I have joined Amazon already as SDE-1. Probably hoping to get promoted in an 1/1.25 year since I already have 2 YoE. And then an year long wait to move to US (making it a total of 2/2.25 years if luck favours me with promotion). On the other hand, I also have a MS admit in my hand. Now, I have this dilemma whether I should bank upon Amazon to move to US on L1 (which will happen after 2 years) or come for MS directly and then look for a job? Pros for MS: MS route will give me a degree too and there will be learning as well. I believe I will be able to find a job. Good exposure. More opportunities as well. Cons: Too expensive, too much struggle as well, and then also, would probably join as an entry level engineer. Pros: No opportunity cost, streamlined movement to US/Canada, professional continuity maintained, and when i move, I will move as SDE-2. Cons of Amazon: I am afraid that within the next 2 years Amazon might introduce a policy to stop sending SDE-2 since so many are already moving/moved from India and so many more are/must be waiting. They also recently introduce this bar of SDE-2 1 year wait period, that's why. Since the suitable time for MS is right now its better that's if it will be good, I do it right now. What would you guys say? Is it better to join Amazon or go for MS? Do you believe there are less changes of Amazon changing its policies for movement to US? And are there enough openings in US at Amazon for L1 movement?
Depends on ur financial situation and risk taking capabilities. If you have the money and low dependents then go for MS. Also depends what University One thing you have forgotten is that when u get a job after MS you will have to to thru H1 Lottery
If there is going to be change in policy, it may be forced because of new laws. Anyway I think MS is the better option since you will have a lot more opportunities in 2 years in addition to a degree. The struggle is not going away in any option. The cost will be a factor though.
I agree, but won't opportunities be same after 2 years in Amazon and then shifting to US? Only downside I will have L1 and not H1b which will restrict the ability to change companies. But I think Amazon files your H1b every year.
MS will certainly give you education but it will also give you exposure (companies, technology, cultures, etc). Net employment opportunities at Amazon may be the same after 2 years but you will also be able to look at other companies. It's unlikely that Amazon goes down in the next few years, but in difficult times, the MS will help you get a job again
Short term loss for a long term gain. Go for the MS even the Amazon Culture would tell you to do so
Why? How is MS helpful? That's what I want to focus on.
What's the quality of the Masters degree (school rank, curriculum)? Don't destabilize your life for a (mediocre) tech Masters that teaches you less than your job! Then, if you get to the US through any visa, what's your plan? To stay? You'll put your career and life on hold and will remain hostage to the immigration bureaucracy. Get that Masters in your own country (surely, Amazon will pay for part-time) or somewhere you can stay and visit the US on short stints. You may ignore this advice and learn from your own mistakes!
University is USC, course is MS CS. What would you say now?
I would say, positive for Masters, but then it depends on your plan later. If you take a chance with H1B lottery, are you prepared to leave without any frustration if you don't get it? If still unsure, go with what your gut says and never regret!
Work for 2-3 years. Then go for MS. Or just go for MS now.
Get a Green Card with L1 visa (5 years of wait for Indians) and then do MS. Avoid the 80 year old green card wait for H1b visa holders.
I was in the same situation in 2015 with Amazon. I took the Masters route and then joined back Amazon in US. There is no clear winning choice here . Here are is my pros list : Skip the masters : 1. Stable income and known path to come to US. Policies don't change that quick, once you are a Sde 2 it's easy to move . 2. Less stress of unknowns. No hassle of interviews and etc Doing the masters : 1. A new experience in life. You will learn overall about life and from peers. 2. You get to think in a broader scenarios. You will grow as a person overall. 3. You will be more confident of your skills overall For me thinking back , I think I would have been happier and wealthier if I did not do my master's. Quiting job and interviewing again is not everyone's game. If you are rich and don't have financial pressure. Go for masters .
Umm, makes sense, but I feel, MS will give me more opportunities in big companies, like FAANG and even other FinTech firms, but everyone says I can even explore those opportunities when I shift from Amazon. From your answer, it looks like I should go for Amazon, because spending 60 Lakhs for exposure is too big an amount. What do you think?
Stay at amazon. We will need sde2 in Seattle forever
Go for masters if its a top 5 University and offers you a TA/RA postion. You will earn more here as a TA than at Amazon India as an SDE-1. Also, masters from top universities can open door to financial firms such as Jane Street, Two Sigma, Citadel, etc. They pay much higher than tech companies. Moreover, if you are good at interviewing, you can get multiple offers from traditonal tech companies such as G/FB/Amazon and can negotiate your new grad offer to be higher or equivalent to your SDE-2 offer via internal transfer. However, if it's not a top 5 University, stay at Amazon. Getting interviews in US is self driven and largely depends on luck. Just having Amazon on your resume won't get you interviews.
I have admit from USC. What do you think? Is it good enough an admit? Should I go? I agree when you say I will have many more opportunities.
Is it funded? Also, as far as I know USC is a mid ranked university. You won't get any advantage when applying for jobs in fintech/HFT firms. Worse they won't even consider your application. For tech firms, it entirely depends on luck. Anyway, you can become an SDE-2 in two years and switch to US. Why risk all that for a new grad role at similar firms?
Go for MS. Jobs will come and go, but education is more important. Since you already work for Amazon, you won't face much trouble finding a good job after graduation.
Why do you say I should go for MS? What long term value does it add? I asked so many people and even here on Blind, people said MS is a waste of time. If I am interested in ML/AI, I can get those rules even while being internal to Amazon.