An Indian professional who graduated from Harvard Business School without a full-time job has shared how persistence, networking, and adaptability helped him secure a role at Google after months of uncertainty and hundreds of job rejections.
Abhijay Vuyyuru, who completed his MBA at Harvard in 2024, faced a difficult job market despite holding one of the world’s most prestigious business degrees. After graduation, he faced a 90-day deadline to find employment in the United States or risk losing his ability to remain in the country under immigration rules.
Before enrolling at Harvard, Vuyyuru had built a career in Europe in data science and product management. He entered business school with ambitions of working at a major technology company such as Google or Apple. However, he discovered that academic credentials alone were not enough in a highly competitive hiring environment.
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According to Vuyyuru, his early job search relied heavily on online applications, many of which were automatically rejected. He later shifted his strategy toward direct networking, reaching out to hiring managers and industry professionals. That approach helped him secure an internship at Apple, which provided valuable experience and expanded his professional network, though a permanent role remained elusive.
As the visa deadline approached, Vuyyuru accepted a short-term internship at a private equity firm. The position allowed him to gain additional U.S. work experience while extending his timeline for continuing the search for full-time opportunities.
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The breakthrough came through Harvard’s alumni network. A classmate informed him about an opening within Google’s YouTube division and referred him to the hiring team. After completing multiple rounds of interviews, Vuyyuru secured a product manager position at Google, joining the company roughly six months after graduating from Harvard.
His experience highlights the challenges international graduates face in the United States, particularly amid a tougher technology hiring market and immigration-related pressures. It also underscores the growing importance of professional networks, referrals and persistence in securing opportunities, even for graduates of elite institutions.
For many international students navigating uncertain career paths, Vuyyuru’s story serves as a reminder that prestigious credentials can open doors, but resilience and relationships often determine which ones ultimately lead to success.