Two Layoffs in Three Months: An Immigrant Designer's Survival Story

Pisal, a 29-year-old UX designer from Pune, India, moved to the US in 2021 to pursue a master’s degree at San José State University. Her initial career path in the Bay Area’s tech sector was derailed in October 2025 when her startup employer eliminated her role. Determined to remain in the country, she accepted a position in New York City, shipping her life across the country at her own expense. The termination arrived just 15 days after her arrival, forcing her to abandon her new apartment and fly back to California on Christmas Day.

With her STEM OPT visa status providing a 60-day window to secure new employment or face deportation, Pisal entered a cycle of aggressive job hunting. She spent hours daily on targeted applications and portfolio development, eventually securing a contract role at a Silicon Valley Big Tech firm in February. Despite the new job, the experience left a lasting impact on her mental well-being. To mitigate the volatility of her immigration status, she has since enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Westcliff University, providing a secondary layer of security through a student visa as she continues to navigate the unpredictable landscape of the tech industry.