iSchool at Illinois

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Verint

- Working as an Intern in the Recording Integration Service team(RIS) which deals with integrating different third-party services with different internal services via adapters.
- Streamlined and utilized Amazon SDKs in Java to update the Amazon media adapter used by 17 clients
- Enabled monitoring of systems using Anomaly monitoring and detection algorithms to maintain a
better and holistic view of the systems.
- Worked on updating the Cisco Java-SIP adapter which is used by 60% of the clients for their contact
center recordings and metadata. The adapter uses SIP Proxy server at it’s core

Software Engineer Intern

- Owner of the service to create the TPAP(Third Party Application Providers) in partnership with Yes Bank, This service enables users to connect their bank accounts and pay using UPI, and the entire UPI infrastructure that we know and love. 
- The entire TPAP service was written in Golang using the native net http library. It included connecting Uber task queues, consuming the NPCI upi infra and setting up the entire service.
- Worked on user retention features like FamPlay and Mission to increase user retention on the
platform. This feature increased adoption by 20% for recharge transactions and helped acquire 2x more partners
- Worked on streamlining metrics to Grafana for production applications and services
- Created the ETL data pipeline to transfer data for analytics by shifting MongoDB data to Redshift.

Software Engineer

Vellore Institute of Technology

Working under Dr. B.K. Tripathy as a research fellow/intern

- writing survey paper for ‘Adoption of AI based Blockchain’ 
- Contributing a chapter - ‘Deep learning in text analysis’ for a springer text

Research Intern

CodeChef-VIT Student Chapter

Chairperson

Senior Core Committee Member

Core-Committee member

Bobble AI

• Worked in porting the backend legacy PHP code to Golang, This included making the APIs and the
services way faster than what it was.

• Worked on making a new feature that would ensure that the data of the 10 Million users is properly handled and all the regulations are followed, so as to make meaningful analysis

Trademarkia

• Led the Backend implementation of the Trademark Perfect platform, providing online services to
consumers that require intellectual property protection.
• Developed the Trademarkia Recruitment Portal. The platform includes an integrated development
environment with an online judging system, used to test the candidate’s coding skills.
• Worked primarily in the Backend team. Technologies used include NodeJs with Typescript, SQL Toolkit,
GoLang, AWS, Google Cloud, Stripe etc.

Notifvia

Notifvia is powerful chatbot builder for facebook which provides the platform as a SaaS, as a GUI making it easy for the user to make messenger bots.

Software Developer Intern

Josh Talks

Worked on a project alongside Facebook and Ministry of Tribal Affairs India.

Software Development lntern

Result-Oriented Software Engineer with over a year of full time experience and more as an intern working on a diverse set of projects. Skilled in various programming languages while handling systems that scale to millions of users. Committed to a culture of collaboration and excellence, with a dedication to staying up-to-date on the latest development standards and best practices. Aiming to contribute specialized software engineering expertise to a dynamic organization to enable high levels of productivity and customer satisfaction.

I sent over 200 cold LinkedIn DMs last year, asking for referrals, and most got ignored until I changed one thing.

You've probably heard this before: "networking is how you get jobs," and copy-pasting generic messages to random people doesn't work. 

What actually worked are short, credible emails to the right people (HR, recruiters, hiring managers) with clear proof points and a specific ask.

So I built an n8n workflow that automates the entire referral process, and all resources are free.

Here's what it does:

1️⃣ It pulls 10 relevant contacts per company (Hunter.io API)
2️⃣ Gemini AI drafts a personalized referral email for each contact
3️⃣ Everything gets logged in Google Sheets (name, email, subject, body)
4️⃣ (Optional) Sends the emails via Gmail with your resume attached

If I had this when I was applying, I would've saved weeks of manual work and probably landed referrals faster.

I just published the full breakdown, step-by-step setup, workflow file, and Google Sheet template in my latest newsletter. 

Comment "referral" below. I'll share it in your DMs over the coming week.

