Indian techie ‘broke down’ after hearing his pay raise rate in US firm: ‘They are taking advantage…’

During a period marked by job cuts and instability across the global technology industry, an Indian graduate working in the United States ignited an intense online discussion after expressing dissatisfaction with what he considered an underwhelming salary increase. His account, shared on Reddit, highlighted the emotional and professional strain he has experienced since finishing his higher education.

After earning a Master’s degree in Computer Science in May 2025, he entered a fiercely competitive employment market. For several months, he submitted applications to numerous companies but received very few interview invitations. Eventually, he secured an internship at a multinational corporation. Although the compensation was relatively low for a high cost-of-living region and the responsibilities largely revolved around automation processes and low-code platforms rather than core software development, he accepted the offer, viewing it as a necessary starting point in a challenging environment.

Over the following six months, he built practical experience working with technologies such as Microsoft Azure and SQL databases. Despite the exposure to these tools, he felt the role remained highly specialized and did not fully align with his long-term aspirations in software engineering. Matters became more complicated when the human resources department approached him with what was described as positive news.




The company proposed transitioning him to a full-time position. However, the offer came with significant conditions. There would be no sponsorship for an H1B visa. Instead, his internship would be extended until June 2026, with a full-time appointment beginning in July. The salary adjustment amounted to only a three-dollar increase per hour over his existing internship pay, a figure he found deeply discouraging given his advanced academic qualifications.

Adding to his unease was the designation of the new position as Business Automation Analyst rather than Software Engineer or a similar title associated with strong technical progression. He confessed that learning about the role and its compensation left him emotionally overwhelmed.



He expressed concern that his immigration status and limited alternatives were being leveraged against him. He worried that both the job title and the modest salary could negatively influence his chances of securing a genuine software development engineer position in the future. This uncertainty led him to question whether remaining in the United States was worthwhile or whether returning to India to rebuild his career might be a better path.



His post, titled Stuck in difficult situation and feeling like coming back, attracted numerous responses. Many commenters acknowledged the difficult employment landscape but advised him to remain patient. Some suggested staying with the company while continuing to search for improved opportunities, emphasizing that a job title alone does not determine long-term prospects. Others encouraged him to wait strategically and move when a stronger offer appears. Several respondents reminded him that, despite the challenges, having employment in the current market is itself valuable and urged him to make the most of the opportunity while persisting in his job search.

If you constantly feel drained, anxious, or undervalued at work, it may be time to reconsider your position. A lack of growth opportunities, stagnant pay, or repeated broken promises about promotions are major warning signs. If your workplace culture feels toxic, with persistent negativity, poor leadership, or ethical concerns, your well-being can suffer. Dreading Mondays, losing motivation, or feeling disconnected from your role are emotional red flags. When your job begins affecting your physical health, relationships, or self-esteem, it signals deeper issues. If efforts to improve the situation fail, resigning might be the healthiest step toward personal and professional growth.

Submitting your resignation should be handled professionally and thoughtfully. First, review your employment contract to understand the required notice period. Request a meeting with your manager to inform them personally before sending a formal letter or email. During the discussion, briefly explain your decision without oversharing or criticizing the organization. Express gratitude for the opportunities and experience gained. After the meeting, submit a concise resignation letter stating your final working day in accordance with your notice period. Offer to assist with the transition by completing pending tasks or training a replacement. Maintain professionalism until your last day to leave on good terms.