I am looking actively for work. Being interviewed at several places was also some experience.
- I was told by a dean of a group of colleges from north that they can't consider me for an Assistant professor position as I don't have an MS. I only have a PhD. I tried to show him the AICTE rules, no use.
- I was told by the principal of a college that he can't consider me for a faculty position because "You relocated from USA to India for family reasons. You are unmarried. You will relocate after marriage (to be with your husband). I can't take that chance."
- I have woken up to the realization that I am in India where interviewers are quite shrewd and you can't say a word to them.
- For professional reason I am traveling to various places. I've to stay overnight. Really this is when it hits me hard that I am not in the US. I was carefree in the US. I never noticed that people were paying attention to me or I had to be concerned that I was traveling alone. That has changed here. It is time-consuming to look for a decent hotel to stay overnight. I'm paying extra money to stay at a "safer" place. My parents are worried about how overconfident I'm while traveling or talking to strangers.
"Ladki dekhna" (seeing a girl in arranged marriage setting) programs have started. Some men took the initiative and asked me to meet for coffee outside (the traditional setting). Their parents asked my parents "My son wants to meet your daughter "outside". Is that okay?" wow... what a positive change! I've also been through a regular "ladki dekhna" program here. I get nervous and feel very awkward to even look at the guy. I don't know what to say, I don't know where to look. When I open my mouth all people get silent and look at me. My mom and I never seem to agree on what to wear for these meetings. I am used to wearing light make-up. Mom doesn't like that. I have bangs that cover my forehead. Mom doesn't like that. Its tough to go through these meetings.
In 2 months, I've only watched news, discovery channel, animal planet, etc. No Hindi serials. Those characters look so far from reality. I simply can't associate with them. This madness seems to have trickled into regional language TV as well. How sad! So many TV channels and nothing worth watching! I don't like it.
I miss life in USA. I'm hanging in there, not sure how much longer its going to take for me to stop wanting to leave.
My R2I thoughts diary
My R2I thoughts diary
Tinu, you can use cleartrip.com and tripadvisor.com to look for hotels. They carry customer reviews too which would help you understand what's good and not good.
My R2I thoughts diary
In my very limited experience of applying for jobs and attending interviews here, I've noticed that if you want a decent position (a decent pay, career growth opportunity, or even to work in your field of choice) you have to be willing to move where your job takes you. This is what I've observed in the US, as well.
I didn't think about this when relocating. I want a job at a certain city in India. If I don't get it, what do I do? Stay unemployed (which is hurting my future employment and chances to get married) or take up a job offer in other town and get on with my professional life (which is what I'm trying to do now).
Work experience, well, relevant work experience is what gives you negotiation power. I read in this forum somewhere "Don't think too highly of yourself that you have a degree from USA or that you have work experience from USA. The industry here is looking (at you) for what they can't find in the local market. If you have some postdoctoral experience doing some esoteric research, (you also know that) they can't use it. What good is that experience for the job you are currently applying for?" I don't know about IT field, but even engineering people (including Biomedical sciences people) that are working as postdocs in Universities in the US may want to pay attention to this. Sometimes our past work profile doesn't let us break free from it.
I'm (currently) willing to move where my job takes me. This limits my options for marriage. That means I've to look for a man who is located in or will be willing to move to my work-town (which is rare to find and difficult to ask). This is how it was (for me) in the US as well. If what I'm experiencing is true then what did I achieve by leaving USA? At least I would get a better salary there. I told myself - 1) I don't have visa issues here 2)The economy is growing so I have a hope of finding some job somewhere to begin with and then move around 3) I can visit my parents more frequently instead of only worrying about them. I'm hanging onto these 3 reasons for hope and a successful R2I.
I didn't think about this when relocating. I want a job at a certain city in India. If I don't get it, what do I do? Stay unemployed (which is hurting my future employment and chances to get married) or take up a job offer in other town and get on with my professional life (which is what I'm trying to do now).
Work experience, well, relevant work experience is what gives you negotiation power. I read in this forum somewhere "Don't think too highly of yourself that you have a degree from USA or that you have work experience from USA. The industry here is looking (at you) for what they can't find in the local market. If you have some postdoctoral experience doing some esoteric research, (you also know that) they can't use it. What good is that experience for the job you are currently applying for?" I don't know about IT field, but even engineering people (including Biomedical sciences people) that are working as postdocs in Universities in the US may want to pay attention to this. Sometimes our past work profile doesn't let us break free from it.
I'm (currently) willing to move where my job takes me. This limits my options for marriage. That means I've to look for a man who is located in or will be willing to move to my work-town (which is rare to find and difficult to ask). This is how it was (for me) in the US as well. If what I'm experiencing is true then what did I achieve by leaving USA? At least I would get a better salary there. I told myself - 1) I don't have visa issues here 2)The economy is growing so I have a hope of finding some job somewhere to begin with and then move around 3) I can visit my parents more frequently instead of only worrying about them. I'm hanging onto these 3 reasons for hope and a successful R2I.
My R2I thoughts diary
Today is one of those days... my mistakes are hitting me hard.
I was recently asked by an interviewer "You stayed in the US for almost a decade. Why don't you have a GC?"
I answered the Q, finished the interview, left the room, came outside, sat down and wondered if I had wrong goals all along? Why am I so stupid? Why did I go through with a PhD instead of leaving with an MS? Why did I not just marry someone there? Why did I leave without a GC and now no possibility of returning?
I really should have made haste to get myself a GC while my parents were in much better health. Now my parents are old and I can't move.
The thought of facing life here still scares me. I don't know if I can handle it.