It is very important to note that we should be connected in order for me to send this over to you, otherwise it will not work, if we are not connected, just send a connection request with a small note attached, and I will be able to send it to you.

#workflow #n8n #referral

Jugal Bhatt

AI & Tech Content Creator | Hackathon Judge | Speaker | Software Engineer @ Amazon | UIUC CS Grad 2025

I sent over 200 cold LinkedIn DMs last year, asking for referrals, and most got ignored until I changed one thing.

You've probably heard this before: "networking is how you get jobs," and copy-pasting generic messages to random people doesn't work. 

What actually worked are short, credible emails to the right people (HR, recruiters, hiring managers) with clear proof points and a specific ask.

So I built an n8n workflow that automates the entire referral process and all resources are free.

Here's what it does:

1️⃣ It pulls 10 relevant contacts per company (Hunter.io API)
2️⃣Gemini AI drafts a personalized referral email for each contact
3️⃣ Everything gets logged in Google Sheets (name, email, subject, body)
4️⃣ (Optional) Sends the emails via Gmail with your resume attached

If I had this when I was applying, I would've saved weeks of manual work and probably landed referrals faster.

I just published the full breakdown, step-by-step setup, workflow file, and Google Sheet template

𝙽𝚈𝙲 you were amazing! 🇺🇸🗽

Thank you soo much for showing around Umang Chauhan Aashna Doshi Harshvi Shah Abir Bhattacharjee.

Had so much fun , worked from amazon nyc office over looking the empire state building (how cool!!) cant wait to come back !

#nyc

People keep asking me, "How do I get more interview callbacks?"

But no one talks about the actual strategy behind it, the resume optimization, the networking, the timing, or the AI tools that save you hours.

Most people think it's just about having a good resume, but that's only part of it. 

The real difference comes from knowing how to get your application seen, how to network so you get referrals immediately, when to apply, and how to use AI to save time without sacrificing quality.

Here's what I learned:

👉 Your resume needs to pass the filters first.
👉 Networking is the fastest way to get callbacks.
👉 Timing matters more than you think.
👉 AI tools save hours.
👉 Follow-ups get you noticed.

I put together a complete guide on all of this that I used to land interviews at top companies.

Comment "CALLBACK" and I'll send it to your DMs.

#jobsearch #career #free

People keep asking me: "How do I get more interview callbacks?"

But no one talks about the actual strategy behind it, the resume optimization, the networking, the timing, the AI tools that save you hours.

Most people think it's just about having a good resume, but that's only part of it. The real difference comes from knowing how to get your application seen, how to network so you get referrals immediately, when to apply, and how to use AI to save time without sacrificing quality.

Here's what I learned:

👉 Your resume needs to pass the filters first. 
👉 Networking is the fastest way to get callbacks. 
👉 Timing matters more than you think. 
👉 AI tools save hours. 
👉 Follow-ups get you noticed. 

I put together a complete guide on all of this that I used to land interviews at top companies.

Comment "CALLBACK" and I'll send it to your DMs.

#jobsearch #career #free


I got 4 interviews in 2 weeks by doing the opposite of what everyone recommends.

I started automating it.

Here's what happens:

Most people are doing work that machines should do, writing resumes, tailoring for each job and doing cold outreach tracking.

Meanwhile, every time it would be exhausting, and they would get rejected.

So, I built a framework to make it much easier, and you have to show up to the interview, focused and ready.

I documented everything, all tools, exact templates, step-by-step workflows, and how to actually execute this without burning out.

The link to the full guide is in the first comment.

#jobsearch #AI #automation

People keep saying network network network! but how?? no one talks about it.

Networking, especially for students, means building connections with people who can help you learn, grow, and find opportunities in your field. 

It’s not just about meeting professionals it includes talking to classmates, professors, alumni, and attending events like career fairs and student conferences.

For introverts, networking doesn’t have to mean being the loudest in the room. It’s about creating meaningful connections at your own pace.

