Life After MS in USA 🇺🇸 | Data Engineer Reality, Loans & Career Truths

Life after MS in USA explained honestly—data engineering career, tech stack, loan repayment, cost of living, and whether it’s truly worth it. In this episode of Chandu’s World, we sit down with Harsha Teja G, a Data Engineer at ThoughtFocus and AWS-certified professional, to talk about the real life after MS in the USA—beyond degrees, resumes, and LinkedIn success stories. This conversation dives deep into what international students actually face after graduation. Harsha breaks down his day-to-day tech stack, how data engineering roles are evolving in 2025, and whether students should focus more on LLMs, Spark, or core fundamentals. We also discuss the financial reality—education loan repayment timelines, cost of living in the USA, rent, groceries, and whether the MS investment truly pays off. Beyond careers, this episode compares India vs USA life, touching on culture shocks, loneliness, what students miss most about home, and why the “American Dream” isn’t always as glamorous as it looks online. Harsha also shares practical advice for aspiring students, including MS vs work experience, top skills to build for 2025, and the one mistake that can ruin your journey. If you’re planning your MS in the USA or already navigating life after graduation, this podcast gives you clarity, honesty, and a realistic blueprint—without hype or fear. TIMESTAMPS 0:21 – Tech Stack Breakdown (Daily Tools, LLM vs Spark, Data Engineering Trends) 6:34 – Financial Reality (Loan Repayment, Cost of Living, Is MS Worth It?) 19:50 – Advice for Aspiring Students (MS vs Work, Top Skills, Mistakes) 25:22 – Closing Reflection (Was It Worth It?) 📌 If you're planning your journey to the USA — this podcast is your blueprint. 💬 Drop a comment telling us where you’re headed and what scares you the most. Let’s support each other. 📌 Watch These NEXT (Highly Recommended): - Job market Situation in the USA: https://youtu.be/d79cO7cENyE?si=fsmB7Ub8RtLf5XUw - I-20 Explained Clearly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwvfWX3sNHk - 5 DS-160 Mistakes to AVOID: https://youtu.be/eBntx4C87Vo - OPT Process Step-by-Step: https://youtu.be/Dy961IIi1kc?si=oP3xTg88m5UX3Q4k 📱 Stay Connected: 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/worldofchandus/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/poornachandra-kongara/ 📧 Email: ckongarac@gmail.com Best Credit Card Resources:- Credit Card Referrals:- - Zolve: https://zolve.onelink.me/o1XN?pid=referrals&deep_link_sub2=ZOLVE-0ACZT&referral_code=ZOLVE-0ACZT&c=ZOLVE-0ACZT - Discover Card: https://refer.discover.com/ckongarac13!58f9728aae!a - Chase Freedom: https://www.referyourchasecard.com/18N/JFCR2S5IV3 - Amex Blue Cash: https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/blue-cash-everyday-credit-card?ref=POORNKmD9C&XLINK=MYCP #LifeAfterMS #DataEngineerUSA #InternationalStudents #ChandusWorld