No Jobs in US, UK, Canada for Foreign Students”: Harvard Grad’s Wake-Up Call to Indian Aspirants

 Indian entrepreneur and Harvard Business School alumnus Rajesh Sawhney has issued a stark warning to Indian students, especially those from elite institutions like the IITs: the international job market is no longer what it used to be. In a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), Sawhney stated bluntly, “There are no jobs in USA, Canada and UK for international students. Honeymoon is over.”

His comments arrive amidst mounting concerns over tightening immigration rules and a global tech industry slowdown, affecting even top-performing graduates from India.

The $200K Tech Job Shortcut Is Over for IITians

For years, a common pathway for India’s brightest engineers, especially IITians, was to pursue a master’s degree abroad—particularly in the United States—and secure high-paying tech roles starting at $200,000 or more. But that path, Sawhney asserts, is now “broken.”

“Engineering 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 wrote, signaling the end of a long-standing trend.

From Global Dream to Harsh Reality – Immigration and Market Shifts

The comment comes at a time of stricter immigration rules and a shrinking job market in major Western nations. The UK has already reduced its post-study work visa from two years to just 18 months, a significant blow for international graduates trying to secure long-term roles. In the US and Canada, companies are also scaling back hiring, and visa approvals are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain.

This growing trend is being felt on the ground. Many international graduates now struggle to convert education into employment, a shift that’s rattling not just hopeful students but their families as well.

"Parents Should Think Twice" Before Spending Crores on Foreign Degrees

 Sawhney didn’t mince words in his cautionary post: “Parents should think twice before spending crores on expensive education.” For countless Indian families, investing in foreign education has long been seen as a ticket to success—but the return on that investment is becoming less certain. 

His warning challenges the conventional wisdom of equating a foreign degree with a secure, high-paying job abroad. In the current climate, Sawhney argues, skills, adaptability, and networking matter more than ever before.

“The Game Has Shifted”: Social Media Reacts Strongly

Sawhney’s post triggered a wave of responses from professionals and students alike. A user noted, “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 replied, “I know folks making $200k from here in India with online certifications. No need to go abroad.”

One comment summed up the sentiment: “The game has shifted from degree = job to skills + grit + networking = shot at ROI. It’s not broken. It’s just no longer easy.”

Real-Life Stories Highlight the Changing Landscape

Sawhney’s warning isn’t isolated. Many professionals and recent graduates are now sharing their own disillusionment online:

• A London-based Indian engineer shared that while an IIT degree commands respect in India, it holds far less sway abroad. Employers are now more focused on experience and proven ability, not academic pedigree.
• Janhavi Jain, who completed her master’s in the UK, revealed that 90% of her classmates had to return to India due to lack of job opportunities. Her advice? “Don’t invest crores without a solid plan. The reality abroad is very different from the dream.”

A Shift in Focus – From Prestige to Practical Skills

The broader message from Sawhney and many others is clear: it’s time for Indian students and families to rethink the foreign dream. Instead of pouring resources into uncertain international degrees, the new focus should be on acquiring adaptable skills, building global networks, and leveraging opportunities in India’s own booming tech and startup ecosystem.

Sawhney himself is a prime example. As the founder of GSF Accelerator, he’s helped launch and mentor countless early-stage tech startups in India, showing that global success doesn't always require a foreign address.

Conclusion: Wake-Up Call for the Next Generation of Indian Talent

 Rajesh Sawhney’s message serves as a wake-up call: the landscape has changed. The well-trodden path from Indian engineering college to Western tech giant is no longer a guaranteed route to success. With immigration policies tightening and global job markets shifting, it’s more important than ever for students to focus on skills, strategy, and flexibility—not just foreign degrees.

For students dreaming of international success, the dream isn’t over—but the path now demands more than just a diploma.