Key Strategies for Introverts:
✔ Start Digital First – Engage with professionals via LinkedIn and emails before meeting in person. 
✔ Quality Over Quantity – Focus on 2-3 meaningful connections instead of broad networking. 
✔ Leverage Your Strengths – Use your listening skills and follow up with thoughtful questions. 
✔ Prepare and Plan – Have a structured networking approach to feel more confident.

I have written a COMPLETE GUIDE on outreach templates, Virtual Networking Tips,  Long-Term Professional Relationships, Cold Messaging, LinkedIn Boolean Search: Finding the Right People and so much more for FREE.

I bet this is the most comprehensive guide for FREE on networking better than 99% of the paid communication courses.

I hope I had this guide 5 years back.

Comment "network" and I will send it to your DMs!

#free #guide

Last semester, I spent 3 hours customizing an application for a U.S. company.

The role was perfect. My resume was tailored. My cover letter was solid. I even got a referral.

But 2 weeks later, ghosted. A recruiter finally responded:

“Unfortunately, we do not sponsor visas at this time.”

That day, I made a rule: never apply blindly again. Always check sponsorship first.

Here’s exactly how I now check if a company supports international applicants like us using official FREE tools.

Step 1: Use the USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub
The USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub provides official information on employers who have submitted H-1B petitions.
🔗 USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub
Alternatively, you can use these external resources: [https://lnkd.in/dDbbauXj], [https://lnkd.in/dKGr2AhU] (depending on the UI and data format you prefer).

Step 2: Search for the Company
✔ Select the Fiscal Year – Choose the most recent year for up-to-date data.
✔ Enter the Company Name – Type in the exact name of the employer to filter search results.

Step 3: Review the Search Results
✔ Check Total Petitions Submitted – This shows how many H-1B applications the company has filed.
✔ Analyze Approval Rates – If the company have multiple approvals, they likely sponsor frequently.

Step 4: Determine Next Steps
✔ If the company appears in the database, they have sponsored visas before, making them a viable option for your job search.
✔ If the company doesn’t appear, they likely do not sponsor H-1B visas, so you may want to focus your efforts elsewhere.

Why This Matters?
Instead of applying blindly, this research helps you target companies that actively support foreign talent, increasing your chances of finding an employer willing to sponsor your visa.

Final Thoughts-

Don’t let uncertainty around visa sponsorship slow you down.

A quick check with the H-1B Data Hub can save dozens of hours. Focus your efforts on employers that actually support international talent. Combine this with referrals and AI-powered job tools for maximum results

Two months into Amazon, I've learned more about working at big tech than 4 years of getting here taught me.

A lot of people DM me asking about my experience at Amazon and what they should focus on when they join their first "real" job.

Here are my top 7 lesser-talked-about lessons:

1/ Your impact > Your hours

I used to think working late meant working hard. Then I got paged during an outage at 2 AM and realized: it's not about how many hours you're online, it's about solving the right problems. Ship value, not activity.

2/ Documentation is your best friend

I learned this the hard way. When you're working across teams and time zones, nobody's going to remember what you said in a Slack thread 3 weeks ago. Write it down, make it searchable, and your future self (and your teammates) will thank you.

3/ Ask questions early, not after you're stuck

I used to wait 2 hours trying to debug something alone before asking for help. Now, if I'm stuck for 15 minutes, I ping someone. Nobody thinks you're dumb for asking. They think you're smart for unblocking yourself fast.

4/ Say no to protect your yes

Everything feels urgent in big tech. Someone always needs something "real quick." But if you say yes to everything, you dilute your focus. Protect your priorities. Say no to things that don't move your core work forward.

5/ Feedback is data, not criticism

I used to take feedback personally. Now I see it as a signal. If my teammates, say, my design doc needs more clarity, that's not a judgement, it's information I can act on. Don't make it personal, but use it for your upskilling.

6/ Work friends ≠ Real friends

Be professional. Be kind. But don't overshare. Office dynamics change, and there are many circumstances that might change. Keep some boundaries.

7/ Systems > Speed

At Amazon, I'm learning to build systems that scale. Fast is good, but fast and repeatable is better. Automate what you can. Document what you can't.

