u/Stock-Development605

Hi all, I'd like some perspective on something that's been eating at me.

Most of my friends have very clean career paths. They worked three years at one company, then left for a Master's, and now they have a tidy story: Company → Master's → Job.

Mine doesn't look like that and the comparison is getting to me.

Here's what happened. I worked at a large company for about three years. I applied for my Master's, but because of timing and circumstances, I couldn't get my visa that year, so I left the job. I then joined a startup in a slightly different role. I applied for my Master's again, but this time I had a medical injury that derailed things, and I ended up moving to a medium-sized German-based company in India. It's smaller than my first employer, but still a solid place.

So on paper, I have three companies in 5 years, across related but different industries, with different roles. None of it was random. Each move had a reason. But a resume doesn't show the reasons, just the jumps.

I still want to do a Master's. My worry is that when I come out and start job hunting, recruiters will see a scattered path instead of a clean, linear one.

My question is...Has anyone been in a similar spot, with a zigzag career and then a Master's? Do recruiters actually care about this, or is it mostly in my head?

Any honest perspective would help.

Thanks!

my_qualifications

Hi

my_qualifications:

- 3 years of work experience as a product engineer and 1 year as an asst. product manager and currently between jobs
- MS in Engineering Management, Fall '26 intake
- Visa was approved yesterday, waiting on my passport
- This is a deferred admit from last year. I couldn't get a visa appointment in time then
- University allows me to arrive by end of this month

The thing holding me back is the CPT pause. My university has said they are working on it, either adjusting the curriculum or the wording so the co-op qualifies but there is no confirmed outcome yet. If CPT does not come back in time, the entire plan rests on OPT alone and that feels like a big gamble for the money involved.

The program itself is not academically heavy, which I see is as more room to upskill, network and actually convert something into a full time role. But that whole strategy assumes work authorization during the program. Take CPT out and the value proposition changes a lot.

The alternative is staying in India and finding a job. I have been getting screening calls but nothing has converted to interviews yet, so I have no offer to weigh this against. Staying back means betting on a market that has not given me a signal either way.

I have very little time to decide, can anyone please advice what's the best thing to do here?

TIA

I’m an Indian mechanical engineer (4 yrs exp), admitted to a Master’s in Engineering Management at Tufts (Boston) and the MME TIME program at RWTH Aachen (Germany). Stuck between them.

Fees

\- Tufts: approx ₹61L (co-op + campus work can offset some)
\- RWTH: approx. ₹29L + ₹12L blocked account.
This is the fee-based RWTH program, not the free public one.

Jobs / staying

\- US: higher salaries, but H-1B is a lottery and just got a new $100k employer fee. Harder to get sponsored as a fresher.

\- Germany: rule-based Blue Card + 18-month job-seek visa, and it opens up the rest of Europe. But the real job market wants German (B1-C1), which I’d need \~a year to reach while also job-hunting.

Other stuff

\- German bureaucracy is supposedly a headache
\- US is far from home; Germany’s only 3.5 hrs off India time

I don’t want to over-calculate this. At this stage, which is the better bet? If you were me, what would you do?

I’m considering the MBA in Creative Industries at IIM Mumbai in collaboration with Whistling Woods International and I’m trying to understand whether the programme makes financial and career sense.

The programme fee is around ₹21 lakh for 2 years, and since there’s no hostel accommodation, I’d also have to factor in living expenses in/around Powai... rent, food, transport, etc. I estimate the total direct cost could end up around ₹32–35 lakh over two years.

My biggest concern is ROI.

Since this is a new programme, there doesn’t seem to be much historical placement data specifically for this MBA.

I’m therefore trying to understand...
-. What kind of starting salaries can realistically be expected after this programme?

- Does an IIM Mumbai + WWI combination carry enough weight in the media/entertainment industry to justify the cost?

Finally, how would you personally evaluate the ROI if the total two-year economic cost comes to roughly ₹45–50 lakh including opportunity cost?

I’m not necessarily looking for the highest-paying corporate career. I’m genuinely interested in moving into the creative industry, but I also don’t want to make a ₹32L decision based purely on passion without understanding the financial implications.

Would love to hear from current students, alumni, people in the media/entertainment industry, or anyone who has seriously researched this programme.

Hey, looking for honest opinions on the MME TIME program at RWTH Aachen Business School. It’s essentially a technology/engineering management master’s degree.

my_qualifications: I’m a mechanical engineer with about 3.5 years of experience in R&D and product engineering. The total tuition is around €26,950 (~Rs. 29 lakhs) for the 18 month program.

