Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a rut, wondering if you’ve made a mistake in your career choices? I’m an immigrant student on an F1 VISA in the USA, and I’ve been struggling with these exact feelings. After graduating with a Master’s in Computer Science, I’m about to start my PhD, but I can’t shake off the feeling that I’m behind my peers. I’ve had a rough start, with a few years of unproductivity after my Bachelor’s degree, and now I’m worried that I’ll never catch up.
I’ve had some experience as a data analyst, but it was with a low-tier company, so I don’t feel like I’ve gained any meaningful skills. I’ve tried to learn new things, like image processing and machine learning, but it feels like everyone around me is moving so much faster. I see students six or seven years younger than me landing high-paying jobs, and it’s hard not to compare.
I’ve been wondering if I made a mistake by joining the PhD program. I did it partly to manage my VISA, but now I’m not sure if it was the right decision. I feel like I’ve messed up my career, and I don’t know how to fix it. I’m worried that I’ll be 30 or 31 by the time I finish my PhD, and I still won’t have the skills or the salary I want.
So, how do I move forward? How do I land a data science internship in summer 2026 and start building a better future for myself? I need to know that I’m not alone in feeling this way, and that there’s still hope for me to turn things around.
If you’ve been in a similar situation, I’d love to hear your story. How did you overcome your doubts and fears? What steps did you take to get back on track? Share your experiences, and let’s support each other in navigating our careers.