Amid widespread layoffs and uncertainty in the technology sector, an Indian technology graduate in the US has sparked an online controversy after he expressed his disappointment over a modest salary increase offer.
The technician took to Reddit and detailed his journey after earning his master’s degree. “I graduated with a master’s degree in computer science in May 2025 and spent months applying everywhere, and barely got interviews. Eventually, I got an internship at a multinational company. The pay was lower for the HCOL field, and the work was primarily automation or low-code tools, which is not what I was hoping for. But it was something,” he wrote.
He added that he gained practical experience over six months using tools such as Azure and SQL, although the work remained specialized. However, what HR presented as “good news” frustrated him.
“HR called today with good news: They want to convert me to full-time. But here’s the rub: No H1B sponsorship. They’re going to extend my internship until June 2026, then hire me as an FT starting in July. And with a pay raise that’s only $3 an hour more than my current internship pay. It’s basically insulting to someone with a master’s degree,” he said.
The new role, titled “Business Automation Analyst,” heightened his concerns. “The job title is ‘business automation analyst,’ not ‘software engineer’ or anything that suggests strong technical growth. When I heard that, I honestly broke down,” he admitted.
“It feels like they are openly taking advantage of my visa situation and limited options. I worry that this title and compensation will permanently hurt my prospects of landing a real role at SDE later on.” Now I wonder whether it is worth staying in the US, or whether I should return to India and resume my career there.“
The post, titled “Stuck in a tough situation and feel like going back,” quickly attracted responses from other users.
Take a look here at the post:
The Internet offers mixed advice
Many commentators acknowledged the harsh market conditions while urging patience. “The company is clearly taking advantage of your situation, but if you are learning on the job, I recommend staying with the company until you get another offer. A title is just a title! “This should not affect your future opportunities,” one user wrote.
Another advised: “Offer your time. Take advantage the moment you get a better deal. It’s simple.” A third commented, saying: “The job market is terrible… Be grateful if you at least get a job.” Others offered encouragement, saying: “Seize the opportunity now and keep trying,” and “I am sure you will find a job and your efforts will pay off. The earning power is unmatched.”
One person shared a similar experience, writing: “I was also in a similar situation a few months ago. They offered me a temporary job a few months after I trained and graduated.”
