I feel more job security working in a small venture capital company than a technology giant

This test also told is based on a conversation with Tejas Vijh, an employee of a venture capital company based in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was published for duration and clarity. Business Insider has checked his job and his visa story.

After finishing my baccalaureate in computer science in India, a series of internships and connections led me to a role in a venture capital company very early. I loved the work and research it involved.

Seven months of work in the company, I wanted the exhibition to live and work abroad. I entered a master’s degree in business analysis program at Columbia University and moved to New York in 2022.

From the start, I understood that the company was not a typical career path for international students, including MBA and commercial majors, for a main reason: visa sponsorship problems. I did an internship in two places in summer, and both said they would not be able to sponsor my long -term visa, even if they loved my performance.

When I started looking for the labor market after graduation, I could not find a single person in the industry who was an immigrant, which really demoted. But I was convinced that I wanted to work in health care or climate technology and I decided to continue.

As a graduate of scientific-technology-math engineering, I have the right to a three-year work permit called the optional practical training visa. It is considered a way to secure a H -1B – A visa for highly qualified foreign workers.

500 cold emails

Using Software called Pitchbook, a venture capital database, I downloaded a list of 2,000 companies. I started sending them personalized notes. I started but I did not mention my visa situation.

Many companies have replied even if they did not hire, and I met people for coffee and established connections.

I started to get interviews by my 200th email.

By my 500th email, I had two offers-one of a larger company that told me that they could not sponsor my H-1B but that I could join them for my three years of opt, and another from my current business, where our director partner took the time to understand my visa requirements and the support I would need. I told him how I am faithful and I will stay where I go. My company has three partners and I am the only employee.

The advantages of a small business

I did not get my H-1B visa last year, but my visa was selected as part of this year’s lottery last week. My company was also favorable and helped me explore alternative routes like the O-1 or EV-1 visa, which are visas for extraordinary talents in case my H-1B had not passed.

Some of the recent changes around H-1B also give me a lot of hope because they focus on strengthening the process. The American immigration authorities have reported fewer entries to the lottery this year compared to 2024. Elon Musk, who works with the administration of President Donald Trump, also publicly supported the H-1B program.

I am grateful to have decided to join a small business on a large technological business, where many of my classmates and my family work. Large companies are traditionally considered to be more stable and a safer bet for visa holders, but when layoffs sweep the technology industry, this state of mind changes. I have family members who are always in advance when they could lose their jobs and be forced to make your luggage quickly and leave the United States because their stay depends on their jobs.

I believe that my partners will honestly give me a warning if we have to cut employees. The company is also strongly involved to help me find alternative visas, which East Not always a service provided by large companies. He Add to my peace of mind.