A Journey of Returning Home and Giving Back

Chandana Shivanand and her husband made the significant decision to move back to India from California after working in Big Tech. Originally from a small city north of Bengaluru, Chandana pursued electrical engineering at the University of Southern California after encouragement from her mother to seek opportunities abroad. Post-graduation in 2016, she worked as a senior technical program manager at Meta and briefly at Microsoft before returning to Meta. In 2021, she had an arranged marriage with Prajwal, living in Santa Clara until they bought a home.

Chandana and Prajwal wanted more than just to send money home. They both valued giving back and had set up a charity in India. In 2023, they co-founded Global Engineers Connect with friends and professionals worldwide. Their aim was to aid engineering students in rural India in solving community issues. Their initiatives included providing small funds, mentorship, mock interviews, résumé reviews, and referrals.

In 2024, after coordinating an event at Chandana’s alma mater, Prajwal questioned whether they should move back to India, a suggestion Chandana accepted enthusiastically. They decided to explore their passions with a two-year plan in India. Initially, they rented out their US home, taking only 11 boxes back to India. Years later, they sold the house for $2 million, having bought it for $1.7 million.

Upon returning to India, they focused on social impact in education. Although not aiming to start immediately, they leveraged their experience in engineering and vast network of mentors to establish key programs. These include a 10-week entrepreneurship incubator and AI initiatives to assist engineering students.

The first phase was challenging, involving adjustments to Indian work culture, traffic, pollution, and societal expectations. They opted for an independent lifestyle, renting a five-bedroom villa serving as both home and office.

Chandana has no regrets about moving back. Her stint in Big Tech provided necessary exposure and confidence. She appreciates the balance of highs and lows in India, coupled with flexibility and support. The experience in the US was crucial, providing insights that helped in forming a nonprofit earlier than she might have if she had stayed in India initially. Exposure to both lifestyles enabled her to make informed choices aligned with her dreams and vision.