I came to the United States from India to pursue my Master’s in Engineering Management. What started as a decision to study abroad became a journey of building a life, navigating the challenges of being an international student, and eventually building my career in the U.S. Today, I work as an Industrial Engineer in the manufacturing industry, with experience across industrial engineering, process improvement, automation, capital projects, and project execution. My journey has given me a perspective from both sides. I’ve been the student trying to figure out whether studying in the U.S. is the right decision, and I’ve experienced what it takes to transition from an international student into a working professional. I’ve made plenty of decisions along the way - some straightforward, some difficult, and some that I wish I had understood earlier. Now, I’m sharing that journey, the lessons I’ve learned, and the perspective I’ve gained along the way.