10/14/2026
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A 61-year-old IIT Kanpur alumnus who moved to the United States more than two decades ago is now considering returning to India after struggling to find a full-time job and afford his rent in Dallas.
Gautam Dev, a former software engineer with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry, has opened up about how an unexpected career setback turned into a prolonged financial struggle.
In September 2024, Dev resigned from his software engineering job because he did not want to relocate for work.
Having successfully changed jobs in the past, he believed finding another position would be relatively straightforward.
However, nearly two years later, he has been unable to secure another full-time role despite repeatedly applying and attending interviews.
Dev said he eventually reduced his job search because he needed to focus on earning enough money to cover his immediate expenses.
He initially tried day trading as an alternative source of income. Although he experienced some early success, the results did not provide a sustainable financial solution.
He subsequently turned to gig work, including driving for Uber and delivering orders through DoorDash and Walmart Spark.
While these jobs have helped him earn some money, he says the income has not been sufficient to meet his living expenses.
The prolonged period without regular employment has forced him to exhaust his savings and accumulate substantial credit card debt.
His biggest concern is now paying rent in Dallas.
Dev said he would like to move into cheaper accommodation but is worried about finding a landlord willing to accept a tenant without stable employment or regular income.
Relocating would also mean taking time away from delivery work, making the decision even more difficult.
Earlier this year, he started a GoFundMe campaign to help manage his expenses. The fundraiser reportedly collected more than $9,000.
Dev admitted that asking strangers for financial assistance was emotionally difficult, although he expressed gratitude towards those who supported him.
His situation is especially striking because of his educational background and extensive professional experience.
He graduated from IIT Kanpur and spent more than two decades working in the technology sector before finding himself unable to secure stable employment.
Dev has also considered returning to India, where he lived before moving to the United States and eventually becoming an American citizen.
However, he has not made a final decision and says arranging an international move would require considerable planning.
For now, he hopes his finances will become more manageable when he turns 62 in January and becomes eligible to begin receiving Social Security benefits.
His experience highlights how even experienced professionals can face financial uncertainty after a long period of unemployment.
It has also sparked wider conversations about job security, age-related challenges in hiring, the changing technology industry and the importance of financial planning before leaving stable employment.
Do you think experienced professionals over 50 face greater challenges finding new jobs, even when they have strong qualifications and decades of experience?
