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The Beginning - Excitement during the Bench Period (1997)

Most of the 'Software Engineers' have already reached US by now. Few, still back there in India, are dying to come here. I wrote this diary for those folks, 'Software Engineers' who want to come to US on a H1 visa. It is the diary of an ambitious, young software engineer who dreams of coming the US and make it big. Most of those already working here in US will see a few of their experiences in the diary. Those who are dreaming of US are likely to find it boring, even hard to believe. This one-year diary is dedicated to all those 'Consultants' from India, now working in US.

 Nov 13. Thursday: My first day in America. JFK Airport at New York was quite an experience. Steve, the executive from ABCD Consulting received me. A couple of others who arrived by the same flight also came to join ABCD Consulting. Three were already staying in the guesthouse, making it six of us. The guesthouse is a decent apartment with two bedrooms. Entire apartment has a wall to wall carpet. Unfortunately, there are only five beds. I volunteered to use the sofa in the living room. Today is the happiest day in my life.

 Nov 14. Friday: First day at the ABCD Consulting office. Small office, a cabin for President, a room for marketing people and another one for accounts/HR people. Plus a room for us, Software Engineers. There were 13 of us, all on 'bench', till we get a client. The first day was spent in filling forms and applying for social security number, opening a bank account etc. (A colleague, Shanker, told me a Social Security Number was very important). The President gathered three of us new comers and briefed us about the work environment at ABCD consulting. He gave us a few tips on interviews. The more we read more we would be benefited at the interviews, he said. Shankar, my only friend now, gave me a few tips life in America. It is very cold here these days.

 Nov 19. Wednesday: Shankar taught me a lesson on the lingo here. It is not America, but US. Everybody here is a 'guy'. We are not Software Engineers, but 'Consultants'. All Indians here are 'Desis'. I ate pizza for the first time in my life. It is OK. Shankar told me, here one should say, "its great", even if you think it is bad. Now, I can identify the different coins. I am learning a lot here. I have been promoted as the 'Chief Cook' at our guesthouse.

 Nov 21. Friday: A couple of guys found a client. One of them is from our guesthouse. I am happy for him and for myself. Now I can sleep on his bed. Sleeping on the couch is uncomfortable. The number of people on bench is now 11, but 3-4 guys from India are expected to join us soon. Called home using the calling card. Felt homesick. Thought if I had made a mistake coming here? America is after all not that great, and India is not too bad. Shankar told me it's a phase everybody on the bench goes through. Once you get a client, everything would be all right he consoled. But, when am I going to get a client? Got my ATM card. Now I know how to use ATM card at the ATM machine. I also learnt to use washer and dryer to do the laundry. I am acquiring a lot of new skills. My skill set is growing.

 Nov 27. Thursday: Had a telephonic interview with 'Third Party' (middleman). Desi. He told me, he had a probable client at Atlanta for me. Searched Atlanta on the map. It is in the state of Georgia. Shankar told me the place is full of afro-americans in Atlanta. I am desperate about the Atlanta interview.

Got my Social Security Number. Shankar cautioned the number should not be told to anybody. It's a secret. I wondered, if it should not be told to anybody, then why should we have it in the first place? Anyway, it's a 9-digit number and very difficult to remember. Temperatures here are below zero here.

 Dec 5. Friday: The Atlanta interview never happened. Experienced guys on the bench told me that was not new. Talked to another 'Third Party'. He had a probable client for me in Seattle. I tried to locate Seattle on the map. It is in the state of Washington on the West Coast. Shanker informed me that it rains a lot there. Christmas will be here soon. People have started preparing for it. Today there was snow, the first snowfall I have ever seen with my eyes. It was nice. Everything is covered with snow. Quite a view. Shanker gave me an interesting tip: "Don't ever fall in the hands of Amway guys.

The Struggle - Depression during the Bench Period.

Dec 13. Saturday: One month in US. Beginning to be depressed. Shankar informed me nobody gets a project after 3rd week of December till 2nd week of January. It is a holiday season. God, please give me a project before the end of next week. Shankar completed one and half months on bench. He will start getting his full pay from next week.