Is it worth it for someone with my background? Would love to hear from anyone who’s done it or knows someone who has.

Hey, looking for honest opinions on the MME TIME program at RWTH Aachen. It’s essentially a technology/engineering management master’s degree.

A bit about me: I’m an Indian mechanical engineer with about 3.5 years of experience in R&D and product engineering. The total tuition is around €26,950 (~Rs. 29 lakhs) for the 18 month program.

Is it worth it for International students? Would love to hear from anyone who’s done it or knows someone who has.

University Programs - University reviews

Hey, looking for honest opinions on the MME TIME program at RWTH Aachen. It’s essentially a technology/engineering management master’s degree.

A bit about me: I’m an Indian mechanical engineer with about 3.5 years of experience in R&D and product engineering. The total tuition is around €26,950 (~Rs. 29 lakhs) for the 18 month program.

Is it worth it for International students? Would love to hear from anyone who’s done it or knows someone who has.

I could really use some perspective because I’ve been sitting with this for the last couple of days.
My ex and I dated for a few months. We got very close very quickly and it was one of the deepest connections I’ve had.

When we broke up, she told me she wasn’t emotionally available, wasn’t over her ex and was about to move abroad. She said she didn’t want to cultivate hope or lead me on when she couldn’t fully be in the relationship.

I accepted it at the time, but I never completely believed those were the only reasons. A part of me always wondered if there was something about us that wasn’t working and whether things could’ve been different if the timing had been different.
Almost a year later, I reached out one last time. Not to argue or convince her, but to ask if there was any chance she’d ever want to try again now that life was different for both of us.

She said no.

She told me she no longer has romantic feelings for me and that over time she came to realise we weren’t the right fit. She also said it wasn’t about waiting for her life to settle anymore because she’s in a much better place now and still feels the same way.

Since she was being so honest, I asked if she’d be okay answering a few questions so I could finally understand what happened.

She told me that in the beginning she actually felt the same way I did. But over time, our dynamic changed.

She said she felt my expressions of love became too intense for where she was emotionally. She clarified that she actually loves the same way I do, just much later into a relationship. So it wasn’t that loving deeply was the problem. It was the pace.

She also told me she felt I was really anxious. She said it felt like my expressions of love were starting to come from that anxiety. She understood why I felt that way and tried to be patient with it, but she felt it persisted and maybe even increased. At the same time she had a lot going on in her own life and couldn’t keep up.

She even admitted she probably could’ve communicated some of this better while we were together. She was honestly incredibly kind throughout the conversation ans never blamed me or insulted me. She just answered every question I had.

Now I’m left wondering how much my anxiety actually changed the relationship.

I’m not looking for ways to get her back. I respect her decision and this was our final conversation.
I’m just trying to understand and grow.

**Has anyone here been in a similar situation? Either as the anxious partner or as the other person?**

**How did you stop blaming yourself while still taking responsibility for the parts you needed to work on?**

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similar.

I could really use some perspective because I’ve been sitting with this for the last couple of days.
My ex and I dated for a few months. We got very close very quickly and it was one of the deepest connections I’ve had.

When we broke up, she told me she wasn’t emotionally available, wasn’t over her ex and was about to move abroad. She said she didn’t want to cultivate hope or lead me on when she couldn’t fully be in the relationship.

I accepted it at the time, but I never completely believed those were the only reasons. A part of me always wondered if there was something about us that wasn’t working and whether things could’ve been different if the timing had been different.
Almost a year later, I reached out one last time. Not to argue or convince her, but to ask if there was any chance she’d ever want to try again now that life was different for both of us.

She said no.

She told me she no longer has romantic feelings for me and that over time she came to realise we weren’t the right fit. She also said it wasn’t about waiting for her life to settle anymore because she’s in a much better place now and still feels the same way.

Since she was being so honest, I asked if she’d be okay answering a few questions so I could finally understand what happened.

She told me that in the beginning she actually felt the same way I did. But over time, our dynamic changed.

She said she felt my expressions of love became too intense for where she was emotionally. She clarified that she actually loves the same way I do, just much later into a relationship. So it wasn’t that loving deeply was the problem. It was the pace.

She also told me she felt I was really anxious. She said it felt like my expressions of love were starting to come from that anxiety. She understood why I felt that way and tried to be patient with it, but she felt it persisted and maybe even increased. At the same time she had a lot going on in her own life and couldn’t keep up.

