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Harvard University grad warns Indian students: Overseas education no longer a guaranteed ticket to success

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The Times Of Indiapublisher-detail-arrow
20th May, 2025 15:41 IST
Rajesh Sawhney , the founder and CEO of GSF Accelerator, has issued a stark warning to Indian students seeking higher education abroad. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Sawhney cautioned that studying in countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. is no longer a guaranteed route to success. He pointed out that the once straightforward path of completing an engineering degree in prestigious institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), followed by a master’s in the U.S., which led to high-paying tech jobs, is no longer as effective as it once was.


Sawhney, who is an alumnus of elite international institutions—Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and a fellow at the London School of Economics—himself is a product of prestigious education. Despite this, he believes the global landscape has shifted dramatically. His comments have sparked widespread discussions, especially among aspiring students and their parents who continue to view foreign education as a golden ticket. Sawhney’s warning comes amid tightening immigration policies and an increasingly competitive job market for international students. The shift in global dynamics, he argues, has rendered this once-reliable pathway obsolete.

Changing realities for international students
For years, pursuing higher education abroad was seen as a surefire way to secure well-paying jobs, particularly in the tech industry. Students from elite Indian institutions, like the IITs, would typically complete their master’s degrees in the US, after which they would land lucrative tech jobs with starting salaries of $200,000 or more. However, Sawhney believes that this “hack” is now broken.

“The old trick was simple,” Sawhney posted on X on May 19, 2025. “Study engineering, head to the US for a master’s, and walk into a $200,000 tech job. That shortcut is broken now.” He further emphasised that the changing landscape for international students, combined with a more challenging immigration system, makes the prospects of securing these high-paying roles much less certain.

Immigration hurdles and job market constraints
One of the key points raised by Sawhney is the increasingly hostile immigration environment. With visa regulations becoming stricter, students face additional barriers in securing jobs after completing their studies. A hiring manager, R@h!l K@pooR!, commented on Sawhney’s post, saying, “There are jobs but visa situation is absolutely bad shit crazy. I’m a hiring Manager and companies don’t want to deal with uncertainty of visa lottery, cost associated with green card, dealing with all the paperwork. My advice would be to come to the U.S. ONLY if you are going to a top 10 school in your field AND are fully funded with TA/RA etc.”


This has created a sense of unease among students and their families, who often invest substantial amounts of money into foreign education in the hopes of a prosperous future.

Skills, grit, and networking: The new keys to success
While Sawhney’s views have sparked concern, others argue that the situation isn’t entirely bleak. Vipul Agrawal, founder of Mugafi, responded to Sawhney’s post, acknowledging the changes but insisting that opportunities still exist. “Sure, the low-hanging fruit is gone. But the opportunity? Still very real,” he wrote. He emphasised that the focus had now shifted from a degree being the key to a job, to one’s skills, grit, and ability to network.

Agrawal’s viewpoint echoes the shift in the job market, where credentials alone no longer guarantee success. “The game has shifted from degree = job to skills + grit + networking = shot at ROI,” he added.

The future of Indian graduates: Exploring new opportunities
Ayussh Sanghi, an educator with over a decade of experience, raised pertinent questions about the current job landscape. “Which country has jobs for locals and foreign nationals (in that order) in today’s world?” he asked. Sanghi pointed out the limited job opportunities in both the public and private sectors in India and the increasing uncertainty of job security worldwide.

Others, like Adithya Thatipalli, pointed out the issue of students relying on consultants or simply pursuing a master’s degree without the necessary skills. “International students are just going to the U.S. by taking loans without real skills, doing a master similar to their graduation,” Thatipalli commented.

A call for self-awareness and preparation
As the global landscape continues to shift, Sawhney’s warning serves as a reminder that students must now place greater emphasis on developing skills that are relevant to the evolving job market. While international education remains a valuable opportunity for many, the days of easily securing high-paying jobs with a foreign degree may be over.

“Parents should think twice before spending crores on the expensive education,” Sawhney cautioned. “There are no jobs in the U.S., Canada and U.K. for international students.”


Amid the growing noise on social media, some users urged caution in interpreting such claims. Amar Vyas, co-founder of Gaatha Story, noted, “That would explain the useless rant posts on X and other SM sites, junk has far exceeded qualitative posts. Folks whiling away time or posting nonsense for a few pennies.” His comments reflect the ongoing struggle to separate informed debate from online sensationalism.

Adaptation, hard work, and smart networking are now paramount for those looking to succeed in an increasingly competitive world.

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