One Question Determines Whether Indians Get Jobs in the U.S.: PhD Student Reveals the Harsh Reality

For many Indians studying in the United States, the assumption is that earning a degree there will automatically open doors to employment. However, the reality is gradually proving to be more challenging.

Indians Face Employment Barriers Despite High Qualifications
The U.S. has long been considered a land of opportunity, where hard work is rewarded and dreams can be realized. Every year, thousands of Indian students travel to the U.S. with the hope of achieving the “American Dream.” They believe that earning a degree will guarantee job opportunities. Yet, the U.S. is no longer the country where foreign graduates, particularly Indians, can easily secure employment. Many highly qualified Indians now face discrimination in the job market.

According to a report by The New York Times, a doctoral student from India was denied a job simply because she was not an American citizen. Shockingly, the recruiter did not even review her résumé. The recruiter asked a single question: “Are you a U.S. citizen?” Once she answered “No,” her application was immediately rejected. For Indian students on student visas, this question has become a serious barrier to their professional future in the U.S.

PhD Student Sushma Pasupuleti Shares Her Experience
Sushma Pasupuleti, originally from Hyderabad, India, earned admission to the PhD program in Electrical Engineering at the University of Houston in 2023 due to her exceptional academic performance. Like many international students, Sushma had a straightforward plan: complete her studies, find a job, and build a life in the United States. However, she quickly realized that starting a life in the U.S. is far from easy.

Sushma recounted her experience at a job fair to The New York Times: she moved from one booth to another with her résumé, only to face the same question repeatedly—“Are you a U.S. citizen?” Each time she answered “No,” the hiring process ended immediately. “They didn’t even look at my résumé,” she said.

Why She Chose the U.S. Over Europe
Before choosing the United States, Sushma had also applied to universities in Germany and the U.K. She declined Germany due to lack of scholarship support and received offers from both the U.K. and the U.S., ultimately choosing the latter. She initially believed that a degree from the U.S. would make her a leader in her field, as American qualifications are highly regarded worldwide.

However, her confidence is gradually waning. Even if she were to start a research-driven startup, obtaining a work visa in the U.S. would remain a challenge. Sushma noted that Europe now offers greater stability for international students seeking long-term opportunities. While she does not regret coming to the U.S., she is puzzled by a system where the country invests heavily in foreign students’ education yet is increasingly reluctant to allow them to stay and work.