For 19-year-old me in India, Amazon was the impossible dream.

Now I'm here, and I'm realizing: getting in was hard, but in reality, staying sharp, learning fast, and building the right habits are the real work you need to focus on.

What's one lesson from your job that nobody prepared you for?

#amazon #lessons #life

Two months into @Amazon, I've learned more about working at big tech than 4 years of getting here taught me.

A lot of people DM me asking about my experience at Amazon and what they should focus on when they join their first "real" job.

Here are my top 7 lesser-talked-about lessons:

1/ Your impact > Your hours
I used to think working late meant working hard. Then I got paged during an outage at 2 AM and realized: it's not about how many hours you're online, it's about solving the right problems. Ship value, not activity.

2/ Documentation is your best friend
I learned this the hard way. When you're working across teams and time zones, nobody's going to remember what you said in a Slack thread 3 weeks ago. Write it down, make it searchable, and your future self (and your teammates) will thank you.

3/ Ask questions early, not after you're stuck
I used to wait 2 hours trying to debug something alone before asking for help. Now, if I'm stuck for 15 minutes, I ping someone. Nobody think

Do the things that scare you, they can change you the most.

When I shifted to the US in 2024 for my masters, I used to fear networking and speaking with strangers.

The small talk. 
The awkwardness of approaching strangers. 
That sinking feeling of "I don't belong here."

I was an introvert in a room full of extroverts, and it paralyzed me.

But I kept saying yes anyway —

- To career fairs (even when I wanted to leave)
- To coffee chats with people I barely knew
- To speaking up in group settings (even when my hands shook)
- To reach out to alumni and ask for help

And slowly, the fear became... familiar.

Now I actually enjoy it, as it allows me to meet people and build genuine relationships, and I realized that most people are just as nervous as I was.

The fear didn't disappear. 
I just learned to walk with it.

And that's where everything opened up.

Every opportunity I've had, whether internships, jobs, or people who believed in me, came from someone I almost didn't talk to.

Soon, I realised being an introvert isn't a weakness, but avoiding connection because of it is, and I started focusing on what's important to do in life rather than how scarily or terrifying it is.

What's the thing you've been too scared to do that you know could change your path?

#USA #growth #networking

Do the things that scare you, they can change you the most.

When I shifted to the US in 2024 for my masters, I used to fear networking and speaking with strangers.

The small talk. 
The awkwardness of approaching strangers. 
That sinking feeling of "I don't belong here."

I was an introvert in a room full of extroverts, and it paralyzed me.

But I kept saying yes anyway —

- To career fairs (even when I wanted to leave)
- To coffee chats with people I barely knew
- To speaking up in group settings (even when my hands shook)
- To reach out to alumni and ask for help

And slowly, the fear became... familiar.

Now I actually enjoy it, as it allows me to meet people and build genuine relationships, and I realized that most people are just as nervous as I was.

The fear didn't disappear. 
I just learned to walk with it.

And that's where everything opened up.

Every opportunity I've had, whether internships, jobs, or people who believed in me, came from someone I almost didn't talk to.

So

I've been getting a lot of DMs about internships lately.

Everyone wants Big Tech internships, and I get it, Google, Amazon and Meta for Work are great places to work at.

But, in real time, if you don't have much experience, you're competing against 1000s of other candidates for those same spots. 

If you are at your university and looking for internships, you can apply to YC companies.

📍 Fast hiring (we're talking weeks, not the 6-month Big Tech marathon)
📍 They actually read your application instead of filtering by keywords - because fewer applications 

Big Tech companies are phenomenal!

But if you've been stuck in the application cycle for months, maybe it's time to explore a different path.

If you want the list of YC startups actively hiring interns right now.

