In Dilemma:My heart says "YESSS"....Mind says "WHOA!!" Is R2I for me?

[graju80]

All, This forum has been an amazing discovery for me for various reasons, but mainly because of the positive help one gets in this time of dilemma. The R2I diaries have been immensely helping as well, as many of the diaries talk about the positivity of R2I and share many of the same reasons that I want to head back.

I came here with my parents when I was 15 (1995), followed the H4-GC-USC route, got married, wife has GC, we had a baby,baby has USC. My father passed away last year, mom is living with me (Mom has USC). I am 30 today and have been thinking about moving India. I grew up in Pune, and my wife grew up in Chennai. I have very recently thought about R2I, but I've always known true happiness for our family lies only in India. And the more I think about this, the more prominent the thoughts of happiness become. The friends, the family, the food, the festivals, the weddings, other events, the vacations, the growth of the economy etc etc. All exciting and the list literally does not end. Everything other negatives like traffic on the road, commute times,low level corruption, lethargic way of getting things done, are something that I am used to so, they dont pop up in my mind as a negative that would change our decision. This opinion is not just mine but especially my wife's, and my mother's. They would be the happiest women on the face of this planet if we had to go back. My son is one year old, he will definitely adjust and grow up with grandparents around and cousins, and his happiness and lifestyle matters more than any other reason I can conjure of.

But the only topic I am slightly nervous about is my job prospects there, I am doing quite well here, but this is all I know work wise, If I continue in my current career path I have a good idea as to where I might end up. But I have never worked in India and am very uncertain about where to start and where I'll end up. I don't even know what is a good salary is , for example, what does a 6 figure income equate to in a Indian salary? What about the cut throat competition I hear about, the workplace politics, and the completely slave-owner type management style? Is that all true?

What does everyone think? Any comments and any words of advise will be very appreciated.

[Old-Spice2]

>>>But the only topic I am slightly nervous about is my job prospects there, I am doing quite well here, but this is all I know work wise, If I continue in my current career path I have a good idea as to where I might end up. But I have never worked in India and am very uncertain about where to start and where to end up. I don't even know what is a good salary is , for example, what does a 6 figure income equate to in a Indian salary? What about the cut throat competition I hear about, the workplace politics, and the completely slave-owner type management style? Is that all true?

You have to explain your education and experience. Are you in IT or in some non-transferable field like law? As far as salaries are concerned, can not comment without knowing your background. You are at right age - in another 10 years you will be aged out of Indian job market. People with 4-10 years experience have best chance to land a job quickly. Management style is different in Indian companies but if you chose MNC you will do fine. Competition is fierce due to too many people chasing fewer opportunities. It will be better if you can get some offer while in USA and then move.

[oasis138]

>>>But the only topic I am slightly nervous about is my job prospects there, I am doing quite well here, but this is all I know work wise, If I continue in my current career path I have a good idea as to where I might end up. But I have never worked in India and am very uncertain about where to start and where to end up. I don't even know what is a good salary is , for example, what does a 6 figure income equate to in a Indian salary? What about the cut throat competition I hear about, the workplace politics, and the completely slave-owner type management style? Is that all true?

You have to explain your education and experience. Are you in IT or in some non-transferable field like law? As far as salaries are concerned, can not comment without knowing your background. You are at right age - in another 10 years you will be aged out of Indian job market. People with 4-10 years experience have best chance to land a job quickly. Management style is different in Indian companies but if you chose MNC you will do fine. Competition is fierce due to too many people chasing fewer opportunities. It will be better if you can get some offer while in USA and then move.

Not sure but does you firm or its competitors have an office in India? That might be one option. As oldspice highlighted above you haven't provided much info on what you do and what's your experience etc. Yes mgmt styles are different and that should be expected because >99% employees in most firms are Indians. Its the same if you take Europe China or any other place. The US mgmt style is slowly picking up but cultural differences will always remain.

[graju80]

Thanks Old Spice,I have completed UG in USA in IT but not PG. I have always worked in IT with 10 years total experience, 7 of which have been in Database Technologies. MNC is a good idea, and I have been applying for various jobs at Naukri.com.

[graju80]

Not sure but does you firm or its competitors have an office in India? That might be one option.

Thanks Oasis, No the company I work for does not have any offices in India, they mainly support the Federal Government in the US so I dont think they would want to set up in India either. Thanks,

[oasis138]

Thanks Old Spice,I have completed UG in USA in IT but not PG. I have always worked in IT with 10 years total experience, 7 of which have been in Database Technologies. MNC is a good idea, and I have been applying for various jobs at Naukri.com.

well being in IT is half the job done....that's the biggest segment for r2i'ers and u should get tons of help/info on this site.

[graju80]

I guess the main question for me is, what minimum salary should I expect? 10 years total experience, 7 Years in Database technologies, last four years consulting at The White House ( if that matters even a little bit..) . I think of it as a leverage here in USA, I dont know if it translates like that in India.

[Sid]

Have you been visiting India all these years? I mean the India of 2010 is too different from the nostalgic memories of 1995... Do you have a big extended family in India, with whom you (or your mom) haven't lost touch? Do you have enough savings that you can expect to purchase an apartment (100% down) in Pune/Chennai/Bangalore?

last four years consulting at The White House ( if that matters even a little bit..) . I think of it as a leverage here in USA, I dont know if it translates like that in India.

You can think about working for R&AW (j/k).

[venkat786]

OP,

You are only 30, have USC, in the IT field, family is willing to R2I, Kiddo will be happy, no school going kids, No home in US, you are excited - I don't think others matter. Take the plunge, you have nothing to loose but get valuable international exposure.

added later -
you can expect ~ 15 lakhs per annum for your 10 years experience.

[graju80]

@sid... Yes I have been visiting India almost every year since 2000, got married in India, so I am aware of what India looks like now, though the nostalgia only helps more than not. No I dont have enough savings to purchase a home 100% down, But enough to get 25 to 30% down. I have a lot of extended family in Pune, Chennai and around Bangalore, most of whom I am very very fond of.

@venkat...Thanks boss, lots of things are going for me than against, I think it might be my own brain evaluating and re evaluatiing many time before I get right down to it. 15 lakhs per annum does sound promising!!