I was recently asked by an interviewer "You stayed in the US for almost a decade. Why don't you have a GC?"
I answered the Q, finished the interview, left the room, came outside, sat down and wondered if I had wrong goals all along? Why am I so stupid? Why did I go through with a PhD instead of leaving with an MS? Why did I not just marry someone there? Why did I leave without a GC and now no possibility of returning?
I really should have made haste to get myself a GC while my parents were in much better health. Now my parents are old and I can't move.
The thought of facing life here still scares me. I don't know if I can handle it.
My R2I thoughts diary
One my friend, similar background like yours, PhD from Harvard went to India but came back on J1 visa. Now I am sure he will do something to get his GC.
Try J1 visa.
Try J1 visa.
My R2I thoughts diary
I don't have an MS. I have a PhD. I'm having a difficult time getting a job in academics in India. The rules say you need to have BS+MS+PhD. I have only a BS+PhD.
Talked with a principal of a college today
"We haven't processed your request yet because we are not sure if you are eligible as per AICTE rules to teach xxxxx subject. I have looked at your transcript. We have sent the photocopy of your degree certificate and your transcript to xxx University to get an understanding of what you have done. If you can get me a certificate or even a letter from any University in India that shows that your PhD is same as the Indian PhD and you can teach xxx, that will be good."
Does anyone know of such equivalency certification in India? Is there any company in India (like WES, world education services) that evaluates foreign credentials? Thank you.
Talked with a principal of a college today
"We haven't processed your request yet because we are not sure if you are eligible as per AICTE rules to teach xxxxx subject. I have looked at your transcript. We have sent the photocopy of your degree certificate and your transcript to xxx University to get an understanding of what you have done. If you can get me a certificate or even a letter from any University in India that shows that your PhD is same as the Indian PhD and you can teach xxx, that will be good."
Does anyone know of such equivalency certification in India? Is there any company in India (like WES, world education services) that evaluates foreign credentials? Thank you.
My R2I thoughts diary
tinu;467053I don't have an MS. I have a PhD. I'm having a difficult time getting a job in academics in India. The rules say you need to have BS+MS+PhD. I have only a BS+PhD.
Talked with a principal of a college today
"We haven't processed your request yet because we are not sure if you are eligible as per AICTE rules to teach xxxxx subject. I have looked at your transcript. We have sent the photocopy of your degree certificate and your transcript to xxx University to get an understanding of what you have done. If you can get me a certificate or even a letter from any University in India that shows that your PhD is same as the Indian PhD and you can teach xxx, that will be good."
Does anyone know of such equivalency certification in India? Is there any company in India (like WES, world education services) that evaluates foreign credentials? Thank you.
I have been reading your R2I diary, and feeling a tad sad. My feelings on this (R2I of girl-child) slipped out in an exchange a long while ago:
okonomi;394712[QUOTE]Originally Posted by GutsyGibbon [URL="http://www.r2iclubforums.com/forums/showthread.php?p=394709#post394709"]It is really no skin off my nose, but whenever some desi couple decide to stay outside of India, LIA or whatever, and they have a daughter, I feel happy.in "Most Dangerous Countries for Women"
[/URL].....I also read that India has more people below poverty than 50 african countries combined. Sometimes I wish I only read sites like goodnewsindia.com, and nothing else about India.
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My R2I thoughts diary
Reading this thread, reminded me of my past. I realized early on that I was not somebody who was exceptionally brilliant neither did I have the wherewithal/zest/dedication/inclination to spend 4 years of my youth pursuing something that may not necessarily translate into material benefits. I was definitely above average in my studies but not, by far stretch, exceptional. Moreover I had spent 2 years pursuing M.Tech from IIT just so that I could become a research assistant while pursuing an academic program (which I did). I had enrolled in a PhD program, but chickened out after MS. And, I am happy I did.
Exceptionally gifted never have any problems in their career, it's like people like me who are borderline cases that do. I realized that I will never be able to monetize my PhD work. Those were 90s and I saw a spate of H1Bs who were at best average making decently good money. I could not justify toiling in a PhD collecting meager checks for being an academic helper to some prof.
Sorry, couldn't resist posting this personal anecdote. I am not qualified to advise you and don't even know what to say.
Exceptionally gifted never have any problems in their career, it's like people like me who are borderline cases that do. I realized that I will never be able to monetize my PhD work. Those were 90s and I saw a spate of H1Bs who were at best average making decently good money. I could not justify toiling in a PhD collecting meager checks for being an academic helper to some prof.
Sorry, couldn't resist posting this personal anecdote. I am not qualified to advise you and don't even know what to say.
My R2I thoughts diary
cantor;467126 I had enrolled in a PhD program, but chickened out after MS. And, I am happy I did.
I could not justify toiling in a PhD collecting meager checks for being an academic helper to some prof.
Sorry, couldn't resist posting this personal anecdote. I am not qualified to advise you and don't even know what to say.
Good decision! I look back at my life and wonder why did I bother going for a PhD. Only those who know exactly how they are going to use a PhD should go for it. I'm having one of those days where, like I mentioned in my previous post, my mistakes are hitting me hard. I've seen those that got out with a terminal MS have a much better quality of life compared to me now. They were able to get their careers started sooner and had established themselves in their careers by the time I had graduated. They also seemed to have a better quality of life than me. Financially... of course, they are much ahead of the game than me.
My R2I thoughts diary
Just read one of your earlier posts. you have a little different scenario than most returnees. Its commendable that you have done this for your parents. Hang in there... what seems very bleak today, definitely changes over time. And what seems like a blunder/mistake can turn-around to be one of the best things that you ever did, even though you may not realize this now.