Here it is - https://lnkd.in/dmBRiqtR

#career #interships #YC

------

👉 For more such information and tips, subscribe to my newsletter: https://lnkd.in/d9-8NGZQ

honestly just feeling grateful today.

for the people who reply to my 2am messages when i'm stuck on something.
for the friends who became coworkers and the coworkers who became friends.
for everyone who's hyped me up when i doubted myself.

for the opportunities that scared me but worked out anyway.

for this community that actually gives a shit and shows up.

if we've ever had a conversation, worked on something together, or you've just been someone i can count on - thank you. you made this year way better than it would've been without you.

hope you're eating good food and surrounded by people who make you laugh today.

happy thanksgiving 🧡

#thanksgiving

I got my first startup offer in 17 days.

Not by applying to 300 companies, but by showing I cared about what they were building before they even knew my name.

Everyone said, "Startups are fast but hard to get into."

The truth is, the process is fast, but it's not about being the smartest person. It's about showing you're commitment to solving problems and contributing value upfront.

Here's exactly what I did:

1. Found startups that were actively hiring

Didn't spam 300 random applications. Used YC's Work at a Startup (workatastartup.com) and Wellfound (formerly AngelList) and filtered by "Recently Active" and "Seed/Series A." These companies hire fast, read applications, and also respond.

2. Researched what they were actually building

I went through their websites, read their blogs, watched founder interviews and studied their roadmap and framed myself a few questions:

→What are they trying to disrupt?
→What problem are they solving?
→What's their company vision?
→What are their values and foundations?

If I couldn't explain what the company does in 2 sentences, I moved on.

3. Checked if they had open source projects

This was the key move. If they had open source repos on GitHub, I started contributing by fixing bugs, improving current features and adding small features

This did three things:
→ Got me noticed by the founders directly
→ Showed ownership and bias for action
→ Proved I could contribute to their actual codebase

4. Reached out once I had context

When I finally messaged them, I wasn't just another applicant in their inbox. I was the person who fixed their CI/CD pipeline or improved their onboarding docs, or contributed a feature they needed.

And it helped me in getting faster responses because I'd already proven I could do the work.

5. Used free startup-specific prep

Startups don't care about textbook CAP theorems. They care about real-world tradeoffs. I used ByteByteGo on YouTube and Alex Xu's System Design Primer on GitHub and found GitHub repos with real interview questions from Stripe, Rippling, Notion, Figma, and Linear and studied DSA patterns that actually get asked at startups (not random LeetCode grinding).

Most people wait for job boards to refresh and spam applications and hope something sticks, but the smartest job seekers know: startups hire fast and preparation compounds.

You don't need connections. You just need a system that works.

Resources mentioned:

→ YC's Work at a Startup: workatastartup.com
→ Wellfound: wellfound.com
→ ByteByteGo YouTube channel
→ Alex Xu's System Design Primer (GitHub)
→ Company-wise SDE Prep (GitHub)
→ prepare.sh (data interviews)
→ Google SRE Book (free PDF)
→ The Missing Semester of CS (MIT)

What's one thing you wish you'd known before applying to startups?

#startup #jobs #tech

I got my first startup offer in 17 days.

Not by applying to 300 companies, but by showing I cared about what they were building before they even knew my name.

Everyone said, "Startups are fast but hard to get into."

The truth is, the process is fast, but it's not about being the smartest person. It's about showing you're commitment to solving problems and contributing value upfront.

Here's exactly what I did:

1. Found startups that were actively hiring

Didn't spam 300 random applications. Used YC's Work at a Startup (workatastartup.com) and Wellfound (formerly AngelList) and filtered by "Recently Active" and "Seed/Series A." These companies hire fast, read applications, and also respond.

2. Researched what they were actually building

I went through their websites, read their blogs, watched founder interviews and studied their roadmap and framed myself a few questions:

→What are they trying to disrupt?
→What problem are they solving?
→What's their company vision?
→What are thei

The skill that has helped me in every opportunity in my career is building real relationships.

In my second year of college, I signed up for a random virtual career fair. I didn't know anyone, didn't have a polished resume, and almost bailed at the last minute.

But somehow I stayed for one session, and at that very moment the speaker said: "Opportunities don't come to you, you walk into them."