She even admitted she probably could’ve communicated some of this better while we were together. She was honestly incredibly kind throughout the conversation ans never blamed me or insulted me. She just answered every question I had.

Now I’m left wondering how much my anxiety actually changed the relationship.

I’m not looking for ways to get her back. I respect her decision and this was our final conversation.
I’m just trying to understand and grow.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation? Either as the anxious partner or as the other person?

How did you stop blaming yourself while still taking responsibility for the parts you needed to work on?

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similar.

I could really use some perspective because I’ve been sitting with this for the last couple of days.
My ex and I dated for a few months. We got very close very quickly and it was one of the deepest connections I’ve had.

When we broke up, she told me she wasn’t emotionally available, wasn’t over her ex and was about to move abroad. She said she didn’t want to cultivate hope or lead me on when she couldn’t fully be in the relationship.

I accepted it at the time, but I never completely believed those were the only reasons. A part of me always wondered if there was something about us that wasn’t working and whether things could’ve been different if the timing had been different.
Almost a year later, I reached out one last time. Not to argue or convince her, but to ask if there was any chance she’d ever want to try again now that life was different for both of us.

She said no.

She told me she no longer has romantic feelings for me and that over time she came to realise we weren’t the right fit. She also said it wasn’t about waiting for her life to settle anymore because she’s in a much better place now and still feels the same way.

Since she was being so honest, I asked if she’d be okay answering a few questions so I could finally understand what happened.

She told me that in the beginning she actually felt the same way I did. But over time, our dynamic changed.

She said she felt my expressions of love became too intense for where she was emotionally. She clarified that she actually loves the same way I do, just much later into a relationship. So it wasn’t that loving deeply was the problem. It was the pace.

She also told me she felt I was really anxious. She said it felt like my expressions of love were starting to come from that anxiety. She understood why I felt that way and tried to be patient with it, but she felt it persisted and maybe even increased. At the same time she had a lot going on in her own life and couldn’t keep up.

She even admitted she probably could’ve communicated some of this better while we were together. She was honestly incredibly kind throughout the conversation ans never blamed me or insulted me. She just answered every question I had.

Now I’m left wondering how much my anxiety actually changed the relationship.

I’m not looking for ways to get her back. I respect her decision and this was our final conversation.
I’m just trying to understand and grow.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation? Either as the anxious partner or as the other person?

How did you stop blaming yourself while still taking responsibility for the parts you needed to work on?

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similar.

I could really use some perspective because I’ve been sitting with this for the last couple of days.
My ex and I dated for a few months. We got very close very quickly and it was one of the deepest connections I’ve had.

When we broke up, she told me she wasn’t emotionally available, wasn’t over her ex and was about to move abroad. She said she didn’t want to cultivate hope or lead me on when she couldn’t fully be in the relationship.

I accepted it at the time, but I never completely believed those were the only reasons. A part of me always wondered if there was something about us that wasn’t working and whether things could’ve been different if the timing had been different.
Almost a year later, I reached out one last time. Not to argue or convince her, but to ask if there was any chance she’d ever want to try again now that life was different for both of us.

She said no.

She told me she no longer has romantic feelings for me and that over time she came to realise we weren’t the right fit. She also said it wasn’t about waiting for her life to settle anymore because she’s in a much better place now and still feels the same way.

Since she was being so honest, I asked if she’d be okay answering a few questions so I could finally understand what happened.

She told me that in the beginning she actually felt the same way I did. But over time, our dynamic changed.

She said she felt my expressions of love became too intense for where she was emotionally. She clarified that she actually loves the same way I do, just much later into a relationship. So it wasn’t that loving deeply was the problem. It was the pace.

She also told me she felt I was really anxious. She said it felt like my expressions of love were starting to come from that anxiety. She understood why I felt that way and tried to be patient with it, but she felt it persisted and maybe even increased. At the same time she had a lot going on in her own life and couldn’t keep up.

She even admitted she probably could’ve communicated some of this better while we were together. She was honestly incredibly kind throughout the conversation ans never blamed me or insulted me. She just answered every question I had.

Now I’m left wondering how much my anxiety actually changed the relationship.

I’m not looking for ways to get her back. I respect her decision and this was our final conversation.
I’m just trying to understand and grow.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation? Either as the anxious partner or as the other person?

How did you stop blaming yourself while still taking responsibility for the parts you needed to work on?

I’d really appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similar.

