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It's not just about coming to work in the US. I want to work at a fast paced environment generally seen at a startup and I have previously worked for indian st

It's not just about coming to work in the US. I want to work at a fast paced environment generally seen at a startup and I have previously worked for indian startups and they tend to exploit the developers(atleast thats what I have experienced), hence US. Infact, I have earned more by freelancing for US based startups/companies on Odesk in a month than what I got after working for a startup for 6 months in India. and btw what do you mean by 'H1B visa is evil'?

NhanH 12y ago
I don't know the situation in India, but there are a whole lot of horror stories of startups (and non-startup companies) in the US exploiting employees. Just because you earn more freelancing for US companies doesn't necessary mean coming working for startups in the US will give you higher living standard, Silicon Valley - and California on average - is ridiculously expensive to live in. Again, do your research, I'm not in a position to know your situation. That actually ties to the part of "H1B is evil". I'd rather not bring up that discussion, just search on HN (in both stories and comments) for "indentured servants" and/ or "H1B" to see all the comments from both sides in the past. Anyway, the general advice for young-ish (I assume you are) programmer wanting to work for startup is to find not early stage startups, but mid-size one (think of current Uber/ Lyft/ Wanelo, or Facebook 2006-2007 etc.). As you will learn more, have an easier life (not that the work is not as challenging as early stage startup, but early stage startup is quite ... insane in some aspects), and further more, you can already filter out the crappy companies. Remember, most startups die in the first two years or so, and if us programmers can pick who doesn't... well, I think I have a better job for you :-)
- scottydelta 12y ago
  yes, mid-size startups are what I meant by working at US based startup. I dont want to risk coming to US to work for a startup who is at very early stage until and unless I believe in the idea and seem doable as a startup.
shubhamjain 12y ago
Although I can agree to the fact that most "startups" (or better say, run-of-the-mill tech firms) here will see programming as just another manufacturing process and won't respect what a good programmer can bring to the table but there still are startups who are awesome and struggling to find good developers. If you wish, you can contact me, email is in my profile.
mpeg 12y ago
My company (startup within big co) just opened an office in APAC and we hired a remote-with-travel engineer. We ended up going with someone who is located in Singapore, but I interviewed people from Malaysia and India, it might be worth looking out for similar opportunities of companies expanding into asia. Also, there's a growing startup scene in KL, which I'm sure is easier when it comes to getting a work visa.

NhanH 12y ago

I don't know the situation in India, but there are a whole lot of horror stories of startups (and non-startup companies) in the US exploiting employees. Just because you earn more freelancing for US companies doesn't necessary mean coming working for startups in the US will give you higher living standard, Silicon Valley - and California on average - is ridiculously expensive to live in. Again, do your research, I'm not in a position to know your situation. That actually ties to the part of "H1B is evil". I'd rather not bring up that discussion, just search on HN (in both stories and comments) for "indentured servants" and/ or "H1B" to see all the comments from both sides in the past. Anyway, the general advice for young-ish (I assume you are) programmer wanting to work for startup is to find not early stage startups, but mid-size one (think of current Uber/ Lyft/ Wanelo, or Facebook 2006-2007 etc.). As you will learn more, have an easier life (not that the work is not as challenging as early stage startup, but early stage startup is quite ... insane in some aspects), and further more, you can already filter out the crappy companies. Remember, most startups die in the first two years or so, and if us programmers can pick who doesn't... well, I think I have a better job for you :-)

scottydelta 12y ago
yes, mid-size startups are what I meant by working at US based startup. I dont want to risk coming to US to work for a startup who is at very early stage until and unless I believe in the idea and seem doable as a startup.

shubhamjain 12y ago

Although I can agree to the fact that most "startups" (or better say, run-of-the-mill tech firms) here will see programming as just another manufacturing process and won't respect what a good programmer can bring to the table but there still are startups who are awesome and struggling to find good developers. If you wish, you can contact me, email is in my profile.

mpeg 12y ago

My company (startup within big co) just opened an office in APAC and we hired a remote-with-travel engineer. We ended up going with someone who is located in Singapore, but I interviewed people from Malaysia and India, it might be worth looking out for similar opportunities of companies expanding into asia. Also, there's a growing startup scene in KL, which I'm sure is easier when it comes to getting a work visa.