After the session, I started finding people and recruiters on LinkedIn and sent a quick message, and of course, I wasn't expecting a reply.

But they responded, which led to a call. That call led to an introduction. 

Three months later, I had my first internship.

Here's what I've learned about building relationships (even if you're an introvert):

📍 Quality > Quantity

You don't need to network with 50 people. Pick 2-3 and build deep, meaningful connections. One solid relationship beats 50 shallow ones.

📍 Start online, not in-person

If networking events feel overwhelming, start on LinkedIn. Comment thoughtfully, send genuine DMs, and build rapport before meeting face-to-face.

📍 Lead with value, not asks

Send a thank-you. Share a helpful resource. Celebrate someone's win. Relationships grow when you give first.

📍 Follow up consistently

Most people stop after one message. Follow up 5-7 days later with something thoughtful. Respectful persistence stands out.

📍 Play the long game

Some connections help you immediately. Others remember you a year later. Stay in touch. Check in every few months. The compound effect is real.

I don't call these "networks" anymore. They're relationships I've built and want to keep for life.

What's one relationship that changed your career?

#career #networking

How you can use AI to Build Your Resume

Tools I used:

ChatGPT – Drop your experience, get a polished resume
Simplify.jobs – Auto-apply your resume to relevant jobs
TealHQ – Instantly tailor resumes to specific job descriptions

ChatGPT prompt:

“Create a resume for a backend dev intern from this: [pasted my experience]"
Uploaded it to Teal → Pasted job description → Got an AI-optimized resume in seconds

Used Simplify’s Chrome extension to apply to 25 jobs in one sitting

Referrals on Autopilot (Without Feeling Spammy)

Tools:
Hunter.io – Find hiring manager emails
Apollo.io – Filter recruiters by company and role
GPT for LinkedIn – Auto-write personalized messages
MeetFrank – AI job matching + intro to hiring teams

Use This Cold Email Template:

Subject: Interest in [Job Position] at [Company Name]
Hi [Name],
Hope you're doing well. I’m a [Your Role], and I’m interested in the [Job Position] at [Company].
I’ve worked on [One-liner about your best project/impact].
My background in [Relevant Skills] aligns with [Company Initiative or Product].
Would love to connect or be considered for a referral.
Here’s the role: [Insert link]
Resume attached.
Thanks,
[Your Name]

Track your emails in a Notion sheet (bounce-backs, replies, etc.)
Use Mailmeteor or InstantReply to send 10–15 emails/day
Block 10 mins daily. 

Tools You Need:
LeetCode – Use Blind 75 list
AlgoRush – AI predicts questions for your role
Interview Warmup (by Google) – Practice behavioral Qs
FinalRound.ai – Free AI mock interviews

My Routine:
3 LeetCode problems a day (focus on patterns, not volume)
1 AI mock interview with Warmup or FinalRound
1 peer mock on weekends (use Pramp)

Ask ChatGPT:
“Give me 5 PM interview questions for Microsoft.”
“Critique this answer: Tell me about a time you failed.”
“Rewrite my answer to ‘Why should we hire you?’ in a punchier way.”

Tailor Your Resume in 3 Clicks
Every job asks for a “tailored” resume.
But what if AI could just do it... in under 5 minutes?

Tools :
TealHQ – Customizes resume based on job description
Resumeworded – Gives a keyword match score
Scale.jobs – One-stop AI job tracker and resume tool

Workflow:
Paste JD into Teal
Get tailored resume version
Upload to Resumeworded → Optimize until score >85
Apply via Simplify (or directly)
Result: ATS-ready, keyword-rich, personalized resume, no manual editing needed.

Bonus: Land Jobs Before They Go Public

Tools You Need:
SignalHire – See hiring signals before listings go live
Wellfound (AngelList) – Discover early-stage roles
LinkedIn Hack – Find recently hired folks → reach out before roles drop

How It Works:
Filter LinkedIn job listings posted “in the last 3 days”

Message team leads:
“Hey, I saw your recent post — curious if your team is hiring for XYZ?”
Do this before the crowd finds it. Instant edge.

