Move to US for MS at 27 or Stay in India and continue earning ?
I am currently working as a DS at a European product based company with 4 YOE (TC: 34 lpa; After tax: 24 lpa). Currently working from home and able to save 1.8 lakhs INR (2.3k USD) per month.
I have received an offer to do an MS in ECE (Robotics and ML) at UCSD. I have a NW of 50 laks atm and can self-fund my MS (talked to alums who say you can easily receive partial funding at UCSD). I am currently in a dilemma whether to pursue this opportunity and considering the fact that the only reason I wanted to go for an MS was to explore financial opportunities in the US (not really passionate about studying).
If I pursue an MS, at 29, I will graduate with reduced NW (less than 25 L; consider inflation as well).
If I don't, I will push my TC to 60 lpa in 2 years (hope market stays good).
Assuming I work hard enough to get a TC of 150 in Bay Area, how much will I be able to save? (I like to live simple with no extravagant expenses). Also, since, I am approaching 30s, I have to plan my (arranged) marriage around that time, I am just not sure how people are able to get married off with someone from India while being in US. That is also a concern.
If you have been in the situation, could you please advice me on : whether to move to US for MS or stay in India ? How much would I be able to save after 3 years of OPT in Bay Area (no student debt) ? How's life in US on OPT while at the same time you have to plan to settle down in life with a partner ?
comments
Also don't worry about h4 ead .. If you get into good company that will be easily taken care off.
What were you working as before pursuing masters ? And did it help you during job search ? I am sure it might have helped you in getting more interviews but did anyone (like Google) try to down-level you or did the experience helped you in getting more TC ?
2. Arranged Marriage is hard- just see the number of posts on blind about this topics. Plus, you are better of marrying someone in the US as it’s close to impossible getting h4 EAD on time these days. And market for brides is pretty competitive here.
3. If your objective is just money, you might be better off trying to slide to a company through which you can move to the US internally to get that TC bump. Calculate the opportunity cost of doing a masters to figure out your ROI and given your current TC, that’ll be high.
4. Masters is not just about getting that extra TC, it’s a different experience (going back to being a student, learning, parties etc).
1) Got it, 150k will not be enough to save and I don't see TCs going higher than that due to imminent recession.
2) Didn't know getting EAD for partner (even someone from tech) is hard.
3) It's actually difficult to calculate at the moment for me. Intuitively, I feel ROI will be really less for 1-3 years. ROI in the long term will be good. Not sure, how life will turn out. Can't plan on years of stay.
4) I have had my good time during undergrad and not really excited about student life (parties or trips). While at the same time, learning and maximum TC is the priority for me at this stage.
One note. You might start with 150tc but it will quickly grow.