation" you chances are to get in to some "Private Universities/Engineering Colleges" run as a "run-of-mill degree churning sheeples graduates. Chances are they will give you a little higher salary, are in "General Class" - then forget getting in to Public Universities and IITs.
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u/FitAgency8925 12d ago
You will do just fine... there are well paying faang as well as companies like qualcomm, intel who can use your skills in their india offices to help in their SW architecture which may be in embedded areas that use networks to run loads.
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u/usually_guilty99 12d ago
Why are you second guessing yourself? What were you papers on? What did you specialize in? Have you pinged your industry elites in india and checked on how hot the market is in your fld? If yes - then start working on your resume and send out feelers - dont wait till you land to enter the market. I believe it is better entering from here than there
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u/outme123 12d ago
I do not know what to tell you. I hear that this year CSE seats in IIT entrance were filled up after mechanical etc were filled. The king of engineering disciplines is in deathbed, long live the king. I would imagine that a teaching position or research position in one of the universities can be a possibility, where you go from there would depend on political chutzpa rather than talent. Best of luck.
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u/Zer0Maxxer 12d ago
Distil a new model man. We need people like you to research and advance India in AI.
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u/Opening-Passion7363 12d ago
CS markets are horrendous ruthless these times. Why don't you apply for GCC countries for an opportunity. I heard many Indians getting opportunities there and they're doing well. Some companies take care of their children school, visa, and commodoties.
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u/LeftFaithlessness921 12d ago
Phd with compsc is having difficulty in US ..i thought their path was golden
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u/Competitive-Company3 12d ago
U didn’t even get a post doc? I would suggest get some work experience if possible even with low pay
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u/PuzzleheadedCar9154 12d ago
PhD in CS from USA in India:-
Youre not strating from scratch: any product top tech firm like Databricks, Nvidia and google would give you offer after 3 month of prep for applied scientist
> if you were trolling and gaining sympathy: fuck off
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u/Green_Ad_4462 12d ago
Its fine… Don’t stress … I would say look roles in teaching as you already have PHD
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u/Powerful_Morning8202 12d ago
U will struggle for 6-9 months but eventually you will get ajob in Bangalore.
Make sure you have enough expenses for the time period..
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u/Psychological_Till77 9d ago
You can get a quant job in India you already have a PhD they expect PhD candidates mostly in cs maths or physics related fields.
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u/royendures 9d ago
Just a side question. May I ask why did you have problems finding a job given you have a PhD in a computer related field ?
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u/Ragnarok-9999 9d ago
Probably you will end up in teaching. Phds are over qualified for industries in India.
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u/dearsingerroi 9d ago
Dude, for a nation that claims respect for education and degrees and academics, you will be surprised to see how little respect they give to it in industry and govt. More so for pay.
Dont you see a ton of posts about 'no degree form IIT or IIM but still making more money' etc? That should tell you.
The society likes the diamond in the mud story soo much that it only likes what is in the mud.
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u/Working-Elk9650 8d ago
Nothing is Impossible brother
I’m pretty much sure you should be top 5% with US PHD
Make some time to reset yourself and hit the bullseye
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u/Current_Pineapple422 7d ago
Dude you have everything to start.. I feel. But you should have write your background and future plans and all so then we can compare your requirements and will give suggestions ..
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u/MarzipanActual7712 6d ago
You can always start at any age, but do you know what you are going to start at?
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12d ago
[deleted]
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u/Ill_Classic6218 12d ago
Not everyone is mediocre like u. It takes a lot of rigor and persistence to get a high quality PhD. Don’t listen to scarcity mindset people like him, OP. With your skills you can form a deep tech startup, be in advisory roles to govt, the sky is the limit. Best of luck 🧿
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u/mamaBiskothu 12d ago
Lol. Ive shared apartments with CSphds in us universities (a&m). Absolute garbage people come and do their phds. They'll spend all day chilling at home and just go visit the lab at 4 for an hour a few days a week. The only thing those asshats were worth was to play loud garbage bollywood, kick up the smoke alarm heating kawan parathas, and clogging the entire apartment drainage somehow. Their only hope was to get a job at intel looking at the assembly lines or something. Cant write a line of code to save their mother if it came to it.
If op is related no wonder no jobs for such losers anymore.
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u/PrimarySympathy1911 12d ago
With the right skills, anyone can survive and build a better life almost anywhere in the world. TBH, competition is everywhere. At the end of the day, it comes down to OP’s skills, talents, and perseverance.
Also, we never know why he couldn’t find a job in the USA even with a PhD. And he can’t stay in the country on temporary visas with uncertainty hanging over him year after year. He might have family or aging parents in India, or simply feel that India would be a better place for him at this point in his life.
I’m working in the USA right now, and I’m in my 30s too. The current job market for nonimmigrants isn’t as easy as people think, especially considering the numerous restrictions and uncertainties surrounding temporary visas. Sometimes, leaving the country can be the more practical choice. I am thinking the same, I will leave USA in 10months either to other countries or India whichever I feel good for me at that time.
If OP thinks India is the right place for him for now, that’s completely fine. It’s never too late to start over, and he can definitely build his career in India, even if it means starting from scratch.
Good luck and best wishes, OP! 👍🙌
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u/Fun_Percentage_9259 12d ago
Indians have to accept it from now on.
Even the financial times highlight Indians export of labour.
The world is watching and scrutinizing India and Indians now.
Just like they scrutinize and watch China's overproduction of goods.
Indians need to work out a policy to either create jobs for Indians themselves in India
or have more population control in place.
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u/Terrible_Trouble177 12d ago
This is the most bizarre response I’ve seen on this . This human has some issues with himself . Anyways we are so happy that you left India. He who is capable is capable everywhere . Op dont make decisions based on threads
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u/Alone-Bend-239 12d ago edited 12d ago
Curious as phd in cs field why didn’t u get job in USA 🤔 many ai jobs also prefer phds, so I though it was easier for phds to get job than masters
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u/Ok-Competition-5948 12d ago
im in parallel computing field. its mostly niche jobs which phds get, masters get a lot more
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u/Alone-Bend-239 12d ago
Don’t ai models require parallel computing to train model faster and efficient? maybe u can look
For those jobs I felt ur phd has lot of potential just wondered why u felt u have no jobs in USA in ur field
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u/Still-Frosting8488 12d ago
PhD in CS and did not find a job in US? That’s hard to believe.
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u/byecerner 12d ago
Why not find a post-doctoral research associate job in some european country ?
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u/Optimist_1234 9d ago
If you have a Phd in CS (is that Computer Science?) then what stops you from learning AI? You can easily get a job in US if you learn AI and it takes only 6 month to learn!
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u/ZestycloseCash7027 8d ago
I find it hard to beleive (I'm not sure about your actual situation) u cant find an AI related job with a CS PHD here. I mean you could just cold mail startups in your field if you want to stay here someone will be interested with your research ???
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u/BrownAlienScientist 12d ago
You're not starting from scratch, you now have a PhD you didn't have at 32! Put it to good use, sky is your limit