I got this email from Cumberlands:
Important Visa Information
This program qualifies for F-1 visa and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) eligibility.
We do not issue change-of-status I-20s. Students seeking F-1 status must go through the visa stamping process.
Has anyone navigated CoS from h1b to F1 recently? Did you guys need stamping?
What university is good for DBA?
I don’t see DBA being offered at Cumberlands. I did apply at Westcliff. Any other universities I could apply for a DBA that also offers day1 CPT? Need to apply asap. H1 grace period ends end of July.
I recently got laid off from my job as an SDE at FAANG (while I was on medical leave from a major surgery) and my 60day clock ends end of July. Considering COS to F1 but I also genuinely want to invest in getting a degree for myself. I feel like I’m very burned out and don’t feel like I want to do coding for now. I have MS in CS already. I’ve been on H1B for a while now and i140 is also approved. Is MBA a better option or DBA? What colleges would be better for each?
I was recently laid off after 9+ years as a software engineer and am currently evaluating my options for maintaining status, continuing my career, and potentially pursuing additional education.
I’m trying to think strategically about both immigration and long-term career growth, and I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through something similar.
Background
9+ years of software engineering experience
Backend/distributed systems background
Interested in AI, product management, business strategy, technology leadership, and emerging technology
Open to another engineering role, but also considering a pivot into product, TPM, AI leadership, consulting, or business-focused roles
Degree and Program Selection
I’m considering several options and would love perspectives from people who have completed them.
MBA
Traditional MBA
MBA with AI concentration
MBA in Technology Management
Technical Master’s Degrees
MS in AI
MS in Data Science
MS in Engineering Management
MS in Technology Management
Doctoral Degrees
DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)
PhD
Questions:
Which degree has provided the highest ROI for your career?
MBA vs DBA vs PhD: how do employers actually view them?
Does a DBA meaningfully help with executive leadership, consulting, or strategy roles?
Does a PhD make sense if the goal is not academia or AI research?
Which degree best supports a transition into:
AI Product Management
AI Product Strategy
Technology Leadership
Executive Roles
Technology Consulting
Career Direction
If you were in my position today:
Mid-career engineer
Approved I-140
9+ years of experience
Interested in technology, AI, business, and leadership
Which path would you focus on for the next 10–15 years?
Potential directions I’m considering:
AI Product Management
Technical Program Management (TPM)
Product Strategy
Engineering Management
AI Governance / AI Risk
Technology Consulting
Entrepreneurship
What has worked well for you, and what would you avoid?
I was recently laid off after 9+ years as a software engineer and am currently evaluating my options for maintaining status, continuing my career, and potentially pursuing additional education.
I’m trying to think strategically about both immigration and long-term career growth, and I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through something similar.
Background
9+ years of software engineering experience
Backend/distributed systems background
Approved I-140
Currently on H-1B
Interested in AI, product management, business strategy, technology leadership, and emerging technology
Open to another engineering role, but also considering a pivot into product, TPM, AI leadership, consulting, or business-focused roles
Degree and Program Selection
I’m considering several options and would love perspectives from people who have completed them.
MBA
Traditional MBA
MBA with AI concentration
MBA in Technology Management
Technical Master’s Degrees
MS in AI
MS in Data Science
MS in Engineering Management
MS in Technology Management
Doctoral Degrees
DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)
PhD
Questions:
Which degree has provided the highest ROI for your career?
MBA vs DBA vs PhD: how do employers actually view them?
Does a DBA meaningfully help with executive leadership, consulting, or strategy roles?
Does a PhD make sense if the goal is not academia or AI research?
Which degree best supports a transition into:
AI Product Management
AI Product Strategy
Technology Leadership
Executive Roles
Technology Consulting
Career Direction
If you were in my position today:
Mid-career engineer
Approved I-140
9+ years of experience
Interested in technology, AI, business, and leadership
Which path would you focus on for the next 10–15 years?
Potential directions I’m considering:
AI Product Management
Technical Program Management (TPM)
Product Strategy
Engineering Management
AI Governance / AI Risk
Technology Consulting
Entrepreneurship
What has worked well for you, and what would you avoid?
I’d especially appreciate hearing from people who:
Earned an MBA, DBA, or PhD mid-career
Successfully moved from software engineering into product, leadership, strategy, consulting, or AI-focused roles
Thanks in advance for any advice, lessons learned, or things you wish you’d known earlier
I was recently laid off after 9+ years as a software engineer and am currently evaluating my options for maintaining status, continuing my career, and potentially pursuing additional education.
I’m trying to think strategically about both immigration and long-term career growth, and I’d appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through something similar.
Background
9+ years of software engineering experience
Backend/distributed systems background
Approved I-140
Currently on H-1B
Interested in AI, product management, business strategy, technology leadership, and emerging technology
Open to another engineering role, but also considering a pivot into product, TPM, AI leadership, consulting, or business-focused roles
Day 1 CPT Questions
For those who attended Day 1 CPT programs:
Which universities are generally considered legitimate and lower risk?
Experiences with schools such as:
Harrisburg University
University of the Cumberlands
Campbellsville University
Westcliff University
Others?
Which programs have the strongest reputation among employers?
Any schools or programs you would avoid?
What red flags should prospective students watch for?
How often did you have to travel to campus?
Did the program genuinely provide educational value, or was it primarily a status-maintenance solution?
H-1B → F-1 → H-1B Transition Questions
For anyone who has gone through this path:
Did you successfully move from H-1B to F-1 and later return to H-1B?
Were you able to reuse your previous H-1B without entering the lottery again?
Did employers raise concerns about Day 1 CPT?
Did USCIS scrutinize your CPT history during future H-1B filings, extensions, transfers, or green card processing?
Were there any unexpected immigration challenges?
If you had an approved I-140, did that impact your decision-making or options?
Degree and Program Selection
I’m considering several options and would love perspectives from people who have completed them.
MBA
Traditional MBA
MBA with AI concentration
MBA in Technology Management
Technical Master’s Degrees
MS in AI
MS in Data Science
MS in Engineering Management
MS in Technology Management
Doctoral Degrees
DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)
PhD
Questions:
Which degree has provided the highest ROI for your career?
MBA vs DBA vs PhD: how do employers actually view them?
Does a DBA meaningfully help with executive leadership, consulting, or strategy roles?
Does a PhD make sense if the goal is not academia or AI research?
Which degree best supports a transition into:
AI Product Management
AI Product Strategy
Technology Leadership
Executive Roles
Technology Consulting
Career Direction
If you were in my position today:
Mid-career engineer
Approved I-140
9+ years of experience
Interested in technology, AI, business, and leadership
Which path would you focus on for the next 10–15 years?
Potential directions I’m considering:
AI Product Management
Technical Program Management (TPM)
Product Strategy
Engineering Management
AI Governance / AI Risk
Technology Consulting
Entrepreneurship
What has worked well for you, and what would you avoid?
I’d especially appreciate hearing from people who:
Went through H-1B → F-1 → H-1B transitions
Attended Day 1 CPT programs
Earned an MBA, DBA, or PhD mid-career
Successfully moved from software engineering into product, leadership, strategy, consulting, or AI-focused roles
Thanks in advance for any advice, lessons learned, or things you wish you’d known earlier.