Dallas-based IIT Kanpur alum faces two-year job drought, weighs return to India

Key points

• Dev resigned from a software engineering role in Dallas in September 2024 after being asked to relocate to another state.
• He has been jobless for nearly two years, failing to secure a full-time role despite multiple interviews.
• Dev attributes his struggles to age discrimination, the long employment gap, and the IT industry's pivot to AI engineering roles.
• He has turned to gig work on platforms like Uber, DoorDash, and Walmart Spark, but earnings are insufficient to cover high rent.
• Dev drained his savings, took on credit card debt, and raised over $9,000 through a GoFundMe campaign in January to pay bills.
• He will become eligible for Social Security benefits upon turning 62 in January 2027.

Background

This story highlights the growing challenges faced by older tech professionals in the US job market, particularly amid AI-driven shifts and hiring freezes. It follows a broader trend of Indian-origin tech workers reconsidering their US careers due to visa hurdles, economic instability, or career stagnation, as seen in earlier cases like data scientist Disha Lamba returning to Gurugram in May 2026 to escape H-1B constraints.

How outlets are covering it

Hindustan Times and NDTV both report on Dev's two-year job search, emphasizing his age, employment gap, and the impact of AI on IT roles. Both outlets note his turn to gig work and the GoFundMe fundraiser. Moneycontrol adds the detail that Dev previously worked for TCS, though this is not mentioned in the other two sources. All three outlets agree that Dev is considering a return to India but is not in a rush to relocate. The primary source (Hindustan Times) and NDTV both cite Dev's quote, 'I never imagined I'd end up in this situation,' while Moneycontrol focuses more on the financial aspects of his struggle.

Why it matters

Dev's case underscores the precariousness of the US tech job market for older workers, especially as AI reshapes hiring criteria. It also highlights the financial and emotional toll of prolonged unemployment, even for experienced professionals, and raises questions about the safety net for long-term US residents facing career disruptions. The story may resonate with other Indian-origin tech workers in the US who are weighing the risks of staying versus returning to India.

What to watch

Dev plans to continue gig work while awaiting Social Security benefits, which begin in January 2027. He may eventually relocate to India if his financial situation does not improve, though he is not in a hurry to make the move. His case may draw attention to age discrimination in tech hiring and the need for better support systems for older workers in the US.