 Dec 22. Monday: All hope of getting a project till January second week is gone. It is boring here. Sometimes, I feel like packing up and going back to India. But, I don't have enough money. I am still on the 'bench'. The only good news in the past few days is, rupee has declined against dollar and now is equivalent of Rs 35.45.

Today is the saddest day in my life.

Jan 1. Tuesday: My New Year resolution is to get a client as soon as possible.

Jan 7. Wednesday: Nobody has got a client in the past two weeks. Our President told us, things have begun to pick up. He advised us to prepare hard for the interviews. I am tired of waiting for interviews.
Anyway, Completed one and half month and am on full salary.

 Jan 13. Tuesday: A couple of guys found a client yesterday. Things seem to be picking up. Got a call from a 'Third Party'. He had a probable client for me in the Research Triangle area. I don't know where that is. Somebody told me it is in North Carolina. I looked up for North Carolina on the map. It is on the East Coast. Rupee has further declined against Dollar and is equivalent of Rs 36.35.

Jan 15. Thursday: The interview from Research Triangle was OK. The 'Third Party' told me I did well. I have begun collecting information on North Carolina. Now I know the area is called Research Triangle. Shankar got a client. At Denver? Where is this Denver?

Jan 20. Tuesday: I didn't hear anything about that Research Triangle client. 3-4 guys got clients in the past week. When am I going to get a client? God, please give me a client. Its very boring here. It is boring without Shankar around.

Jan 26. Monday: I had a call from a 'Third Party'. He has a probable client for me in Ohio. I didn't bother to look up for Ohio in the map.

Today is the Republic Day of India. Long Live India.

Jan 30. Friday: A lot of things happened. I had an interview with the client from Ohio yesterday. I am selected. Will have to fly to Ohio this weekend. I don't know anything about Ohio. The contract is for three months and it may extend further.

The struggle continues - The First Client (1998)

 Feb 2. Monday: My first day at the client. Woke up early. ABCD Consulting booked a motel for two weeks near the client office. Took a cab to office. $8. That's too much. I went in formal clothes. The dress code at the client is casual. My manager told me I could come in casuals. The first day was cool. My manager showed me my cubicle and explained how to use phone, fax, photo copying machine, coffee machine etc. Nice guy. I need to tune up fast to his accent. I am sure he is thinking the same about me. There are a lot of 'Desis' in the office. All 'Consultants'. While coming back from the office, one of the Desis gave me a ride to my motel. He said, he could pick me up tomorrow morning while going to office. He seemed a nice guy. The problem of commuting to the office is solved. I hope he is not an Amway agent.

 Feb 2. Monday: My first day at the client. Woke up early. ABCD Consulting booked a motel for two weeks near the client office. Took a cab to office. $8. That's too much. I went in formal clothes. The dress code at the client is casual. My manager told me I could come in casuals. The first day was cool. My manager showed me my cubicle and explained how to use phone, fax, photo copying machine, coffee machine etc. Nice guy. I need to tune up fast to his accent. I am sure he is thinking the same about me. There are a lot of 'Desis' in the office. All 'Consultants'. While coming back from the office, one of the Desis gave me a ride to my motel. He said, he could pick me up tomorrow morning while going to office. He seemed a nice guy. The problem of commuting to the office is solved. I hope he is not an Amway agent.

Feb 13. Friday: I have now moved into the apartment of one of the Desis. He was looking for a partner. I have to buy a car now. I don't have any credit history. How can I buy a car? Who will give me loan? Which car to buy? How to negotiate? Should I buy a new or old car? Shankar called me yesterday from Denver. He suggested I buy a Japanese car. He told they give better mileage and have a better resale value. I should start driving lessons now.

 Feb 28. Saturday: Bought a car. Honda Civic. Most Desis own either Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic. The dealer arranged for finance. He told me I got a special deal. Took the car to an Indian temple. The Pundit did a 'special' pooja. I paid $50 for special pooja! Doesn't matter. It is my first car. I shouldn't forget God after all. I can now drive to office. I need to buy one more comforter. Sleeping on the floor with one comforter is not comfortable.

March 10. Tuesday: Bought a camera last week. Took some photographs of the car and sent them home. Photographs are very nice. Also sent $1000. Parents are surely going to be proud of me. Now, I need to get a US license. Insurance company is not ready to continue giving insurance on IDP. I am not getting many honks now. I am definitely driving better.

