I was laid off twice in 3 months while working as an immigrant in the US. I'm still in survival mode.
A UX designer shares her personal experience of navigating the US job market as an immigrant after facing two layoffs in a single year. She discusses the anxiety of maintaining visa status and the challenges of pursuing a career in the tech industry during a period of economic uncertainty.
Why it matters
It highlights the precarious nature of employment for H-1B visa holders and the broader impact of tech sector layoffs on international workers.
Tanvi Pisal was laid off twice, both times without an H-1B visa. Tanvi Pisal Tanvi Pisal moved from India to the US to earn a master's degree and pursue a career in UX design. Two layoffs forced her to pack up her life twice and left her racing to keep her future in the US alive. She found another job and is now pursuing a Ph.D., but says she still fears every unexpected meeting and email. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Tanvi Pisal, a 29-year-old UX designer from India. She went through two layoffs within a year while working in the US. It has been edited for length and clarity. I've always seen the US as the land of opportunity . I grew up in Pune, a city in western India, where I earned my bachelor's degree in software engineering.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in