From IIT Mechanical to Microsoft: A Lesson in Persistence and Trust

An Instagram video by IIT alumna Shivanjali Verma has stirred new debate across Indian campuses and among international students in the United States 🇺🇸. Verma, who studied Mechanical Engineering at IIT and now works as a software engineer at Microsoft, described a steady, multi‑year path built on persistence rather than perfect timing. Her account matters for global readers because it shows how skill‑building, proof of performance, and patient trust‑building can align with internship and work pathways that many international graduates pursue in the U.S. tech sector.

Verma’s timeline is simple and telling. She completed a short internship at Microsoft in 2021, returned for a second internship in 2022, and received a full‑time offer in 2023. She made her switch from Mechanical Engineering into software by teaching herself to code, joining campus tech groups, and staying consistent.

In her words, luck plays a part, but it doesn’t move you far without patience, discipline, and proof that you can deliver. She also pointed out that many recruiters care less about a degree label and more about a candidate’s cumulative performance, problem‑solving skill, and steady effort. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, employers often look for tangible signals of growth over time—projects, internships, and reliability—especially when candidates come from non‑CS backgrounds like Mechanical Engineering.

Why this matters to IIT and international students

This message is relevant for students at IIT and other top schools who aim for roles at firms like Microsoft but worry their major will block them. Verma’s experience suggests it won’t—if you build the right skills and show them in real work. That aligns with how many international graduates approach early‑career stages: starting with learning and campus projects, then adding internships that convert into full‑time roles.

For students who hope to work in the United States, those steps often sit alongside immigration milestones such as student employment benefits and employer sponsorship, which depend on timely applications and clean documentation.

Key takeaway: Your degree field does not lock your future. Demonstrated ability, steady performance, and internship‑based trust often matter more than the label on your diploma.

Policy context for international graduates

For many international students, internships during or after study are more than resume lines—they can be the bridge to long‑term roles.

• In the U.S., F‑1 students may seek work authorization like Optional Practical Training (OPT), a period of temporary employment directly related to the student’s major. Official details on eligibility and timing are outlined by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on its page for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
• When OPT applies, students request employment authorization with Form I‑765 (Application for Employment Authorization); the official USCIS page for the form is here: Form I-765.

Graduates in science, technology, engineering, and math fields may qualify for STEM OPT extensions after the initial OPT period if they meet USCIS rules and have an employer enrolled in E‑Verify. While Verma’s video didn’t address immigration rules, her stepwise move—from skill‑building, to internships, to a full‑time role at Microsoft—mirrors how international students often pair training with work authorization phases. The emphasis on steady proof of ability, not just a one‑time interview, can help when employers consider sponsorship later on.

Many U.S. employers use the H‑1B specialty occupation route for skilled roles that require specific knowledge. In those cases, the employer files a petition with USCIS using Form I‑129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker); see the form here: Form I-129. Employers also follow annual registration and timing rules set by USCIS. None of this guarantees selection or approval, but the hiring pattern Verma described—where internships build trust—can make a candidate more competitive if a company decides to sponsor.

Importantly, none of these immigration steps change the core message Verma shared: a Mechanical Engineering student can study algorithms, complete projects, and perform in coding interviews. Recruiters at top firms often weigh problem‑solving, consistency, and communication skills, especially when internship managers can vouch for actual work. That kind of proof often matters more than a single exam score or one‑off contest win.

Practical steps for students following a similar path

Verma’s story gives a clear playbook that fits both the job market and common immigration timelines:

1. Start where you are.
   • If you’re in Mechanical Engineering at IIT or any other campus, begin coding now.
   • Use campus labs, student groups, and online practice to build daily habits.
2. Build a trail of work.
   • Create projects, contribute to open source, and solve contest problems to show steady growth.
   • Keep work well‑documented so hiring teams can see progress.
3. Treat internships as trust‑building.
   • Verma’s 2021 and 2022 internships at Microsoft built momentum that ended in a 2023 full‑time offer.
   • Managers remember reliability and clear communication.
4. Keep performance steady.
   • Recruiters track cumulative performance and problem‑solving under pressure.
   • Be consistent in how you approach tasks and deadlines.
5. Share your work.
   • Be visible in tech communities and seek feedback from mentors.
   • Clear, honest communication reduces doubt when roles open up.

For international students in the United States, plan your job search alongside required applications:

• Review OPT timing and filing windows early, and confirm employer readiness for any STEM OPT paperwork if it applies to your degree.
• When discussing full‑time paths, ask employers about their H‑1B policies so you understand internal timelines.
• While companies make those decisions based on many factors, a documented record of strong internships can help a manager push for sponsorship.

Addressing common myths and family concerns

Verma’s experience undercuts a common myth on Indian campuses: that only computer science majors at IIT land software roles at companies like Microsoft. The hiring record across the tech sector shows that strong problem solvers can come from many fields, including Mechanical Engineering. What counts is the match between the role and the proof you bring.

Internships give hiring teams a safer way to test that match over time. That’s exactly what Verma described: no single “perfect chance,” just a series of steps that showed she could deliver.

For families watching from abroad, there’s a human side here too. Long recruitment cycles are tiring. Students worry about grades, interviews, and immigration paperwork. Verma’s point about patience and discipline is practical advice in those tense months.

• Focus on the part you can control: skill‑building, steady performance, and clear communication.
• Handle paperwork on schedule, using official instructions.
• If an employer extends an offer, ask about start dates, training plans, and any support for work authorization so there are no surprises.

Final perspective

Policy debates in Washington can change the pace and shape of skilled immigration, but the basic rhythm on the ground remains:

• Students learn and build projects.
• Interns prove themselves over time.
• Employers decide whether to hire and, if needed, sponsor with Form I‑129.

Through it all, stories like Verma’s remind us that labels don’t decide futures—work does. For many students hoping to reach companies like Microsoft, that work starts early, builds slowly, and earns trust one step at a time.