Destination U.S. for STEM courses

The increase in the duration of the Optional Practical Training to 36 months is expected to provide better hands-on training opportunities to Indian students.

State universities are a good alternative to Ivy League universities, and provide a conducive and culturally diverse learning environment. Photo: Special Arrangement

American institutions have been consistently topping the list of world’s best universities. As a result, the U.S. has been the preferred choice of destination for Indian students aspiring to study abroad for more than two centuries now. According to the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) report 2015, there are around 1.05 million foreign students currently studying at various universities in the U.S. Amid the variety of courses offered by these universities, the largest field of study for international students are majors in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields accounting for about 38 per cent of the total population. Among these, 82 per cent of Indians were enrolled in the STEM programmes in the U.S. in the year 2015, with India producing 29 per cent of total foreign engineering students. Notably, according to the SEVP report, most Indian students are interested in engineering, computer science, and related STEM fields.

The reason for this popularity could be attributed to the fact that STEM programmes provide students an extension of stay, during which they could choose to work in the States. Termed as ‘Optional Practical Training’ (OPT), international students pursuing STEM programmes from accredited educational institutions in the U.S., are allowed to extend their period of stay in the country. Earlier, this was pegged at 29 months, but with the United States Federal Government’s new mandate, announced on March 11, 2016, international students pursuing a postgraduate degree in a STEM programme can now stay and work in the U.S. for 36 months beyond their course duration. Indian students, particularly, find this new scheme valuable, as it will not just enable them to have better hands-on training but also provide them a chance to apply for H-1B work visa in the U.S.

Home to the famed ‘Silicon Valley’, the U.S. market is primarily a STEM market, backed by the large IT services industry, with a world-class infrastructure. This enhances the chances of a STEM student getting better opportunities, another major reason why Indians are attracted to the programme. As per the United States Department of Commerce data, the growth of STEM-related jobs over the last 10 years was found to be three times more than that of non-STEM fields. It also reported that STEM workers earn 26 per cent more than their non-STEM counterparts.

As a matter of interest, international workers in the U.S. have been identified to have created more than 40 per cent of the current Fortune 500 companies. Be it AT&T, eBay, Google, SanDisk, Sun, Qualcomm or Yahoo, all of which were founded by people in the U.S. coming from abroad. This implies that the U.S. is a hub of innovation and talent, which is yet another reason (rather inspiration) why Indians choose to study, work and even launch their own companies in the country. Many Indians with sound knowledge, creativity and talent move to the U.S., every year, for higher education supplemented by their goals of finding better employment and business opportunities.

Now that the U.S. graduate programmes will be benefited from the new STEM OPT rule, the students will be able to focus more on their training without worrying about their visas. The rule will also help students aspiring to obtain a doctorate degree in their field, since the visa can now cover their course duration in the country while earning the degree. But to stay and work in the U.S. and earn a good living there, the first step has to be taken very cautiously, that is choosing the right university.

University dilemma

Studying abroad definitely gives Indian students a competitive edge, as they gain the required exposure necessary to succeed in today’s competitive and global workforce. And with a degree from a reputed American university, Ivy League or State University, an Indian student can easily impress employers across the world. Offering a broad range of experience and perspectives as well as extraordinary intellect and creativity, in addition to world-class education in the most culturally diverse environment, American universities continue to be the choice of destination for higher studies among Indian students intending to pursue a career in STEM fields.

However, the question of choosing a university in the U.S. still remains unanswered. We are all aware of the value a degree from an Ivy League University holds. But it is not possible for every student to crack the entrance exam of these universities. In this case, the U.S. State universities serve as a brilliant option for Indian students who aspire to study, stay and work in the country. With a markedly reasonable tuition fee, these State universities also allow students to pursue the course of their choice rather than take up a career that is chosen for them based on their exam results.

A meritorious student can easily get through the entrance of the U.S.-based State universities, study the subjects of their choice and still earn a prestigious degree. The Ivy League universities undoubtedly have a prestige of their own, but many State universities make up to it by providing quality education in a conducive and culturally diverse learning environment. So, for the Indian students planning to pursue STEM courses in the U.S., considering one of the U.S. State universities, will not be a bad idea.

The writer is assistant vice-president for International Programmes, Missouri State University, U.S.