Latest news with #RajeshSawhney
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Harvard University grad warns Indian students: Overseas education no longer a guaranteed ticket to success
Overseas education no longer a sure shot to success. (AI Image) 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like เทรด Bitcoin และ Ethereum - ไม่ต้องใช้กระเป๋าเงิน! IC Markets เริ่มต้นตอนนี้ Undo 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. W ith 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. Invest in Their Tomorrow, Today: Equip your child with the essential AI skills for a future brimming with possibilities | Join Now
India Today
20-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
No jobs in US, UK, Canada for foreign students: Harvard grad warns IITians
Studying abroad may no longer be the golden ticket it once was. Rajesh Sawhney, a Gurgaon-based entrepreneur and Harvard Business School alumnus, has cautioned Indian students—especially engineers from IITs—about the shrinking job market in the US, UK, and Canada for international a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), Sawhney said, 'There are no jobs in USA, Canada and UK for International students. Honeymoon is over, parents should think twice before spending crores on the expensive education.'advertisementFor years, many Indian students believed that a foreign degree, particularly from the US or UK, would lead to a high-paying job. But according to Sawhney, that shortcut doesn't work anymore.'Engg students especially IITians had an easy hack, do masters in the US and get a $200K starting tech job. This hack works no more,' he added. Rajesh Sawhney is a well-known name in India's startup ecosystem. He is the founder and CEO of GSF Accelerator, which helps early-stage tech startups with mentorship, funding, and access to global alumnus of Harvard Business School (Advanced Management Program) and a fellow at the London School of Economics, Rajesh has been involved in building ventures for over two MEDIA REACTSadvertisementSawhney's post sparked a wave of reactions. Many users shared similar concerns. One user said, 'Back in 2017, people were getting $150k offers just months into their course. Now, even those at top firms like Google are scared of layoffs.'Another said they now believe success can be built from India itself, with one comment reading, 'I know folks making $200k from here in India with online certifications. No need to go abroad.'"Sure, the low-hanging fruit is gone. But the opportunity? Still very real. Just not for the average, unprepared candidate banking on a degree alone," noted another commentor. "The game has shifted from degree = job to skills + grit + networking = shot at ROI. It's not broken. It's just no longer easy," they VISA RULES, SHRINKING JOB MARKETHis warning comes at a time when immigration policies are tightening. The UK recently reduced its post-study work visa for international graduates from 2 years to 18 US and Canada are also seeing fewer openings for international job seekers and stricter visa recent years, numerous Indian students and professionals abroad have taken to social media to share their experiences and caution others about the diminishing job opportunities abroad.A London-based Indian professional recently shared on X that while an IIT degree holds prestige in India, it doesn't carry the same weight internationally. He noted the importance of showcasing one's work and experience over relying solely on academic Janhavi Jain, an Indian woman who pursued her master's in the UK, warned prospective students about the bleak job market. She noted that 90% of her batchmates had to return to India due to the lack of job opportunities, advising others to reconsider investing heavily in foreign education without a clear many, this shift is a wake-up call -- to think beyond just international degrees and focus on long-term skills and adaptability.
Mint
19-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
‘No jobs in USA, Canada, UK': Gurgaon entrepreneur Rajesh Sawhney says ‘Honeymoon is over'
Gurgaon-based entrepreneur Rajesh Sawhney has said there are no jobs in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom for the foreign students. He has made the comment in a post on social media platform X on Sunday. Sawhney wrote: 'There are no jobs in USA, Canada and UK for International students. Honeymoon is over, parents should think twice before spending crores on the expensive education.' 'Engg students especially IITians had an easy hack, do masters in the US and get a $200K starting tech job. This hack works no more,' he also said. Livemint could not verify Rajesh Sawhney's claims.
