Masters or Job?

Expedia binarys
Nov 24, 2018 20 Comments

I got offer for SDE-1 from Amazon in India, and might be able to move to US on L1 visa after 2-3 years I guess.

I was preparing to come to US right now for Masters, and I have 2 years of experience as well in India. Now, I have a dilemma.

1. I feel, after doing MS of 2 years, I will again have to restart my career from an entry level position in some US company similar to Amazon (if I get lucky
), but upside is, I will have a MS degree, I will have number of opportunities and options after completing my MS.

2. Whereas if I stick to Amazon, I believe I will be able to shift to US as SDE-2 (better than Masters grad who joins as an entry level engineer), but I will be on L1 means no flexibility to change companies and difficult to get picked up in H1 lottery too, due to no MS. Also, I will miss out on higher education, but not sure if it's important for long term growth, and all the new opportunities and options that comes along to appear in different companies. I also fear Amazon might stop giving international transfers soon to SDE2 since lots of people are moving, but don't know.

I also thought of a mid way of going for part time MS when I am in US through Amazon, if MS is needed.

I am super confused, what would you suggest, option 1 or 2? Also, people who transfer to US via Amazon, are they able to get H1b or it becomes very difficult to get it without MS (since 20,000 spots eliminated?

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 TOP 20 Comments
  • IBM gösser
    MS doesn't matter for career progression. It's just a way to get the visa.
    Nov 24, 2018 0
  • Amazon spookykid
    Doing master's will drain your previous earnings, no earnings for 2 years while doing master's. You should join Amazon in India -> become SDE-2 in India, and come to US on L1. As soon as Amazon gets chance(first year itself) they file H1B for you, happened to couple of people in my team. Sincere advice, you will not regret.
    Nov 24, 2018 5
    • New inquis9
      Can't agree more!
      Nov 24, 2018
    • Blizzard others
      It’s likely this guy is rich so cost can be nothing
      Nov 24, 2018
    • Expedia binarys
      OP
      Most people who come to US on L1 visa at Amazon stay in it for long without changing companies. Is it because they don't get H1b that easily (since they don't have MS)? Or they like working in it a lot?
      Nov 25, 2018
    • Amazon spookykid
      I don't know the basis of your statement.
      Nov 25, 2018
    • Expedia binarys
      OP
      I might be wrong, but I looked at the profiles of a lot of people currently employed there.
      Nov 25, 2018
  • Microsoft dangit
    Mate, you should solve directly for where you want to live. If you want to work in the US, don't do this roundabout logic of "join Amazon and switch in 3 years", there are a ton of external variables (like manager support, you doing well in the job, etc).

    I'd first decide if I want to live in the US (you obviously know Indians don't get green card for 20 years, every 2 years you have some irritation around renewal, will be asked to leave in a short period if you lose your job in those 20 years, wife will not be able to work for a few years etc). If you DO want to work in the US despite all this, then take the most direct path - MS in a good univ.
    Nov 24, 2018 0
  • Blizzard others
    Beta you need your masters to succeed
    Nov 24, 2018 1
    • Microsoft Gthh
      Masters add absolutely no value than to get visa.
      Nov 25, 2018
  • Uber WgtH10
    Education for engineers is obsolete. Work and experience matter way more
    Nov 24, 2018 0
  • Amazon FUPay$$$
    Stay in India
    Nov 24, 2018 0
  • Amazon / Eng Bs)&:!
    Go to US asap. Career will more or less restart when you get here anyways
    Nov 24, 2018 0
  • Amazon
    cLoP87

    Amazon

    PRE
    PayPal
     cLoP87more
    Go for Amazon.
    Doing MS hardly gives any advantage other than slight advantage in the H1b lottery. Don't do a degree for the sake of that.

    In our sector, what you learn on the job is more important.

    Also keep in mind that grass looks greener on the other side.
    Nov 24, 2018 2
    • Apple / Eng Marijuana
      It’s a big advantage actually, for the lottery. But L-1 is the better path.
      Nov 24, 2018
    • Microsoft Gthh
      He can do the Georgia Tech online masters while working at Amazon. I did that, moved to the US on l1, got my h1B in masters quota on the first try.
      Nov 25, 2018
  • Amazon wOdK71
    The 1-2 years you lose now doing MS is immaterial in a 30-40 year long career. An MS education will bring you new perspectives and could help you make better decisions along the way. Think long term.
    Nov 28, 2018 0
  • Amazon / Eng
    bl@sphemy

    Amazon Eng

    PRE
    Amazon
     bl@sphemymore
    From a financial perspective there’s no point in going for MS with what you have in hand. If you want to study rather, your choice. The MS degree will not benefit much in your career progression either.
    Nov 24, 2018 0
  • Amazon bxuu70
    You would be hired as SDE1 after your MS. If your goal is to reach US (i would question why under the current immigration and economic scenario) stay in amazon.
    If you really wanna study do MS. Doing MS for reaching US will only rack up loans and delay your repayment capacity.
    Also hate rate against immigrants would only increase (atleast with current administration) So be ready to leave US immediately after your MS after 2 years if Trump is back.
    Nov 24, 2018 0
  • F5 Networks / Eng etcd
    Please do consider all the issues around US Visa while coming here as a student. There are better places to be than here.
    Nov 24, 2018 0

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