Key Takeaways
- STEM advantage: Supply Chain Management is a STEM program offering 3 years OPT
- H1B lottery reality: Even with great experience, lottery can force return decisions
- India transformation: E-commerce and D2C boom has created massive supply chain opportunities
- Strategic career building: 5 years experience before Masters helped target right companies
- Entrepreneurship option: Building own brand while leveraging supply chain expertise
The Foundation: Building Experience Before Masters
Shivam's journey started with a solid foundation in India:
Pre-US Career
- Education: Bachelor's in Automotive Engineering from UPES
- First Job: Campus placement at Mahindra in Supply Chain
- Experience: 5 years building supply chain expertise
- Learning: Understanding global projects and core companies
"I've already spent 5 years in supply chain so I was able to understand how the global projects work and which are the core companies where I can focus down the line once I finished my Masters."
The US Journey: Masters and Career
Choosing the Right Program
Shivam was strategic about his Masters choice:
"My Masters was in Supply Chain itself - Masters of Science in Supply Chain Management. It's a STEM program, so that helped me to stay another 1+2 = 3 years post my education."
University Selection Process
- Applied to Penn State, UT Dallas, and others
- UT Dallas offered scholarship - key decision factor
- Researched US News rankings for supply chain programs
- Goal: Level up career and access top companies
Career Progression in US
Michigan (First Role)
Started career post-Masters. Extreme weather (-20°F) was challenging.
California - Tesla
Moved to West Coast for better weather and opportunities.
Los Angeles - Boeing
Better work-life balance compared to Bay Area.
The H1B Reality Check
Despite impressive experience, the visa lottery didn't work out:
"Spent almost 3 years, my H1B didn't get in, didn't come in a lottery as all we go through the process. The only solution I had was either go for a PhD which is one degree up - I even thought of applying for it, I got the visa extension."
The Decision Point
"I was thinking like I don't want to give another three years for studies and then start working again. So that changed my perspective and then I came back to India in 2021."
Options When H1B Doesn't Come Through
- PhD route: Extends visa but adds 3+ years of study
- Company transfer: If employer has India operations
- Return to India: Leverage US experience in growing market
- Other countries: Canada, UK, or other destinations
Supply Chain Opportunities: US vs India
US Market
"Opportunities are great as you see all the companies like Amazon, all e-commerce companies are also supply chain companies - they fulfill your orders. There are Walmart's, Amazon, Target - so many big players."
India's Transformation Since 2016
Shivam noticed massive changes when he returned:
"In 2016, I was working in a manufacturing setup with Mahindra. At that time there was not a big surge in e-commerce companies. Amazon started operations I think in 2014 - they were quite new to the country."
India Today
"When I came back I could figure out there are lots of companies - e-commerce, D2C (Direct to Consumer) - that's a focus area we could see right now. That segment is booming like anything."
🇺🇸 US Opportunities
- Amazon, Walmart, Target
- Mature e-commerce ecosystem
- Established logistics networks
- Higher salaries
🇮🇳 India Opportunities
- E-commerce boom
- D2C brand explosion
- FMCG export growth
- Startup ecosystem
Career After Return: Multiple Paths
Shivam explored different opportunities after returning:
Working with US-Focused Startup
"I was working for one startup - it's in sustainable products. They were catering to US market itself. How we used to work is we used to send products from India to US, once the products reach US ports we used to make sure that goods are getting picked and stored in warehouse in US on both coasts."
Building Own Brand
Shivam is now building his own brand, attending retail sessions and leveraging his supply chain expertise:
"I have attended so many retail sessions when I came back and presented my brand. I'm building my own brand so I could figure out there's lots of opportunities - people are coming in, investing lots of good money, especially the VCs."
The Ecosystem Shift
"FMCG sector is growing great because India exports lots of products out to other countries - so they want that sector to grow. Again, people were more focusing on jobs at that time - they wanted to secure either a government job or a private job. But that ecosystem has changed a lot. I could feel that since 2021 when I came back."
What's Changed in India (2016 vs 2021+)
- E-commerce: From nascent to booming
- D2C brands: Explosion of direct-to-consumer companies
- VC funding: Significant investment in retail/supply chain
- Mindset: From job security focus to entrepreneurship
- Exports: FMCG and product exports growing
Advice for Non-IT Professionals
For Those in US
- STEM programs like Supply Chain Management offer 3-year OPT
- Build experience at top companies (Tesla, Boeing, Amazon)
- Have a backup plan for H1B lottery uncertainty
- US experience is valuable even if you return
For Those Considering Return
- India's supply chain ecosystem has transformed dramatically
- D2C and e-commerce offer significant opportunities
- Consider entrepreneurship alongside employment
- US experience commands premium in Indian market
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Supply Chain Management a good career option for returning to India?
A: Yes, especially now. The e-commerce boom, D2C brand explosion, and FMCG export growth have created massive demand for supply chain professionals. The ecosystem has transformed significantly since 2016.
Q: What happens if H1B lottery doesn't work out?
A: Options include pursuing PhD (extends visa but adds years), company transfer to India operations, returning to India to leverage US experience, or exploring other countries. Shivam chose to return rather than spend 3 more years on PhD.
Q: Is Supply Chain Management a STEM program?
A: Yes, MS in Supply Chain Management is typically classified as STEM, which allows for 3 years of OPT (1 year regular + 2 year STEM extension) instead of just 1 year for non-STEM programs.
Q: How does US supply chain experience help in India?
A: US experience at companies like Tesla, Boeing, or Amazon is highly valued. You can work for US-focused startups from India, join multinational companies, or leverage expertise to build your own brand in the growing D2C space.
Q: What's the D2C opportunity in India?
A: Direct-to-Consumer brands are booming in India with significant VC funding. Supply chain professionals can either join these companies or start their own brands, leveraging their expertise in logistics, fulfillment, and operations.
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