AI won’t get you the job, but it can get you noticed faster, prepped smarter, and burnt out less.

Nobody tells you this, but the real cost of studying in the U.S. isn't just tuition.

It's rent, food, subscriptions, textbooks, and a hundred tiny things that add up fast.
 
During my first year at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, I burned through my savings without even realizing it. 

But by the second semester, I figured out how to stretch every dollar and ended up saving over $6,000 without living like a monk.

If you're an international student struggling with expenses, this guide can be of great help.

The link is in the first comment.

#students #budgeting #collegelife

When I landed in the US, I thought I could just apply for a credit card like everyone else. Wrong.

Turns out, your first key to the financial system here is a 9-digit number: your SSN.

No SSN = limited options.
But once I figured out the process, everything unlocked, credit cards, cashback, and eventually, a good credit score.

Here’s how I did it (and how you can too)

Step 1: Do You Qualify for an SSN?
You can’t get a Social Security Number just for existing here as a student.
You need a valid reason, basically, a job.
This can include:
On-campus employment
Assistantships (Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant roles)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) (for F-1 students)
Before applying, confirm your employment status with your Designated School Official (DSO). This is a crucial step!

Step 2: Gather These Docs
To apply for an SSN, you will need the following documents:
✅ Passport (Must be valid and current)
✅ Visa (Valid F-1 or J-1 visa)
✅ Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status from your university)
✅ Employment Authorization or Offer Letter
For on-campus jobs: An official job offer letter from your employer.
For CPT: I-20 with CPT endorsement.
For OPT: Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
✅ DSO Employment Verification Letter (A letter from your university’s DSO confirming your job and SSN eligibility)
✅ Form SS-5 (Official SSN application form – Download Here)
Check with your university for any additional verification documents required.

Step 3: Go to the Social Security Office
The application must be done in person. Follow these steps:
1️⃣ Find the nearest Social Security Office: Use the SSA Office Locator to find a nearby location.
2️⃣ Schedule an appointment: Some offices require appointments—check in advance!
3️⃣ Bring all required documents: Ensure everything is organized and complete before visiting.

Step 4: Apply for the SSN
At the Social Security Office, you’ll need to:
🔹 Submit your application – Hand over the completed SS-5 form and required documents.
🔹 Answer questions – Be prepared to answer basic questions about your employment and visa status.
🔹 Receive a confirmation slip – This confirms that your application is being processed.

Step 5: Wait for Your SSN Card
Your SSN card will arrive within 2-4 weeks by mail. Once you receive it: ✅ Keep it safe! Your SSN is a sensitive piece of information—only share it when absolutely necessary.

Step 6: Apply for a Beginner-Friendly Credit Card
Once your SSN arrives, it’s GO time.

Here are the top 2 cards for international students starting out, no credit history needed:

1️⃣ Discover It® Student Cash Back
2️⃣ Chase Freedom Student / Unlimited

Tips Before You Apply:
✔ Only apply if you have some source of income (job/internship)
✔ Don’t apply for too many cards at once, it’ll hurt your score
✔ Always pay the full balance, avoid debt traps
✔ Use it monthly → build a solid credit score over time

#creditcard

Most people think behavioral interviews are just "tell me about yourself" small talk.

They're not.

Behavioral interviews matter as much as technical rounds.

And I've seen strong engineers get rejected because they couldn't articulate their experience clearly.

Behavioral interviews aren't about being perfect. They're about showing you're self-aware, you can grow, and you'll fit the team.

I made a full YouTube video on how I prepared for the behavioral interview, breaking down leadership principles, the STAR method, and the exact stories I used for my interviews at FAANG.

The link is in the first comment.

#FAANG #behavioral #interview

When someone says, “Tell me about yourself,” do you freeze?

Rambling? Overthinking? Underselling?

Just a clear, confident pitch you can drop anywhere from job fairs to coffee shops.

An elevator pitch is your chance to make a powerful first impression, whether you're at a networking event, career fair, or even in line for coffee.