NDTV
19-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Founder Claims No Jobs In USA, UK, And Canada For Indian Students: "Honeymoon Over"
Job opportunities are not easy to come by, especially for Indian students who are planning to move to countries like the United States, Canada and the UK, seeking greener pastures. Gurgaon-based entrepreneur Rajesh Sawhney, founder and CEO of GSF Accelerator, warned that the honeymoon period for international students might be over. "There are no jobs in USA, Canada and UK for International students. Honeymoon is over, parents should think twice before spending crores on the expensive education," wrote Mr Sawhney in an X (formerly Twitter) post. Mr Sawhney, who is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School (Advanced Management Program) and has a fellowship from the London School of Economics, stated that the old hack of graduating in college abroad and quickly landing high-paying jobs was not working anymore. "Engg students especially IITians had an easy hack, do masters in the US and get a $200K starting tech job. This hack works no more," he added. There are no jobs in USA, Canada and UK for International students. Honeymoon is over, parents should think twice before spending crores on the expensive education. Engg students especially IITians had an easy hack, do masters in the US and get a $200K starting tech job. This… — Rajesh Sawhney 🇮🇳 (@rajeshsawhney) May 18, 2025 Social media reacts The viral post sparked an intense debate amongst social media users with one section claiming that Mr Sawhney was right while others suggesting that there were ample opportunities if he person was talented. "Yes! The game has shifted from credentials to competence. Those who adapt and build skills will still find a way," said one user, while another added: "Guys pls don't listen to him, do your own research." A third commented: "This "hack is dead" narrative is too simplistic. Sure, the low-hanging fruit is gone. But the opportunity? Still very real. Just not for the average, unprepared candidate banking on a degree alone." The development comes in the backdrop of US-based tech giant Microsoft laying off almost 6,000 workers globally or three per cent of its workforce, many of whom are Indian professionals. Factor in Donald Trump's recent action on immigration, H-1B visas and tariffs, and it is the Indian students who might have to face most of the heat.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Harvard University grad warns IITians that there's no shortcut to $200K job in the US
For years, pursuing education in foreign countries like the US, UK, or Canada was widely seen as a guaranteed route to success. The appeal of obtaining a degree from a prestigious global institution continues to draw thousands of Indian students each year. Many hope this academic journey will lead to high-paying employment and a secure life overseas. But now, a prominent voice from India's startup ecosystem is urging students to reassess this belief. Entrepreneur Issues a Word of Caution Rajesh Sawhney , the founder and CEO of GSF Accelerator, took to X, to raise an important red flag about the challenges facing Indian students abroad today. Although he himself is a product of elite international institutions—an alumnus of Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program and a fellow at the London School of Economics—Rajesh believes the global landscape has shifted dramatically. — rajeshsawhney (@rajeshsawhney) According to him, what once worked like a charm is no longer reliable. Particularly in the field of engineering, where students from premier Indian colleges like the IITs would traditionally complete their master's degrees in the US and land lucrative tech roles, the picture is no longer so rosy. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Female Athletes in the World Click Here Undo The Shortcut No Longer Works 'The old trick was simple,' Rajesh posted online. 'Study engineering, head to the US for a master's, and walk into a $200,000 tech job. That shortcut is broken now.' His post struck a nerve and quickly gained traction. It sparked a wide range of reactions in the comments, with many agreeing that the environment for international students and early-career professionals has grown increasingly uncertain. Reactions from the Online Community One user summed it up well: 'The game has changed. It's no longer about degrees—it's about adaptability and skill.' Another shared their own experience: 'Back in 2017, people were bagging $150k offers just months into their courses. Now, even those working at top firms like Google fear layoffs.' Others echoed Rajesh's sentiment, pointing out that success doesn't require an overseas degree anymore. 'Some young Indians are making $200k from right here in India by combining traditional education with online certifications,' one person observed. 'The key is continuous learning and adding value.' Tougher Immigration Rules Add to the Pressure Rajesh's caution comes amid tightening immigration laws in countries like the US, UK, and Canada. Most recently, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a policy shift reducing international graduates' stay period from two years to just 18 months—a move that will likely affect thousands of Indian students. Who Is Rajesh Sawhney? Rajesh is a seasoned entrepreneur and visionary leader. Over the past 20 years, he has built several successful ventures. Through GSF Accelerator, he supports India's most promising tech startups with funding, mentorship from industry veterans, and access to global networks.
