How Is The Indian Diaspora REALLY Doing In The US?
A new impact report says they're thriving, but I'm not sure that it's applicable to all.
I moved to New York in 2021, for my Master’s in Fashion Business. For context, I thought I was on the path of corporate success back in high school, when I interned at Tarun Tahiliani (the Ambani’s wore them at several events, so you’ve definitely seen the designer’s work at some point). I really thought this success would be set in stone when I landed an internship at Vogue India in my second year of college. I had no connections to the industry, just sheer audacity. Looking back, I can’t even say I had talent.. I was just an ambitious girly who had no trouble walking up to the then Fashion Director at an event to introduce myself (and tell her I wanted to work for her).
Cut to 2024, I’m in New York City—home of the big American dream for so many, including those already in America—unemployed, for 6 months. Let’s be clear, this isn’t because I’m not qualified. I’ve been rejected from jobs for being too passionate and overqualified. I’ve been rejected from jobs because even though I’ve worked with Sephora’s all over the world, I haven’t had an account that was in Sephora US. Crazy, right? Apparently, it’s not that crazy. There’s a ton of talent available right now, and only so many jobs. Someone else probably has worked with Sephora US in the past. That doesn’t mean they’ll be better at the job than I am, it just means that they meet the hiring criteria better than I do.
Anyway, in the midst of all this, there’s a report—the first-ever data-driven report showcasing the contributions of the Indian diaspora in the US—published by Indiaspora and BCG.
Let’s just say, it’s looking up! I’ll start with the fun facts, before I get into the reality of what it’s like to be a first-gen immigrant.
✨5.1M Indian Americans
represent the Indian ‘diaspora’, including those born in India & those born in the US
✨~78% have a bachelor's degree or higher
outpacing the U.S. national average of 36%
✨16 of the Fortune 500
are currently led by Indian-origin CEOs with 2.7M employees
✨270K Indian international students
drive over $10B in spend each year
✨5-6% of US taxes
are from the Indian diaspora (1.5% of the U.S. population )
✨Approximately 22,000 full-time faculty members
of Indian origin teach at U.S. higher-ed institutions (i.e., 2.6% of the total)
✨~3B worth of donations to US Universities
have come from individuals of Indian origin, since 2008
According to the report, “With a community that is 5.1 million strong, making up 1.5% of the US population, Indian Americans are woven into the fabric of everyday life in the U.S., contributing richly to its economy, culture, and society. The Indian American diaspora includes 2.8 million first- generation immigrants (including students) and 2.3 million that claim Indian ancestry. Around 70% of Indian Americans are citizens and 60% are between 18-64 years of age.”
BUT…there’s a ton of suffering associated with these otherwise impressive statistics.
Your first job—regardless of what school you went to—will not be as exciting as a an American passport holder’s prospects.
I attended a DEI&B roundtable last night, and here are some tips the speakers had for BIPOC, people with disabilities, mental health limitations, or just lifestyle restrictions:
Ask the right questions: When you interview for a new job, ask the hiring manager what the team is like, and about hierarchy. If you’re surrounded by people who have similar struggles, it’ll be that much easier to navigate your day-to-day.
Surround yourself with people who can see further than you can: Whether this is a mentor, a friend, a colleague, or a manager, find someone who can help you see the bigger picture. Obviously, your mental health isn’t up for sacrifice, but if you can stick it out for ~12 months, it’ll be that much easier to move to the next job or the next role with an increment, rather than in a lateral capacity.
Take risks: Calculated and measured risks can pay back multifold. If there’s a project you really believe in, go after it—with research, data, and projections on the potential outcomes. If you’re struggling to get buy-in from your manager, pivot and position it differently. Maybe even hold on until a better time and opportunity comes along to push your dream project.
Learn how to say no: You can’t have it all. Pick your battles, and pick your treats. If there’s something you don’t have capacity for, say just that. Don’t say, you ‘can’t’ do it, say, you have other priorities that do not leave room for another one at this time.
Urgency without panic, and action without thoughtlessness (this one was my favorite): When you’re in a sticky spot, treat it with urgency but don’t lose sight of what’s important in the process. Take action, but don’t lose your compass.
I’ll continue to share what I learn from the industry experts who cross my path. In the meantime, if you have any tips for those struggling with unemployment, or want to talk about your own struggles, comment on this post! It’s a tough world, but we’ll get through it.
RANT OVER xoxo