Do you think it makes sense to do a Master’s abroad in 2026 mainly to increase net worth? I’d likely need an education loan, so I’m trying to figure out whether the return on investment is still worth it pursue in a country like USA (where I need to take an education loan)

Or is it better than to do it in a country like Germany where the tuition is close to zero? Or do I stay back in my job in India?

I just want to hear your opinions

my_qualifications: 25M with 4 YOE in manufacturing or industrial sector.

TIA

Hi,

I'm looking for self learning resources to learn German A1 level. I can spend about 3-4 hours a day to learn it.

I already have the Netzwerk Neu A1 set book

I saw too many resources suggested online.

Like

1. DW learn german
2. Todaaii
3. Busuu
4. Fluency Streak
5. ChatGPT for conversations etc.

There are too many options but Idk which ones to choose ans structure them accordingly. Since, I'm self learning this, I'm looking for some advice on how to structure my learning and which resources to choose

TIA

25M here. I have 4 years of engineering experience and recently passed on a creative program that would've moved me into marketing roles. My reasons were legitimate: the pay would've been lower, and I genuinely wasn't sure the day-to-day work was a fit for how my brain works (I have ADHD).

But the thing that's actually eating me is this: it's turned into a war in my head between my creative identity and financial stability. Like I picked money and practicality over the version of myself I actually want to be (to be just doing something in the creative line). Even though I know the decision made sense.

I don't want to analyse it anymore. I've done enough of that. I just want to actually let it go.

For people who've been through this specific tension, not just career regret but the identity kind, what helped you move forward? Not journaling-and-therapy answers. More like: what mental shift or plain habit helped you stop the loop?

25M here. I have 4 years of engineering experience and recently passed on a creative program that would've moved me into marketing roles. My reasons were legitimate: the pay would've been lower, and I genuinely wasn't sure the day-to-day work was a fit for how my brain works (I have ADHD).

But the thing that's actually eating me is this: it's turned into a war in my head between my creative identity and financial stability. Like I picked money and practicality over the version of myself I actually want to be (to be just doing something in the creative line). Even though I know the decision made sense.

I don't want to analyse it anymore. I've done enough of that. I just want to actually let it go.

For people who've been through this specific tension, not just career regret but the identity kind, what helped you move forward? Not journaling-and-therapy answers. More like: what mental shift or plain habit helped you stop the loop?

25M here. I have 4 years of engineering experience and recently passed on a creative program that would've moved me into marketing roles. My reasons were legitimate: the pay would've been lower, and I genuinely wasn't sure the day-to-day work was a fit for how my brain works (I have ADHD).

But the thing that's actually eating me is this: it's turned into a war in my head between my creative identity and financial stability. Like I picked money and practicality over the version of myself I actually want to be (to be just doing something in the creative line). Even though I know the decision made sense.

I don't want to analyse it anymore. I've done enough of that. I just want to actually let it go.

For people who've been through this specific tension, not just career regret but the identity kind, what helped you move forward? Not journaling-and-therapy answers. More like: what mental shift or plain habit helped you stop the loop?

my_qualifications

I am looking to learn German language as I’m going for my masters this year. I’m looking for coaching/tutors. Please share contact/leads if have any (other than Goethe institute)

Hi.. I'm an International student heading for my master's to Germany this year. I wanted to know if I need a tutor to learn A1 level or is self-learning good enough (just for the A1 level)

If yes, what resources and books would you suggest? And how should I plan my learning?

It would be great to hear some honest guidance for this.

TIA :)

Hi.. I'm an International student heading for my master's to Germany this year. I wanted to know if I need a tutor to learn A1 level or is self-learning good enough (just for the A1 level)

If yes, what resources and books would you suggest? And how should I plan my learning?

It would be great to hear some honest guidance for this.

TIA :)

I’ve gotten into the MDes in Human-Centred Design at Srishti Manipal and I’m trying to understand what the program and its outcomes actually look like before I go further. Would love to hear from anyone who’s been through it or knows it well.

A couple of things I’m trying to figure out:

Where do graduates actually end up? Is it almost entirely UX research and UX design roles or do people genuinely move into service design, design strategy or social-impact work? UX seems to be the default exit and I’m trying to gauge how wide the door really is.

For context, I’m coming from a non-design background, engineering plus some business experience and I’m drawn more to the research, strategy and problem-framing side than to pure visual or UI execution. So I want to know whether the program supports that direction or tends to funnel everyone into the same UX track.

If you’ve done it or hired people who have, I’d really appreciate your honest take. Happy to DM and chat properly if you’re open to it.

TIA