March 16. Monday: There is no work at the client's. I wondered, why they hired me? It is boring without work. Thanks to Internet, Email and telephone facility there. What would I have done without these? I keep calling friends from office. I need to control my phone calls to home.
This month's telephone bill has hit $400. That's too much. I made a lot of calls to India to tell about my new car. I should have avoided that. I also must find out whether there is some better deal with some other long distance company. My car skidded yesterday on the ice. There are minor scratches on rear bumper. I need to be more careful while driving on icy roads.

April 2. Thursday: There is still no work at the client's. It is becoming more and more difficult to pass time during 8 working hours. I passed driving test yesterday. Shankar called me yesterday and told me that, he has quit ABCD Consulting. He has joined another Desi Company, which is paying him 60K. Lucky guy. What am I doing here on 45K?

April 6. Monday: My client is billed $65 per hour for me. That is 65 * 40 = 2,600 per week and 2600 * 52 = $135200 per annum. And how much do I get? Just 45K per annum. ABCD Consulting is cheating me. By the way, my parents will be proud that their son is worth $1,35,200 K per annum.

Sunrise - Change of a job

April 29. Wednesday: My project is extended for another six months. I still don't have any work. But, it doesn't matter as long as I am paid.
Heard that, folks in Java make 70-75K.

 July 10. Friday: Been to the Niagara Falls over the weekend. It was fascinating. Took a lot of photographs. Sent those to India too. A lot of things happened in the past two months. ABCD Consulting has given me a hike of 10K. I am now on 55K. But, another Desi Company here has offered 65K and is ready to start Green Card immediately. Guess I will take it. To hell with ABCD Consulting. After all, I have come here to make some money.

August 15. Saturday: Our Independence Day. Felt homesick. My new H1 has come. Desi companies do H1 pretty quickly. I will be at the same client, but through my new consulting firm, XYZ Consulting from next week. Rupee has declined further against dollar in last few days to 39.40. That's good news for NRIs like me.

September 10. Thursday: Started GC processing. People say it takes almost four years to process GC. Why are so many guys behind GC?

 Received a letter from Dad. He wants me to get married. They have already started looking for girls there. He asked my expectations. What are my expectations? She should be a software engineer, able to get a job here. Then both of us can work and save a lot of money. I am at 65K right now. Let's say, she will get another 55K. Then together we will be earning 120K. Wow! That's very attractive. I can then buy a Lexus within few years. Rather, I should save more, than buying a Lexus. But, before getting married I need to have everything in the home here. Right now I don't have a bed. I still sleep on the floor; of course it's a carpeted floor. I need to find a separate apartment. There are so many things. Let's wait for another year at least. I should write to Dad about it soon. Peoplesoft professionals are getting around 80K. When can I get 80K???

September 13. Sunday: For the first time after coming to the US. I seriously thought about a weekend. Otherwise Sunday is the busiest day of the week. Shanker used to say that we should say Sundays are great and fun. I wondered why? Decided to buy a TV. Heard a good one is going to cost me $100. Will look for a cheaper one.

September 14. Monday: Shanker sent me e-mail. His brother was brought to the US by ABCD. He was sent back after a week because he thought he cannot find a client. Heard ABCD is not doing great. Legal problems it seems. In fact it had shifted base to Dallas, Texas i'm told (I know where Dallas is). Thought about home. Wanted to make a phone call. Then decided against it. Very little time left on my phone card. Will try to call from my office phone. They are asking me to come home as soon as possible. They have seen some girls it seems.

September 18, Friday: Plan to go to Las Vegas. Shanker has invited me there. He is also coming there. Heard it is a great place. Lots of Casinos. Must not spend money. I plan to have a home ready soon. Got an offer for 70K through Shanker's friend. It is in San Francisco. I forgot to check if it was a Desi company.

September. 20 Sunday: Las Vegas did not happen. It is boring. After all the work, weekends are really boring. Ate a pizza after a long time. Got tired of making 'Sambar' at home. Feels better now. Was thinking about an Indian boy I saw at the gas station. Wondered if ABCD had brought him to the US. Called home. They want to send me photographs of girls. I have to say yes to one of them. Might have to go home soon.

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