A mid-level data scientist working in the U.S. on an H-1B visa has opened up about the crushing pressures of tech burnout, lack of work-life balance, and immigration-related risks that have left him on the brink of resignation despite a stable $180K job and an approved I-140.
The professional, employed at a mid-sized software firm, reports working over 70 hours a week—including weekends—for the past four years under a non-technical manager. Since a leadership change that introduced what he describes as an “inexperienced Indian manager,” his role has shifted drastically from data science to grunt work. “There’s no ML, no A/B testing, no strategy. Just legacy code maintenance and ad-hoc reporting,” he explains.
With increasing demands to work during PTO or even while sick, the job has eroded every aspect of his life. “I haven’t had time for hobbies in four years. My spouse handles everything at home while working full-time,” he says, highlighting the toll on his personal well-being.
Despite escalating his concerns to HR and skip-levels, no changes have been made. Recruiters regularly contact him with new opportunities, but exhaustion has left him unable to interview. “I’m completely burnt out,” he admits.
His spouse has proposed that he quit, convert to an H-4 dependent visa, and take time to recover and prepare for future roles. However, with the spouse’s job also being unstable, the couple fears potential deportation if both are left without work.
Caught between a draining job and the fragility of the U.S. immigration system, the data scientist says he’s “really close to quitting” but remains conflicted. His story underscores the silent struggles of high-skilled immigrants who often sacrifice mental health to cling to stability in an unforgiving visa landscape.