u/ragovar

In the website I couldn't find clear admission criteria specific to MS. I could only see PhD-related information. Am I missing something? Where do I check for the admission criteria to Master's program in Neuroscience? Will there an interview round for MS admissions?

Also, I wanted to know if the UGC NET subject that I'm planning to take the exam in can be different from my Undergraduate major, or if it should be same.

TIA!

I have 3.5 YoE in a good semicon MNC. I had applied to a few Universities in December and got acceptance to a good university. But looking at the current situation in the US in terms of the job market and Visas, I'm really in a dilemma whether it's worth it.

I don't really have close relatives or friends who walked this path. I spoke to a few of my college seniors who are currently in the US on LinkedIn and got mixed opinions. Some said it's really brutal, and others told me it would definitely be difficult to land a job, but possible with my kind of profile/experience (they have a similar profile to mine and are currently working there)

So, all this got me thinking whether it's worth all the hassle. But if I let go of this opportunity, the regret will grow on me. I'm really torn.

So I wanted to ask you guys what your advice would be to someone in my position.

My intention in applying was to change my job role to an adjacent domain to the one I'm currently in, and obviously, better pay and WLB.

PS: I don't have to take out a loan for MS, but I will have to exhaust most of my savings from the last 3 years.

Category	% of Net Pay
(Net Pay after Tax)	100
IN Equity MF - Flexi Cap	16.9
IN Equity MF - Mid Cap	3.2
IN Equity MF - Small Cap	3
US Stocks	1.8
Liquid Fund	6
(Total Investments)	30.9
Living Expenses (Rent, Food, Commute, etc.)	22.5
Supporting Parents in building our Home	33.2
Repaying Education Loan	5.9
One-time spends (Furniture, etc.)	4.4
Medical Bills	1.7
Travel	1.4
(Total Expenditure)	69.1

From this year, I can definitely improve my savings/investments, since our home is now ready. Apart from that, is there anything that I should be doing better?

I feel like I should diversify my investments from now on by buying some commodity ETFs. Is that a good idea?

Any other advice is welcome. TIA!

Long-time lurker of this sub posting now to get some advice.

I (26, BTech from an NIT) work as a hardware engineer in a good semiconductor company. I have 4 YoE and make about 40L a year before tax. With the upcoming promotion this year, my base pay will increase, and I will also get more RSUs.

I got admission to a master's program in ECE at Texas A&M in the US for Fall 2026. My intention in pursuing MS is to land a good job in the US, save as much as I can while I'm there, and return to India. I also wanted to explore and experience the US life.

I don't have any scholarship, so I'll have to pay full tuition from my pocket, which is around 35k USD (living expenses not included).

But looking at the current job market in the US, I'm not really sure if it's worth risking leaving my current job and spending that much. In the worst-case scenario, I would have exhausted my 4 yrs of savings and be jobless after 2 years, which is kind of scary (I'm really not sure how probable this is). But my gut says I should take the leap, so I'm really torn.

I got mixed opinions from my friends who have walked this path. Some say that people with decent profiles are still landing jobs, while some say it's very risky.

Will it be a wise move? Am I thinking about it the right way? Are there any other factors that I should be considering in making my decision? Any advice from you guys would be really helpful..

Thanks!

Is it worth pursuing a Master's degree in CE (Texas A&M), if I want to switch to VLSI roles with 3 YoE as an embedded software engineer?

I have a bachelor's degree in ECE and I have been working as an embedded software engineer for the past 3 years.

A few months ago I had applied to the master's program at a few universities and got into TAMU. But I'm not awarded any scholarship. I have to pay the full tuition from my pocket. So, I'm wondering if it's really worth it.

I have a few questions:

1. Is it possible to pivot to VLSI design roles after MS for someone like me with experience in embedded?

2. Is it a good idea to give up my job and pursue MS in the current job market?

3. Should I focus on analog design as digital RTL and DV roles have a higher chance of being replaced by AI in the long term?

Thanks in advance!

I have a bachelor's degree in ECE and I have been working as an embedded software engineer for the past 3 years.

A few months ago I had applied to the master's program at a few universities and got into TAMU. But I'm not awarded any scholarship. I have to pay the full tuition from my pocket. So, I'm wondering if it's really worth it.

I have a few questions:

1. Is it possible to pivot to VLSI design roles after MS for someone like me with experience in embedded?

2. Is it a good idea to give up my job and pursue MS in the current job market?

3. Should I focus on analog design as digital RTL and DV roles have a higher chance of being replaced by AI in the long term?

Thanks in advance!

I did BTech from an NIT in ECE, and landed an embedded systems job. All my preparation during BTech was towards digital design roles, but due to the nature of college placements, I attended every semiconductor company interview regardless of the role. I didn't want to miss any company as only a handful of companies visit our campus.

Now I feel stuck here and want to pivot to digital design roles. My fundamentals and Verilog are still strong. I don't have any hands-on experience though, except for a few projects. Is it possible for me to pivot at this stage? Or am I daydreaming?

Last year, I got an interview call through a connection and cleared 2 technical rounds. The manager was also positive initially in the interview, but a few days later declined the offer saying they would prefer a candidate with prior experience.

Did any of you switch after 3-4 yrs of experience? If yes, how and what did it take?

Thanks!