Nvidia was his dream job. An international student facing a visa deadline shares how he landed it.

Facing a tight deadline on his visa, Sylendran Arunagiri embarked on a challenging journey to secure his dream position at Nvidia, a company renowned for its pivotal role in artificial intelligence. Originally from India, Arunagiri had ambitions to further his education in the U.S. by enrolling in a master's program in product management at Carnegie Mellon University, with hopes of landing a summer internship at a leading tech firm. However, the landscape of the U.S. job market presented significant hurdles. As he prepared to move in late 2023, Arunagiri was warned by peers about the increasingly competitive environment, marked by a decline in job openings and rising layoffs. Unlike in India, where structured campus placement programs often guide graduates into jobs, he discovered that U.S. job fairs tended to be more about networking than direct employment opportunities. "You're completely on your own," he remarked from his new home in San Jose. Despite the obstacles, Arunagiri remained undeterred. Before relocating, he began applying for internships, and in November 2023, he landed an interview with Nvidia. The interview process was promising, leading him to halt applications for other positions. But after moving and completing his final interview in February, he was disappointed to learn he didn’t get the role. This setback forced him to restart his internship search in a dwindling market. Ultimately, Arunagiri secured an AI product manager internship with Informatica in India but couldn’t shake off thoughts about his Nvidia interview. Reflecting on that experience, he suspected that feeling unwell during the final interview had affected his performance. In a bid for improvement, he reached out to an Nvidia HR professional for feedback, which led him to connect with current interns who provided insights into the company's projects. With graduation approaching in December 2024 and the pressure of his F-1 visa looming, Arunagiri applied for a technical product marketing role at Nvidia, describing it as his "dream AI role." He also interviewed for a junior product management position at Microsoft. By December, both companies extended offers, but his passion for Nvidia made the choice clear. Now working at Nvidia, Arunagiri feels fulfilled, stating that the experience has met his expectations. He attributes part of his success to maintaining an active LinkedIn presence, showcasing his projects and experiments with generative AI tools. He encourages fellow job seekers to manage their time wisely, avoid comparing their journeys to others, and publicly share their work to stand out in a crowded market. "You need to find something that sets you apart from others," he advised.