[Admissions Advice]
Should I pursue MS in US (UT Austin MSITM) or stay in India? Need genuine advice
My background:
• Software engineer with 6 years of experience
• Worked across e-commerce, fintech, and fantasy gaming companies
• Current CTC: ~70 LPA in India
Admissions received:
• UT Austin – MSITM (finalized this one)
• Georgia Tech – OMSCS
• Purdue
• A couple of other universities
My dilemma:
• I finalized UT Austin MSITM hoping it would give me an edge to land a job in the US, break into Big Tech, and open doors to better long-term opportunities
• However, almost everyone I know in the US is telling me this is not a good time to move there (job market, visa situation, layoffs, etc.)
• Now I’m genuinely confused about whether to go ahead with it
Options I’m weighing:
1. Go ahead with UT Austin MSITM as planned
2. Stay in India and switch to companies focused on AI/ML
3. Skip the MS, build more experience in India, and try for a direct US transfer (L1/H1B) through an MNC in a few years
Question for the community:
Given the current US job market and immigration climate, is the MS still worth it for someone already 6 years into their career with a decent package? Or am I better off doubling down in India? Would love to hear from folks who’ve been through this decision recently — especially those who moved (or chose not to) in the last 1–2 years.