If you are a student I have created a document to helo you craft the Elevator Pitch That Gets You Hired at Career Fairs (in 30 Seconds or Less)

Comment "elevator" to get it in your DMs.

Keep refining your pitch, test different versions, and get feedback from mentors, peers, and professionals.

A strong elevator pitch can open doors to amazing opportunities!
Make it count.


Subscribe to https://lnkd.in/d82yy-QC to get more valuable insights week on week.

#elevator #usa

Whether it’s a networking event, career fair, or even a quick coffee chat, your pitch can make or break the first impression.

But crafting one that truly stands out isn’t easy.

I’ve put together a complete guide on how to build an elevator pitch like this:

— Exactly how to start with an attention-grabbing hook
— Ways to introduce yourself and your value in one memorable line
— Proven tips to tailor your pitch for any audience
— How to end with a call to action that actually gets results

Comment "PITCH" below, and I’ll send the full guide straight to your DMs.

#career #networking #elevatorpitch

Scholarships aren’t just for the “perfect” students with flawless GPAs and a thousand extracurriculars.

Want to know how to find and win scholarships like this without being a genius?

I’ve put together a complete, step-by-step guide packed with:

✔️ Where to find real scholarships (no fluff, just the best databases)
✔️ How to manage deadlines effortlessly with a simple tracker
✔️ Crafting personal statements that actually stand out
✔️ Applying efficiently without burning out
✔️ Why your unique story matters more than perfect scores

The complete guide link is in the first comment

#scholarships #studyabroad #students #freeguide

Having dreams is easy, and everyone has them.

Like -

FAANG job. 
Big salary. 
Work at a startup. 
Build something. 
Change the world.

It's the easy part in life

The hard part is streamlining them.

Like -

Figuring out what actually matters.
What you're willing to sacrifice. What you're not.

The thing in life is you can't have everything, for instance, 

You can't grind 80 hours and have a social life.
You can't chase every opportunity and stay sane.
You can't say yes to everything and stay aligned with who you are.

Most people don't realize this until they're five years in and compromise the real work and start to give up on their dream.

And that's when but knowing which parts of yourself you'll trade for it.

And which parts you absolutely won't.

Will you sacrifice sleep? Time with family? Your integrity in small ways? Your mental health?

Because the dream doesn't care. The grind doesn't care.

Only you do.

I spent years chasing without asking these questions.

Just assumed if I worked hard enough, sacrificed enough, the dream would be worth it.

It wasn't.

The dream came. But I was hollow.

So now I ask different questions:

What do I actually want?What am I willing to trade for it?What will I never trade?

This clarity changes everything.

Because streamlining your dreams isn't about lowering them.

It's about being honest about the cost.

And deciding if it's worth it.

Most people don't do this.

They just keep pushing. Keep sacrificing. Keep wondering why the win feels empty.

To anyone with big dreams:

Have them. Chase them. But streamline them first.

Know your non-negotiables.

Know what you can live without.

Know what you'll regret sacrificing.

Because the real work isn't achieving the dream.

It's staying yourself while you do it.

What would you never compromise on, no matter what?

#life #dreams

Having dreams is easy, and everyone has them.

Like -

FAANG job. 
Big salary. 
Work at a startup. 
Build something. 
Change the world.

It's the easy part in life

The hard part is streamlining them.

Like -

Figuring out what actually matters.
What you're willing to sacrifice. What you're not.

The thing in life is you can't have everything, for instance, 

You can't grind 80 hours and have a social life.
You can't chase every opportunity and stay sane.
You can't say yes to everything and stay aligned with who you are.

Most people don't realize this until they're five years in and compromise the real work and start to give up on their dream.

And that's when but knowing which parts of yourself you'll trade for it.

And which parts you absolutely won't.

Will you sacrifice sleep? Time with family? Your integrity in small ways? Your mental health?

Because the dream doesn't care. The grind doesn't care.

Only you do.

I spent years chasing without asking these questions.

Just assumed

taplio

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